Decompression Procedures: The 1st REAL Technical Diver Course

[@jassenjackman3284]

Deco procedures was the toughest and most rewarding course I’ve done. Learning to manage heavier gear, regulator changes, multiple cylinders, and learning trim and propulsion to a more challenging level. Now every dive I do (even rec dives) get planned and briefed like they are a technical dive and my Buddy list is full of awesome enthusiastic divers.

[@dansiegel9298]

Recently finished my Advanced Trimix course. With all of my years of diving though I will say that Deco Procedures was the one that I really had to earn. I would never recommend getting into Decompression Diving without an instructor who will put you through your paces and push you to, or even past your limits of stress endurance & task loading. It makes all the difference to make sure that you will be prepared for any stressful situation that could occur while doing a deco dive.

[@hatredsgames]

Decompression Procedures and Advanced Nitrox are literally next in my list. My NDL is constantly limiting my dives. I’ve always wanted to do Tec diving since my Open Water Course.

[@jamesmelly5110]

I am still in training for open water myself. So far I really enjoy seeing and experiencing this new world of under water life. I found your channel recently and want to thank you for sharing your knowledge. Obviously this particular video is out of my league at this time, but, your information helps me set goals for myself as a new diver. Thanks again for the knowledge, enthusiasm and content you share.

[@ketsuno4914]

I did my advanced nitrox and decompression course back in 2020. I did these courses so that I could dive deeper to visit some of the deeper wrecks we have here in the ships graveyard just outside the heads of Port Phillip Bay Australia. I do a lot of diving with rebreather divers and when my ndl raised its ugly head I had to leave just as the dive got interesting. A whole new world has now opened up for me.

[@tyler.salty_beard]

AN/DP is the most rewarding thing I have ever done! Thanks James!

[@adampilot8275]

Yet another great topic. Some folk seem to think that TEC divers are gunho special ops style maniacs but in reality these are meticulous technically competent divers that safely and cautiously go beyond recreational limits and many advances in our sport (Nitrox, equipment enhances to name a few) can be attributed to them. I have no plans to become a TEC diver and will stay a coral/wreck diving enthusiast but getting further insight into the world of TEC diving truly does make us better divers. If you read the comments Jamesy, take heart and know that many are grateful for the knowledge you pass onto us.

[@mikedavies4694]

AN/DP, Deep, Wreck and Wreck Penetration are long term goals. Very used to stage btls as I have slung a pony for virtually all my diving. 19 months of diving, 253 dives, of which, only 8 were without a pony. Current cert, SDI Solo.

[@mikedavies4694]

@S M I went SDI Solo, primarily so when I join my LDS drop in dives, I can come up Solo, when my air consumption limits my dive. My buddies can carry on with their much longer dives. I have only dove local, so not sure of operators elsewhere. The only local boat I dive with occasionally, has no problem with me diving solo.

[@mikedavies4694]

@S M The southern end of Vancouver Island, Victoria, B.C. Canada

[@mikesbigadventures194]

Just finished AMDP+ Heliotrox and loved it. I was able to dive the Miller Light and the Hydro Atlantic, wrecks I could not have otherwise done. I tacked on a Cavern course while I was at it. I’m looking forward to using it to visit some of the deeper places out here at PT Lobos

[@marksaxby607]

I did the BSAC Accelerated Decompression Course and use my training to extend bottom time/reduce decompression time with enriched Nitrox - It was a good course and has allowed me to do some dives in the 40M range that I probably wouldn't have done otherwise. Useful training and definitely gets you up to speed on handling multiple gasses/stages - I doubt I'll go further, but I do use the skills a few times a years.

[@peakecentral]

I also did the BSAC ADP course, which with my twinset course gives me advanced twinset. Any boat dive is a sidemount dive for me, but adding that third cylinder of 50% O2 is a real benefit in colder UK waters, allowing me to be on the bottom for longer but hanging on deco for far less time with reduced risk and lots of contingency.

[@francisbevacqua8014]

Hello James, I’m taking advanced Nitro and Decompression procedures with TDI. I’ve completed my classroom sessions and next are my checkout dives at the end of the month! As you can imagine, I’m super excited. I wasn’t sure about Trimix, but after I watched your video, I’m in! But only after i log a bunch of dives using my Decompression cert! Thanks again for all you do!!

[@DiversReady]

Sounds Great! Thanks For Watching!

[@mustanggun]

I loved and hated the Deco Procedures course. I hated it because math doesn’t come easy for me, but I loved it because I love the science and theory, and that does come easy, and all the actual training of shooting the SMB, monitoring my ascent rate, hanging in deco, remembering and switching gas’s on the Shearwater. I love the challenge, and it’s not as easy as it sounds. I also earned Advanced Nitrox and Advanced Wreck at the same time, and DP was the most difficult. These courses made me a 100% better diver. Well worth the $$.

[@OnlyKaerius]

If your SAC is your limiting factor, and you want to get more technical, there's always rebreather diving. It also does help prepare you for tech diving in the future, as you learn some of the needed mindset, and learn to use a stage bottle. But you could also just practice breathing slower, and/or do cardio, and of course dive more.

[@richadcock70]

As always, I love the education you present in your videos! I always get something out of these videos that help me make better decisions as a scuba diver. Thanks!

[@mustanggun]

Yes, last year to did DP, AW, AN, and Deco was the hardest. After that course I’m a 10x better diver. Great experience and well worth the $$$

[@Yggdrasil42]

AN and DP were great courses for me. Actually understanding the physiology behind gas mixes in the AN course taught me a lot, then making proper gas plans and executing them will task loaded and narced was a challenge but a fun one. Obviously get a well-regarded technical instructor to train you. You don't want to get this cert for free in a Happy Meal.

[@skzion2]

It's a great idea to insist on more dive experience than the minimum. People just don't understand that recreational limits are quite safe, but risk increases rapidly when recreational limits are exceeded. Thanks.

[@austinsosnowski3289]

I had to give a like after that pat on the back. It is true though we are very thankful for the quality content you produce. Cheers from SD, CA!

[@reyneva]

Thank you James, as always! My local dive shop is closed due to a well earned holiday, your videos really help to get the dry-monkey off my back

[@DiversReady]

Great to hear!

[@jacobhicks7959]

This was my favorite so far, thanks. I was told when you start bumping the limits you have now, that's when to think about more training.

[@ardentpyro2]

Thank you for all the great content you have definately helped me in my scuba journey

[@taffysaint]

I'm about to take this exact course alongside sidemount and advanced EANx - 2 years after I originally booked it! (for obvious reasons), great video and very timely for me

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for sharing! Dive safe.

[@kylelp3000]

Iv taken deco procedures last year and have used the extra skills a lot around the UK coast line. However when I did the course I ended up doing Helitrox as well to to take the edge of the narcos when diving in the below 32m.

[@mikesbigadventures194]

Agreed, this was my route too. Air to 150ft isn’t something I’d never do and Heliotrox is course is the same as DP but with helium.

[@kylelp3000]

@S M for 21/35 costs me around £36 for twin 12l steels but I'm lucky to have access to a private compressor and blending station. But if I get from a center is around £45. But depending on my bottom time I can get around 2 dives out if my twinset.

[@mikesbigadventures194]

@S M Yeah, I am definitely going to be going CCR later this year for that reason. We got the fill in High Springs and it was like $150 for the cave-filled LP 85 doubles. We used 21/35 for the first dive, then topped with 32 to get 21/20 for second dive since helium wasn't available.

[@mikesbigadventures194]

@S M Not sure yet. Still deciding on CCR. ChOptima is the lead contender right now but Liberty looks good too

[@mikesbigadventures194]

@S M Yes but where I am no one dives them and there are no instructors I do have some dive buddies with Choptimas and Liberties so that's a big factor

[@bjornveeser7597]

Excellent video , looking forward for the trimix and advanced trimix videos ! :D greetings from lake constance germany

[@MAGAisacult]

As an experienced, trained cave diver, you now I'm in for a long one when you see a magazine and a chocolate bar strapped to my 02 bottle. Have to laugh. I distinctly remember my open water instructor teaching us 130ft was the absolute max depth for basic divers. (Was 1980's, likely shallower now) I omce dove the famous "Eagles Nest" in Florida, and my 1st deco stop was at 130! 27 minutes bottom time, 2 1/2 hours to surface! That takes planning.

[@andrewstoakes1365]

Loving the videos, keep them coming.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for your support! Dive safe.

[@roymcelwee9334]

Great info as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@gaareval]

Great stuff!! Keep up the great work!!

[@BAMFSQUAD]

Awesome video as always. I completely agree with you bro. You definitely have to be comfortable in the water first before going technical but for me I do hate how much everything weighs though lol so much equipment 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lukem2889]

Cool to see that you follow James' channel as well. I enjoy your content too 👍

[@BAMFSQUAD]

@@lukem2889 thanks 😁🤙 James channel is awesome. He provides some great knowledge

[@lauraallen8025]

What is primarily limiting my dives right now is different for cold and warm water diving: 1. Cold - need to feel my fingers; 2. Warm - turning into a pumpkin if not back at the ladder on time, but I also tend not to do super deep or “swimmy” dives…all it takes to derail my buddy and I is seeing a new nudibranch and next thing we know we’re being made fun of by our friends for not making it more than 100 feet from the boat. Currently doing sidemount in preparation for cave, but wondering if this course is worth doing before getting to that point in the cave progression (that seems like it’s potentially years away if ever).

[@Anthony1994NY]

Sweet. Just watched the video. I’m a tech diver now. 🥳🥳🥳 🤣🤣

[@harrodharrod5239]

My dive shop is IANTD, which has "tech diver" course, which presumably teaches deco procedures and extends depth limit to 50m, but in my dive shop, deco procedures/dive planning etc is all baked in to the deep diver/AEANx course (which are usually taken together). The expectation is, that there are 2 types of divers. The rec diver, who will go on diving safaris, stayabroads etc, who will probably never get past AOWD/EANx certifications and then the tech diver, who is going to progress that chart as low as they are comfortable to. 90% of the time some subset of our community dives together, and the instructor is present - we are a tight knit community and the instructor has pretty good idea of how everyone "under him" dives. To take these courses, you have to be fairly proficient with your tech kit (dry suit, doubles) and probably also have couple of deco dives (under the supervision of more advanced divers) under your belt. Once enrolled, you then throw a stage into the mix (first couple of dives no staging, just having that damned thing on you so you know how it behaves under water) and get on with all the theory. Once sufficient theory knowledge has been achieved, you transition into real tech diving. At least a rudimentary plan of the dive, deep (30-40m, depending on site) dives, 10+ minute decompression, using deco gas, all that jazz. I guess my experience is kind of unique, because instead of a big, commercial dive center, I'm diving with a small dive shop which has small group of dedicated (tech) divers and a moderate group of rec (still dedicated though) divers. I've done 100 dives in the last year and all of them were with this group of people, and the instructor was in the water along with me (not as a buddy team or in the same group, but he was there) for pretty much every dive... We will often go to the pub together outside of diving trips and plan where should we go next.

[@NickB924]

I’m going into tech via IANTD also and you’re right, they teach adv EANx and deco procedures together. They call it Tek Lite; no deeper than 132ft and now 15 min deco via any gas but generally 50%. Really looking forward to it!

[@darthnihilus1608]

I'd really appreciate it if you also put a link to discussed videos in the description. Makes it easier to watch them after the video and see what videos are related to this topic.

[@semiradravu872]

Wonderful topic,

[@FALCONZAMORA1121]

Fantastic!

[@philwoods6515]

Hey brother, I'd be interested in hearing about the pros/cons of TDI DP vs TDI Helitrox in tech progression. Maybe that's an idea for a future video?

[@clarkeysam]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know, the Advanced Nitrox course is basically about switching gases underwater to reduce nitrogen loading. That to me is a technical diving course, even though it doesn't extend depth/time.

[@andrecandrade]

Great video!

[@lolimthenoob]

For the full cost of all the courses you could just do a commercial scuba course and learn all this really in depth too

[@Chogogo717]

What do you consider diving regularly?

[@djsalose]

for CMAS Deco course it is 120 logged dived.

[@leonda4817]

Hey, could you cover the SSI Decompressiondiver and compare it to the extended range and extended range nitrox? As far as i understand, die decompressiondiver is for people who want to use their normal bcd but want to go beyond ndl and decompress with the same single cylinder or a sidemounted decompression cylinder with nitrox, while the other two courses are for people who really want to go tech diving with twinsets. is that correct?

[@Cthippo1]

Is there an overhead diving specialty path in tech that is not so depth focused? My passion is historical wrecks and around here many of them are well within NDL, but still an overhead environment. They offer a wreck specialty, but from talking to my instructor that really doesn't cover the meat and potatoes of overhead and penetration. I'm not into caves, so where does one get the skills for this?

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

I wasn't aware of the deep dive course. I'm padi advance so I'm good for 30m / 100 feet. Are there courses that take us deeper than that? Have you done a video about it?

[@skzion2]

There is a Full Deep PADI course that takes your to 130 ft. In my experience, the material in this course and the opportunity to be personally coached is worth it. Key points that I recall are nitrogen narcosis, changes in color perception, and changes in buoyancy. Dives below 100 ft ARE a bit different. It is extremely easy to go lower than you planned and to accelerate downward.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

@@skzion2 Thanks for that. Freefall below a hundred feet, I wouldn't fancy that.

[@skzion2]

@@SimonAmazingClarke Yes, this is concerning, especially if you're a bit drunk on nitrogen, which for many gets to be a special problem at greater than 100 ft. These deep dives also tend to be wall dives ... and walls lack obvious depth cues. One cue is color desaturation ... which is also part of the course. Lots of PADI stuff is a waste of money. I found the extra day I spent on the full deep course very valuable.

[@JamesSmith-gu5je]

3:09 Great video but that loose reel line is giving me anxiety!

[@garfieldclass10]

If he's like about to place the reel it's like not a huge deal...

[@jcvanier]

@@garfieldclass10 what ?

[@barnabasgeczi2400]

What would you say is a good air consumption that would be indicative of a diver being ready for tec?

[@kurttidd8922]

Which software package do you recommend for planning deco dives? I know when you teach you conduct manual, stubby pencil planning, but when you are not teaching and conducting regular deco dives, do you use computerized dive planning tools? Desktop computer, tablet, smartphone? One package for all or different software apps for desktop vs mobile? Have seen and read reviews on a couple of different apps and wonder which you recommend? Thanks!

[@LizzyB0176]

Shearwater dive computers have a Deco Plan mode.

[@compernollesteve1136]

Hey James , in my federation nelos in belgium we are allowed to go in deco pretty soon (2 stars ) and in 3 stars we lead the Dive in deco ! Why aren’t they learn you that early on by most of other federations ? Sorry for my english writing! I am currently doing my advanced nitrox course and it is not that simple but very good, you get a better look at diving. Steve from belgium

[@garethmallon-curley1240]

Any advice for valve shut down drill? Really struggling with flexibility and reaching all way back there to comfortably pass the drill. Have moved my harness higher up but still find it difficult to reach.

[@troymiller1524]

Keep your elbow in tight, don't chicken wing it..put your hand you are reaching with on your ear and use your other hand to push on your elbow back causing your hand to go further behind your head...do the same as a stretch daily.

[@jcvanier]

Did the theory for adv nitrox and deco procedure and planned to do the in-water course after getting my skills right with GUE fundamentals. After I did my fundamentals I realized how well GUE was structured compared to TDI and decided to take the longer approach and never looked back. I hated that the instructor matter that much for TDI and the prerequisites are ridiculous.

[@jcvanier]

@S M Hi S M, GUE appears to be a very strict and stiff organisation. I tought I would benefit from fundies to get my skills honed-in. What I discovered is that the instructors are very qualified, the training curriculum is very progressive and altough it takes a long and slow approach to achieving depths and advanced config, it does it in a very controlled maner that makes us safe and competent divers. Standardization of the procedures and equipment is a big plus with GUE and every gear/config/procedure choice is written and published. Also, researching the reasons behind those choices always point back to exploration/cave/tech background. In the TDI training, it always depends on the instructor to teach you "his way". That makes it more confusing when discussing equipment or deco with future dive buddies. The pre-requisite are very very basic as mentionned by james in the video. So it doesnt really ensure that the diver has a minimum of experience to begin with. A tech pass in fundamental is actually a good challenge and a decent basis for further training.

[@jcvanier]

@S M its so addictive that GUE sounds like a cult 😁

[@Biodoc100]

So I am failing to see the benefit of advanced nitrox for anything recreational diving. Why isn't it simply a component of decompression procedures? I understand that it is necessary for rebreather diving, but I also fail to see the point in investing in a rebreather if you are not going to exceed NDLs. Am I missing something? Is the separation to ease the information overload? Do people actually practice with >40% O2 for recreational safety stops? Thank you!

[@brois841]

For the same reason Nitrox isn't part of Advanced/Deep training. Partially money but also to break things into bite sized chunks. AN/DP is almost always taught together, but I can see where some people may want to split it up for logistics, costs or whatever other reasons. Just my opinion however

[@Biodoc100]

@@brois841 Makes sense, thanks!

[@michaelh3560]

Do you have any scuba groups you recommend on Facebook?

[@roadstar499]

I have decided i want to start to start off using tankless system at 10 to 18 foot depth.. i understand about breathing and slow decent and slow accent to stay safe,but what about decompression routine for these depths. will be searching the bottom for lost item.. any tips are appreciated thanks..

[@scubacro5758]

I just looked at tables, at that depth it takes 350 minutes on air to even get to decompresion, you don't have to worry about deco😂

[@stephendoherty8291]

Surely advanced nitrox in shallow depths extends your no stop dive plan

[@Teampegleg]

It does, but outside of some very limited niche applications high oxygen content back gas is extremely rare.

[@williamsweet2253]

Why is it that deep stops help, you are definitely ongasing at 100 ft, 80ft etc... so why not ascend to 20 ft, breathe pure O2 for x amount of time and offgas for a certain time and surface? If your at a depth that your still ongasing how does it help. Other than it just slow your ascent rate. I really wish you’d talk about the theories

[@andreyrunovchik2020]

Have u ever thought of working for GUE as don’t they have the highest standards for tech diving, idk how true it is just had people tell me that

[@joaomarin]

👏🏻

[@caseyb7242]

What is your best suggestion for someone who needs corrective lenses (glasses) and unable to wear contacts?

[@brois841]

You can buy a mask with your prescription. That's what my buddy uses and he can't see without his glasses. Literally swaps from glasses to mask to see. He always has a backup as well, in his tech shorts.

[@Cthippo1]

@@brois841 I bought a mask as part of my package and spent the $250 for my dive shop to send it off to...somewhere... where they permanently cemented prescription ground lenses into it and sent it back. My uncorrected eyesight is 20/400 so, yeah, they work, The first time I dove with them in the pool I was more amazed by being able to see under water than by being able to breathe. One thing to watch out for is that if you go to an optometrist associated with a store (like Walmart vision) they may not take one of the needed measurements, or else they won't give it to you. Make sure you get the inter-pupilary distance or distance between the centers of your eyes. The mask insert people need it and I have had the doctor leave it off the prescription because they are trying to force you to buy from their store. You can measure it yourself, but you can also ask for them to do it and throw a fit if they refuse.

[@DiversReady]

Try researching prescription masks

[@strolchtv86]

One question...why isn't it allowed to go to 55 meters with the helitrox? I mean, from a physical perspective, there's really nothing to be said against it.

[@stephendoherty8291]

Why not mandate advanced nitrox in advance of any tech dive qualification training and not just the day before

[@stephendoherty8291]

@S M most ow divers dont need the full tech nitrox. I might include a small easy deco part just in case, its ever needed even in a buddy dive scenario

[@garfieldclass10]

What if it's money that limits my recreational dives :D I'm actually on my way to deco but need to save up to afford it without blowing all my savings.

[@brois841]

Recreational diving is cheap compared to technical diving. If money is a concern then be honest with yourself and determine if it's for you. You'll have to invest heavily in gear and training. Figure $10k or so. If you plan on going deeper, not just extending your runtime, then research the price of helium wherever you'll be diving. It'll get painful quickly when your fills are $100-200 vs $10-20.

[@garfieldclass10]

@@brois841 gear-wise I should be okay. My current gear is already tech gear so I'm already heavily invested. The boat/helium fills cost def intimidate me...but in the NE a lot of wrecks are pretty deep so some light deco even on air would be nice.

[@brois841]

@@garfieldclass10 when you say air, you mean Nitrox or gas? Or do you dive air (EAN21)? So you already have doubles, dry suit or dual bladder wing, dual computers (Perdix AI, hopefully) and so on? I mean if you've already spent $5-10k on gear then sounds like you can afford it. Trimix isn't that terrible unless you dive every weekend.

[@garfieldclass10]

@@brois841 I have doubles (sidemount), wing, perdix, sidemount regs, other regs that I'll transition to O2 if I do tech. I don't have a drysuit, but I'm gonna get one anyway regardless of tech. Just saving up. Air, Nitrox...basically would be easy to deco on whatever gas I have on me even if I don't bring extra deco gas cylinder.

[@slyderace]

There is nowhere deep enough where I live to take tech diving - unless I just dive off a boat in the ocean but for what I'd see at 150', I could see at 50' too :( I plan on taking my AOW and Nitrox course this summer :)

[@stephendoherty8291]

Any deco dive training should be initially done on tables, otherwise you just rely on the dive computer to tell you how long and at what depth to meet your deco plan.

[@alvarorodriguezgomez8716]

trimix, that’s too expensive

[@IsmailNuzaifKokky]

.