Welcome to GUE Tech 1!

TECH 1 COURSE STRUCTURE

DAY1: 8.00am – 6.00pm.

MORNING:

Mod 1:

• Introductions
• Course Overview
• Equipment assembly

Dry runs:

• Equipment assembly
• Basic failures
• Guideline management

AFTERNOON:

Dive session 1:

• Valve Drill, S-drill around line at 6m.
• Fundamentals skill review
• Basic failures
• Unconscious diver recovery
• Depth range: 9m (30’)
• Gases: Back gas 200bar (3000 psi) 32%, 200bar (3000 psi) 50%

DAY 2: 8.00am – 6.00pm.

MORNING:

Dive session 2:

• Advanced failures
• Depth range: 9m (30’)
• Gases: Back gas 200bar (3000 psi) 32%, 200bar (3000 psi) 50%

AFTERNOON:

Mod 2:

• Dive Planning and Gas Management

Mod 3:

• Breathing Gas Dynamics

Swim Test:

• 375m or 400 yards in under 14min
• 18m (60’) breath hold swim

DAY 3: 8.00am – 6.00pm.

MORNING:

Dry Runs:

• T1 Ascent Protocol (Ascent Drill 21m (70’) to Surface)

Dive session 3:

• Scenario Dive with Failures
• T1 Ascent Protocol Practice
• Depth range: 30m (100’)
• Gases: Back gas 200bar (3000 psi) 32%, 200bar (3000 psi) 50%

AFTERNOON:

Mod 4 and 5:

• Decompression Dynamics
• Practical Decompression

DAY 4: 8.00am – 6.00pm.

Dry Runs:

• Decompression Gas Sharing

Experience Dive 1:

• Scenario Dive with Failures
• T1 Ascent Protocol Practice
• Decompression Gas Sharing Practice
• Depth range: 40m (130’)
• Gases: Back gas 200bar (3000 psi) 21/35, 200bar (3000 psi) 50%

DAY 5: 8.00am – 6.00pm.

MORNING:

Experience Dive 2:

• Depth range: 45m (150’)
• Gases: Back gas 200bar (3000 psi) 21/35, 200bar (3000 psi) 50%

AFTERNOON

            Examination

• Written Examination

DAY 6: 8.00am – 6.00pm.

MORNING:

Experience Dive 3:

• Depth range: 50m (170’)
• Gases: Back gas 200bar (3000 psi) 18/45, 200bar (3000 psi) 50%

AFTERNOON

            Evaluation

• Personal Evaluations

 

Please note times and depth ranges are approximate and are subject to change according to conditions and logistics. Progressive teaching is used demanding each and every skill set/drill to be mastered before progressing. The Instructor is required to halt training at any time when teaching goals are not met or if safety considerations arise.

 

  

GUE SOP's

Analyzing Gas

Divers’ Actions

• Calibrate Analyzer
• Verify Fill Pressure (print value on Content Label if not done)
• IF Double Tank - Check ISO Valve (open)
• Analyze Bottle Content (right post if double tank)
• Print Analyzed Value on Content Label using One Decimal accuracy (right bottle if double tank)
• Call out Analyze Value to Team

 

Buddy’s Responsibility

• Verify Gas Analysis

Switching to Deco Gas

Divers’ Actions

• Temporary Clip-Off primary light
• ID correct bottle (MOD and Content Label)
• Pressurize regulator
• Deploy second stage
• Trace the second stage back to the first stage
• Pressure interruption to confirm regulator selection (SPG drop)
• Open valve fully
• Ask for confirmation from buddy
• After confirmation confirm depth and switch to deco gas
• Clip-Off primary regulator
• Un-Clip and mount primary light on left hand, light cord check (if no further actions like bottle rotation etc. is planned)

Buddy’s Responsibility

• Watch buddy
  • Ensure valve is fully opened after pressure interruption check
• When asked to confirm deco gas selection:
  • Trace second stage back to first stage
  • Check that depth matches MOD
  • Signal OK

 

Switching to Back Gas

Divers’ Actions

• Temporary Clip-Off primary light
• Grasp the deco/stage regulator with left hand
• Locate, unclip and purge the primary regulator with the right hand
• In one smooth movement remove and replace regulators
• Fully close the decompression bottle valve
• Stow the decompression regulator
• Clean up (may include a bottle switch)
• Un-Clip and mount primary light on left hand, light cord check (if no further actions like gas switch etc. is planned)

 

Buddy’s Responsibility

• Watch buddy
• Monitor depth

Share Decompression Gas

Divers’ Actions

• Signal – Low On Deco Gas – I’m Switching To Back Gas
  • IF ascending using up-line – Move Close to the line
• Temporary Clip-Off primary light
• Locate, unclip and purge the primary regulator with the right hand
• Grasp the deco regulator with left hand
• In one smooth movement remove and replace regulators
• Fully close the decompression bottle valve
• Stow the decompression regulator
• Signal – Share Deco Gas
• Receive and switch to donated deco regulator
• Update deco stop length accordingly

Buddy’s Responsibility

• Watch buddy
• Monitor depth/time
• When asked to share deco gas - Locate, unclip and purge the primary regulator with the right hand
• In one smooth movement remove and replace regulators
• Donate deco regulator
• Update deco stop length accordingly

 

Valve Failures

The majority of failures occur in the first stages as opposed to the valves themselves. The following two generic procedures are to be used by the affected diver as well as the team during the troubleshooting phase of valve failures. Extreme care should be taken during all phases of team interaction so that when executing this drill, the regulator a teammate is breathing off is positively identified in order to avoid inadvertently shutting down that regulator.

Diver Response:

1. Signal Team
2. Identify which side the failure is likely coming from (via sound or touch) and shut it down
3. Shut down and breathe dry/purge affected regulator
4. Switch to appropriate second stage if needed
5. Listen for bubbles
   1. If there are no bubbles go to step 6
   2. If there are bubbles isolate the manifold
6. Call in team mate for resolution
7. After resolution/confirmation conduct a flow check and go to step seven of Team/Team Mate Response section

Team/Team Mate Response

1. Identify which regulator the diver is breathing
2. Flow-check all valves
3. Identify the problem
4. Resolve/Confirm the problem
5. Communicate valve status and resolution/confirmation to the affected diver and the team
6. Ensure the affected diver does a flow check
7. Make a decision

 

Complete documentation of all valve failures is detailed in the document Valve Failure Identification and Resolution available on the GUE web site.

 

Unconscious Diver Rescue

Managing an unconscious diver while under water is a problematic scenario. It is clear that a range of nuances create some doubt about the perfect management. Furthermore, different scenarios likely result in additional complexity; it is impossible to craft a strategy that operates independently of these variables. Yet, it is nearly impossible to revive an unconscious diver while at depth, making it likely that an efficient ascent will be the most successful strategy. Very calm and proficient rescuers may be able to manage multiple aspects of a rescue without compromising an efficient ascent. However, most rescuers should focus on a few important points, ensuring they do not sacrifice safety or efficiency. We would argue that three areas should be the rescuers’ primary focus:

 

• Maintaining control
• Keeping an open airway
• Ensuring a smooth ascent

 

Failure to properly manage any of these areas is likely to result in a failed rescue. Upon reaching an apparently unconscious diver, the rescuer should evaluate the environment and the victim. This ensures that the diver is, in fact, unconscious, and also provides an opportunity to evaluate any associated risks, including loss of visibility, lost direction, current, depth, and equipment. After evaluating the victim and environment, the rescuer should prepare the victim for ascent. It is preferred to manage the ascent using only the victim’s buoyancy compensator. This reduces the number of variables to be considered. Both dry suit and BCD OPV valves should be identified, left open, and oriented to allow venting. The rescuer’s BCD should be empty, though in some cases the victim’s BCD might not provide sufficient lift. In this case, some gas is left in the rescuer’s BCD. Ideally’ the rescuer will “ride” the slightly positive victim slowly to the surface; the negative ballast of the rescuer acts to trap the victim, keeping the victim roughly horizontal. In some environments (e.g., cave or wreck), this horizontal position is very useful to facilitate an exit that is not vertical in nature. Of course, where direct ascents are needed this aspect is less important. Yet, it is usually easier to maneuver with a victim in the recommended horizontal position.

 

While managing the victim during ascent it is usually easier for the rescuer to use the right hand to keep the airway open. The regulator is left in place (if the regulator was originally found in the mouth, then it is kept in this position; otherwise it is left out of the mouth). The rescuer’s right arm is often able to assist in stabilizing the victim; for example, trapping the victim’s right tank valve in the crook of the arm can do this. The rescuer’s left hand is also used for stability, usually by grasping the victim’s BCD near the OPV; this hand is also used to adjust buoyancy (adding gas or dumping from the OPV/deflator). The hand positioning as indicated allows the rescuer significant latitude in managing various scenarios (overhead, slow diagonal ascent, etc.). However, the most important factors remain the need to maintain control, keep an open airway, and ensure a smooth ascent. If the rescuer is in doubt over a change to procedure, the maintenance of these priorities always takes precedence. It is possible to rescue a victim with countless procedures that span the management of dozens of variables. Yet, one must remember that an unconscious diver has precious little time and failing to bring a victim to the surface will result in certain death. Given these options, it is incumbent upon the rescuer to be as efficient as possible with the nuances of a rescue, but to remain aware of the main priority: bringing the victim to the surface during a controlled ascent.

Ventilating An Unconscious Diver

The ventilation of an unconscious at the surface diver is usually accomplished in the same manner as for most non-breathing victims. The preferred method is mouth-to-mouth breathing. It is possible to ventilate a victim using a scuba regulator; however, this is not preferred, unless the environmental conditions make it difficult to ventilate without getting water in the victim’s mouth. Regulator ventilation is not preferred as it creates several problems, including:

 

• Difficulty in creating a proper seal between the regulator and the mouth
• Difficulty in preventing gas from venting out the exhaust diaphragm (instead of entering the lungs)
• The likelihood of sending gas into the stomach (again instead of into the lungs)
• Finally the potential problem of over-inflating the lungs

 

However, regulator ventilation is a consideration where conditions might make mouth to mouth impractical such as from heavy surf conditions. It is also possible to use a regulator for under-water ventilation, though this is generally not recommended. There are few situations in which this might be useful; moreover, few rescuers are likely to be successful in managing the added complexity of under-water ventilation. However, rescuers trying to remove a victim where the ascent is likely to be notably delayed (such as while removing an unconscious diver from a cave) might consider the use of a regulator for under water ventilation. In this and similar situations the severity of the situation, as well as the low probability of victim survival, justify consideration of this procedure.

 

Ventilation of the victim is least dangerous while traveling at a relatively constant depth; very experienced divers on a protracted ascent are the only individuals that should consider this technique. Of course the biggest problem with ventilation while underwater is the risk of overinflating the lungs. Embolism of an unconscious diver would negatively impact the likelihood of survival.

Toxing Diver Rescue

The management of an oxygen toxicity incident while under water is very similar to the management of an unconscious diver, as discussed above. The primary peculiarity relevant for a toxing diver is the potential increased risk of embolism, due to oxygen toxicity seizures (during the toxic phase). In this case, it is recommended that the rescuer allow the seizure to cease prior to surfacing with the victim. It is hoped that this seizure will last less than one minute, though some complications may be present. Should the seizure continue, or the conditions degrade, the rescuer is obliged to take the risk of a controlled ascent to the surface. The risk of death is certain while under water, making a controlled ascent, followed by surface management of the victim, a high priority.

GUE Tech 1 Standards

2.2.1 Technical Diver Level 1

2.2.1.1 Purpose

GUE’s Technical Diver Level 1 (Tech 1) course is structured to prepare divers for the rigors of technical diving and to familiarize them with the use of different breathing and decompression mixtures. Tech 1training focuses on expanding the fundamental skills learned in the GUE Fundamentals course (or elsewhere), and is designed to cultivate, integrate, and expand the essential skills required for safe technical diving. This will include problem identification and resolution, and building the capacity for progressively more challenging diving. In this class, students will be trained in: a) the use of double tanks/cylinders and in the potential failure problems associated with them; b) the use of Nitrox for accelerated and general decompression strategies; c) the use of Helium to minimize narcosis; and d) the applications of single decompression stage diving, with respect to decompression procedures. The class will focus on nitrox and Trimix as breathing gases for dives down to 170 feet/51 meters, and provides an excellent foundation on which divers can build their technical diving experience and prepare for GUE’s Technical Diver 2 course (Tech 2).

2.2.1.2 Prerequisites

1. Must meet GUE general course prerequisites as outlined in section 1.6
2. Must be a minimum of eighteen years of age
3. Must have passed GUE Fundamentals at the “Tech level using the equipment outlined in section

2.1.4.10, and have demonstrated competence in skill and drills listed in section 2.1.4.9 at a grade of 4 or above

4. Must have a minimum of 100 dives beyond open-water qualification
5. Students participating in a Tech class conducted in a cave must be at least GUE Level 2 Cave divers

2.2.1.3 Duration

The Tech 1 class is normally conducted over a six-day period. It involves a minimum of forty hours of instruction, encompassing both classroom and in-water work.

2.2.1.4 Course Limits

1. General training limits as outlined in section 1.4
2. Student-to-instructor ratio is not to exceed 6:1 during land drill or surface exercises, but cannot exceed 3:1 during any direct in-water training.
3. Maximum depth 170 feet / 51 meters
4. Dives should not be planned to incur more than 30 minutes of Unadjusted Decompression (see section 1.4.10)
5. No overhead diving except by active GUE Cave 2 Level instructors while teaching in the cave environment

2.2.1.5 Course Content

The GUE Tech 1 course involves a minimum of forty hours of instruction designed to provide a working knowledge of nitrox, normoxic and hyperoxic Trimix and decompression mixtures, including history, physics, physiology, tables, and operational considerations.

Course requirements include ten hours of academics and nine dives, six of which will be critical-skill dives and three will be experience dives utilizing trimix. Initial dives will be conducted in shallow water to test diver ability and to fill in any deficits in skill levels.

The last three dives are to be Trimix dives at depth for experience.

2.2.1.6 Required Training Materials

1. Doing it Right: The Fundamentals of Better Diving. Jarrod Jablonski, GUE, 2001, High Springs,

Florida.

2. Getting Clear on the Basics: The Fundamentals of Technical Diving. Jarrod Jablonski, GUE, 2001,

High Springs, Florida.

2.2.1.7 Academic Topics

1. Physics
2. Pressure and gas-law review
3. Equations relevant for planning, mixing, and using enriched air
4. Physiology
5. Hypoxia
6. Hyperoxia
7. Oxygen toxicity
8. CNS
9. Pulmonary toxicity
10. Tracking multilevel, multi-dive, and multi-day exposures
11. Inert gas narcosis
12. Inert gas absorption and elimination
13. Carbon dioxide toxicity
14. Carbon monoxide toxicity
15. Hyperthermia
16. Hypothermia
17. Decompression illness
18. Accelerated and general decompression strategies
19. Decompression practices on air, enriched air, and Oxygen
20. Generic tables, computers, and custom tables
21. Introduction to normoxic and hyperoxic Trimix
22. Advantages over deep air
23. Equipment considerations
24. Stage cylinders
25. Doubles
26. Decompression stage cylinders
27. BC/harness
28. Regulators, depth gauges, pressure gauges, and hose routing
29. Manifolds
30. Surface-marker buoys and spools (for deco platforms)
31. Computers and bottom timers
32. Exposure suit appropriate for the environment
33. Dive planning
34. Operational planning
35. Support
36. Teams
37. Team planning
38. Gas matching
39. Oxygen limits
40. Nitrogen limits
41. Emergency procedures
42. Omitted decompression procedures
43. Miscellaneous issues, including limited deco gas, out of gas, team separation, etc.
44. Procedures
45. Bottom and deco gas
46. Normal operations
47. Procedures for failure, loss, or inadequate supply
48. Gas mixing
49. Analyzing and labeling gas supplies
50. Line following

2.2.1.8 Land Drills and Topics

1. Reel and guideline use
2. Dive team order and protocols
3. Touch contact
4. Manifold operation and failures
5. Use of safety spools and reels
6. Basic navigation skills
7. Pre-dive drills

2.2.1.9 Required Dive Skills and Drills

1. All skills and drills as outlined in General Diving Skills, section 1.5
2. Must be able to swim at least 400 yards/375 meters in under fourteen minutes without stopping

(This test should be conducted in a swimsuit and, where necessary, appropriate thermal protection)

3. Must be able to swim a distance of at least 20 yards/18 meters on a breath hold
4. Procedures for gas failures, including valve manipulation, gas-sharing, and regulator switching as appropriate.
5. Surface-marker buoy deployment.
6. Use of touch contact for limited and simulated zero-visibility situations.
7. Reel and guideline use.
8. Demonstrate familiarity with required course equipment.
9. Gas-sharing scenarios, to include a prolonged gas-sharing event.
10. Demonstrate the effective deployment of a reserve light in less than thirty seconds.
11. Comfortably demonstrate at least three propulsion techniques that would be appropriate in delicate and/or silty environments; one of these kicks must include the backward kick.
12. Demonstrate effective valve management by switching regulators, shutting down a valve in under fifteen seconds and returning the valve to the open position again in under fifteen seconds.
13. Demonstrate reasonable proficiency with a single decompression cylinder.
14. Demonstrate proficiency with effective decompression techniques, including depth and time management.
15. Demonstrate a comfortable demeanor while sharing gas without a mask.
16. Demonstrate dive-rescue techniques, including effective management of unconscious diver.

Differences between the management of unconscious and toxing diver should be noted.

17. Demonstrate good buoyancy and trim, i.e. approximate reference maximum of 20 degrees off horizontal while remaining within 3 feet/1 meter of a target depth. Frequency of buoyancy variation and the divers control of their buoyancy and trim are important evaluation criteria.

2.2.1.10 Equipment Requirements

Each student should have, and be familiar with, all of the following required equipment:

1. Tanks/Cylinders: Students are required to use dual tanks/cylinders connected with a dual-outlet isolator manifold, which allows the use of two first-stages. Divers must also have access to one deco tank/cylinder of 50-percent Nitrox.
2. Regulators: Two first-stages, each supplying a single second-stage. One of the second-stages must be on a 7-foot/2-meter hose. One of the first-stages must supply a pressure gauge and provide inflation for a dry suit (where applicable). One first-stage regulator for shallow decompression gas, supplying a single second-stage and pressure gauge.
3. Back-plate System: A rigid and flat platform of metal construction with minimal padding, held to a diver by one continuous piece of nylon webbing. This webbing should be adjustable through the

plate and should use a buckle to secure the system at the waist. A crotch strap attached to the lower end of this platform and looped through the waistband would prevent the system from riding up a diver’s back. A knife should be secured to the waist on the left webbing tab. This webbing should support five D-rings; the first should be placed at the left hip, the second should be placed in line with a diver’s right collarbone, the third should be placed in line with the diver’s left collarbone, the fourth and fifth should be affixed to the crotch strap to use while using a DPV or towing/ stowing gear. The harness below the diver’s arms should have small restrictive bands to allow for the placement of reserve lights. The system should retain a minimalist approach, with no unnecessary components.

4. Buoyancy Compensation Device: A diver’s buoyancy compensation device should be back-mounted and minimalist in nature. It should come free of extraneous strings, tabs, or other material. There should be no restrictive bands or “bungee” of any sort affixed to the buoyancy cell.

In addition, diver lift should not exceed 80 lbs / 40kgs. Wing size and shape should be appropriate to the cylinder size(s) employed for training.

5. At least one time/depth-measuring device
6. Decompression tables
7. Mask and fins: Mask should be low-volume; fins should be rigid, non-split
8. At least one cutting device
9. Wet Notes
10. One spool with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver
11. One primary reel per team, with a minimum of 300 feet/90 meters of line
12. One primary light: A primary light should be minimalist in design; its power source should consist of a rechargeable battery pack residing in a canister powering an external light head via a light cord. Primary lights should produce the equivalent output of 50-watt halogen/10-watt HID lighting or greater.
13. Two reserve lights: Reserve lights should have a minimum of protrusions and a single attachment at its rear. The light should be activated and de-activated by twisting the front bezel.
14. Exposure suit appropriate for the duration of exposure
15. At least one surface-marker buoy per diver
16. One wrist compass
17. One reserve mask

 

Note: Prior to the commencement of class, students should consult with a GUE representative to verify equipment requirements. Whether or not a piece of equipment fulfills GUE’s equipment requirement remains at the discretion of GUE and its instructor representatives. Participants are responsible for providing all equipment or for making provisions to secure all necessary equipment before the start of the course. In general, it is better for the student to learn while using his or her own equipment. However, students should exercise caution before purchasing new equipment to avoid acquiring substandard equipment. Please contact a GUE representative prior to making any purchases.