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COURSES
Basic Nitrox
Technical EAN
Helitrox
Decompression Tech
Trimix Diver
PSAI Courses
Course Prices

INFORMATION
NTEC
RGBM
Photos
Local Diving

Email
mastertrimix@mac.com

Telephone
718 384 1280

WHEN:   By appointment
(ask about Dive Boat Captain/Mate special)

LOCATION:   Classes are held in Manhattan or at Stingray Divers-Brooklyn; Open water location is at Forty Fathoms Grotto-Ocala FL.

OVERVIEW: These courses are to provide the diver with the skills and knowledge needed to minimize the risks of utilizing helium- based trimix breathing gas mixes for dives to a maximum depth of 250 fsw (76 msw) requiring stage Decompression and utilizing EANx mixtures and or oxygen during decompression. There are two levels and they are called Trimix Diver Level I and Trimix Diver Level II.

QUALIFICATIONS OF GRADUATES: Upon successful completion of the Level I course, Graduates are considered competent to plan and execute technical dives that require stage decompression and utilize helium-based trimix breathing gas mixtures and EANx and or oxygen for stage decompression without direct supervision to depths not to exceed 200 fsw (61 msw) provided the diving activities and the areas dived approximate those of training.

PREREQUISITES FOR ENTERING THE COURSE:
Minimum age: l8
Minimum certification: NAUI Decompression Techniques Diver or equivalent, CPR/AED
Reguired Dives: 100 logged dives, at least 20 of which have been decompression dives.
Other: Dive instructor's approval and an outside recommendation from reliable source, dive insurance and have signed medical and liability waivers

COURSE POLICIES:
Classroom hours- 18 estimated.
Open water dives: approximately 6 for level I (2 dives deeper than 180 fsw )

REQUIRED READING
NAUI RGBM Deco Tables       Can be purchased at Stingray Divers

Note: Comprehensive manual will be provided to the student free of charge

EQUIPMENT
NAUI Technical Equipment Configuration (NTEC)

CLASS TOPICS COVERED
This area is a review and continuation of the material covered in the NAUI Master Scuba Diver, Technical EANx Diver, and Decompression Techniques.

Gas Overview

1. History of helium gas diving
2. Various dive gas mixtures
3. Gas properties
4. Heat loss dynamics
5. Dive suit insulation
6. Determining Best Trimix-- Equivalent Air Depth (EAD)
7. Ideal versus real gas behavior
8. Blending trimix

Mechanics of decompression and decompression theory  

1. History of the bubble
2. Chronology of decompression model theory and events
3. Helium versus Nitrogen-Saturation and desaturation, Halftimes Dissolved Gas Models-M values, Pyle stops, gradient factors
4. Free Gas Models
5. RGBM
6. Gas selection-normoxic range
7. Gas switching considerations- Hyperoxic seizure, Hypoxic blackout, middle ear squeeze, isobaric counter diffusion, narcosis, off O2 phenomenon
8. Oxygen window
9. Gas switch rules
10. Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)

Physiological Responses, Diver's Limitations

1. Nitrogen Narcosis---wah-wah-wah watch out
2. Responses to pO2-hypoxia, hyperoxia
3. CNS O2 Toxicity
4. Residual oxygen
5. Respiratory minute volume (RMV) and O2
6. Fitness-dive stress and the heart
7. Personal limitations--Equivalent Narcotic Depth (END), MOD, environmental
8. Dyhydration, hypothermia, hyperthermia
9. Carbon Dioxide Toxicity-CO2 retainers

Mixed Gas Dive Planning

1. Gas needs, rule of thirds
2. Gas switch strategy
3. Terminology of the dive
4. Diver and Team Planners

Equipment Considerations

1. Hicks Law
2. Hogarthian
3. DIR
4. NTEC
5. Decompression methods and equipment-platforms, liftbags, reels, jon lines
6. Trimix gas analyzers

Protocols

1. Divers trim, ballasting and buoyancy compensation-ascent rate
2. Air break requirement for O2
3. Equipment failure
4. Altitude and flying
5. Omitted decompression
6. In-water recompression

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

1. The students are to analyze their own breathing gas mixture and to plan and safely execute each dive.
2. Dive planning shall include limits based on gas consumption, oxygen exposures and inert gas loading for each stage of the dive and breathing gas mixture.
3. Each diver is to demonstrate switching and isolating a malfunctioning regulator
4. Underwater navigation appropriate to the dive plan.
5. Students shall participate in a diver rescue simulation to include management of a diver experiencing oxygen toxicity underwater.
6. On at least two of the required dives ascend with ascent reel and line bag and perform stage decompression.