TDI Extended Range Diver Course

This TDI course provides training and experience required to competently utilize air for dives up to 180 fsw that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox mixtures or oxygen during decompression.The objective of the course is to train divers in the proper techniques, equipment requirements, and hazards of deep air diving to a maximum of 180 fsw and utilizing nitrox mixtures or oxygen for staged decompression.Prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18.
• Minimum of 100 logged dives, of which 25 must be deeper than 100 fsw, or the equivalent at the discretion of the instructor.
• Certification as a TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver and TDI Decompression Procedures Diver (or equivalents) are required.

• Classroom/briefings – 8 hours
• Open Water Dives – 6 with a minimum accumulated time of 100 minutes. All dives must be deeper than 100 fsw with four dives deeper than 130 fsw. (No more than 2 dives may be credited from previous TDI course training).

1. Bottom Mix cylinders: Cylinder volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption and reserve. Dual outlet valve, double manifold with isolator valve. Cylinders labeled in accordance with TDI standards.
2. Travel Mix cylinder (if used)-Cylinder volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption. Labeled in accordance with TDI standards.
3. Decompression Mix: Cylinder volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption. Labeled in accordance with TDI Standards.
4. Regulators: Primary and primary redundant required on all bottom mix cylinders. SPGs are required on all primary, bottom mix and deco cylinders. A contingency use long hose (7') on a primary second stage should be designated and appropriately rigged to facilitate air sharing at depth if necessary.
5. BCDs: Adequate for equipment configuration.
6. Redundant Depth and timing devices: Air decompression computers allowed for use as depth and bottom timing device but you will still need another backup system for determining depth and time.
7. Redundant light system depending on lighting conditions.
8. Jon-line or other rigging lines as dictated by site conditions.
9. Ascent Reel with Lift Bag/Surface marker Buoy. Minimum 50lb lift bag required.
10. Exposure suit adequate for local environment. Dry suit preferred due to longer exposure while on deco stops.
11. 2 line cutting devices.
12. Underwater Slates (2)

The following topics must be covered during this course.

1. History of Deep Air Diving
2. Physics: Pressure review and formulas for solving dive planning problems.
3. Physiology: Hypoxia, oxygen toxicity (whole body and CNS), nitrogen narcosis, nitrogen absorption and elimination, carbon dioxide toxicity, carbon monoxide toxicity, hyperthermia, hypothermia.
4. Decompression Options: Air, nitrox, oxygen mixes.
5. Equipment Considerations: twin cylinder or single cylinder option. Stage cylinder options. Regulator options. Harness/BCD options. Computer/depth gauge/bottom timer options. Ascent and navigation reels. Lift bags, surface marker buoys for drifting. Lighting and backup. Redundant mask and knife. Jon-line or Garvin clips.
6. Dive Tables: Introduction and review of different models. Introduction to computer generated tables.
7. Dive Planning: Operational planning-Support and teams. Team Planning- gas requirements, oxygen and nitrogen limitations.
8. Emergency Planning: Omitted decompression, oxygen toxicity, decompression sickness, general discussion of other emergency possibilities.
9. Procedures:
   • Bottom, travel and Deco Gas- Normal operations, failure, loss or inadequate emergency procedures. Analysis and logging.
   • Descent: Methods of entry, down lines or free descent. Recognizing narcosis, breathing, organization of equipment carried on a diver.
   
   
   • Ascent: Variable rates, trim and BCD compensation.Support
   • Navigation: From shore, from descent line, from live boat.

The student must complete the following open water skills during open water dives. The maximum depth for this course is 180 fsw.

1. Properly analyze and label tanks and pre- dive planning.
2. Demonstrate adequate predive planning: Limits based on personal and team gas consumption. Limits based on oxygen and nitrogen exposure for planned depths and actual mixes.
3. Properly execute the planned dive within all pre-determined limits.
4. Demonstrate the proper procedures for switching and isolating a malfunctioning regulator. This skill is to be performed at a depth no deeper than 130 fsw.
5. Demonstrate the proper navigational techniques for the specific dive.
6. On two of the dives, demonstrate as ascent with ascent reel and lift bag. Perform staged decompression.
7. On one of the dives, tow a simulated unconscious diver, while at depth, 30ft to ascent line and simulate an emergency rescue ascent technique.

Satisfactorily complete the TDI Extended Range Course written examination.

Cost: $595.00 plus boat charter fees.
There will be a charge for nitrox mixes over 40%.