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'Beginner's Guide for technical scuba diing' is a bit of a misnomer
when referring to technical diving. Embarking on a technical
diving course presupposes that you will be a qualified scuba
diver with a fair amount of experience.
First,
a definition. A 'technical dive' is a self-contained untethered
dive in which the diver switches a breathing gas during the
dive. It usually involves the diver in using a "bottom
mix" followed by one or two intermediate decompression
mixes of enriched air and oxygen. Whenever the diver does
not have a direct ascent option to the surface, the dive becomes
inherently more dangerous. These types of dives are typically
beyond the no-stop time limits of air or enriched air diving
tables; they may involve overhead environments such as wrecks,
caves, or use of a rebreather. NAUI defines a category of
recreational technical diving for purposes of diving instruction
and insurance as diving that is not commercial and that meets
any of the following conditions: Depths beyond 130 fsw (40
msw), enriched air mixtures with oxygen fractions greater
than 41%, or any other non-air mix (trimix), or planned decompression.
Technical diving requires specific equipment. The following
list covers a general description of the gear a technical
student candidate must arrive with for training, typical of
the requirements of TDI.
Due to the serious nature of technical diving
the prospective technical diver is expected to own his/her
own equipment. Part of the discipline of the sport is care
and maintenance of equipment, and in ownership of his equipment
a technical diver is completely liable for any accidents or
failures of his gear.
Backplate & Harness With
the system also include:
2 sets (4 total) shoulder harness pads
2 waist band pouches
Single Bladder Wing 55-65 lbs.
lift preferred. LP inflator hose should reach chest level
when suited up.
D-Rings -- harness is to have 3 D-rings -- one
on each shoulder and one on the left side side of the waist
band. Waist band rings can be either standard rings or fixed
position Billy Rings (Abyss, OMS, Highland, or you can make
them. The crotch strap is to have 2 d-rings, one in the front,
one in the back.
Class-A regulators (2) one
with 5-7' hose and standard low pressure inflator hose (for
right hand outlet) the other with low pressure inflator hose
and brass SPG. All primary regulators are to be fitted with
300 bar DIN connections.
Stage regulators (2) prepared
for oxygen service fitted with a 6" to 7" HP hose
with metal SPG, these are for decompression cylinders.
Regulator hose should be 44 inches.
Bottom Timer (2) (1 if using
computer) electronic bottom timer / depth gauge
Computer (1) (2 recommended)
decompression dive computer capable of at least 1 Nitrox mixture
with a minimum capability of a 60 foot deco stop, download
capability or a good multi gas unit.
Compass for navigation
Back-up lights (2) 3 C-cell
size works well.
Primary light (cylindrical
canister light with "Goodman Handle" preferred.
maximum 50 watts with up to 90 minute burn time recommended
Wreck Reel 250' of line, (Aqua Explorers
RA8, OMS, EE, AUL, Dive Rite, Reef Scuba etc.)
Safety Reel 130' to 150' of
line.
Knife Small Very Sharp
Lift Bags (2)
or
Surface Marker Buoy and 1 50 lbs. lift bag
Survival Sausage - inflatable
1 meter size - orange, yellow, lime green
Slates (2) small
Personal Gear - Mask, Fins,
snorkel (for rescue simulations)
Exposure suit - a Dry Suit
is required for all trimix dives and all dives where average
water temp is 75 or less.
For water warmer than 75f a wet suit may be
used. Gloves for environment are required too.
Safety Items
Sky Blazer Diver's Flare kit
Whistle or Dive Alert
Small signal mirror
Jon-line 2 (used for decompression) 1 primary 1 back up -
6-9 feet long
Weight belt - metal buckle (4 weight keepers)
Cylinders
Back Tanks
Divers will be required to have two (2) complete
sets for each day of training dives
Decompression (stage) Tanks
Technical students need 3 cylinders. Two for
nitrox, One for Oxygen.
Spare Parts/Tool Kit
This would include any special regulator plugs,
o-rings, replacement batteries, mask straps, fin straps, zip
ties, etc.
Bungee Cord: you will need
a minimum of 20 feet of 3/8 inch diameter bungee.
Snap Clips have a variety of
snap clips with you for stage bottle rigging, clipping regulators,
etc.
Books & Software
All courses at TDI include text for that specific course
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