Tech 3

Description

It is the third course in UTD’s Technical program and prepares divers to further extend the scope of Technical 2. Students will continue to refine their skills by extending it to multiple decompression tanks and their associated breakdowns, as well as add the possibility of using phase cylinders.

What you’ll learn

The skills already learned in Technical 2 are reviewed and refined. The program concerns the use of multiple decompression and phase tanks (three or more decompression and/or phase tanks), in order to complete the necessary “toolbox” to dive between 60 and 75 meters with Trimix up to 12/60. Decompression is calculated with the Ratio Deco. The addition of a tank with bottom gas (Stage) greatly increases the security of the gas reserve and the flexibility of programming the dive. Stage bottles can be added to certification by completing the “Stage Bottle” extension. At the same time, the addition of multiple cylinders greatly increases the workload and requires knowing how to handle them appropriately. Students will gain experience working with many different blends of background gas and decompression gas. This activity will result in a complete understanding of how to choose the best gas in the depth range of 3 to 75 metres. The final qualification requires the use of three decompression cylinders and, with the “Stage” extension, a stage cylinder.

Duration

The course normally lasts 4 days.

How it’s done

The UTD Technical 3 course is a minimum of six hours of theory and six dives, four critical skills and two Trimix experience, using multiple decompression tanks. The last two dives must be carried out to a maximum depth of 75 meters using standard 35/25 mixes, Nitrox 50 and 100% oxygen for decompression. The student-to-instructor ratio should not exceed 4:1 for in-water sessions. The exercises in the water are videotaped so that the students can visually check their behavior. Dives in obstructed environments (caves or wrecks) are excluded. The instructor could reduce the number of students in particular environmental conditions. Smoking is prohibited during UTD classes.

What to expect

Having to manage two decompression tanks increases the physical workload. It also increases the complexity of team protocols, gas switches and emergency responses. The “bonus” consists in the possibility of safely exploring deep environments, far beyond the limits of recreational diving.

Requirements

• Minimum age 21 years.
• UTD Technical 2 or equivalent upon evaluation.
• UTD Rescue and Emergency Procedures certification or equivalent.
• At least 250 logged dives, of which at least 100 with double tanks, of which at least 25 using a single stage tank and 25 dives over 30 meters (using Helitrox). Students must have completed at least 25 personal training dives.
• Swim at least 375 meters in less than 14 minutes or at least 730 meters in 18 minutes with mask and fins.
• Swim 15 meters freediving or demonstrate the ability to swim at least 15 meters in an air-sharing situation to reach a donor.
• Carry a buddy to the surface, fully equipped for the dive in progress, for at least 10 minutes.
• Rescue demonstration of a companion simulating oxygen poisoning.

Necessary equipment

All the equipment needed for the Tech 2 course plus:

• Three S40 cylinders (aluminium, 5.6 litres) with relative harness and dedicated regulator
• For the “phase cylinder” extension: an S80 cylinder (aluminum, 11 litres) with relative harness and dedicated regulator
• A primary spool (reel) with 60 meters of line for each team
• Note: Before the start of the course, participants must ensure that they have the right equipment. To avoid errors, contact a UTD representative before proceeding with any purchase or rental.
• Optional extensions:
• Sidemount (if the course was carried out in Backmount configuration)
• Backmount (if the course was carried out in Sidemount configuration)
• Dry suit
• phase bottle
• Scooter

The price of the course is 1000.00 euros + 200.00 euros diving fee + 99 dollars UTD teaching materials