SSI starts new tech training program.

[diverdownAg]

Anyone know anything about this? I am interested in branching out into tech diving.

SSI is Going Extreme with Their New Technical Diving Program
by Suzanne Fletcher , November 13, 2006

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]-- Fort Collins, CO. Scuba Schools International (SSI), the premier education and business organization announces the launch of SSI TechXR -- the most innovative technical diving program available.

SSI TechXR is a technical diving program designed to take the recreational diver to an extreme level for their diving adventures. Whether it is the excitement of deep reef diving of the thrill of exploring wrecks located well past 130 feet, SSI TechXR provides the training and experience necessary to complete every new adventure with confidence and skill.
The SSI TechXR program was designed and tested under the most demanding conditions. All of the complex information has been broken down and made simple to learn and understand. Industry professionals with years of technical experience developed all of the student training materials. SSI's signature training method's the SSI Diver Diamond and Comfort through Repetition have been applied to keep the programs consistent and provide the same high quality education as other SSI products.
Training can be formulated around your personal goals and objectives.
Student programs include: Advanced Nitrox / Technical Foundations, Decompression Procedures, Normoxic Trimix, and Advanced Decompression Procedures.
Completion of the SSI TechXR program is just another example of the commitment SSI has to providing SSI Divers with the highest quality educational products available on the market today. Contact our local SSI Dealer to get started.
[/FONT]

 

[divemaster_jim]

I could be wrong but I think Unlce Ricky would know about SSI.
I've seen the website too, Am kinda curious as well.

 

[Rick Murchison]

The SSI TechXR program will offer four main courses:

(1) Advanced Nitrox/Technical Foundations (there is an "Advanced Nitrox" only option for those who "wish to improve knowledge and skills but do not have the necessary equipment or desire to participate in staged decompression diving.")
(2) Decompression Procedures
(3) Normoxic Trimix
(4) Advanced Decompression

We (SSI) just launched the program at DEMA; the first TechXR courses are just now being offered. (I'll offer my first Advanced Nitrox/Technical Foundations course in January).

The program was written (with lots of input from lots of 'big name tech' folks) by Steve Newman, whose tech background is in NOAA and some major projects like the Monitor recovery expedition. The result is a thorough, sound program that is, in my opinion, just super. Steve wrote it from the ground up, and I really like his "fresh look" result that is SSI TechXR.

Just to give you a little taste, here's the skills list for Technical Foundations Training Dive #1:
Topside Safety and Gas Supply Checks
Mount Stage Cylinder in water
In-water S-Drill
Proper Descent/Team positioning
Acclimatization and Buoyancy Control
Record Team Status Checks
Primary Light deployment & use
Simuated Primary light failure/switch to backup
Modified Frog Kick
Modified Flutter Kick
Additional skills (per instructor)
Two minutes remaining signal
SMB deployment
Proper ascent rate & ascent technique
Gas switch to Stage at appropriate stop
Complete DPS generated stops
Switch to back gas
Complete primary shutdown drill
Stage handling exercise
Appropriate exit
Review recorded team status checks
Calculate SAC & compare to plan
Debrief

What fun!
Rick

 

[diverdownAg]

Mucho gracias Tio Ricky.

 

[Meng_Tze]

Sounds like 'fundamentals +' to me. Not that it is wrong, it is long over due that main agencies started offering these type of courses. I think it is good for the sport and will make for better prepared divers.

 

[divemaster_jim]

The SSI TechXR program will offer four main courses:

(1) Advanced Nitrox/Technical Foundations (there is an "Advanced Nitrox" only option for those who "wish to improve knowledge and skills but do not have the necessary equipment or desire to participate in staged decompression diving.")
(2) Decompression Procedures
(3) Normoxic Trimix
(4) Advanced Decompression

We (SSI) just launched the program at DEMA; the first TechXR courses are just now being offered. (I'll offer my first Advanced Nitrox/Technical Foundations course in January).

The program was written (with lots of input from lots of 'big name tech' folks) by Steve Newman, whose tech background is in NOAA and some major projects like the Monitor recovery expedition. The result is a thorough, sound program that is, in my opinion, just super. Steve wrote it from the ground up, and I really like his "fresh look" result that is SSI TechXR.

Just to give you a little taste, here's the skills list for Technical Foundations Training Dive #1:
Topside Safety and Gas Supply Checks
Mount Stage Cylinder in water
In-water S-Drill
Proper Descent/Team positioning
Acclimatization and Buoyancy Control
Record Team Status Checks
Primary Light deployment & use
Simuated Primary light failure/switch to backup
Modified Frog Kick
Modified Flutter Kick
Additional skills (per instructor)
Two minutes remaining signal
SMB deployment
Proper ascent rate & ascent technique
Gas switch to Stage at appropriate stop
Complete DPS generated stops
Switch to back gas
Complete primary shutdown drill
Stage handling exercise
Appropriate exit
Review recorded team status checks
Calculate SAC & compare to plan
Debrief

What fun!
Rick

Thanks Uncle Ricky.
Any idea on ballpark costs?

 

[Rick Murchison]

Thanks Uncle Ricky.
Any idea on ballpark costs?

I'll be sitting down with my LDS owner & hammering that out this week. That'll give you the price on my course, which may or may not be a good guide to the price country-wide. One of the really neat thing about the course is its accomodation of many styles and configurations, so if you're preparing your tech students for NE wrecking or Florida caving or rig spearing or whatever, you can target that environment from the beginning with your equipment choices and drills.
The down side of that flexibility is that there will be a range of prices, and to compare one with another will to at least some extent be an apples-to-oranges thing.
Rick

 

[amascuba]

I posted here on scuba board about the SSI program over a year ago because I noticed that the SSI UK website had news about the program long before SSI USA had any mention about it.

The standards are pretty laxed, which has it's advantages and dis-advantages. I think one of the largest dis-advantages is you will likely have instructors that teach the minimum requirements and spend to little time going over the information and focusing on fundamental skills. Just like any other agency it's going to be up to the instructor to provide a good class. One thing that disturbs me is how much SSI is pushing the classes. For example the regional SSI rep asked some local instructors if they wanted to teach the TechXR programs. The funny thing is that none of the instructors have any experience beyond recreational diving.

On paper it looks like Rick will provide a good class. He's always come across as an individual who takes teaching seriously on ScubaBoard.

The SSI Training Standards for the TechXR program can be found on their website at: http://www.ssiusa.com/pdf/2007_SSI_TrainStd.pdf - It starts on page 45

 

[Meng_Tze]

Okay, my LDS is going with this and I asked to sit in on one class.... (he made me promise not to ask/heckle/challenge)....

 

[amascuba]

Okay, my LDS is going with this and I asked to sit in on one class.... (he made me promise not to ask/heckle/challenge)....

Come back and let us know what your impressions are after the class.