SDI Easy Nitrox Class - Report

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I feel the need to state a few things before beginning my report.

First – I am one of those people who likes to dig around, breathe in and truly understand the history, physiology and basic ins-and-outs of things that I like. My flight instructor thought I was some kind of freak when he found out I had read the POH (Pilot Operating Handbook) for the C-172 I trained in. He thought it even odder that I found and purchased one for the year and model of the trainer we were using, and that I could tell him the page where particular items were located. Diving is no different for me. If there is something I want to learn, I will go find the answer.

Second – I saw NetDoc’s Ad for this Nitrox class and thought it was cool to teach the use of a dive computer, and strange that there was no emphasis on using tables and calculations. I mean, hey! I just finished a NAUI class on using the “Devil’s Gas”. I understood the easy calculations and set them aside for the easier OceanX. Truth be told, I can do the calculations in my head... but, lazy is as lazy does (That’s what momma always said). So, the OceanX can give me the answer in less than 3 seconds with no thought (I know most of you are thinking... “Great, another PADI wheel&#8221. It’s a good tool, and I can have the answer before anyone can punch the first number into their calculator.

Third – I am a huge believer in safety, comfort, ease-of-use (read as easy-to-use tools) and understanding when it comes to diving (and... pretty much everything else). I believe this: If there is a safe, comfortable, easy-to-use way of doing things, and you can understand it... FANTASTIC! Use it!

Last – After seeing the large amount of negative posts in another thread concerning this class, I offered to sit in on the class and write this report. NetDoc graciously accepted my offer, which immediately told me there was something I was missing and needed to see for myself what this was all about. (Yes, it’s a preposition, you will find I end many sentences that way, rather than end them with the word, dammit)

I offer this report for all to see. I refuse to answer any philosophical questions pertaining to the class. I will respond to clarify issues in my report if needed. But, once I write this report, I will no longer post on the other thread, nor will I respond to philosophical questions here.

SDI Easy Nitrox Class - Orlando​

Get Nitrox Certified Today, The Easy Way!

No more complicated formulas and tables. All diving is based on a Nitrox Computer. Get the most from your dives the easy way.​

Class schedule:
Tuesday, May 30th, 2006​

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM​

Entering Classroom:
On the table at every seat - “NitrOx Knowledge Review” Equations and Charts
-Pressure to depth conversion formula
-Depth to pressure conversion formula
-Partial Pressure (Dalton’s Law) formula
-Converting Actual Depth to EAD formula
-NOAA Oxygen Exposure Table: From 0.6 to 1.6 ata; Max single, Max 24hrs, %exposure/minute

All students filled out their Dive Training Record.
Prior to class, all students complete reading of SDI Manual and answered the Knowledge Review booklet

Computer types (4-students and mine): Uwatec, Veo 200 (2 students had not purchased yet, but wanted to know what to buy... they used the Veo 250) and mine – Versa Pro wrist

ENTRY LEVEL NITROX COURSE
Review OW information (NitrOx Knowledge Review Chart)
Required for Certification
-Dive Training Record
-Completed Knowledge Review Booklet
-Demonstrate competency on the computer
-Record a Nitrox tank dive

Upon Completion: Recreational Nitrox Diver to 40%

CLASS:
Benefits of Nitrox for the Recreational Diver
Myths about Nitrox
Repetitive Dive Example
History of Nitrox (Dr. Wells and Dick Rutkowski)
Review of learned information

Limits for Diving (Air, Depth, Time [DCS, Hypothermia])
Composition of Air
Composition Chart (EAN36 vs. Air)
Bar Graph of EAN mixes showing decreases in Nitrogen and Increases in Oxygen
Nitrogen & Narcosis with emphasis on Narcosis at depth
Oxygen (Metabolism, Hypoxia, Role in Decompression, as an inert gas, Narcosis and Decompression, Toxic Effects PPO2 levels 1.4/1.6 and oxidizing)
Effects of Oxygen Partial Pressures (3.0 down to 0.08 ata with emphasis on Hypoxia and Saturation Diving)
Oxygen Toxicity (OxTox, CNS with emphasis on MOD)
Pulmonary Toxicity
Tolerances
Benefits of Oxygen
Review of Learned

MOD Discussed (PPO2 1.4, limits, MOD determination by FO2)
EMPHASIZED: Respecting MOD
ConVENTID, VENTID
Contingency Depths (1.6 PPO2)
MOD Calculations (Formulas)
OxTox VENTID (REMEMBER THE SIGNS!) Illustrated by DCS on the surface and treatment
OxTox Prevention (1.4 ata or less with contingent 1.6 ata)
IF OxTox SIGNS APPEAR
Oxygen Clock (PPO2 as an irritant)
Review of Learned

Nitrox Mixtures
Standard Mixtures (EAN32, 20% rule, EAN36)
Best Mix (Optimal Mix, F02 in computer for best mix, remember may limit your dive)
Stops (Safety/Precautionary strongly recommended)
Stops (1 min. at half max depth, 5 min. at 15 fsw [5m], slow down ascent from 15 fsw to surface, bubble reduction)
Stops (Planned or mandatory deco stops, required stops... AVOID WHENEVER POSSIBLE)
Omitted Decompression stops (O2 at 3x deco missed, fluids, rest, Reco Chamber, no O2 available, etc)
O2 handling (Fire Triangle, Adiabatic Forces, Friction, Heat)
Oxygen Cleaning (40% Rule)
Equipment Cleaning (Must Be’s, Not Necessary’s, Recommended’s)
Nitrox Identification (Tank visuals)
ID Sticker & forms
Mix Prep (Types, Pre-mix, etc)
Obtaining Fills (Requirements)
Performing Gas Analysis (Analyzers, calibration, ranges, analyzing, flows, etc)
Labeling & Station Log
Review of Learned

Contingencies (Averting, Handling, Rescue Training, AOW Training)
Emergency Equipment (O2 systems, First Aid Kits, Blankets, Communications equipment)
Out of Gas Emergencies
DCS Signs and Actions

2 hours 25 min. into class:
Start Computers (All programming aspects, PPO2, FO2, Planning, MOD, EAD, etc)

CORRECTED KNOWLEDGE REVIEWS
END OF CLASS
====

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Continued: There is a 1000 character limit to a single post... I bet H2Andy knew that!

My Recommendations:

Class Designed for: Current Recreational Divers who want to increase their bottom times and reduce their surface intervals

Class Covered: All the basics needed by an active Recreational Diver to safely dive Nitrox using a computer designed for Nitrox use

Comprehensiveness of Class: If you think about Recreational Diving useage... how many Recreational Divers ask for mixes other than EAN32 or EAN36? Above 36 will cost a premium, below 32 is close to useless compared to EAN21. Most Recreational Divers don't even bother with mixes between 32 and 36. One could easily make the claim that the information for EAN32 and EAN36 could be memorized.

With the above in mind, the class meets most of the needs for any Recreational Diver

Class Comprehension: SDI Nitrox Diving Manual was required reading before taking the class. Everyone knew what was coming before entering the class room.

Side Note: I read the NAUI Manual before taking the NAUI class. No additional information was passed to the students through the class. Everything was explained in the book. Class was just a requirement to pass. If I want further training, there is always Advanced Nitrox Training.

===
I surveyed everyone at the end of the class. Everyone was confident with the training they received. Everyone used an analyzer, filled out the log and slapped a sticker on something. Everyone realized they were breathing a Nitrox mix when breathing standard fill air.
===

Overall View: There is nothing inherently wrong with this method of learning. It is what it is... A Nitrox Training Class. Everyone left knowing how to convert to EAD. Everyone knew how to read tables. Everyone now knows how to dive Nitrox safely.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Thanks for your Observations and Recommendation --looks like a fair and thorough Lecture on the material (without the OW Dives though others may still remain skeptical) . . .now can you sit in on Pete's upcoming Wreck Class as well??

 

[Matteo]

looks comprehensive enough to me, thanks for the objective report CoolTech!!!

 

[jagfish]

I believe Net Doc's class was discussed as being less mathematically rigorous than a normal Nitrox class. It might be useful if you made some observations in that direction.

 

[MB]

If you think about Recreational Diving useage... how many Recreational Divers ask for mixes other than EAN32 or EAN36? ... Most Recreational Divers don't even bother with mixes between 32 and 36.

Perhaps these divers limit their use of nitrox mixes because that's all they learned about in their "easy" classes??? There's no reason why a reasonably tuned in person cannot learn to use the range of mixes between 21% and 40%.

 

[Walter]

Comprehensiveness of Class: If you think about Recreational Diving useage... how many Recreational Divers ask for mixes other than EAN32 or EAN36? Above 36 will cost a premium, below 32 is close to useless compared to EAN21. Most Recreational Divers don't even bother with mixes between 32 and 36. One could easily make the claim that the information for EAN32 and EAN36 could be memorized.

I'm afraid you aren't clear, does that mean students are not prepared to use other mixes after completing the class?

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I'm afraid you aren't clear, does that mean students are not prepared to use other mixes after completing the class?

No, divers ARE prepaired to use other mixes.

This portion was my pesonal observation of the general field. Based on discussions I've had with 2 shop owners and 3 instructors who worked in other locations (such as Bill Jackson's, Tackle Shack and Scuba Quest).

I understand (and class discussed) that some operations charge, some don't charge for special mixes above 36%. Class even discussed dive operations in remote locations such as the Islands and the possibility of getting their mixes at less/more than requested

Student's from this class are just as prepaired to use other mixes as anyone who dives Recreational Nitrox. My statement is simply about recreational Nitrox diving in general.

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

Perhaps these divers limit their use of nitrox mixes because that's all they learned about in their "easy" classes??? There's no reason why a reasonably tuned in person cannot learn to use the range of mixes between 21% and 40%.

It appears you are simply lashing out for any class with the word "easy" in it. You should have asked for more clarification, as Walter did.

You are correct in that there is no reason why a person cannot learn to use a range of mixes.

Students in this class learned to use a range from 22-40%

The observations were mine as stated above. Sorry, if that part was not clear enough

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

I believe Net Doc's class was discussed as being less mathematically rigorous than a normal Nitrox class. It might be useful if you made some observations in that direction.

That would be a philosophical debate. As stated above, I will not get into the philosophical issues of one method vs. another method