Combined Helitrox & Advanced Wreck for 2025

My Course Details

For the Helitrox Diver portion of this course, the academics will revolve around the necessary elements involved in dive planning for divers using Air or Helitrox as a bottom gas with a single Nitrox gas switch for accelerated decompression. In class, we will study the modern decompression theory and human physiology involved in conducting decompression dives and their planning. We will utilize the Multi Deco Dive Planner to demystify Gradient Factors, and understand how to plan efficient profiles with minimal risk of decompression complications.

The academics for the Advanced Wreck portion will involve learning how to adopt the Wreck Diver Mindset, and apply it to your diving. We don’t just want to dive the wreck, we want to understand it. We want to bring with us as much knowledge about the wreck as we can accumulate prior to the dive, and return to the surface with yet more knowledge acquired from the dive itself. Learning how to navigate, and how to collect information is a huge part of what we will work on.

For the diving portion of the course, we will essentially work on the decompression skills during the descents and the ascents, and work on the Advanced Wreck Diver skills while we are on the bottom. We will make very efficient use of our time underwater, and we will be busy every dive.

Safety  Statement   

Underwater overhead environments are inherently dangerous, with  dives requiring mandatory multi level decompression  being  even more so. Our first priority has to be diver safety, both on the boat, and in the water. We expect student divers to do their best to contribute to our safety goals by minimizing distractions, staying situationally aware, and being responsible for making mature decisions.

When – 5 Days of training, 8 Ocean Dives, 2 certifications, in Pompano Beach, Florida.

June 20 – 24,  Saturday thru Wednesday

August 14 – 18,  Thursday to Monday

Schedule –   

     Day 1 – AM Two Wreck Dives 100′, PM Classroom for Debrief and academics.

     Day 2 – AM Two Wreck Dives 110′, PM Classroom for Debrief and academics.

     Day 3 – AM Two Wreck Dives 100′, PM Classroom for Debrief and academics.

     Day 4 – AM Single Wreck Dive 150′, PM Classroom for Debrief and academics.

     Day 5 – AM Single Wreck Dive 150′, PM Classroom for Debrief and academics. 

Certification   

Upon successful completion of this course you will receive the TDI Advanced Wreck Diver, and the Heliox Diver certifications. Your Tuition is for the class, not the certifications. The certifications must be earned. If you do not meet the standards set by TDI, we might require you to do another day of diving more, depending on the situation, but we will not give up on you!!!     

Class Size    

For this Class, 4 students  maximum, with 1 Instructor and/or Divemaster for every 2 students in the water. 

Student  Costs   

• Tuition - Your $2,200 tuition covers pretty much everything, all charter  fees for the dive boat, TDI certification fees, Air and Nitrox fills,  the TDI online training for Deco Procedures, and the TDI Advanced Wreck textbook. 
• Helitrox – Actual Helitrox fills are optional. They are also expensive. Student divers can decide on Helium or Air for any days dives, but Helium is not included in your Tuition, as the pricing is volatile. Either way, you get the Helitrox certification.
• Tips – Tips for the boat crew run $10 to $20 per dive day, depending on the level of service.  
• Equipment – You bring your own equipment. If you do not have all your equipment yet, or you are traveling without cylinders, you can rent equipment.  Please let me know in advance, and I will help you work it out.

Preparation

•   Welcome Email  – I will send you a Welcome Email with information on logistics, information on lodging, TDI Online Extended Range Training codes, and supplemental online study materials.    I will also send you a copy of the TDI Advanced Wreck Textbook. 
• ZOOM Call – A few days before class, I will schedule a ZOOM call at a time convenient to all. We will go over our Dive Plan for Day One, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have. It will be about an hour to an hour and a half. The more prepared you are, the more comfortable you will be, and the more you will learn.

  Weather   

We love South Florida, and this is the Sunshine State!! However, as technical divers we realize that we are at the mercy of the weather and if the weather is not suitable for diving, we might have to cancel the class, as in the case of a hurricane. Typically, this happens once or twice a year.    

   It is also possible that we could lose a day or more to bad weather? In this case we might have to move things around in the schedule. We promise to do the best we can to get your dives in, but we cannot compromise your safety to do that. You might want to consider Travel Insurance, or travel dates that leave you some wiggle room?     

Insurance   

• We require student divers to have Dive Accident Insurance, and we recommend DAN Insurance from  Divers Alert Network. Personal Health Insurance, although good, is not sufficient for our requirements.    
• Travel Insurance, and Dive Equipment Insurance, are not bad ideas, but are not required by us.   

Cameras   

We realize that divers love to take photos and videos, and do things like post them online. However, our job is to make the most of our time together, and your job is to learn as much as you can. Cameras are a distraction underwater, so we request you leave them topside, where you can take whatever pictures you want, when you have time.    

Private Instruction   

Private clients make up about 20% of my business. If you are interested in Private Instruction, please contact me.   

Course equipment requirements

  Required Equipment   

• Wetsuit – Depending on the time of year, and personal preference, either a 3mm or a 5mm wetsuit. I glued pockets on my suit to carry my Backup Mask. It is easy.
• Hood – A hood protects your head inside the wreck. It will keep rust and marine life away from your scalp, and protect you from injury. Personally, I prefer a hooded vest as it keeps rust and other debris from going down my back, as well as protecting my head. 
• Gloves – Simple hand protection is what you need and if you already have gloves, that will probably work best?  I prefer simple Gardening gloves or cut-resistant gloves, like Dyneema.  
• Fins and Booties – Long blade Freediving fins are not suitable.  Open heel fins work best. I do not wear booties, I wear mid height Marine Assault boots, either Altama or Woobies and XL size fins. They are made for salt water.    
• Mask – A good mask that fits you, is essential.   
• Backup Mask – You need a Backup Mask, and a way to carry it. I use a  Vertical Zip Sidemount Bellows Pocket  glued to my thigh on my wetsuit, but you may want to use another style pocket, or not feel comfortable gluing anything?  Some divers really like the Tech Shorts, like the Apeks Shorts? 
• Cylinders – IMHO, back mounted double steel cylinders with a manifold are the best primary cylinder setup for Open Circuit deco diving. Side mounts, or Twin K Valves will also work. You will need cylinder(s) with volume(s) appropriate for dives planned to 150’, considering your individual SAC rate. All cylinders are to be labeled according to TDI Standards, which means Nitrox cylinders need to be labeled for Nitrox. An O2 clean Deco Cylinder is required for the class, rigged to carry. Bring whatever size you want, but most students use aluminum 40’s. Typically, I will utilize an AL72 for classes. Twin Faber LP85’s, with an Aluminum deco cylinder can be rented for this course here in Florida.   

• Regulators   
  • You will need a Primary and a Primary Backup regulator on your Bottom Gas supply. One of your second stage regulators needs to be on a “long” hose that is 6′ or more in length. If you do not already have a long hose, you can borrow one from me, for free. I prefer 6′ to anything longer. My Left Reg is my Primary, but the internet says I am wrong?
  • You will need an O2 clean deco gas regulator.  
  • You need a single SPG connected to the first stage regulator, for each gas supply. It is not necessary to have two SPG’s on your Bottom Gas, but you can if you like? I have an SPG, and an AI transponder on my Back Gas.  
  • You will need a “Necklace” or some other way to hold your backup second stage regulator in place around your neck. I prefer using simple 1/8″ bungee and not the rubbery, store bought ones where the regulator keeps falling out. A bungee necklace just works better. If you need one, I will make it for you.
• Wing – You need a BCD suitable for the Open Water environment in your particular setup. A typical Wing will have 45# to 65# of lift, and IMHO 45# is ideal for most divers. I like the Dive Rite Rec Wing in 45# with single or dual bladders. For deeper dives, divers really need an alternate ascent plan, in the event of a Wing Failure. Your best options are dual bladder, Drysuit, or dedicated SMB/Lift Bag, in that order. 
• Backplate – You need a backplate with straps or harness. Backplates come in Stainless Steel and Aluminum. Stainless is heavier, and to reduce weight some have cutouts. In general, Drysuit divers want heavier plates, and Wetsuit divers want lighter plates. Brand is not so important. Personally, I like Straps over Harness, for a variety of reasons.  
• Dive Computer – For this class, a  Shearwater Dive Computer is mandatory for good reason. You also will need a backup computer or depth gauge. The Teric is okay for backup, but not acceptable as a Primary as it does not give you all the dive data of the Perdix/Petrel. In class, we will download your dives on the Shearwater, and dissect them. This makes the Shearwater a valuable learning tool for you, and it will make a definite difference in the way you dive after the class. If you do not have a Shearwater, you can rent one.  
• Dive Planner – We will plan our dives together, but you  need a means to plan your dives using your dive computer, Smart Phone, laptop, or tablet. The algorithm of your planner should match the algorithm of your dive computer, and we will use  Bühlmann ZHL16-C GF.  If you want to get Multi Deco, get Multi Deco or you can try  MV Planner  for free. It is by the same Multi Deco guys, but no-frills shareware.  Try playing around with it. We will use the Multi Deco for planning, and the Shearwater for the Debriefing in class.
• Lights – One Primary, and one Backup are required. I would suggest 1000 lumens minimum.
• Strobe Light – A strobe is optional. I have more than a few, and I will show you how to use it. I like the  Tektite Strobe 6. It is positively buoyant, but a large Bolt Snap will keep it from floating away, and let it lie with the light up for the best visibility.
• SMB  – You will need a good SMB for wreck diving, and you will use it. Bring what you have for an SMB, but no Safety Sausage. We will be hanging on our SMB’s for Deco. Personally, I love the Carter 25# Spearfishing Float with a CO2 inflator. As an instructor, I am responsible for the students, so I can operate the Spearfishing Float and hand off to a student very quickly, in a couple of seconds.
• Spool or Reel – This is to use with your SMB, 100’ minimum line. Bring everything you already own, or get a cheap aluminum spool off of Amazon. You will know more of what you want, after a couple of dives. I like the Dive Rite Slide Lock2 reel.
• Cutting Device – Bring Two knives, not something “like a knife”. Make it sharp  There are reasons.
• Slate  or Notebook  and Pencil – We want to make notes on our dive plan, and notes on the wreck. We will take information into the water, and out of the water. I use a simple Dive Rite Wrist Slate. 
• Jon Line – We will supply you with a Jon Line, you supply the Bolt Snap. Feel free to bring your own Jon Line, if you like.  
• Bolt Snap Clip – Bring two spare “Double Enders”, “Double Dogs”, Bolt Snaps, or whatever you want to call them. I used to say bring one, but you really need two.  
• Weight – In theory, you will not need any weight if you are diving wet? If that is untrue, I will get you weight. If you are diving dry, bring a belt or harness, and we have weight.  

  You are free to bring anything else you would like, other than cameras, as they are distracting.  If you have any equipment questions, which you will, please feel free to ask.  

Course prerequisites

• Minimum Age: 19 
• Minimum Previous Certifications: 
  • TDI Intro to Tech or equivalent proof of experience in chosen gear configuration
  • Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent 
  • Advanced Nitrox Diver or equivalent 
  • Wreck Diver Specialty or equivalent (or Cavern Diver) 
• Proof of at least 50 open water dives 
• Dive Accident Insurance

How much is this course?