Technical Diving Equipment Requirments

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