Technical Diver Level 1 (Tech 1)

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 dive to a depth of 160’/48m breathing Helitrox 25/25 and Trimix 21/35, to use 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 1 Diver

Technical Diver 1 is the first UTD Technical course that familiarizes divers with the use of Nitrox 32 and/or Helitrox 25/25 as safe bottom breathing gases for use to depths of 130’/39m utilizing a single deco bottle of decompression gas (100% O2) for accelerated decompression procedures.

Tech 1 training focuses on the diver’s bottom skills, ascent skills expanding on the Intro to Tech skills, and is designed to cultivate, integrate, and test these skills, which are essential for safe technical diving. This critical training will include bottom failures, midwater failures, problem identification and resolution and building the capacity for progressively more challenging diving.

In this class, students will be trained in the use of double tanks/cylinders and in the potential failure problems associated with them, the use of 100% Oxygen for accelerated decompression, the use of Helium to minimize narcosis, and the applications of single decompression stage diving with respect to decompression procedures.

This class provides an excellent foundation on which divers can build their technical diving experience in the 130'/39m range using a single decompression bottle. Following Tech 1, the diver can enter the Tech 2 course, which provides a solid basis of critical skills for the Technical Diver venturing to 160’/48m range utilizing single decompression bottle and a stage to conduct multiple technical dives in one day.

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

Prerequisites

Minimum 18 years of age

UTD Intro to Tech and Nitrox or equivalent

A minimum of 75 dives beyond open water qualification

Minimum of 25 dives beyond the Intro To Tech certification

Course Limits

Maximum depth 130’/39m

Standard back-gases are Nitrox 32 and Helitrox 25/25

Decompression gas is 100% O2, limited to one single cycle of oxygen per dive

One deco bottle.

Who is this class designed for?

Consider the following with respect to your deeper diving pursuits.

How fun are those deep dives if you aren't comfortable?
You have doubles, but do you know how to handle a failure as a team?
Would you enjoy your dives more if you felt more confident in your diving and emergency skills?
Would you like current and depth and darkness not to affect your diving at all?

This class is designed for those individuals who like to learn by doing, not just thinking. With an emphasis on practical, in-training through development and "simulator dives", it's just the thing to get your brain working while you're finning and hovering. And for those yearning for a better understanding of the monster of decompression, we start at the beginning, and work carefully to our present understanding. If you're ready to take the next step into technical diving.

Why this class?

The presence of helium into the diving community is not new as helium has been used for diving for many years, but only more recently accepted into the recreational limits. The benefits of diving helium are multifaceted, even for the recreational diver. Ranging from better sense of well-being during the dive, to a better memory after the dive, adding helium to your breathing gas increases your enjoyment without creating any more risk. In this course, you will learn the use of Nitrox and Helitrox for extended bottom times and how helium minimizes narcosis, CO2, gas density and post dive "nitrogen stress".

To round it all out, Helitrox introduces effective ascent procedures to accentuate the benefits of the gas mix and associated training. All these elements combined equal a far safer diving experience in the 80 (24m) - 130 ft (39m) range which makes this class an excellent resource for anyone looking to make the most out of the time they have for diving. When merged with other skills such as team diving and precision diver control, individuals are able to appreciate a whole new way of diving, having more fun while diving safer and more responsibly. Simply put, these techniques and principles enable divers to maximize their personal abilities and eliminate some of the frustrations common in conventional diving.

Class Information

This class is structured around 3 days, and involves a minimum of 8 hours of classroom instruction and 8 dives (2 - 4 practice dives, 4 critical skill dives, and 2 are experience dives). This class is designed to provide a working knowledge of Nitrox/Helitrox, Oxygen Decompression including an understanding of the history and practice of decompression, physics, physiology, tables, minimum deco (within N.D.L.) on the fly and other operational considerations. This course is a extended decompression class, divers in this depth range must be aware of entering into extended decompression commitments and should be prepared to do Oxytgen (O2) Decompression after extended bottom times at a max depth of 130'/39m.

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 divers understand of air sharing, valve management, ascent procedures and surface marker buoy deployment. Students then have four (4) 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, 4 more dives (on Helitrox), 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 130ft (39m) on 25/25, utilizing O2 for accelerated decompression. The dives will be followed by video debriefing and the review of the test test.

This class can be combined with Tech 2 in a 6 day format.

(This combination called Technical diver and will prepare you for full range technical diving to 160'/48m using 21/35, 25/25, Stage Bottle and a single deco bottle of Nitrox 50 or O2 for accelerated Decompression.)

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 "Tech Diver 1" Certification.This Certification will allow you to dive within the class limitation utilizing Helitrox 25/25 and carrying 1 Deco bottle of Oxygen while doing accelrated decompression. It will also allow you to continue on to the UTD Tech Diver 2 Training curriculum. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge & in water practice. To help prepare for the rigors ahead, see our Learning Center you can find out more information about the class, the equipment and skills you will be evaluated on.

Requirements

Minimum age of 18

Completed UTD registration process

UTD Intro to Tech course or equivalent

All UTD Classes are Non Smoking.

A recommended 25 dives beyond the "Intro To Tech" certification.

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 of 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

Extened Decompression dives, with the max depth during class of 130ft (39m).

Nitrox & Helitrox

Double tank configuration

40 cuft aluminum deco bottle is required.

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.

UTD 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 decompression bottle with a minimum of 40 cuft is required

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