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TDI Technical Courses TDI was formed in 1994 by some of diving’s most experienced instructors to bring technical applications of the sport to a wider audience. TDI’s library of training materials and texts have become known as the industry’s best and most professional resources. Most importantly, TDI has the best safety record of all training agencies. Whether your interests lie in nitrox, decompression procedures, extended range or any of the many other programs that TDI offers you can be assured that you will be participating in training that offers you the "cutting edge" of diving technology. We have offices worldwide and over 10,000 instructors teaching our programs. TDI has become the largest international specialized dive agency. Diving is constantly changing. Our staff is always looking ahead and is striving to continue our record as the innovators of the industry.
We want to make the experience of diving one that is enjoyed by every family member to the fullest. At TDI we are all divers and want to share our love of the sport with as wide an audience as possible. Advanced NitroxThis course examines the use of EAN 21 through 100% (oxygen) for optimal mixes to a depth of 130fsw/40msw. The object of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper procedures for utilizing EAN 21 through 100% (oxygen) for dives not requiring staged decompression. (Decompression techniques may be combined with this course at the discretion of the instructor). Decompression ProceduresThis course examines the theory, methods and procedures of planned stage decompression diving. The objective of this course is to train divers how to plan and conduct a standard staged decompression dive not exceeding a maxium depth of 150fsw/45msw. The most common equipment requirments, gear set-ups, decompression techniques and decompression mixtures (including oxygen and nitrox) are presented. Extended RangeThis course provides the training and experience required to competently utilize air for dives up to 180 fsw/55msw that require staged decompression, utilizing nitrox mixtures and oxygen during decompression.
PSAI Technical Courses
The Professional Scuba Association International is one of the oldest scuba instructional training agencies in the world. For many years it was a small, specialized organization that was predominantly involved with dive training associated with extended range, deep air diving. PSA was in place as the mainstream technical agencies burst onto the market in the mid-1980s and continued their program of careful selection of instructors and adherence to safe diving techniques. Many of the agencies recognized PSAI programs for the quality and afforded direct cross-over certification.PSA has its World Headquarters located in Ocala, Florida and is expanding its offerings to a variety of international offices. Long established in places such as: America, Italy, The United Kingdom and The Czech Republic, PSAI continues to grow as both instructors and divers enjoy the quality of education afforded by the carefully reviewed standards and procedures.During organizational meetings in early 2005, the PSA course structure was reconfigured into course offerings. It was set up to include logical paths of their normal extended range programs, a traditional path of technical deep diving from nitrox to trimix. Every PSAI diver will receive the highest quality training from the highest quality instructors. PSAI training and certification is PERFORMANCED BASED!PSAI is not ‘One in a Million’, PSAI is ‘ONE OF A KIND’.
PSAI Advanced Priciples of Diving with Nitrox This course is designed for those divers who wish to utilize enriched air (Nitrox) at oxygen concentrations up to and including 100% oxygen by volume.It provides the necessary information for a PSAI diver to know theproper procedures to ‣Determine appropriate Nitrox gas for planned dives;
‣Determine appropriate diving equipment for planned Nitrox dives;
‣Plan dives based on established limits and cautions for Nitrox gases;
PSAI Advanced Nitrox Decompression Procedures (45m) This course is designed for aspiring technical divers who wish to utilize enriched air Nitrox at oxygen concentrations up to and including 100% by volume in their diving activities to include stage decompression procedures to a maximum depth of 45m (150ft). The course stresses self-sufficiency and safety.
PSAI Extended Range (55m) This course is designed for those divers who wish to conduct dives beyond 45 meters (150 feet) but not exceeding 55 meters (180 feet) using staged decompression techniques for both depth and extended bottom times. This course uses air as the primary back gas and Nitrox and Oxygen as decompression gas(es).
My programs are "Performance Based". You will pay for your training, but you will earn your certification.
Technical Diving Equipment Requirements
For purposes of safety, uniformity of instruction and functionality, basic gear configurations for open water dives and training exercises should be the same for instructors and students.
Standardized rigging of bottom and stage cylinders, isolation manifolds, cylinder gauges, inflators, primary regulators, and backup regulators is crucial to the safety, success and effectiveness of technical diver training.
When it comes to equipment, remember that less is more. If you don’t need it, don’t take it. The ideal is a minimalist approach with no unnecessary components. If a piece of gear adds a failure point – don’t use it at all!
Divers are always strongly encouraged to use their own personal SCUBA gear for training - especially advanced training. We also encourage you to support your local dive shop. However, if you need assistance in purchasing the required equipment, our sponsoring dive shop Scuba Steve’s Aquatic Adventures will provide package pricing on the gear. If you are unable to purchase your gear, Scuba Steve’s Aquatic Adventures will also provide rental gear packages for the training program.
Equipment required for Technical Diving Courses:
· Backplate. We recommend Stainless Steel backplate with continuous harness (single webbing) and 3 D-rings plus crotch strap with 2 D-rings (front and back). Soft harnesses made for technical diving (i.e. OMS, Oxycheq, Dive-Rite) are accepted but not encouraged. The harness must have D Ring assemblies capable of rigging stage bottles.
· Wing with 40-65 lbs lift (preferably no bungees). Dual Wings/redundant bladders are a consideration if you are diving a wetsuit.
· Power fins. Non-buoyant stiff fin capable of providing maximum propulsion and compliant with flutter kicks, scissor kicks and frog kicks. With optional stainless steel spring straps (Jetfins recommended) – No full foot, split, V-style or freediving fins!
· Primary Mask (low volume). A back-up mask is strongly recommended.
· Twin cylinders for EANx, minimum 160cft with a DIN isolation manifold, required. Cylinders must be large enough to allow completion of a 180 fsw dive for 30 minutes using a 1/3 rule and planning for a bottom mix deco contingency. Calculations based on the student’s RMV.
· A deco/stage bottle with at least a 40 cu ft capacity, Oxygen cleaned and properly labeled. Stage bottle must be large enough to allow completion of deco stops of 20 to 30 minutes at 30 fsw/10msw based on the divers RMV. Extended range will require 2 deco/stage bottles.
· Two high performance DIN regulators (for doubles). As a minimum, Navy Class A or equivalent specifications are required:
o Right post regulator has 7ft 2nd stage long hose & a 22-24 inch low pressure hose.
o Left post regulator has 24-30 inch 2nd stage hose with bungee strap for neck & 24 inch SPG hose (simple brass SPG, no consoles or computers).
· Bolt snaps/clips for primary regulator, spg and any lights (no suicide clips).
· Oxygen clean Regulator for decompression stage tank with 40 inch 2nd stage hose, brass pressure gauge on 6 inch hose.
. Wrist mounted bottom timer (depth & timeBackup bottom timer)If computers are used they must be either capable of calculating multiple nitrox mixes or capable of being used as a timer that will not lock out when completing advanced decompression schedules. The diver must either have two computers or have a backup timing device and depth gauge.. Compass
· A dive reel with at least 240 feet of line
· Spool with double ender clip and min 30m line (100ft).
· A multi page slate capable of holding all deco and contingency profiles plus a page for taking notes and/or communication. Consider wrist slate and/or wetnotes.
· Two lift bags with at least a 50 pound lift capacity and a no spill design is required. Open bottom bags are preferred. If ocean diving one lift bag can be exchanged for a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB). 5ft height or more recommended.
· A primary dive light with at least a 14 watt bulb and a 2 hour burn time is required. Hip mounted canister style lights with a compact remote light head (bulbs in the 50 watt halogen or 10 -15 watt HID) are strongly recommended.
· Two backup lights (e.g. scout style twist-on) tucked one under each arm. Recommended to attach with clips to chest D-rings and tuck in under surgical tubing or inner tube.
· Exposure protection for decompression diving will need to be considerably heavier than that worn for no deco dives due to the extended hangs without activity in the water. Your average in-water time on the deep dives will be between 60 and 100 minutes. As a minimum you should have a 7mm wetsuit with a hood, hooded vest or dry suit.
· Divers qualifying for ocean environments must also have a sound signaling device (sonic alert ect).
· At least, two cutting instruments are required: 1) a small knife capable of mounting on the chest of the BCD harness or on the diver’s arms and 2) a pair of paramedic shears or similar device capable of cutting through small gauge wire such as wire fishing leaders. It is also recommended that you have a small compact Z-knife.
Equipment not required but highly recommended:
· Two Thigh pockets on suit. Pocket pants is a great option.
· Personal Backup Bottom Timer
· Backup Mask
· Backup SMB
· Backup cutting device (Trauma Shearers recommended)
· Primary Reel with at least 100m line (330 ft) - Required for Wreck & Cave
· Jon-line (in case of current on wrecks)
· Whistle
· All clips in acid resistant stainless steel (prevents rust, corrosion and jams)
· Acid resistant stainless steel double ender clips for backup mask, wetnotes, shearers, any other equipment and one as a spare.
Purchasing Gear: We always encourage divers to purchase equipment from their local dive centers.
Scuba Steve’s Aquatic Adventures can supply all the above gear and has the following for rental:
· Double Cylinders
· Stage Tanks
· Backplates/Soft Harnesses & Wings
· Backgas Regulator
· Oxygen Clean Stage Regulators
Remember: PLAN YOUR DIVE AND DIVE YOUR PLAN
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dean Pennington II is a scuba diver with 13 years of diving experience. He has dove in a variety of environments, from fresh water lakes, rivers, sinkholes, cenotes and caves to ocean reefs and wrecks in the Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
He is a certified NAUI Open water Instructor and Instructor trainer. Along with being Full cave certified with NACD, he is a Technical Dive Instructor with TDI and PSAI.
His training has also included deep air and advanced tri-mix diving.
Dean is a Physician Assistant in a busy Neurosurgery practice in Tyler, Texas. He splits his time between surgery and clinic. Prior to becoming a PA, he spent 9 ½ years as an Apache pilot and Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army.
He is married and has four children. Happily, his wife Djuana and his two boys Pike and Drew, all scuba dive. His daughter Desirae and newest son Donovan will dive after they get just alittle bigger.
Along with diving, Dean likes to travel, eat (that’s a surprise) read and listen to music.
He has been known to say that he likes to dive, that he likes to dive a lot!
He can be reached via e-mail at mdpii@suddenlink.net or by phone at 903-520-3133.
