Technical Diving: Introduction to DIR Specialty
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the holistic DIR philosophy of diving. The course focuses on the fundamental components of the the DIR approach, namely a simple, streamlined and efficient equipment configuration; proper pre-dive planning and preparation; proper buoyancy, balance and trim; efficient propulsion techniques; unified team diving strategies and situational awareness; proficiency in critical skill management and fun.
This course hopes to lay the foundation upon which a student can build superior recreational or technical skills and enjoy the aquatic realm as a comfortable, confident and competent diver.
This course is a non-decompression course; students are permitted to use Enriched Air/Nitrox mixes, provided the gas mix within their current level of certification.
Qualifications of Graduates
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities using a recreational or technical DIR-compliant equipment configuration without direct supervision so long as:
1. The diving activities approximate those of training.
2. The areas of activities and environmental conditions approximate those of training.
Graduates may enroll in:
1. TDI Understanding Nitrox Course- provided all student pre-requisites are met
2. TDI Intro to Tech Course - provided all student pre-requisites are met
3. TDI Advanced Nitrox Course – provided all student pre-requisites are met
4. TDI Decompression Procedures Course – provided all student pre-requisites are met
5. TDI Trimix Diver Course - provided all student pre-requisites are met
6. TDI Advanced Trimix Diver Course - provided all student pre-requisites are met
Student Pre-Requisites
The student must:
1. Be an Open Water Diver or higher.
2. Be a minimum age of eighteen (18).
3. Have a minimum of twenty (20) logged dives not including training dives.
4. Show proof of current Divers Alert Network Master or Preferred Insurance Plan.
Course Structure and Duration
This course can be a self-standing specialty, combined with the Intro to Tech Course or incorporated into the following courses: Understanding Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Trimix Diver and Advanced Trimix Diver, if the instructor chooses to do so.
Note: This course can not be combined with the Extended Range Diver Course due to the fact that said course teaches deep air diving which is contrary to the DIR philosophy.
Academic execution:
1. Approximately four (4) hours are dedicated to the introduction of the DIR philosophy, it’s
historical background and evolution, main components and associated controversies.
2. Approximately four (4) hours are dedicated to equipment fitting, dry-land exercises and
over-all DIR equipment compliance.
Confined Water execution:
1. Two (2) dives are required with complete brief, debriefs and video analysis by the
instructor. Duration is approximately four (4) hours of in-water-time.
Open Water execution:
1. Two (2) dives are required with complete brief, debriefs and video analysis (visibility
permitting) by the instructor. Duration is approx. 4 hours of in-water-time.
2. Dives can be completed from shore or boat.
Course Structure:
1. TDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of participants and
their skill level.
Required Equipment
The DIR equipment configuration is designed to be simple, streamlined, efficient and consistent amongst all team members. In order to reap the most benefits from this course, it is advisable that the students complete the program in a DIR compliant equipment system. The students can take the course in either a single or double tank configuration.
Single Tank Course
1. Two (2) scuba cylinders with appropriate valves (200bar DIN or 300bar DIN valves are
preferable; H-valves and Y-valves are acceptable).
2. The composition of the cylinder is to be in accordance with the students’ exposure
protections, i.e. no heavy steel tank in conjunction with wetsuits. Aluminum tanks are
acceptable for wetsuits and drysuits.
Double Tank Course
1. One (1) set of double tanks with appropriate valves (200bar DIN or 300bar DIN are
preferable), isolator manifold and properly sized and positioned tank bands.
2. The composition of the cylinder is to be in accordance with the students’ exposure
protections, i.e. no heavy steel tank in conjunction with wetsuits. Aluminum tanks are
acceptable for wetsuits and drysuits.
Stage and deco cylinders are outside the scope of this course and will therefore not be needed.
General Equipment Requirements
1. 5 foot – 7 foot Primary Regulator Hose with a permanently attached Stainless Steel Swivel Snap Bolt
2. 22 inch – 24 inch Secondary Regulator Hose with a Bungee Necklace permanently attached to the Regulator
3. 24 inch – 26 inch Hose with Brass SPG and permanently attached Stainless Swivel
Snap Bolt
4. Non-Split Fins
Recommended Equipment
1. Backplate System with a Continuous 2” Webbing Harness (Stainless Steel, Aluminum or
Composites are acceptable)
2. Back Inflation Style, Non-bungeed Wing (single or double)
3. One (1) Depth Measuring Device
4. One (1) Time Keeping Device
5. One (1) Cutting Device
6. Wet Notes and Writing Instrument
7. Spool with 100 foot – 150 foot Line (knotted every 10 feet preferably)
8. Small (approximately three (3) foot) Surface Marker Buoy
9. Exposure Suit appropriate for the Environment
Suggested Equipment
1. Canister-Style Primary Light with Goodman Handle
2. One (1) Back-Up Light with permanently attached Stainless Steel Swivel Snap Bolt
Subject Areas
Instructors may use any text or materials that they feel help present these topics. The following
topics must be covered during this course:
1. Historical Background of Technical Diving
A. Early Cave Divers
B. Early Wreck Divers
C. Cave Diving Agencies and their Influence on Recreational Diving
D. Cave Diving Accidents and their Analysis
E. Pioneers of the DIR Philosophy
F. Walkulla Exploration
G. WKPP
H. North East Wreck Divers and South East Cave Divers
I. Controversies surrounding the DIR Philosophy and its Protagonists
J. Evolution and In-Depth Understanding of the Philosophy
K. DIR Today
2. DIR Learning Philosophy
A. Law of Primacy
B. Law of Recency
C. Law of Repetition
D. Law of Readiness
E. Law of Intensity
F. Law of Effect
3. Stages of Preparedness
A. Yourself
I. Physical Fitness
II. Mental Fitness
III. Emotional Fitness
B. Your Team
C. Your Equipment
D. Your Environment
4. Team, Team Protocols and Situational Awareness
A. Dive Planning
B. Equipment Matching
C. Pre-Dive Protocols
D. Role Assignment
E. Post-Dive Discussion
5. Standard Gases and Decompression Philosophy
A. Bottom Mixes and Deco Mixes
B. EADs and ENDs
C. PO2s and CNS
D. Deep Stops and Decompression Strategies (Ratio Deco)
E. Ascent and Decent Rates
6. Equipment Configuration
A. Single Tank Configuration
B. Double Tank Configuration
7. In-Water Skills
A. Balance
B. Buoyancy
C. Trim
D. Propulsion
I. Frog Kick
II. Modified Frog Kick
III. Modified Flutter Kick
IV. Shuffle Kick
V. Backwards Kick
VI. Helicopter Turn
E. Fundamental Skills
I. Regulator Remove and Replace
II. Regulator Recovery
III. Regulator Switch
IV. Simulated S-Drill
V. Mask Clearing
VI. Mask Remove and Replace
VII. SMB Deployment
F. Critical Skills
I. Loss of Visibility
II. Loss of Light
III. Out of Gas Emergencies
IV. Valve, Manifold and/or Isolator Failure
V. Rescue Techniques for Panicked, Unconscious or Convulsing
Diver
G. Experience Skills
H. Under Water Communication
I. Written Communication
II. Hand Signals
III. Light Signals
IV. Touch Contact
Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements
Students are required to successfully complete the following skills:
Land Drills:
1. Demonstrate competency assembling equipment to DIR specifications.
2. Dry-land drills for propulsion techniques:
I. Frog Kick
II. Modified Frog Kick
III. Modified Flutter Kick
IV. Shuffle Kick
V. Backwards Kick
3. Dry-land drills for regulator skills:
I. Regulator Remove and Replace
II. Regulator Recovery
III. Regulator Switch
IV. Simulated S-Drill
4. Demonstrate sound Pre-Dive planning:
I. Goals and Activities
II. Team and Individual Roles
III. Equipment Needed and Equipment Matching
IV. Dive Limits: Time, Depth, Distance, Direction
V. Decompression and Ascent Strategies
VI. Gas Planning, Gas Management, Minimum Gas
Pre-Dive Drills:
1. Bubble Check
2. Simulated S-Drill
3. Flow Check
4. Testing of both second stage regulators while submersed
5. Turn on Canister-Style Primary Light (if applicable)
In-Water Drills:
1. Demonstrate controlled descent to chosen depth without breaking the team formation.
2. Upon arrival at depth hover relatively motionless in place while maintaining proper buoyancy, trim and team formation approximately three (3) feet/one (1) meter off the sea
floor.
3. Demonstrate the following propulsion techniques six (6) inches/fifteen (15) centimeters
off the sea floor without silting:
I. Frog Kick
II. Modified Frog Kick
III. Modified Flutter Kick
IV. Shuffle Kick
V. Backwards Kick
VI. Helicopter Turn
4. Demonstrate the following fundamental skills hovering relatively motionless approximately three (3) feet/one (1) meter off the sea floor while maintaining trim and
positioning within the team and no buoyancy change greater than plus/minus three (3)
feet/one (1) meter:
I. Regulator Remove and Replace
II. Regulator Recovery
III. Regulator Switch
IV. Simulated S-Drill
V. Mask Clearing
VI. Mask Remove and Replace
VII. SMB Deployment
5. Single Tank Course
Close down the tank valve, breathe down the long hose regulator and upon reaching
the secession of gas flow, immediately re-open the tank valve one turn. Repeat this exercise known as ‘Valve Feathering’ three (3) to four (4) time while hovering relatively
motionless approximately three (3) feet/one (1) meter off the sea floor, maintain trim and
positioning within the team and restrict your buoyancy change to plus/minus three (3) feet/one (1) meter or less.
Double Tank Course
Complete an entire valve shut-down sequence while hovering relatively motionless
approximately three (3) feet/one (1) meter off the sea floor, maintain trim and positioning
within the team and restrict your buoyancy change to plus/minus three (3) feet/one (1)
meter or less. Concentrate never to loose direct visual contact with your team mate(s).
6. Demonstrate the ability to deploy a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) while hovering relatively
motionless approximately three (3) feet/one (1) meter off the sea floor, maintain trim and
positioning within the team and restrict your buoyancy change to plus/minus three (3) feet/one (1) meter or less.
Upon complete deployment, ascent along the up-line at a rate of ten (10) feet/ three
(3) meters per minute and perform a brief stop each ten (10) feet/three (3) meters. Do not use the up-line as an aid to achieve proper buoyancy during your ascent.
7. Demonstrate the ability to comfortably share gas with a team mate by donating the long
hose and switching to the short hose. Demonstrate the proper post-emergency
equipment clean-up, exit/ascent strategy and travel for approximately one (1) minute or fifty (50) feet/fifteen (15) meters. Maintain proper trim and positioning within the team and
restrict your buoyancy change to plus/minus three (3) feet/one (1) meter or less. Each
student should be donor and recipient at least once during this drill.
8. Upon deployment of a SMB, demonstrate a properly timed ascent along the up-line
at a rate of ten (10) feet/ three (3) meter per minute and perform a brief stop each ten
(10) feet/three (3) meters while sharing gas for the entire distance. Do not use the line as
an aid to achieve proper buoyancy during your ascent.
In order to complete this course, students must:
1. Complete all land drills, pre-dive drills and in-water drill safely and efficiently.
2. Demonstrate a competent, confident and comfortable attitude towards dive planning,
dive execution, team work and situational awareness.
3. Analyze and constructively discuss their in-water performance together with the instructor
and team mates during the video debriefing.
For more information about our Technical Diver Training please e-mail Andy Huber at achuber65@gmail.com or call him at 310-2610040
