Trimix - Training OC divers using CCR?

[victorzamora]

At the tech level, a student should certainly be able to offer at least SOME assistance to their instructor. Not so at the Rec level

 

[PfcAJ]

Everyone needs to be on OC. The instructor shouldn't be dividing his attention between his students and his rebreather.

 

[Doppler]

I have conducted OC trimix classes while diving CCR. Of course, there are a few stipulations over and above those required to conform to agency standards/guideline. These can be summarized as follows:

Are the students OK with it?
Am I familiar with the students and comfortable with their skill level?
Do conditions support my CCR ascent profile being compromised by following my student's OC ascent profile?
Do I have a technical DM or assistant instructor available to assist in the event of the **** hitting the fan?



Perhaps I have been lucky but my conduct is modified by past experience. And with that in mind... There are a couple of issues that have been mentioned which I believe are non-issues or at least maybe potential issues regardless of the type of kit being used.

One, and the primary, concerns the instructor being offered assistance by students. As an IT I would fail any and all instructors whose planning was lax enough to require them to draw assistance from their charges. If the scope of the environment offered the remote chance that the instructor would need help, she/he get a professional-level assistant. No exceptions regardless of the kit being worn.

Secondly, demonstration skills. By the time a student is ready to earn certification in the use of OC trimix, and specifically during deep OC certification dives, the skills remaining to be demonstrated are mental and not manual.

Lastly, attention being divided between the running of the CCR and students. My belief and experience informs me that as long as pre-dive checks have been followed... for all team members but particularly the instructor... the running of a CCR takes less and not more attention from the students and their performance than when diving OC: generally speaking and given the provisos mentioned above.

 

[looka]

Thanks everyone for your answers, especially the detailed ones.

I am certified for normoxic trimix and full cave, and comfortable carrying 4 tanks and such. I am definitely able to support/rescue my buddy/instructor, although I wouldn't want to be in the situation.

I have been to 65m, now I want to complete full-trimix and hit 90m. What I need from an instructor is a buddy and someone to share experience planning and executing very deep dive. I do not necessarily need a baby sitter.

Thank you everybody,
Luca

I have conducted OC trimix classes while diving CCR. Of course, there are a few stipulations over and above those required to conform to agency standards/guideline. These can be summarized as follows:

Are the students OK with it?
Am I familiar with the students and comfortable with their skill level?
Do conditions support my CCR ascent profile being compromised by following my student's OC ascent profile?
Do I have a technical DM or assistant instructor available to assist in the event of the **** hitting the fan?



Perhaps I have been lucky but my conduct is modified by past experience. And with that in mind... There are a couple of issues that have been mentioned which I believe are non-issues or at least maybe potential issues regardless of the type of kit being used.

One, and the primary, concerns the instructor being offered assistance by students. As an IT I would fail any and all instructors whose planning was lax enough to require them to draw assistance from their charges. If the scope of the environment offered the remote chance that the instructor would need help, she/he get a professional-level assistant. No exceptions regardless of the kit being worn.

Secondly, demonstration skills. By the time a student is ready to earn certification in the use of OC trimix, and specifically during deep OC certification dives, the skills remaining to be demonstrated are mental and not manual.

Lastly, attention being divided between the running of the CCR and students. My belief and experience informs me that as long as pre-dive checks have been followed... for all team members but particularly the instructor... the running of a CCR takes less and not more attention from the students and their performance than when diving OC: generally speaking and given the provisos mentioned above.