IANTD technical training

[Ferrara]

Many times agencies end up with multiple courses when it appears there should be one. A good example is some of the gas blender courses. Why make trimix blending a separate class? I am under the impression that the GUE introduces trimix and other things earlier than other agencies. They still have multiple tech level classes. I would assume the limits progress at each level. I think the arrangement makes sense. I also think (hope) that the trend in training will be to introduce He sooner.

The IANTD Advanced Nitrox and Deep Diver course combination are meant to introduce redundant equipment, more in depth dive planning and deco procedures. The course takes place at or above 130 ft. The student develops important skills at recreational depths. When I teach this course combination there are several classroom sessions, at least one pool session, several shallow dives (confined open water) and a bunch of dives. I have dedicated sessions for assembling doubles, introducing dive planning software and configuring equipment. This course is a real culture shock for some students. At this level you can’t make any assumptions about prior knowledge or attitudes, therefore there is just reams of info to cover. Most students really have their hands full. This is not a one-weekend class. To add more would obviously increase the length or task load of the class.

The next level is Technical Diver and Normoxic trimix (old name – intermediate trimix). In the Technical Diver course the max depth is 170’. I took Normoxic trimix right away because I didn’t like 170’ on air. Combining the two courses sort of fixes that problem though.

I think you will end up with multiple classes regardless of how you organize things. I will not dispute the GUE max END of 100’. I like mix myself. With a max END of 100’ you are forced to use mix earlier. However, there are many rec divers with little experience and inappropriate equipment going to 130’ and beyond. Talk about END trouble.

Without comparing them to other agencies, IMO the IANTD curriculum, when administered as intended, is very good.

 

[miztflip]

Very well said!!!

 

[trymixdiver]

I also have a few IANTD certs and i did find the manuals to be a bit sloppy. I was lucky to get a great instrucor who is now my main dive buddy. I was fortunate that the class was only 2 people, me and my buddy. I will be taking trimix from him once i find a buddy who is also interested. ( my old buddy got married and i think he is too whipped to go diving now )

TMD

 

[miztflip]

Sorry to hear that you lost your dive buddy like that. You could always do what I did and marry your instructor.

 

[trymixdiver]

Thats a great idea.

Now all i have to do is be gay to pull that one off. Sorry but thats not an option for me. Exit only if you know what i mean.

TMD

 

[Divesherpa]

Very well put Ferrara. We forget what it was like far too often. I'm self taught. I had to demonstrate proficiency to get the cards, but spent hundreds of hours in theory and switched to He out of necessity. My instructor is on the Board of Advisors for IANTD, and she agrees that some of the training material is lacking.
As an OW instructor, it is sometimes very difficult to keep the class focused on materials that are at their level. When in Florida, I cave dive every day. When I show up to do OW checkouts, my cave gear is usually with me(in the van). Students always want to know what I've been up to, what are all the stickers for, why I have numbers on my tanks.
Some things are better introduced later. Helium is an example. When teaching in Alaska, I preferred OW students to not use Argon due to task loading.
It all boils down to gaining experience one step at a time. To attempt nitrox/deco/trimix in just a couple of days is just too much in my opinion. How are people supposed to thoroughly understand deco and gas properties in a couple of days?


Trymixdiver, you should come to Florida where a lot of tech instructors are female.

 

[trymixdiver]

My flight arives @ midnight, any single female divers want to pick me up at the airport?

TMD

 

[watergal]

Which airport?

 

[trymixdiver]

One of these days i will visit my Dad in Fl. Of course i wont see him much unless diving with me

Just what kinda diving am i looking at if i come out, He is in Lady lake and i have no idea where that is in relation to all the good diving sites. Gimme a reason people lie if you have to!

yeah yeah i should see my dad more often i know.

TMD


Last time i was in FL i was Shi* faced at the revolving lounge at the Saint Petersburg hilton on Super Bowl Sunday a few years ago.

 

[AquaTec]

I agree with Farrara, other than the well covered area of what instructor you pick, she has boiled it all down. tech diving should be staged, allowinng divers to stop when they hit their personal limit. or proceed to the next step after completing some dives at their current level of training.

To make decitions along the way, for instance a diver should be doing lots of deco diving prior to adding helium to the mix.


I would like to hear from Yooper about his therories on 80/20 he seems very negative on this practice. I am not against 100% but at 80% you can get onto it sooner - 30ft which works well if there is a good open ocean swell at your 15 and 20 foot stops on a free drift deco hanging off of you bag. I have considered bringing an extra bottle of 100% tpo use at the 15/10 ft stop but the lack of benifit with not much time cut off of my deco stops.