RECREATIONAL 3 (REC 3) - REC HELITROX
Recreational Diver 3 is a no-decompression/minimum deco Helitrox course structured to prepare divers for deeper recreational diving using proper equipment, diving techniques and a standard helium breathing mix.
The class will incorporate more advanced decompression theories and the use of correct ascent procedures.
Recreational Diver 3 training focuses on expanding the Essentials/Intro to Tech and the Rec 2 skills and is designed to cultivate, integrate and expand those skills required for safe deeper recreational diving. This will include problem identification and resolution and building the capacity for progressively more challenging diving. This is a critical skills course.
In this class, students will be trained in the use of single or double back gas tanks/cylinders and in the potential failures associated with them, the use of Nitrox and Helitrox for extended bottom times, and the use of helium to minimize narcosis, CO2, gas density and post dive “nitrogen stress.”
This is an NDL/minimum deco class preparing a diver for depths to 130’/39m without accelerated decompression procedures.
Who this class is designed for?
The “Recreational Diving level 3” class is a learning environment where the students will build upon their foundation of Essentials, Intro to Tech and/or Recreational level 2 or equivalent. The class is designed for the recreational diver who wants to learn the final step in recreational diving without moving into deco bottles or staged decompression, technical, or overhead environments. In other words those who want to stay within recreational diving limits of 130'/39m but want to use both doubles (single tanks are allowed, though doubles are encouraged) and enriched mixtures of helium (Helitrox 25/25) and are not afraid of doing a minimum amount of deco. It's geared towards those who have taken Essentials of Recreational Diving or Intro to Tech and/or the Recreational Level 2 and now want the next step in applying the UTD foundation and UTD principles into their deeper recreational diving practices to increase both safety and fun. The Rec 3 course also serves as an excellent training progression for divers wanting to enter the UTD Tech 1 course.
Why Should I Take this Class?
As the previous recreational classes have focused on the foundational building blocks, some experience skills, using single tanks and nitrox to a limit of 100'/30m, many recreational divers now want to start extending their range beyond 100'/18m and want to ensure they learn the next set of skills to safely explore this territory. This class is an excellent step for someone wanting to learn how to properly and safely dive using doubles and helium between 100'/30m - 130'/39m without carrying deco or stage bottles and without going into staged decompression diving. It's also an excellent stepping stone towards the UTD Tech 1 course.
Class Information
The “Recreational Level 3” class is designed to be taught over a three (3) day period with 6 dives.
Day 1 - Typically, the class begins with a 3 - 4 hour initial session consisting of introductions and a power point presentation including video of the skills to be performed throughout the class, the “dry runs” of the skills and some practice before entering the water. Dry runs allow the student to practice the skills on land, before entering the water, under the watchful eye of the instructor(s). Skills reviewed are diver trim, proficiency and precision buoyancy control, perfecting propulsion techniques (including backwards kick), underwater communication, utilizing a team diving approach, valve drills, S-drills, ascent drills, SMB deployment, rescue diver techniques as well as effective dive planning. Students will then conduct 2 (two) dives with a max depth of 60'/18m putting the skills and concepts learned in the morning session into actual practice while the videographer captures the in-water session for review. We conclude the day with a 1-2 hour video review.
Day 2 - Begins with more dry runs. Skills include simulated SMB failures, OOA emergencies, simulated valve failures, team separation, mid-water ascents, ascent line use and separation and minimum deco procedures. Students will then conduct 2 (two) dives with a max depth of 100'/24m while putting the skills and concepts learned in the dry-run session into actual practice while the videographer captures the in-water session for review. We conclude the day with a 1-2 hour video review followed by a 3 hour lecture covering Nitrox and Helitrox, gas planning, dive planning, min deco procedures, emergency planning and contingencies.
Day 3 - The third day will commence with 2 dives to a max depth of 130'/39m where students will continue to practice the skills and improve on the prior days performance. These dives will again be video'd for subsequent review. The class will then conclude with the video review, final lecture session and student performance review.
All UTD classes are video'd for educational and review purposes as we believe this is invaluable for students to visually focus on their individual in-water skills and situational awareness. You will be evaluated during the class to obtain the UTD "Recreational 3" certification. This certification will allow you to dive within the certification limits, use helium as a recreational diver and is the completion of the recreational curricula. If you wish to continue, Rec 3 will allow you to continue into the UTD Technical Training curriculum. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge & in water practice. In the UTD Learning Center you can find out more information about the class, the equipment and skills you will be learning about.
Prerequisites
The class will incorporate more advanced decompression theories and the use of correct ascent procedures.
Recreational Diver 3 training focuses on expanding the Essentials/Intro to Tech and the Rec 2 skills and is designed to cultivate, integrate and expand those skills required for safe deeper recreational diving. This will include problem identification and resolution and building the capacity for progressively more challenging diving. This is a critical skills course.
In this class, students will be trained in the use of single or double back gas tanks/cylinders and in the potential failures associated with them, the use of Nitrox and Helitrox for extended bottom times, and the use of helium to minimize narcosis, CO2, gas density and post dive “nitrogen stress.”
This is an NDL/minimum deco class preparing a diver for depths to 130’/39m without accelerated decompression procedures.
Who this class is designed for?
The “Recreational Diving level 3” class is a learning environment where the students will build upon their foundation of Essentials, Intro to Tech and/or Recreational level 2 or equivalent. The class is designed for the recreational diver who wants to learn the final step in recreational diving without moving into deco bottles or staged decompression, technical, or overhead environments. In other words those who want to stay within recreational diving limits of 130'/39m but want to use both doubles (single tanks are allowed, though doubles are encouraged) and enriched mixtures of helium (Helitrox 25/25) and are not afraid of doing a minimum amount of deco. It's geared towards those who have taken Essentials of Recreational Diving or Intro to Tech and/or the Recreational Level 2 and now want the next step in applying the UTD foundation and UTD principles into their deeper recreational diving practices to increase both safety and fun. The Rec 3 course also serves as an excellent training progression for divers wanting to enter the UTD Tech 1 course.
Why Should I Take this Class?
As the previous recreational classes have focused on the foundational building blocks, some experience skills, using single tanks and nitrox to a limit of 100'/30m, many recreational divers now want to start extending their range beyond 100'/18m and want to ensure they learn the next set of skills to safely explore this territory. This class is an excellent step for someone wanting to learn how to properly and safely dive using doubles and helium between 100'/30m - 130'/39m without carrying deco or stage bottles and without going into staged decompression diving. It's also an excellent stepping stone towards the UTD Tech 1 course.
Class Information
The “Recreational Level 3” class is designed to be taught over a three (3) day period with 6 dives.
Day 1 - Typically, the class begins with a 3 - 4 hour initial session consisting of introductions and a power point presentation including video of the skills to be performed throughout the class, the “dry runs” of the skills and some practice before entering the water. Dry runs allow the student to practice the skills on land, before entering the water, under the watchful eye of the instructor(s). Skills reviewed are diver trim, proficiency and precision buoyancy control, perfecting propulsion techniques (including backwards kick), underwater communication, utilizing a team diving approach, valve drills, S-drills, ascent drills, SMB deployment, rescue diver techniques as well as effective dive planning. Students will then conduct 2 (two) dives with a max depth of 60'/18m putting the skills and concepts learned in the morning session into actual practice while the videographer captures the in-water session for review. We conclude the day with a 1-2 hour video review.
Day 2 - Begins with more dry runs. Skills include simulated SMB failures, OOA emergencies, simulated valve failures, team separation, mid-water ascents, ascent line use and separation and minimum deco procedures. Students will then conduct 2 (two) dives with a max depth of 100'/24m while putting the skills and concepts learned in the dry-run session into actual practice while the videographer captures the in-water session for review. We conclude the day with a 1-2 hour video review followed by a 3 hour lecture covering Nitrox and Helitrox, gas planning, dive planning, min deco procedures, emergency planning and contingencies.
Day 3 - The third day will commence with 2 dives to a max depth of 130'/39m where students will continue to practice the skills and improve on the prior days performance. These dives will again be video'd for subsequent review. The class will then conclude with the video review, final lecture session and student performance review.
All UTD classes are video'd for educational and review purposes as we believe this is invaluable for students to visually focus on their individual in-water skills and situational awareness. You will be evaluated during the class to obtain the UTD "Recreational 3" certification. This certification will allow you to dive within the certification limits, use helium as a recreational diver and is the completion of the recreational curricula. If you wish to continue, Rec 3 will allow you to continue into the UTD Technical Training curriculum. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge & in water practice. In the UTD Learning Center you can find out more information about the class, the equipment and skills you will be learning about.
Prerequisites
- Minimum 18 years of age
- UTD Rec 2, or Intro to Tech and Nitrox, or equivalent
- Minimum of 50 dives beyond open water certification, 25 of which must be non-training dives
Requirements
- Complete the NWUTD Registration process
- All UTD Classes are non smoking courses
- The use of prescription drugs must be authorized prior to the onset of diver training by a physician
- Must be able to swim a distance of at least 50 feet/15 meters on a breath hold
- Must be able to swim at least 300 yards/275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping
- Maximum depth 130'/39m
- All dives are to maintain a working PO2 of no greater than 1.4
- Standard gases are Nitrox 32 and Helitrox 25/25
- Single or double tank* configuration
- No stage decompression
- No overhead environments
- Instructor to student ratio maximum 6:1 in open water, adjusting downward for environmental conditions.
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. You do not have to own any UTD equipment. To better assist you in preparing for class, we have listed below our required and suggested equipment lists for the class. Please visit the UTD Learning Center or contact us if you have further questions about your equipment needs.
Rental is available for most equipment.
Required Equipment
- 5 or 7 ft. Primary regulator hose without this you will not be able to learn and conduct air sharing correctly
- Fins: non-split variety without these you will be unable to learn proficient fin kick
- Dive light for team communication
- Back plate 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
- At least one cutting device
- X-notes or Wetnotes
- One spool with 100 feet of line
- One surface marker or lift bag
- Drysuit, pocket on each thigh
- Separate drysuit inflation system (non-backgas)
- Cylinders Single tank configuration with K, H, or Y valve (need 2 per day of diving)
- Optional Double tank configuration* (1 per day of diving)
Suggested Accessories (not required, just nice if available):
- BC mounted canister dive light w/ Goodman handle or long hose catch such as a knife pouch
To register for this class, please visit our Registration Page
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