Technical Diver 2 (Tech 2)

Technical Diver Program

UTD’s Technical Diver program consists of a two step process - Technical Diver 1 (Tech 1) and Technical Diver 2 (Tech 2). They are building block classes that introduce a diver to deeper depths and staged decompression in a slow progression, first working on bottom skills, then ascent skills and finally mid-water skills. Upon completion of these two courses, divers are trained and qualified to a depth of 160’/48m breathing Helitrox 25/25 and Trimix 18/45 or 21/35, the optional use of a stage bottle to conduct multiple technical dives in the same day, and to use a single decompression gas of Nitrox 50 or 100% O2.

Tech 2 Diver

The Technical Diver 2 is the second class structured to prepare divers for the rigors of Technical (decompression) diving and to familiarize them with the use of various breathing gases, including 18/45, 21/35 or 25/25), use of two different decompression mixtures (Nitrox 50 or 100% O2), and the use of a stage bottle to conduct two technical dives in a day .

Tech 2 training focuses on mid-water critical skills, simulating failures for the team to solve. This tests the team's ability to deal with failures not only on the bottom but also during the accent and gas switch – skills which are essential for safe technical diving. This critical training will include problem identification and resolution, and building the capacity for progressively more challenging diving.

Students will continue to use double tanks/cylinders and an optional single stage bottle and will discover the potential failure problems associated with them. You will also use a deco bottle of Nitrox 50 for accelerated and “on the fly” decompression and will take advantage of the use of Helium to minimize narcosis. The application and benefit of single decompression stage diving will be thoroughly explored.

The class will focus on Helium-based breathing gases as flexible and beneficial choices for dives to 160’/48m while using a single decompression gas such as Nitrox 50 for both accelerated decompression and safe rock bottom planning.

Note: Tech 1 and Tech 2 can be combined into a single 6 day program

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Prerequisites

Minimum 18 years of age

Minimum of 75 dives beyond openwater qualification

UTD Tech 1 or equivalent

Course Limits

Maximum depth 160’/48m

Standard back-gases are Helitrox 21/35

Standard decompression gases is Nitrox 50

One deco bootle and one optional stage bottle

No overhead environments.

Why this class?

Technical Diver 2 helps you to understand the new reality of extending technical (decompression) diving into the 160'/48m realm and conducting multiple technical dives in one day. With a focus on practical experience, stage use (for multiple dives in a day) with simulated failures, our in-water time will focus on the myriad of issues that can make ascending from a dive more difficult. In the classroom, we'll focus on the planning and execution of technical dives, from the gas planning of deco gas (or loss thereof) to an extended discussion into the new ramifications of stage bottle use and decompression bottle use.

During Tech 1 we focused on developing your mind to address failures along the bottom and midwater with decompression on Oxygen. In this class, we'll focus on the ascent, stage bottle, Nitrox 50 and how to get you and your team home safely.

Who is this class designed for?

The Technical Diver 2 is designed for divers who have experience with deeper diving with Helitrox 25/25 and Oxygen for decompression (1 deco bottle), but wish to extend their ability to a depth to 160'/48m on 21/35 or 18/45 and conduct multiple technical dives in the same day.

Adding an optional stage bottle allows you to extend your time and conduct multiple dives in one trip. With this class you will see more, experience more, and do more, whether it's photography, video, or simply enjoying the environment around you.

Class Information

This class is structured around 3 days, involving a minimum of eight hours of academics and six dives, four of which will be critical skill dives and two will be experience dives, all designed to provide a working knowledge of Helium-based gases, including a discussions centered around gas management including stage bottle and deco bottle, use and understanding of deco tables for accelerated decompression, deco contingency planning including "Deco on the Fly," and more. As this course is a decompression class, divers in this depth range must be aware of the potential for entering into decompression commitments and should be prepared.

Day 1. Typically we begin with a 3 - 4 hour initial session consisting of introductions, and dry runs (on land) of the skills and some practice before entering the water. Skills include improving a diver's understanding of ascent procedures, including surface marker buoy deployment, stage bottle use, deco bottle switching, and decompression management. Students then have four dives putting these skills and concepts into actual practice. We conclude with a video review and a few more hours of lecture.

Day 2. The second day is much the same as the first, including dry runs on land, and video review and more lecture on Helitrox, decompression history and strategies, table analysis and ratio deco.

Day 3. The third day is centered around gaining experience in the environment. You will conduct two dives to a max depth of 160ft (48m). If using a stage bottle, the first dive will use that stage while the second uses just the backgas. The day ends with a video debriefing and review and the test.

All UTD classes are videotaped for educational review, as we believe this is invaluable for students to visually focus on their individual in-water skills, situational awareness, communication, and team diving. Learning to self evaluate is an important aspect of any class, and video is one of the most important tools we have for instruction.

You will be evaluated during the class to obtain the UTD "Technical 2 Diver" Certification. This Certification will allow you to dive within the Techncial Diver limitation of 160'/48m while using 21/35, 18/45 or 25/25 for bottom gas and Nitrox 50% or Oxygen (1 Deco Bottle) for decompression. The class offers optional training in the use of a stage bottle use. It will also allow you to continue on to the UTD Trimix 1 training. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge and in water practice.

Requirements

Minimum age of 18

Completed UTD registration process

UTD Technical 1 course or equivalent

A minimum of 75 dives beyond OW certification, 25 of which must be non-training dives.

All participants must be able to swim at least 300 yards in 14 min or must be able to swim at least 600 yards in 18 minutes with mask & fins.

All participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 50' (15m) on a breath hold or demonstrate an air share swim where the ooa diver swims at least 50' (15m) to the donating diver

All participants must tow a diver in full equipment, in the environment they will be diving in at least 400 yards in 16 minutes

All participants must demonstrate a rescue a diver simulating oxygen toxicity.

The use of prescription drugs must be authorized prior to the onset of diver training by a physician

Getting Started

o   Check the Schedule of classes in your area
o   Register Online
o    Complete the online Knowledge Base course for Technical Diver
o   Get a copy and review the "Technical Diving DVD"

Guidelines

•   All dives are to maintain a working PO2 of no greater than 1.4
•   Minimum Decompression dives, with the max depth during class of 160ft (48m).
•   Nitrox 32% & Helitrox 21/35
•   Double tank configuration including a 40cft deco bottle of Nitrox 50% and an optional 80cft stage bottle of bottom gas.
•   Long hose primary, and necklace style backup regulator hose configuration
•   Student to Instructor ratio is not to exceed 6:1 during land drill, surface exercises and experience dives but 3:1 during any direct in-water critical skills training.

Equipment Specifications

UTD equipment configuration is designed to be simple, efficient, and consistent. To get the most from your class it is advisable that you take the course in a complete UTD style system. To better assist you in preparing for class, we have listed below our suggested equipment lists for the class. Please check out our Learning Center or consult with us if you have further questions about your equipment needs.

Dir/Hogarthian configuration is required:

Backplate BC System SS or Aluminum Back plate w/ web harness and hardware

Back inflate style wing.

At least one depth-measuring device

At least one time-keeping device

Fins: non-split variety

At least one cutting device

X-notes or Wetnotes

One spool with 100 feet of line

One surface marker or lift bag

Exposure suit appropriate for the environment you will be diving in

Regulators & UTD Hose Configuration 5 or 7 ft. Primary Regulator Hose

22 or 24" Necklace Regulator Hose

24 or 26" SPG hose

BC-mounted canister dive light w/ Goodman handle or long hose catch such as a knife pouch.

Cylinders Double tank configuration (1 per day of diving)

A single stage bottle with a minimum of 80 cuft

Two decompression bottles with a minimum of 40 cuft of Nitrox 50% in each