GUE Technical Diver Level I

While the use of enriched air and Triox is not tremendously complicated, there are many subtle and potentially dangerous issues with which divers must be aquatinted while technical diving. Northern Tech Diver believes that individuals in the pursuit of technical training should not be limited by the information made available to them. Instead this information should cover all the practical and theoretical issues likely to be encountered by the technical diver.

The GUE Tech 1 program is structured to prepare divers for rigors faced while technical diving and to familiarize them with the use of different breathing mixtures. Students will become experienced in the use and failure problems associated with diving double tanks. Tech I students will also become acquainted with the use of nitrox mixtures for accelerated decompression, the use of Helium to minimize narcosis, and the applications of single tank stage diving. The curriculum will focus on enriched air and triox (Helium enriched gas) as a flexible and beneficial breathing medium for dives in the 40 fsw to 160 fsw depth range. Historically, introductory level technical classes have been so heavily distilled that very little actual information remains. This class provides an excellent foundation for divers to build their technical diving experience and prepare for the Technical Diver 2 course.

Prerequisits

  • Must meet GUE General Course Prerequisites
  • Minimum age of 18
  • At least 75 scuba dives beyond open water qualification
  • Completion of DIR Fundamentals or approval of Instructor
  • All participants must be able to swim at least 300 yards in less than 12 min without stopping
  • All participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 50' on a breath hold


GUE's Tech 1 is designed to introduce divers to the demands of technical diving and to introduce them to the use of different breathing mixutres. Tech 1 is a Decompression course utilizing Nitrox and Triox (Helium enriched gas) as beneficial gasses in the 40 - 160 foot range. Tech 1 training focuses on expanding the basic skills introduced in the DIR Fundamentals course and is designed to cultivate and broaden essential skills required for safe technical diving. Nitrox and TRIOX required during course (Blending process is part of this course). Northern Tech Diver recommends that you obtain a minimum of 20 dives beyond your Fundamentals course in preparation of your Tech 1 course. Please consult with your instructor about your readiness for Tech 1 if you have any questions.

Duration

This is dependant upon which course format the student elects to participate in. For the fully prepared student a five day program is available. This program is better suited to experienced divers. For the less experienced student that wishes to maximize the benifit of the Tech I course in can be conducted in two phases.

Course Content

The Tech 1 program instructs divers in the use/failures of doubles, single stage decompression, enriched air bottom mixtures, triox mixtures decompression mixtures up to 100% oxygen. Individuals interested in a less robust curriculum or single tank diving should consider the GUE DIR Fundamentals diver program or the Triox Recreational Program. Participants should consult Northern Tech Diver regarding their preparedness for the GUE curriculum. As in all GUE courses the focus is on a balanced combination of skill, knowlege and equipment use.

Program Limits

  1. All dives are to maintain a working PO2 of no greater than 1.4 and a resting PO2 of 1.6 or less
  2. No dives are to exceed an equivalent narcotic depth of 100'
  3. Instructor to student ratio is not to exceed 5:1 in the openwater and 3:1 during any overhead diving activity

Certification Agency

Global Underwater Explorers

Course Cost

Dependant upon which course format the student elects to participate in.
Note: Deposits must be paid to the Course Coordinator at registration of the course. A minimum of 50% deposit is required. Cancellations less than 1 month prior to course start date will forfeit 1/2 of the deposit. If a replacement is found the deposit will be refunded in full.

Additional Costs

  • GUE Fundamentals of Better Diving Text: $34.95 CAD (available at your local GUE dealer, or through NTD)
  • GUE's Getting Clear on the Basics: The Fundamentals of Technical Diving. Available online at www.gue.com for about $15.00
  • GUE Student Registration Fee - $30.00 USD


Other Student Expenses:
  • Nitrox/triox fills
  • Tank rentals
  • Boat fees, etc., as applicable.


Participants should recognize that discounted training is typically inferior and hence not a good value.

Equipment Requirements

Each student shoud have and be familiar with all of the following required equimpent:
  1. Tanks/Cylinders: Students are required to use dual tanks/cylinders connected with a dual outlet isolator manifold, which allows for the use of two first stages. All dives must start with a minimum of 80 cubic feet/2250 liters. Divers must also have access to one deco tank/cylinder of 50% NItrox.
  2. Regulators: Two first-stages, each supplying a single second-stage. One of the second stages must be on a 7 foot/2 meter hose. One of the first stages must supply a pressure gauge and provide inflation for a dry suit where applicable). One first stage regulator for shallow decompression gas, supplying a single second-stage and pressure gauge.
  3. Buoyancy Compensators: Back-mounted wings, mated with a harness and a back plate.
  4. Survey compass
  5. Two time keeping devices
  6. At least one depth-measuring device
  7. Decompression tables
  8. Mask and fins (fins must be of the non-split variety)
  9. At least one cutting device
  10. Underwater slate or Wet Notes
  11. One reel/spool, with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver
  12. One primary reel per team, with a minumum of 300 feet/90 meters of line
  13. Three lights: one primary and two secondary
  14. At least one surface marker buoy per diver
  15. Exposure suit appropriate for the duration of exposure

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Kingston, Ontario

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