FKD - Tech 1

LEADING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DIVE TRAINING

TECHNICAL DIVER 1 (TECH 1)

UTD’s Technical Diver program consists of Technical Diver 1 and Technical Diver 2. This building block method introduces the diver to deeper depths and stage decompression in a slow progression by first working on bottom skills, then ascent skills, then mid-water skills. At the completion of these two classes, divers are trained and qualified to a depth of 160’/48m breathing helitrox 25/25 and 21/35 and using a single stage of EAN50 or 100% oxygen for decompression.

In the Technical Diver progression, the Technical Diver 1 (Tech 1) course is taught in double cylinders with backgas of Nitrox 32% (0-100’) or helitrox 25/25 (80-130’) with a single decompression bottle (100% O2) for accelerated decompression. The diver will be entering mandatory decompression obligations in this class. This allows the diver to conduct his own technical dives in the 130’ range with a single decompression bottle before entering the more demanding Technical 2 course where a stage bottle is added, in addition to the deco bottle and deeper depths.

Tech 1 training focuses on the diver’s bottom 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, while also adding reel and line work to the diver’s toolbox.

This is a critical skills class. Failures will be introduced by the instructor to facilitate problem identification and resolution and building capacity and bandwidth for more progressively challenging diving.

In this class, students will be trained in the use of double cylinders and the potential failures associated with them, the use of 100% oxygen for accelerated decompression, ratio deco, the use of helium to minimize narcosis and the applications of single decompression stage diving with respect to decompression procedures.

This provides an excellent foundation on which divers can build their technical diving experience.

Who is this class designed for?

This class is designed to train and create competent and skilled technical divers, explorers and team members. It teaches how to minimize risks and manage failures as a team. It creates confidence in emergency procedures and problem management and the ability to plan and execute a technical dive.

This class is designed for those individuals who want to learn by doing, not just thinking. With an emphasis on practical, in-water training through development and simulation dives as well as experience dives, where the divers will plan, perform and execute their own technical dives under the supervision of the instructor, this class builds safe, competent and skilled divers.

For those intimidated by or wanting a better understanding of the monster of decompression, we start at the very beginning and work slowly and carefully to our present understanding.

The end result? Competent and knowledgeable tech divers who understand how to properly plan and perform technical dives in their range of training using helitrox 25/25 and 100% oxygen for accelerated decompression using ratio deco.

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.

This class is also an excellent stepping stone towards Tech 2, allowing divers to plan and execute their own technical dives prior to entering the more demanding and aggressive Tech 2 course, enabling the diver to learn in bite sized chunks.

Class Information

This class is structured around 3 days, and involves a minimum of 8 hours of classroom instruction and 8 dives (2 practice dives, 4 critical skill dives and 2 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.), ratio deco on the fly and other operational considerations including technical gas planning and management (minimum gas, or "Rock Bottom") and contingency procedures. This course is an extended decompression class, divers in this depth range must be aware they will be entering into extended decompression commitments and should be prepared to do oxygen (O2) decompression after extended bottom times at a max depth of 130'/39m on the experience dives. Decompression will not exceed a single cycle of oxygen.

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 understand of air sharing, valve management, ascent procedures, surface marker buoy deployment and reel/line work. 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 with instructor supervision. The dives will be followed by video debriefing and the review of the test.

This class can be combined with Technical Diver 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, Nitrox 50 or O2 for accelerated decompression.

All UTD classes are video'd 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 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 accelerated decompression. It will also allow you to continue on to the UTD Technical 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, please contact us, you can find out more information about the class, the equipment and skills you will be evaluated on.

Prerequisites

Minimum 18 years of age
UTD Intro to Tech and Nitrox or equivalent or Rec 3 (with doubles & deco bottle minis)
A minimum of 75 dives beyond open water qualification
Minimum of 25 dives beyond the Intro To Tech certification

Requirements

All UTD classes are non smoking
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 by a physician prior to the onset of diver training

Guidelines/Course Limits

All dives are to maintain a working PO2 of no greater than 1.4
Minimum decompression dives, with the max depth during class of 130ft (48m).
Nitrox 32% & Helitrox 25/25
No overhead environments
Double tank configuration including a 40cft stage deco bottle of 100% oxygen, limited to one single cycle of oxygen per dive
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.

Equipment is available for students' use during class. If you have any questions on equipment requirements or rentals, please contact us.

Required equipment

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