Nitrox Training on-line

[Big A]

Does any agency perform a nitrox on-line training that is worth taking?

 

[MatD4D]

SDI have a partial online course. I've not done it so can't say how good it is.

https://www.sdi-onlinetraining.com/courses.cfm?callname=course_detail&course=14&frame=false

 

[Dive-aholic]

The nitrox course has hands on requirements. You have to analyze a few different tanks. It's good to be able to actually see and operate an analyzer. I would guess that the SDI course isn't any worse than most other nitrox courses. But then again, I don't think much of most nitrox courses. Find an instructor that does decompression dives on a regular basis and really understands the theory of nitrox and take the class from him/her. You'll get a much better understanding that way.

 

[vshearer]

I thought about this route as well since I live about 60 miles from the Instructor/LDS. You won't really save any money, as you still have to take the exam and do the hands-on analyses and will have to find someone that will do so for SDI. My LDS sent me the NAUI materials to review prior to the class, so essentially it is the same as doing it online. In addition, while I agree the Nitrox cert is perhaps a bit overpriced for what you are doing, for me it is also a way to discern whether I am interested in further training with this agency and staff.

 

[wedivebc]

Does any agency perform a nitrox on-line training that is worth taking?

When I am teaching tech courses and start talking about EAD and Dalton's law I look at the students faces. The ones who look like a deer in the headlights are the ones who took the quick and easy nitrox courses.
I say find a good instructor and learn as much as you can. The stripped down versions miss a lot of good stuff.

 

[ian@1904]

In the UK internet based nitrox courses are rarely recognised. I cannot vouch for elsewhere in the world. I know my local LDS will not accept online quals. So you might want to check with the store where you plan to obtain your fills from.

Similar to Wedivebc I am a BSAC nitrox instructor. Getting students to use different O2 analysers, and knowing what to expect at the filling station can only really come from working with an instructor.

Understanding O2 cleaning, partial pressures, when to use 1.4, and when 1.6 can be used, and M.O.D., is fairly straightforward. Not understanding all the above could cost you your life.

 

[uncleavi]

The Instructor from BC has a good point.
Also, it is good to get your materials before hand to read when you have the time.
When I taught on a liveaboard that was the only time I would do these quick ones. Take your time and a good and a good Instructor will be happy to show you through the steps.
Be Safe and have fun

 

[Big A]

Thanks for all the great in-put, really gave me some good things to think about.

 

[Steve SDI/TDI HQ]

Does any agency perform a nitrox on-line training that is worth taking?

SDI (Scuba Diving International) has several specialty courses online as well as open water. The 'line-up' includes SDI Nitrox.

Important to see online training as just a fancy way to present a course academics... in terms of the material presented online training is no different to taking a book home and reading it. The major difference is the way the materials are presented and the level of interactivity. Online learning is not new... universities and trade schools, big business and other training programs have been using it successfully for years. Online training, distance learning, blended learning or eLearning all describe the same process. I personally prefer the terms Blended Learning because it better describes the process: do the 'book' learning and exam online and then sit with an instructor to go over the areas that caused concern and to do any field work and, as is often the case, any skills assessments required to pass the course.

Also worth noting perhaps is that at International Training, we still offer two levels of nitrox training. SDI is really a very simple program aimed at sport divers executing their dives with the aid of a programmable nitrox computer. And then we have the TDI (Technical Diving International) program. This is one of the original nitrox programs offered to recreational divers* and we have been teaching it for close to 14 years. Its curriculum is intended for divers who wish to know about nitrox in more detail... perhaps with a view of going on to plan and execute more complex dives.

Hope this helps... check out SDI-Training for more details


(* Recreational in legal terms covers both sport and technical divers)