So I've finally managed to square away course dates for TDI classes and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for things to work on prior to the course, either in terms of academics or just general skills that I might be over looking.
Look at this. The skills listed were all covered in my class, as well as, maskless deco stops on an ascent line, mask off drills following a line, and advanced compass navigation.
TECHDIVER TRAINING SKILLS LISTING FOR DECOMPRESSION DIVER COURSE (Student Copy)
The intention of this course is to promote and encourage growth as a team oriented, controlled diver who has the knowledge and comfort to safely plan and executed dives at a level beyond recreational exposures. Graduates should demonstrate professional and team spirited conduct at all times. They should be able to plan complex dives and be able to execute those plans flawlessly under less than optimal conditions. They should have focus in water and on the surface.
This program deals with material contained in TDI Advanced Nitrox and TDI Decompression Procedures courses.
It is necessary for course candidates to show good facility with the following skills in confined water prior to conducting actual decompression dives.
Decompression Procedures Core Skills:
As part of the graduation requirements from this TDI course, your instructor should test your competence in the following areas. Drills to help build your confidence and comfort doing these skills should be taught as part of the regular program.
You will be expected to:
Be competent in skills required to graduate from any prerequisite TDI course (or equivalent)
Properly analyze all gas mixes to be used;
Calculate and mark the MOD (Maximum Operating Depth) of each mix appropriately;
Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning (Limits based on team experience, gas consumption of individuals and of team as a whole, oxygen depth and time, inert gas depth and time, environment, contingency and so on);
Properly execute a planned dive(s) within all predetermined limits;
Satisfactorily complete TDI written exam;
Demonstrate mature and responsible judgment concerning dive planning and execution;
Maintain a high level of awareness and respect for the environment in which all diving and dive preparation is conducted;
Log all dives
Skills done on land or in the field
Demonstrate familiarity with basic hand signals
Select and prepare of equipment suitable for soft overhead environment (decompression ceiling)
Conduct team oriented drills for lift bag deployment and gas switching procedure
Run reels and follow lines with blacked out masks
Pre-dive skills
Use START* before every dive
Stress analysis and mitigation
Skills during dive
Demonstrate buoyancy control (ability to hover at fixed position in water column without moving hands or feet)
Show good awareness of buddy and other team members through communications, proximity and team oriented dive practices
Demonstrate comfort swimming on surface and at depth carrying single decompression stage bottle
Demonstrate ability to drop and retrieve single decompression cylinder while maintaining position in the water column
Demonstrate ability to deploy a lift bag solo and as member of team
Demonstrate controlled / staged ascent on lift bag / emergency ascent line (lost ascent line)
Remove and replace mask (deploy backup mask)
Demonstrate appropriate reaction to gas haemorrhage from manifold or first stage, SPG and primary regulator
React to BC inflator malfunction (disconnect LP hose, dump gas and orally inflate BC/Wing to neutral buoyancy)
Demonstrate ability to confirm gas switch(es) at depth with buddy/team members
Buddy breathing deco gas for at least one minute
Switch to back-up mask (remove and replace mask)
Demonstrate appropriate reaction to free-flowing deco regulator (feather valve)
Demonstrate appropriate (may be simulated) modifications to deco schedule in decompression emergency (over time, over depth)
Demonstrate tired diver tow at depth and on surface (30 meters lateral)
Complete a horizontal breath hold swim at depth for 15 meters
*START is Sdrill (OOA drill and Bubble Check), Team (buddy equipment checks), Air (gas matching), Route (entry/exit and planned path underwater, Tables (depth, duration, waypoints and schedule)
