TDI Decompression Procedures Course Phuket

TDI Decompression Procedures Options

The TDI Decompression Procedures course teaches you how to plan and execute dives requiring staged decompression stops during ascent, in order to surface within acceptable nitrogen loading limits. Dives can be to a maximum depth of 45 meters, using a fully technical configuration of either double backmount or sidemount cylinders, plus one stage / decompression cylinder.

Ideally, you want to use a rich nitrox blend or even 100% oxygen as a decompression gas to speed up off-gassing and reduce decompression stop times. Therefore, you should either hold a TDI Advanced Nitrox certification or be enrolled in the course in combination with the TDI Decompression Procedures course.

Although a Nitrox certification isn't a requirement for the Decompression procedures course, realistically you should have at least an SDI Nitrox certification or equivalent to enable the use of enriched air in the stage / decompression cylinder.

Without a Nitrox certification, ordinary air would have to be used in all cylinders, considerably extending decompression times and making a decent 45m dive impractical. Therefore, I'd thoroughly recommend enrolling in at least one of the enriched air courses if you haven't already (see further down this page).

TDI Decompression Procedures Course

This is the first TDI course that involves decompression diving on open-circuit scuba equipment. Developing the knowledge and new diving skills required to complete this course can be quite demanding and should not be underestimated. On the other hand, the benefits of going deeper and longer, for some amazing dives around Phuket, are well worth the work!

In my experience, taking a progressive approach and building up to this course by first completing an Intro To Tech or Tech Sidemount certification would be invaluable. Alternatively, combining the TDI Decompression Procedures course with another, like Advanced Nitrox - where you would be doing additional diver training and increasing your technical diving experience - would also be of considerable benefit.

Decompression Procedures Course Details

Duration: 1 Day class/pool + 2 Days boat
Price: 24,900 Baht (Tech Dive Asia)
Course dives: 6 (minimum 4)
Minimum Requirements:
• Age 18
• SDI Advanced Adventure Diver / equivalent
• 25 open water dives logged
  (Nitrox & Intro To Tech / Sidemount recommended)
Doctor's certificate required if medical issues

Decompression Procedures Skills

Pre-dive / Surface Skills Include:

• Gas choice & cylinder analysis
• Main & deco cylinder setup & labeling
• Technical Equipment Preparation
• Detailed decompression dive planning
• Predive checks / procedures (START)
• Entries & exits in technical gear
• Surface buoyancy & weight checks
• Managing & swimming with deco tank
• Tired diver tow

Underwater Skills / Procedures Include:

• Safety drills & visual checks
• Mask removal, replacement & clearing
• Hovering & refining buoyancy / trim
• Use multiple finning techniques
• Establish working gas usage rate
• Managing multiple cylinders & gases
• Staging & donning deco cylinder
• Valve shutdown procedures / drills
• Out of gas / gas sharing procedures
• 15m horizontal breath-held swim
• BCD inflator failure / oral inflation
• Tired diver tow
• DSMB deployment
• Staged DSMB & staged free ascents
• Gas switching (& without mask)
• Deco / multi-gas computer usage
• Deco regulator free-flow
• Establish deco gas usage rate
• Buddy breathing / lost deco gas
• Deco schedule modification
• Good buoyancy & trim throughout
• Problem management & contingency
• Buddy/team awareness & communication

Please Note:
Although you'll receive rigorous specialized training and follow strict safety protocols during technical diver courses, decompression diving incurs more inherent risk than recreational diving. Therefore, securing personal dive insurance is essential before any technical diving.