TDI Extended Range Instructor Trainer is South FL?

[DiveTucson]

You're welcome to dive with helium at 110', and that's fine. To say/imply it's not safe, however, ignores years of evidence to the contrary and is, imo, irresponsible as a professional. There are dive profiles, that due to the expected activity level, risk due to environment, etc. for which diving helium at such depths is prudent, but there are a lot more dives done in the 100-130' range that don't meet any of those criteria done every year than those where helium is worth the cost for most divers to reduce the negligible risk decrease helium would provide for most of those dives.

I was referring to technical dives and not standard recreational dives as the OP was asking about a tech instructor course. So in the nature of these dives they are already more complicated than a standard recreational reef bramble to 100-130’. You your self stated that their are environments where this would be prudent.

Also the specific class in question “TDI Extended Range” is a deep air course to 185’. Please justify how this is prudent or safe with today’s information and the recent studies that have been completed.

So adding helium in dives is actually more responsible as a professional then continuing to advocate for deep air and is far from being “irresponsible as a professional” as you have stated.

 

[divezonescuba]

I am not supporting the use of deep air.

The standards state that all 4 dives must be deeper than 100 feet and 2 of the 4 dives only need to be at least 130 feet. There is not really a necessity to do a deep air dive to 180 feet during the course. Of course, what the diver does outside of the course is at their discretion.

Extended range does have value in the TDI technical curriculum in that it requires the demonstration of competence with 2 deco / stage cylinders which AN/DP/helitrox does not, but trimix does.

So, extended range does give the technical diving student the opportunity to become proficient in the use of 2 deco gasses prior to a trimix course (helitrox not with standing).

 

[Tracy]

The standards state that all 4 dives must be deeper than 100 feet and 2 of the 4 dives only need to be at least 130 feet. There is not really a necessity to do a deep air dive to 180 feet during the course. Of course, what the diver does outside of the course is at their discretion.

Who doesn't appreciate courses taught to absolute minimum standards?

 

[Gone for diving]

Best book I ever ready on the subject,
My dive shop recommended it after we got advanced certified,

 

[divezonescuba]

Who doesn't appreciate courses taught to absolute minimum standards?

TDI trusts the instructor to do what they think is appropriate. The TDI standards allow all 4 dives to be to 180 feet. Whether it is best to do all the dives at the minimum, maximum, or in between the allowed depth is a question for the instructor, the student, and the venue.

Other agencies such as PADI have very specific progressively deeper depth ranges for each dive in their technical diving courses.

 

[Tracy]

TDI trusts the instructor to do what they think is appropriate. The TDI standards allow all 4 dives to be to 180 feet. Whether it is best to do all the dives at the minimum, maximum, or in between the allowed depth is a question for the instructor, the student, and the venue.

Other agencies such as PADI have very specific progressively deeper depth ranges for each dive in their technical diving courses.

I am well aware of how the course is laid out and standards require. What I quoted was you stating that you can teach it to minimum standards and let the student figure it out on their own.
Interesting approach.

 

[divezonescuba]

That is not what I said at all. The previous sentence was referring to TDI standards.

What I did say was:

“There is not really a necessity to do a deep air dive to 180 feet during the course.”

i would definitely not endanger a student by going to 180 feet on air, just because I could under that standard.

I also never said that I would let the student figure it out on there own. I do not know where you are getting this from, certainly not me.

 

[Tracy]

That is not what I said at all. The previous sentence was referring to TDI standards.

What I did say was:

“There is not really a necessity to do a deep air dive to 180 feet during the course.”

i would definitely not endanger a student by going to 180 feet on air, just because I could under that standard.

I'm not trying to start a war, just trying to understand your thoughts.
You will teach the class, and certify the student to do something that you yourself aren't comfortable doing?

 

[divezonescuba]

How many times do I need to repeat myself?

if you actually read any of my posts you wouldn’t have any problem understanding my position.

At this point you are not contributing to the thread, just trolling.

 

[boulderjohn]

What I am gathering from this discussion is that the true value of the course is teaching the use of the second deco gas, and in teaching that second deco gas, you don't have to go to 180 feet. In other words, the emphasis of the course is misplaced by talking about depth and extended range.

If the course is done shallower and focuses on using two decompression gases, then it make a lot more sense.