Helitrox

The TDI Helitrox Diver Course examines the theory, methods, and procedures for planning staged decompression dives utilizing helium in the breathing mixture to reduce the effects of inert gas narcosis.

The TDI Helitrox Diver Course trains divers how to plan and conduct staged decompression dives to a maximum depth of 45 metres/150 feet. The most common equipment requirements, gear set-up, and decompression techniques are also presented during this course. Students are permitted to utilize enriched air nitrox and helium mixes with no greater than 20% helium content, and up to 100% oxygen for decompression diving.

This program is designed as a stand-alone course, or it may be taught in conjunction with TDI Advanced Nitrox at the discretion of the instructor.

What you can expect to learn

• Decompression dive planning including:
  • Gas requirements
    • Oxygen limitations
    • Nitrogen limitations
    • Helium limitations
  • Decompression gas choices
  • Tables vs. personal dive computers
  • Emergency and contingency planning (equipment failure, omitted decompression, etc.)
• Helium as a breathing gas
  • Effects on narcosis
  • Effects on respiration
  • Effects as an insulator
  • Counter diffusion
  • HPNS
• Decompression diving procedures
  • Equipment selection
  • Pre-dive checks and drills
  • Stress analysis and mitigation
  • Following a decompression schedule
  • Gas switching
  • Team awareness and communication
  • SMB/lift bag deployment
• Proper trim, buoyancy and propulsion techniques
• Emergency procedures (equipment failures, catastrophic gas loss, omitted decompression, navigational errors, etc.)
• Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures

Course Equipment Requirements

The following equipment is required for each student:

• Primary cylinder(s); cylinder volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption
• Decompression mix cylinder(s)
• Cylinder volume appropriate for the planned dive and student gas consumption with submersible pressure gauge
• Labeled in accordance with TDI Standards
• Depth gauge and automatic bottom timer and I or dive computer programmable with appropriate breathing mixture(s)
• Regulator(s)
• Primary and alternate 2nd stage required on all primary cylinders
• Submersible pressure gauges are required on all primary cylinders

Course Prerequisites

• Minimum age 18
• Minimum certification of SDI Advanced Diver (with Deep specialty) or TDI Intro to Tech Diver, or equivalent
• Certified as TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver (unless being taught concurrently)
• Proof of 50 logged dives