This course provides training and experience required to competently utilize air for dives up to fifty five (55) msw / one hundred and eighty (180) fsw that requires staged decompression, utilizing Nitrox mixtures or oxygen during decompression. The objective of this course is to train divers in the proper techniques, equipment requirements, and hazards of deep air diving to a maximum of fifty five (55) msw / one hundred eighty (180) fsw
utilizing Nitrox mixtures or oxygen for staged decompression.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 18
• Minimum of 100 logged dives, of which 25 must be deeper than 100 fsw / 30 msw
• Certification as a TDI Advanced Nitrox and TDI Decompression Procedures Diver (or equivalent) are required
Duration:
This course is run over four days and consists of one day of theory and equipment workshop if required plus three full day’s boat diving with a total of six dives.
Course Enrollment Details: Enrollment in a technical course guarantees you excellent and complete training. However, it does not guarantee you a certification card. You must earn that. All of our training is performance based.
The TDI Decompression Procedures course, which was combined with TDI Advanced Nitrox, covers a variety of unqiue skills and training to allow the diver to complete decompression dives up to 45m using a variety of oxygen based gas mixes.
The course began with advanced buoyancy skills, equipment orientation, gas planning, task loading and handling advanced mixes of nitrox.
Today the students completed 2 accelerated decompression dives at Chumphon Pinnacle dive site in Koh Tao Thailand. The goal of all dives was to not touch the ground at any point or make contact with any object using their newly honed buoyancy skills. It was also essential to deploy a lift bag on every dive, the lift bag and reel can often lead to problems with loosing depth control or entanglement.
The students final dive exposed them to a 24 minute stop at 4.5m. Although they had already cleared their schedule according to their Suunto Vytec DS gas switching computer (provided as standard on all courses) it was essential for the students to build up tolerance to hanging in water in a controlled manner.
Tomorrow begins the start of the TDI Extended Range course which will begin with advanced oxygen handling, simulated in-water recompression procedures (full face mask), decompression buddy breathing and a variety of unique skills found only in the TDI syllabus. The TDI Extended Range course will then hit the road for Khao Sok where the students will complete their TDI Cavern Course and finish the deep dives on the sunken village in the middle of the national park. This option for training is only open to the most comfortable technical student due to it’s remote and challenging environment.
All images copyright Christos Kardana - Big Blue Tech
A US Marine Officer, former US Airforce Engineer and a Private Security Consultant joined Big Blue Tech today for some decompression diving. All three men hail from New York and came to Big Blue Tech for different reasons but all dived together this morning.
Mike Borneo, US Marine Captain joined Big Blue Tech to get his TDI Advanced Nitrox but quickly moved on to complete his TDI Decompression Procedures course as well. Mike is on cultural attachment to the US Embassy in Thailand before his next deployment overseas in the new year.
Steve Papapanos, former US Airforce Engineer is travelling through thailand and came to Big Blue Tech for the same reasons as Mike and will continue his travells through the rest of Asia.
Nathaniel Weiss, Business Consultant for Private Security Companies overseas joined Big Blue Tech for his TDI Extended Range course and Khao Sok Expedition at the end of the month but came out today to receive a Technical Refresher before going straight into the course. Nathaniel will join 3 others later this month to start his extended range.
The course was conducted over 4 days and exposed the divers to accelerated decompression to 45m. The divers learned complex dive planning, equipment configuration and new diving techniques to allow them to dive deeper and longer than before.
The students enjoyed the diving so much the signed up for some additional experience dives right after the course. It was a great pleasure hanging out with these lads since we’re very much an ex military school and wish them all the luck in the future.
The TDI Advanced Nitrox course is designed to train the divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for utilizing Enriched air nitrox through to one hundred (100%) percent oxygen for dives not requiring decompression To a depth of forty (40) msw, one hundred thirty (130) fsw.
The course in itself gives the student many great new abilities as a diver. Of those include certification to 40m, above 40% nitrox use and the ability to dive in technical diving gear.
Yesterday Big Blue Tech completed such a course for Andy Holdaway , Panos Iosifoglo and Jean-Louis Rocheron. This course was also assited by Christos Kardana who was documenting the event with his under water camera.
The students excelled at the new gear and learning that extra buoyancy skills was introduced to help improve their confidence in the gear, these skills are typically found in the TDI Intro to Tech or GUE Foundations courses. This is essential for Panos and Andy who are continuing on to their TDI Cavern Course in a few days and later to more progressive technical diving course, they will use their new certification diving with twin tanks in the fresh water caves of Khao Sok National Park. Jean-Louis benefited from the extra skills and time to practice because he returns to work in France and might not have much time to dive again until next holiday.
The Big Blue Tech family became a little bit bigger with the arrival of Andy Holdaway to start his technical dive master internship which will take him from a rescue diver to a member of staff as an instructor in a few months time.
Andy joins us from England where he has spent the past few years as a Royal Marines Commando and served with our director James Thornton-Allan over 4 years ago. Andy has been to Koh Tao before but this time he’s staying.
Being as Andy already has a relationship with the staff means there’s been quite a few late nights and shakey mornings. However the celebration of his arrival is over and now it’s time to get to work. Andy will be enrolling in the following courses.
Once that’s done Andy will be joining us to take over the responsibility for all our specialty course training and freelancing for recreational diving while he builds up experience to take on the ominous role of TDI technical instructor.
This Course examines theory, methods and procedures of planned stage decompression diving. The objective of the course is to train divers how to plan and conduct standard staged decompression dives not exceeding a maximum depth of 150 fsw / 45 msw. During the course students will look at the most common equipment requirements, gear set-ups, decompression techniques and dive planning. Students are able to use EAN and Oxygen for decompression provided the gas mix is within their current certification level.
The inaugural EuroTek conference for technical divers will be held in Birmingham this autumn.
The conference, sub-titled The European Emerging Dive Technologies Conference, is to be staged over 15 and 16 November at the city’s International Convention Centre (ICC).
It is, says its organiser, “a dedicated advanced-diving conference set to showcase the very latest in advanced and technical diving technologies, expeditions and presentations”.
There will be talks from an “international cast of speakers and presenters acknowledged as being among the world’s leading authorities in their respective fields of diving expertise”.
And divers will be able to attend “technical sessions, workshops and clinics giving you a chance to meet, listen and learn from some of modern diving’s most accomplished personalities”.
On the Saturday night there will be a limited-tickets gala evening dinner, complete with diving-achievements awards ceremony.
Looking for extreme action? Check out SSI’s Technical Extended Range Program!
Xtreme Excitement
SSI’s TechXR is a well founded Technical Diving program and it was created to take the recreational diver to an extreme level for their diving adventures.
Whether you are looking for the excitement of deep reef diving or the thrill of exploring wrecks located well past 40m (130 feet), SSI TechXR is a way to learn the training and experience necessary for you to complete every new adventure with confidence and skill.
Whatever your current diving ability, extended range diving will challenge you with environments, depths, bottom times, procedures, and equipment not commonly encountered by recreational divers. You will be experiencing advanced levels that require extensive knowledge, enhanced diving skills, and considerable experience.
Xtreme Training
To support your journey, SSI has developed these specific learning tools: a manual, interactive CD-ROM, Technical DiveLog and Technical Dive Slates. In addition, you rinstructor may also require you to have a personal copy of an advanced dive planning software program.
The courses available for you to take are: Advanced Nitrox, Technical Foundations, Decompression Procedures, Normoxic Trimix, and Advanced Decompression Procedures. You can take each of these courses individually or all at once.
You will develop confidence and comfort with these new skills through repetition and supervised experiences. Training will be designed to match your goals and objectives. SSI′s signature training method′s the “SSI Diver Diamond “and “Comfort Through Repetition” have been applied to keep the programs consistent and provide the same high quality education as other SSI products.
Xtreme Flexibility The SSI TechXR program is designed to meet your needs. The instructor can formulate training around your individual goals and objectives. If you are just seeking for training how to perform safe decompression dives or if you want to walk the entire path through to become a TECH DIVER, SSI TechXR is the right program to satisfy your needs!
SSI TECHXR - DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURES
During this course you will learn to function as a member of a deep dive team and to plan and execute dives requiring stage decompression. You will make training dives as deep as 165 fsw while breathing air or optimized Nitrox and learn the proper procedures for making decompression stops utilizing a single decompression gas - EAN50.
The course includes hands-on experience with decompression planning software. You will gain the ability to prepare primary, contingency, and bailout plans. You will become experienced at evaluating conditions, anticipating potential problems, and applying the appropriate dive technique to achieve dive objectives.
Prerequisits: minimum 18 years old, minimum 75 logged dives, certification in Deep, Stress & Rescue, Enriched Air Nitrox and additionally certification in Navigation or Cavern, Advanced Open Water Diver, Oxgen Provider, certification in Technical Foundations or equivalent orTechnical Foundations certified plus 10 logged Extended Range dives in the SSI Technical Logbook in a range of 24 – 42m with Stage Tank or Pony Bottle
SSI TECHXR - TECHNICAL FOUNDATIONS
Technical Foundations divers will be trained to utilize singles with H-valves or twinsets, and stage cylinders or pony bottles. They will be introduced to advanced dive planning and make training dives as deep as 42m (140 ft). Students will also learn oxygen procedures and may use up to EAN50 for contingency decompression and to improve off-gas efficiency at safety stops.
Prerequisits: minimum 18 years old, minimum 50 logged dives, certification in Deep, Stress & Rescue, Enriched Air Nitrox and additionally certification in Navigation or Cavern, Advanced Open Water Diver
SSI TECHXR - ADVANCED NITROX
Students enrolled in the Technical Foundations course will develop the fundamental knowledge, equipment familiarity, and skills needed to participate in extended range diving activities. Even for divers who do not plan to make decompression dives, this course will increase confidence and enhance diving abilities. It is for every diver who wants to dive deeper, longer, or in more challenging environments.
Prerequisits: Certification in Enriched Air Nitrox, minimum 18 years old, minimum 24 logged dives out which minimum 6 need to be Enriched Air Nitrox Dives
SSI TECHXR - ADVANCED DECOMPRESSION
This course examines strategies for accelerated decompression. You are presented with the option of multiple Nitrox blends and the use of 100% oxygen. You will learn advanced ppO2 management procedures to control CNS toxicity dose. Training dives are conducted to depths as deep as 180 fsw and two gasses are used for stage decompression.
Prerequisits: minimum 18 years old, minimum 75 logged dives, certification in Deep, Stress & Rescue, Enriched Air Nitrox and additionally certification in Navigation or Cavern, Advanced Open Water Diver, Oxgen Provider, certification in Decompression Procedures or Normoxic Trimix plus 10 logged Air- or optimized EAN Nitrox Dives or normoxic Trimix Dives which were done by the use of a Stage ( EAN50 ), these dives should have been in depth ranges from 24m to 54m
SSI TECHXR - NORMOXIC TRIMIX (OPTION)
You will learn the procedures for using Normoxic Trimix blends with helium concentrations as great as 30%. Training dives will be conducted to depths of 180 fsw and EAN50 will be utilized to complete stage decompression stops.
Normoxic Trimix is optional.
Prerequisits: minimum 18 years old, minimum 75 logged dives, certification in Deep, Stress & Rescue, Enriched Air Nitrox and additionally certification in Navigation or Cavern, Advanced Open Water Diver, Oxgen Provider, certification in Decompression Procedures or equivalent plus 10 logged Extended Range Decompression dives
WHY SSI TECHXR INSTRUCTOR?
Why SSI TechXR?
SSI Technical Extended Range programs include: Advanced Nitrox, Technical Foundations, Decompression Procedures, Normoxic Trimix, and Advanced Decompression. Each of them are self-contained programs which can taken any time without having to take the next one straight after.
It is a simple way to integrate technical training into a current recreational course structure. Interested students are given the opportunity to start working towards their technical rating from the first day of their Open Water Course.
The TechXR program encourages staff development and promotes instructor continuing education.
Market surveys have shown that 6 - 10% of the existing divers are interested in technical diving and a much bigger percentage is interested in simply knowing more about decompression diving.
TechXR offers a variety of possibilities to satisfy dive leaders’ and customers’ needs, all what you have to do is - Go Xtreme!
Xtreme Training
The entire program consists of 5 parts, which are built up on each other: Advanced Nitrox, Technical Foundations, Decompression Procedures, Normoxic Trimix and Advanced Decompression Procedures
Many Dive Leaders seem to be interested in TechXR but finding the right starting point is a challenge. Therefore SSI has created some special combination programs and crossovers together with theTechXR Instructor Trainers in order to allow you an easy entry to TechXR. Dive Leaders can take part in one of the programs as a “Tech-Beginner“ or they can also already contribute experiences from other Technical Agencies. Entry into these courses are available to anyone at any time.
SSI Instructors must enroll an SSI Technical Extended Range Instructor Training Course in order to qualify for SSI TechXR Instructor Ratings.
SSI Instructors who are also instructors of recognized Technical Diving Agencies are entitled to take part in the TechXR Crossover Programs. TechXR Crossover Programs will be conducted following the TXR Equivalence List and the candidates will receive the appropriate SSI TechXR credentials after successful completion of the program.
Xtreme Flexibility
The SSI TechXR program was designed and tested under the most demanding conditions. All of the complex information has been broken down and made simple to teach and understand.
The SSI TechXR program was designed and tested under the most demanding conditions. All of the complex information has been broken down and made simple to teach and understand. The training material for both the student and instructor was developed by industry professionals with years of technical experience. SSI’s signature training method’s, the “SSI Diver Diamond “and “Comfort Through Repetition” have been applied to keep the programs consistent and provide the same high quality education as other SSI products.
The SSI TechXR program is designed to meet the needs of your customer. The instructor can formulate training around each customer′s individual goals and objectives.
Option 1 - Qualified TechXR Instructors can teach all four programs as a complete course or teach them sequentially as single courses. Students always have the choice to move only as far as they want. Technical Foundations can be taught as a single program being the prerequisite for Decompression procedures. Deco procedures must precede Normoxic Trimix. Advanced Decompression may be taught after either Deco Procedures (Normoxic Trimix is not required by standards) or Normoxic Trimix.
Option 2 - At the instructor′s and facility´s discretion, they may choose not to offer Technical Foundations as a separate course. The instructor/dealer can market a Decompression Procedures course. The academics for Foundations and the associated skill development dives will simply be incorporated into Decompression Procedures.
Option 3 – 50% of dive leaders indicated that they would not teach students below 40m (130 ft) while breathing air. These instructors may teach a Normoxic Trimix program that incorporates academics and skills for Technical Foundations and Decompression Procedures but does not require deep air dives.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Looking for extreme action? Check out SSI’s Technical Extended Range Program!
During this course you will learn to function as a member of a deep dive team and to plan and execute dives requiring stage decompression. You will make training dives as deep as 165 fsw while breathing air or optimized Nitrox and learn the proper procedures for making decompression stops utilizing a single decompression gas - EAN50.
Technical Foundations divers will be trained to utilize singles with H-valves or twinsets, and stage cylinders or pony bottles. They will be introduced to advanced dive planning and make training dives as deep as 42m (140 ft). Students will also learn oxygen procedures and may use up to EAN50 for contingency decompression and to improve off-gas efficiency at safety stops.
Students enrolled in the Technical Foundations course will develop the fundamental knowledge, equipment familiarity, and skills needed to participate in extended range diving activities. Even for divers who do not plan to make decompression dives, this course will increase confidence and enhance diving abilities. It is for every diver who wants to dive deeper, longer, or in more challenging environments.
This course examines strategies for accelerated decompression. You are presented with the option of multiple Nitrox blends and the use of 100% oxygen. You will learn advanced ppO2 management procedures to control CNS toxicity dose. Training dives are conducted to depths as deep as 180 fsw and two gasses are used for stage decompression.
You will learn the procedures for using Normoxic Trimix blends with helium concentrations as great as 30%. Training dives will be conducted to depths of 180 fsw and EAN50 will be utilized to complete stage decompression stops.
