The TDI deco procedures training is an exciting step further into your dive career. After your training, you will know how to plan and execute deep dives, stay longer underwater and perform mandatory deco stops safely.
Can you become Deco Procedures Diver in your recreational configuration?
At this level, you can still train in your properly configured recreational gear with just a single extra tank for the deco gas. Therefore, you will only need an extra regulator and stage rig, and you can still join regular dive operations.
This configuration is a great option for going on a little deeper and longer dives while greatly increasing your safety, skills, and knowledge with minimal extra investment in dive gear, which is a great advantage.
Do you want to dive deeper and become a serious tech diver?
If you are still a recreational diver but already know tech diving is for you, this course should be combined with or follow an Intro to tech training (learn how to dive in a twinset) or a Side Mount course.
At Deep Dark Diving, all instructors have experience in technical diving in both configurations, diving in caves and the ocean, and can objectively answer any questions about the pros and cons.
Try dives in back mount or side mount configuration.
If you still have not decided between back mount or Side Mount, Deep Dark Diving offers try-dives in both configurations.
One day per configuration, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the configuration in different dive environments.
We perform basic safety drills and discuss all the required drills during each course.
We go for a fun dive so you can get a real-life experience and a good feel for the experience.
You then know in detail what will be expected from you for an Intro to tech certification versus a side mount certification.
Is TDI Advanced Nitrox Certification Mandatory?
Although not mandatory, you will get the best out of this Deco procedures training if you are an Advanced Nitrox diver. You can use mixes above 40% oxygen for your deco, making it significantly shorter and more efficient. Of course, Deep Dark Diving can combine Decompression Procedures and Advanced Nitrox.
Combining Intro to Tech or Side Mount, Advanced Nitrox, and Deco Procedures training will be the foundation of all your future technical diving.
What’s in the TDI Decompression Procedures Course
Objectives of the Deco Procedures Training
- Longer bottom time
- Safely execute decompression dives
- Dive deeper
- Look deeper into the decompression theory
- Extend your diving techniques
Duration of the Deco Procedures Training
- 3 days minimum
- Dives: 4 dives minimum (including 2 dives below 30 meters / 100 feet)
- Adv. Nitrox + Deco Procedures: 6 dives minimum
Limits of The Deco Procedures Diver
- Maximum depth: 45 meters/150 feet.
Deco Procedures Course prerequisites
- Minimum age 18
- Minimum certification of SDI Advanced Adventure Diver, Advanced Diver, or equivalent
- 25 logged open-water dives
- Recommended: Advanced Nitrox
Equipment for the Deco Procedures Training
- Primary cylinder(s), Independent or isolated back-mounted
- Decompression mix cylinder(s) (with submersible pressure gauge and Labeled)
- Depth gauge and bottom timer and/or dive computer
- Regulator(s)
- Buoyancy compensator device(s) (BCD) adequate for equipment configuration
- Line cutting device
- Ascent reel with lift bag /surface marker buoy
- An oxygen (O2) analyzer; may be supplied by the instructor
- Exposure suit adequate for the open water environment
- Underwater slate
What will you learn during your Deco Procedures Training?
- Choosing the Decompression gas
- The use of dive Tables and personal dive computers
- How to set Emergency and contingency plans (to face equipment failure, omitted decompression, etc.)
- Decompression diving procedures
- Choosing the equipment and configuration
- Pre-dive checks and drills
- Stress analysis and mitigation
- Following a decompression schedule
- Gas switching
- Team awareness and communication
- SMB/lift bag deployment
- Proper trim, buoyancy, and finning techniques
- Emergency procedures (in case of equipment failures, catastrophic gas loss, omitted decompression, navigational errors, etc.)
- Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures
What’s after the Deco Procedures Training?
