TDI · Technical
TDI Decompression Procedures
Planned, staged decompression diving to 45 m. This is what makes you a technical diver.
No-decompression limits are the biggest constraint on recreational diving. Decompression Procedures teaches you to go past them safely: plan the dive, carry the gas to do it, and ascend on a schedule of planned stops.
You'll learn the most common equipment setups and decompression techniques, and you'll use nitrox or oxygen to speed up your decompression, within your gas certification.
- Minimum age
- 18
- You'll need
- Advanced diver certification and 25 logged dives
- Open water dives
- 4, with 2 deeper than 30 m
- Maximum depth
- 45 m
- Ratio
- At most 4 students per instructor, and usually fewer
- Theory
- At least 6 hours of classroom and briefings
Prerequisites
- Minimum age 18.
- SDI Advanced Adventure Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water, or equivalent.
- Proof of 25 logged open water dives.
What you'll learn
- Decompression theory, and the models your computer and planning software use
- Planning a staged decompression dive: gas, time, contingencies and bailout
- Equipment setup: back gas, decompression cylinders, regulators and rigging
- Gas switching at depth, done safely every time
- Running your stops with an ascent reel, SMB and lift bag
- Handling problems: lost gas, missed stops, separation
What you'll need
- Primary cylinder or cylinders sized for the dive. Independent or isolated back-mounted doubles are allowed
- Decompression cylinder(s) with pressure gauge, labelled for their mix
- A first and second stage regulator on every cylinder
- BCD suitable for your setup, computer or bottom timer, line cutter, slate
- Ascent reel with lift bag or SMB
- An oxygen analyser. I can supply one
Take it together with Advanced Nitrox
Most divers do Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures as one course. TDI allows the combination in a minimum of six dives (instead of eight separately) to a maximum of 45 m, and you finish with both certifications.
Combined price: $1,575, compared with $1,750 separately. You'll need to meet the prerequisites for both, and be at least 18.
Where it leads
- Poseidon Se7en Air Diluent Decompression CCR: Poseidon Air Diluent Decompression: this plus 50 logged dives and 5 decompression dives to 30 m or more gets you straight in
- Poseidon Se7en Helitrox CCR (45 m): Poseidon Helitrox, to 45 m with helium
Why learn it with me
Decompression diving is about discipline more than depth. I teach it the way I dive: plan it, dive the plan, and have a real answer for what happens when something doesn't go to plan.
Course limits and prerequisites follow TDI Standards & Procedures, Part 2 (v0126), sections 7 and 8. Standards change, so I'll confirm them when you book.
Interested?
Tell me your certifications and roughly how many dives you've logged, and I'll confirm you're ready.