Program Overview
- Pre-requisites:Student: PADI Tec 45 Diver + Rescue Diver
- Instructor: PADI Tec Deep Instructor
- Maximum Depth: Maximum depth 20 metres
- Ratios: maximum: 6:1 + 2 with CA
- Min student age: 18
- Minimum no. dives: 4 (inc two CW or limited OW and 2 full OW / scenario dives)
- Required equipment: As per Tec Deep course + min 1 stage cylinder
Academic topics
The course should include knowledge development that includes topics such as:
- Accident avoidance
- Risk assessment
- How to spot an emergency situation
- Emergency signalling protocols (emergency buoys etc)
- Procedures when reacting to an emergency situation
- Adjusting plans to fit unexpected hazards
- Importance of buddy checks and unfamiliar equipment – rebreathers, OC twinsets etc
- Team diving and signalling techniques (torches etc)
- O2 toxicity effects
- Deco logistics – hydration and air breaks
- Skipping deco stops
- DCS types
- Considerations when raising an unconscious technical diver
- Egress of the technical diver
- Missed stop protocol
- Reverse block
- Inner ear bend / vertigo
- In water recompression
- Neuro exam
- 02 admin
- Incident management
The Rescue Diver manual could be used as a reference tool for some of the above.
Diving skills
The following skills can be discussed and practised. These would generally take the form of an initial skill practise in confined or limited Open Water with scenarios to follow during full open water dives. Scenarios should not be practised on dives with a real deco obligation – any stops referenced in the skills below should be simulated. Typically dives should be conducted in relatively shallow water (<20 metres) particularly any skills that assisting another diver with an ascent, due to the increased possibility of a fast ascent. Skills of this nature should be conducted in water that is 12 metres or shallower. Skills should be spread over dives to avoid multiple ascents.
- Suggested skills:
- No mask ascent and supporting a diver without a mask making an ascent
- Diver lifts with deco stops
- OOA drills including gas switching, buddy breathing etc
- OOA whilst using DSMB
- Passing cylinders to deco divers (diver to diver)
- Passing cylinders from boat of out of air diver at deco stop
- React to emergency buoy (according to local protocols)
- Support diver roles
- Toxing diver + lift to surface
- Isolator shut down assistance
- Assisting vertigo diver
- Gas switching assistance to another diver
- DCS denial
- Scenarios