HELITROX Decompression Diver

This course covers exactly the same material as the original Decompression Diver Program but with the addition of helium gas. This results in three major differences:

1. The course requires a total of ten dives
2. The maximum depth for this course remains unchanged at 45 metres (150 feet); however, the additon of helium to keep the equivalent air depth to about 30 metres or around 100 feet, dives will be conducted to or close to that maximum depth.
3. Deeper dives will result in longer decompression obligations and the addition of a second decompression gas may be called for.

Typical Course Schedule 
(Seven-day program split into three sessions)

This is a copy of the document I would send to students interested in taking this course over split weekends. Of course, it can also be conducted over SIX consecutive days.

Day One (Saturday of first weekend)
Classroom: Module One and Fieldwork: Module Two (kit assessment)
Start at 09:00 run until 17:00 with break for lunch from 12:30 to 13:30

Introductions, paperwork and course review
Textbook Reviews and Handout of Supplementary Materials (CD etc.)
SWOT Analysis
                What do you bring to table to help team’s success?
Discussion on Accident Analysis
                Principal causes of diver injury and ways to avoid them
Team Dynamics and Planning
Gas Management
Gas Choices and Special Considerations: Decompression Gas and Bottom Gas
Diving with Helium
                Special considerations for ascent, equipment, personal comfort
Oxygen Toxicity: Assessment, Management and Tracking
Equipment Selection
Equipment Failure Management
Dive Schedules (decompression planning)
Procedures before, during and after diving: Briefing, START, Debriefing
DCS and EMS
General Review
Preparing for Open Water Sessions

NOTES: Classroom Modules 
This first day gives us time to cover the bulk of the required classroom sessions and to complete some fieldwork (gear review workshop). The classroom sessions will focus on the Six Basic Skills, Advanced Decompression Planning (deco on the fly and contingency plans), Setting the Pinnacle Dive for the Team, and a general review of any physics, chemistry, physiology etc. We will also review any textbook questions, comments or suggestions you may have.

Bring the kit you expect to use on the course. THIS IS A GREAT TIME to find out what each of us needs to replace, borrow, steal, beg or buy.

Day Two (Sunday of first weekend)
Fieldwork: Module Three
09:00 to 11:30
Working with bags, reels, line and knots
Gas mixing (Ideal vs Practical) and tank preparation
Equipment selection and “editing”
Swimming techniques
Drills and muscle memory
Discussion on Dive Debriefing, Video Review and Group Expectations

LUNCH

Skills Dive:  Module Four
12:30 to 16:30

Meet at shallow dive site (shore dive) to conduct skills assessment

Dive One -- Skills in a controlled environment such as a shallow quarry <18 metres / 60 feet (Skills being assessed Buoyancy; Trim; Movement/Position)

Dive Two -- Skills in a controlled environment such as a shallow quarry < 30 metres / 100feet (Skills being assessed: Movement/Position; Breathing; Situational Awareness)

Each dive may require team to ascend and descend more than once. This stress will be kept to an absolute minimum and care will be taken to stay well within NDL .

All dives will end with thorough debriefing.

Day Three (Saturday of second weekend)
Skills Dive:  Module Five (possible boat dives)
09:00 to 14:30

Dive Three – Simulated Decompression Dive to < 30 metres / 100 feet. Nitrox maybe used to extend bottom time and / or shorten surface interval. Decompression gas may contain 20 percent helium. (Skills being assessed: Movement/Position; Situational Awareness; Emotional Control)

SIT and dive debrief

Dive Four – Required Decompression Dive to 35 metres / 120 feet maximum using Helitrox with decompression between 10 and 20 minutes (one decompression gas). (Skills being assessed: Movement/Position; Breathing.)

Classroom:  Module Six  (may be conducted outside traditional classroom setting)
15:30 to 17:30

Decompression on the Fly
Review of Student Progress

Day Four (Sunday of second weekend)
Skills Dive:  Module Seven  (boat dives with drifting decompression)
09:00 to 17:30

Dive Five -- Decompression Dive to 40 metres / 132 feet using Helitrox with decompression time of more than 20 minutes  Deco using 100% (Skills being assessed: Six Skills.)

SIT and dive debrief
Refill cylinders

Dive Six – multi-level Decompression Dive to maximum of  40 metres / 132 feet using Helitrox (Deco 50% O2 or 100% O2) with drifting deco / live boating. (Skills being assessed: Six Skills.)

Dive Seven – Rescue scenario Non-Decompression Dive to approximately 27 metres / 90 feet (Skills being assessed: Movement/Position; Situational Awareness; Emotional Control.)

Day Five (Friday of third weekend)
Topic Review and Written Examination:  Module Eight 
17:30 to 19:30 (times subject to change)

Review of materials, discuss “student challenges” begin written exam (open book). Students may finish essay segments of examination on own time

Day Six (Saturday of third weekend)
Graduation Dives:  Module Eight (boat dives with complex decompression)
09:00 to 17:30

Dive Eight – Planned Pinnacle Helitrox Dive to maximum of 45 metres / 150 feet using one decompression gas

SIT and dive debrief
Refill cylinders

Dive Nine – Planned Pinnacle Helitrox Dive to maximum of 45 metres / 150 feet optional use of two decompression gases

Day Seven (Sunday of third weekend)
Graduation Dives:  Module Eight (boat dive with complex decompression)
09:00 to 12:30

Dive Ten – Planned Pinnacle Helitrox Dive Student Choice

SIT and dive debrief… graduation

 Six-Day Course (Ten Dives): $925 (does not include gas or three days of charter-boat diving)