Big Blue Tech: Technical Diver Courses
Technical Diving allows experienced divers to dive deeper, enter overhead environments such as a wreck or caves or dive for longer bottom times with specialized equipment after gaining expert training.
Technical or deep dives are defined as dives deeper than the standard recreational limits of between 30-40m. This is due to the fact that breathing regular air while experiencing depths below 30m causes an increasing amount of impairment due to nitrogen narcosis.
Technical diving is also described as dives that are long enough to require mandatory decompression stops which can be performed using nitrox or pure oxygen. Decompression diving carries higher risks as it is no longer safe to make a direct ascent to the surface when underwater problems occur. That’s why obtaining the necessary technical training is essential before you consider this type of diving.
Taking technical diving even further is introducing the use of hypoxic breathing gas mixtures such as trimix, heliox and heliair. Breathing air at depths greater than 55m generally increases the risks of symptoms of oxygen toxicity resulting in seizures and often drowning. Adding helium to the air reduces both the percentage of Oxygen and Nitrogen in the breathing mix allowing deeper dive depths.
Inert gases, such as nitrogen and helium, are absorbed into body tissues when breathed under high pressure. These dissolved gases must be allowed to release gradually from body tissues to prevent decompression sickness or the bends, explaining the need for a decompression schedule at various stops of the ascent of a technical deep diver.
Technical diving involves significantly longer durations than recreational diving, therefore it is necessary to increase their supply of breathing gases by connecting multiple diving cylinders or by using a rebreather. Technical divers also carry reserve equipment and gases should they experience failure from their primary source, which is why you will see technical divers with much more equipment than recreational divers.
Below is a summary of the open circuit courses we off here at Big Blue Tech. Each course has a specific list of pre-requisites in addition to our own terms and conditions for enrollment.
All courses are offered through TDI and DSAT
Solo Diver
The Greatest Diving Taboo
The objective of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for diving solo. Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in solo diving activities.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 21
• Have a Minimum certification of Advanced Diver
• Have a Minimum of one hundred (100) logged dives
Duration:
This course is run over two full days, the first day is academic and looks at the benefits, risks, operational planning and equipment consideration for solo diving. Day one also takes a closer look at pony bottles or redundant breathing supply (RBS) and correct wearing and assembly with 2 dives. Day 2 made up of two more dives with navigation, stamina and emergency drills.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Nitrox Diver
The Pre-Requisite for all
This is the entry-level certification course for recreational divers wishing to utilize enriched air Nitrox (EAN) as a breathing gas. The objective of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for using Nitrox mixes from twenty two (22) to forty (40) percent oxygen content.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 15
• Have a Minimum certification of Open Water Diver or a current enrollment in an Open Water Diver course
Duration:
This course is run over two full days, the first day is academic and looks at the benefits, risks, operational planning and equipment consideration for nitrox diving. Day one also takes a closer look at blending techniques and correct analysis as well as correct labeling of nitrox gases. Day 2 made up of two dives.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Level 1 - Tech Diver
Intro to Technical Diving
The TDI Intro to Tech course introduces students to the world of technical diving.The objective of this course is to familiarize students with technical gear configurations, to enhance open water diving skills (such as buoyancy, trim, and situational awareness), and to introduce students to advanced gas planning techniques within a no-decompression context. This course is strictly a no-decompression course; students are permitted to use Enriched Air Nitrox mixes, provided the gas mix is within their current level of certification.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 18
• Minimum certification of Advanced Diver or equivalent
• Proof of 25 logged open water dives
Duration:
This course is taught over 2 days as a stand alone course. students wishing to continue their education can move on to Level 2.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Level 2 - Tech Diver
Advanced Nitrox
The objective of this course is to train the divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for utilising EAN 21 through to 100 percent oxygen for dives not requiring staged decompression. To a depth of 40 msw (130fsw) this course can be combined with Decompression Procedures at the discretion of your instructor.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 15
• Minimum certification of TDI Nitrox Diver or equivalent
• Proof of 25 logged open water dives
Duration:
This course is run over three days if taught stand alone or five days if combined with the TDI Decompression Procedures course. Students looking at moving into further technical diving courses will need Advanced Nitrox certifications to enrol on the higher technical dive courses.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Level 3 - Tech Diver
Decompression Procedures
Duration:
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.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 18
• Minimum certification of open water diver
• Proof of 25 logged open water dives
Duration:
This course is run over three days if it is taught stand alone or over five days if combined with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course. Consisting of two days theory, equipment workshop and three full days boat diving. Students taking the combined training will also require a basic nitrox certification to enrol onto the Advanced Nitrox course. See our main price list which shows you the course saving when combining the Advanced Nitrox course with the Decompression Procedures course.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Level 4 - Tech Diver
Deep Extended Range
Duration:
This course provides training and experience required to competently utilise air for dives up to 180 fsw, 55 msw that require stage decompression, utilising nitrox mixtures or oxygen during decompression. This course is the most rewarding course you may take as a diver and sets the foundations for all your future deep diving.
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.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Level 5 - Tech Diver
Normoxic Trimix Diver
The objective of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures of utilising custom oxygen / helium / nitrogen mixtures as breathing gases with no less than 18% Oxygen, and utilize Nitrox mixtures and Oxygen for decompression to a maximum depth of 60 msw (200 fsw). This course is for students looking at diving deeper reducing the effect of nitrogen narcosis and handling Oxygen Toxicity. This course has fast become the course of choice over the TDI Extended Range course.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 18
• Minimum certification as a TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver and Decompression Procedures Diver (or equivalent)
• Minimum of 100 logged dives
Duration:
This course is run over four days and consists of one day of theory and three days boat diving. However, students who have already completed the Extended Range course may be credited two dives towards this course.
Download the full course outline in PDF
Level 6 - Tech Diver
Hypoxic Trimix Diver
The objective of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures of utilising custom oxygen / helium / nitrogen mixtures as breathing gases with less than 18% Oxygen, and utilize Nitrox mixtures and Oxygen for decompression to a maximum depth of 100 msw This course is for students looking at diving deeper reducing the effect of nitrogen narcosis and handling Oxygen Toxicity. This course is the highest diver rating achievable via the TDI course routes, it is extreme diving so therefore requires extreme levels of tuition. Students will master advanced planning techniques and open water skills required for this type of diving.
Student Prerequisites:
• Minimum age of 18
• Minimum certification as an Extended Range Diver or Trimix Diver (or equivalent)
• Minimum of 100 logged dives
Duration:
This course is run over five days and consists of one day of theory and four days boat diving. However, students who have already completed the Extended Range course may be credited two dives towards this course at the discretion of the instructor.
Download the full course outline in PDF
