TECH 2

The Technical Diver 2 is designed to build on the student’s Tech 1 skills and experience by preparing the diver to dive in the 130-160’ range, with the use of three Helitrox & Trimix breathing gases (25/25, 21/35 and 18/45) and the use of two different decompression mixtures (EAN50 or 100% O2).  In keeping with “teaching the way we actually dive”, a stage bottle is also added to allow the diver to conduct multiple technical dives in a day on a single set of double cylinders.  This can be a great logistical benefit when conducting a project or expedition in remote areas.  The stage bottle is not used to extend bottom time.

Tech 2 training focuses on critical skills in the bottom failures with a stage as well as mid-water - cultivating, integrating and ultimately testing the diver’s mid-water skills and ability to deal with failures not only on the bottom but also during the ascent and gas switch–skills which are essential for safe technical diving.

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.

Students will continue to use double tanks/cylinders and a single decompression bottle of EAN50 for accelerated “on the fly” decompression and will use helium to minimize narcosis.  Stage bottles, and the potential failures associated with them will be discussed in depth.  The application and benefit of single decompression stage diving will also be thoroughly explored.

The class will focus on Helitrox 21/35 & 18/45 as flexible and beneficial breathing gases for dives to 160’/48m while using a single decompression gas such as Nitrox 50 for both accelerated decompression and safe rock bottom planning.

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 Technical Diver 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 gas switch 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 using 21/35 or 18/45 and conduct multiple technical dives in the same day.  Adding the Technical Diver 2 component allows you to extend your depth by using 21/35 or 18/45 and conduct multiple dives through learning to use stage bottle for the dives and backgas for bailout, allowing you to see more, experience more and do more, whether it's taking pictures, video, or simply enjoying the environment around you.



Class Information

This class is structured around 3 days, involving a minimum of 8 hours of academics and 7 dives, 4 of which will be critical skills dives and 2 will be experience dives. All designed to provide a working knowledge of Helitrox, including 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" (ratio deco) and more. As this course is a decompression class, divers in this depth range must be prepared to enter into decompression commitments.

Day 1 - We begin with a 3-4 hour initial session consisting of introductions and dry runs of the skills & some practice before entering the water. Skills include improving a diver's understanding of ascent procedures, including SMB deployment, stage bottle use, deco bottle switching and decompression. Students then have 3-4 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, 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 2 Helitrox dives to a max depth of 160ft (48m), the first using the stage bottle (backgas for bailout) and the second using just the backgas, followed by video debriefing and the review and test.

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 2 Diver" certification. This certification will allow you to dive within the Technical Diver limitation of 160'/48m while using 25/25, 21/35 or 18/45 for bottom gas and Nitrox 50% or oxygen (1 deco bottle)  for decompression and stage bottle use. It will also allow you to continue on to the UTD Trimix 1 training curriculum. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge & in water practice. To help prepare for the rigors ahead, contact us.



Prerequisites

  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • Minimum of 75 dives beyond open water qualification
  • UTD Tech 1 (no equivalents)

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

Guidelines/Course Limits

  • Maximum depth 160'/48m
  • No overhead environments
  • 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 25/25, 21/35 or 18/45
  • Double tank configuration including a 80cft stage bottle of bottom gas and a 40cft deco bottle of Nitrox 50%
  • 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 contact us if you have further questions about your equipment needs. 


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)
  • Two decompression bottles with a minimum of 40 cuft of Nitrox 50% in each
  • A single stage bottle with a minimum of 80 cuft*
* Stage bottle is to allow for multiple dives in a single day, NOT to allow longer bottom time
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