DECOMPRESSION: THIS IS WHERE THE ADVENTURE STARTS TO GET REAL
This ‘first step’ across the threshold from advanced recreational and into the realm of technical diving is a three-cylinder course: two primaries (a twinest or sidemount) plus one stage bottle filled with a decompression gas to optimize off-gassing during a staged, optimized ascent. The decompression gas can be any reasonable mixture, including 100 percent oxygen.
It’s the logical way for a diver to build a solid foundation of skills and knowledge and is a gentle introduction to the vagaries of staying at depth beyond the no-decompression limits… these include added thermal stress, increased reliance on solid dive planning and buddy communications, plus starting to build a thorough practical knowledge of decompression stressors and how to mitigate them.
RAID’s reputation for excellent skills-based training makes this entry-level decompression course the recommended place to start on a technical diving adventure, regardless of the end goal.
RAID DECOMPRESSION is offered in three options: 40 metres air and nitrox | 45 metres air, nitrox | 45 metres air, nitrox, trimix, and is available to divers in twinset or sidemount configuration.
Contact your local RAID Dive Centre for details.
Visit RAID FREe-Learning to read more.
Next step: ADVANCED DECOMPRESSION #3 in New Tech Pathway.
Recommended prerequisite course: #0 NITROX PLUS
OVERVIEW OF COURSE STANDARDS
DECOMPRESSION
I. Purpose
This course is designed to train Students to safely:
- Dive to a maximum depth of 40 metres /130 feet using air or nitrox,
- Dive to a maximum depth of 45 metres /145 feet using air or nitrox, *
- Dive to a maximum depth of 45 metres /145 feet using air or nitrox, or trimix. * (Limited Trimix Decompression)
- Use air, nitrox, oxygen and trimix (where applicable).
- The END/EAD for trimix must not exceed 30 metres /100 feet.
- Complete planned decompression.
o Divers must have sufficient volume to complete a safe ascent, including the required decompression plus
one-third reserve to share gas with a buddy. - Use a higher oxygen content nitrox (up to 100% oxygen) in a separate single (one only) stage cylinder to optimize
decompression dive times.
o Bottom gas may have a maximum PO2 of 1.4 at depth.
o Decompression gas may have a maximum PO2 of 1.6 at depth.
*NOTE: Review Instructor and supervision requirements below.
II. Student Prerequisites
A Student taking this course must: - Be a minimum of 18 years old.
- Be certified as a RAID Open Water 20 and RAID Deep 40 diver or equivalent.
Or be certified as a RAID Explorer 30 or RAID Advanced 35 diver or equivalent. - Be certified as a RAID Nitrox diver or equivalent.
- Have a minimum of 30 logged hours underwater or 25 dives using open circuit.
III. Course Requirements
To earn certification, the Student must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the online academic modules, quizzes, and exam.
o Equipment.
o Physics.
o Physiology.
o Management.
o Confined water.
o Open Water. - Complete all the skill requirements as outlined in the manuals for in-water training.
o Pre-dive safety checks.
o Buoyancy check.
o Stage (deco cylinder) remove and replace on the surface.
o Descents.
o Buoyancy and trim.
o Long hose recovery.
o Frog kick.
o Back fin.
o Modified flutter kick.
o Helicopter turn.
o SAC rate calculations.
o Stage remove and replace underwater.
o Gas sharing stationary.
o Gas sharing swim.
o Gas sharing swimming ascent.
o Back-up mask deployment.
o Gas switch protocols.
o Shutdown drills.
o SMB deployment.
o Ascent with simulated decompression and real decompression