Are you finding your no- decompression limits (NDLs) a limiting factor to dives? Do you have to ascend sooner than you would like? As sport divers, planned decompression is not something that we do or have been taught. A Decompression Procedures Course prepares you for planned staged decompression diving. With a maximum operating depth of 45 metres/150 feet, this course is your first step beyond the normal sport diving limits. The Decompression Procedures Course combined with the Advanced Nitrox course and Advanced Recreational Trimix form the foundation of all other technical courses. For this reason we normally offer these courses as a combined course. If not taken as a combined course we highly recommend Recreational Trimix as a prerequisite for increased safety. After these courses and some additional experience, the stage has been set for you to move onto additional technical levels.
Who this course is for:
- The certified Advanced Diver looking to expand their knowledge of decompression theory and diving techniques
- The certified Advanced Diver who is interested in extending their bottom time
- The certified Advanced Diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education
Course prerequisites:
- Minimum age 18
- Minimum certification of Advanced Adventure Diver, Advanced Diver, Intro to Tech or equivalent
- Proof of 25 logged open water dives
What you can expect to learn:
- Decompression dive planning including:
- Decompression gas choices
- Tables vs. personal dive computers
- Emergency and contingency planning (equipment failure, omitted decompression, etc.)
- Decompression diving procedures
- Equipment selection
- Pre-dive checks and drills
- Stress analysis and mitigation
- Following a decompression schedule
- Gas switching
- Team awareness and communication
- SMB/lift bag deployment
- Proper trim, buoyancy and finning techniques
- Emergency procedures (equipment failures, catastrophic gas loss, omitted decompression, navigational errors, etc.)
- Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures
What’s in it for you?
- Ability to conduct decompression diving activities without direct supervision provided:
- The diving activities approximate those of training
- The areas of activities approximate those of training
- Environmental conditions approximate those of training
- Ability to enroll in Advanced Nitrox, Extended Range, Advanced Wreck, Trimix courses
Decompression Diver minimum certification requirements:
- Satisfactorily complete the Decompression Procedures course written examination
- Complete all open water requirements safely and efficiently (4 Dives Min.)
- Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
