'Traditional' DECO PROCEDURES OR HELITROX?
SAFETY + VALUE: If you want to learn stage decompression diving to conduct decompression dives as an advanced open water diver and have 50+ logged dives, Underwater Explorers strongly recommends the Helitrox - Decompression Procedures option for enhanced safety and value. Recognised world-wide, Helitrox is a TDI distinctive specialty that can only be taught by instructors directly appointed by TDI HQ Training Department. It allows graduates the optional use of Helium up to 20% on dives to a maximum depth of 45 metres while covering the whole of the skills, performance requirements, dives and exam of the Decompression Procedures course.
UE's Helitrox course is Deco-Procedures "with a Helium twist".
- Why suffer narcosis?
- Why not enjoy the full picture?
- Why not be a step ahead of deep air?
Join the future of diving. Check out our Helitrox - Decompression Procedures Course for a more comprehensive course including the option to use Helium. Go advanced with recreational trimix. Say 'no' to deep air when you want to.
TDI DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURES - without the Helitrox advantage
The objective of the non-Helium content Decompression Procedures course is to train divers how to plan and conduct a standard staged decompression dive not exceeding a maximum depth of 45m. The most common equipment requirements, gear set-up, and decompression techniques are presented. Students are permitted to utilize Enriched Air Nitrox mixes or oxygen for decompression provided the gas mix is within their current certification level.
Download the TDI Deco Procedures Course Standards 
The course is normally run over 3 days. Minimum of 4 training dives are required. Together with TDI Advanced Nitrox course the candidate would meet the pre-requisites for TDI Trimix course. The course fee includes all Instructor expenses, TDI Decompression Procedures Manual and TDI certification fees. In case extra training dives are required there will be a separate charge. Boat fees and gas fills are not included.
PREREQUISITES
- Minimum age of 18
- Minimum certification of Advanced Open Water Diver and Advanced Nitrox or equivalent
- Proof of 25 logged open water dives*
** UE reserves the right to ascertain the candidate's equivalent experience based on the number of genuine 'open water' dives conducted in sea conditions, outside the controlled environment of inland sites. For any course leading up to stage decompression diving we require at least 10 of these dives to have been logged in the 6 months prior to the course and at least 6 dives to have been conducted in the 30 metre depth range for enrollment on Helitrox/Decompression Procedures level courses at UE.
Underwater Explorers also requires candidates to be familiar with the equipment they will be using during the course unless it is taken as part of a combined programme. For those who are not familiar with twin-sets … look at the Intro-to-Twins programme.
REQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- SMB & Reel (over 50m of line) and cutting tool
- Underwater slate or notepad
- O2 clean Twin set as a primary cylinders
- O2 clean Stage cylinder for decompression mix
- Depth gauge and automatic bottom timer or dive computer
- Regulators (primary and alternate 2nd stage required on all primary cylinders)
- SPGs for primary and stage cylinders
- Buoyancy Compensator(s) adequate for equipment configuration
- Jon-line and other rigging lines as dictated by site conditions
- Exposure suit adequate for the open water environment - dry suit
Underwater Explorers is able to provide some of the required equipment for the duration of course free of charge (subject to availability).
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
- Complete a horizontal breath hold swim at depth for 15 meters
- Demonstrate tired diver tow at depth and on the surface
- Demonstrate ability to hover at fixed position in mid-water without moving hands or feet
- Buddy breathing deco gas for at least one minute
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic hand signals
- Select and prepare of equipment suitable for soft overhead environment
- Conduct team oriented drills for SMB deployment and gas switching procedure
- Show good awareness of team members through communications, proximity and team oriented practices
- Demonstrate comfort swimming on surface and at depth carrying decompression stage bottle
- Demonstrate ability to drop and retrieve decompression cylinder while maintaining position in the water
- Demonstrate ability to deploy a SMB solo and as a member of team
- Demonstrate controlled/ staged ascent on SMB / emergency ascent line
- Remove and replace mask (deploy backup mask)
- Demonstrate appropriate reaction to catastrophic gas loss
- React correctly to BC inflator malfunction
- Demonstrate ability to confirm gas switch(es) at depth with team member
- Switch to back-up mask
- Demonstrate appropriate reaction to free-flowing deco regulator
- Demonstrate appropriate modifications to deco schedule in decompression emergency
- Satisfactorily complete the TDI Decompression Procedures Course written examination
- Complete all open water requirements safely and efficiently
- Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution