Combined Intro to Tech & Advanced Nitrox 2025

My Course Details

In preparation for class, student divers will have to complete both the Advanced Nitrox and the Intro To Tech, TDI Online training courses and exams. Students will also have to sign the TDI Training Liability releases, fill our a Medical Statement, and get DIver’s Insurance.

Class size is limited to 4 student divers, and you will need to make a deposit to hold your seat in class. I will be instructing with a second instructor in the water. Our primary focus is on the safety of the student divers, and being able to provide the kind of supervision and attention to allow you to safely build your foundation in twin cylinders. Our Dives will be open ocean, no deco wreck dives with a maximum depth of 75 feet. On the wreck we will work on skills and getting student divers comfortable in the gear.

  If you do not yet have all of your personal equipment, rental equipment is available. For some divers, this class is an opportunity to try different gear, and discover what will work for them without buying the wrong item multiple times? We want to help you avoid buying gear that you will not be happy with, or will not do what you want it to.   This class is very much hands on, so if you have questions before, during, or after class, I am available to help you in any way I can. 

Safety  Statement    

Underwater environments are inherently dangerous, and 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 making mature decision     

When – 3 Days of Training, 4 OW Ocean dives, 2 certifications, in Pompano Beach, Florida.

May 5 – 7,  Monday thru Wednesday

July 12 – 14,  Saturday thru Monday

Schedule –

Day 1 – We will be working in the classroom on academics and equipment all day.     

Day 2 – Two Open Water Ocean dives in the Morning (max depth 75’), with academics in the afternoon.    

Day 3 – Two Open Water Ocean dives in the Morning (max depth 75’), with academics in the afternoon.           

Certifications    

Upon successful completion of this course you will receive both the TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver, and Advanced Nitrox certifications. Your Tuition is for the class, not the certifications. The certifications must be earned  by you. If you do not meet the standards set by TDI, I might require you to do another day of diving or more depending on the situation, but I 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 – Tuition for this class is $1,200, and it is pretty much all inclusive, all the training, dive boat charter fees, Nitrox fills, TDI Online Training for both Advanced Nitrox and Intro To Tech, and all TDI Certification fees.    
• 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..

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 typically not sufficient for our requirements.     
• Travel Insurance, and Dive Equipment Insurance, are not bad ideas, but are not required by us.    

Preparation    

• Welcome Email – We send you a Welcome Email with information on logistics, information on lodging, your TDI Intro to Tech and Advanced Nitrox Online Class Login codes.
• You will also get my contact info, in case you have any questions.
• TDI Online Training– These Online Classes, with the online exams and Liability Releases, must be completed prior to the start of class. It is online training, it is not that difficult, and it is included in your Tuition. We send you a Class Code in the Welcome Email and help get you online.         

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. We will be shooting video of you u/w, for you to critique yourself. You can have access to that footage.

Private Instruction    

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

Course equipment requirements

• Wetsuit – Depending on the time of year, and personal preference, either a 3mm or a 5mm wetsuit.  Personally, I also like a  hooded vest. Try it on before you buy, because the sizes are sometimes crazy??
• 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.    
• Gloves – Neoprene gloves work, but they are less functional and practical than something like “gardening gloves”, or Dyneema ”Cut Resistant” Gloves. Simple hand protection is what you need, and if you already have gloves, they will most likely work. 
• 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. All cylinders are to be labeled according to TDI Standards, which means Nitrox cylinders need to be labeled for Nitrox. Twin  Faber LP85’s seem to work for the majority of divers, and they 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. The major brands all make quality regs for deeper diving. 
  • You need a single SPG (or Air Integrated Transponder) connected to the first stage regulator, for each gas supply. It is not necessary to have two SPG’s on your Bottom Gas with a manifold, but you can have two SPG’s if you want?
  • 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, and I can make you one if you want?    
• 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. I can help you rig your straps. Don’t cut them to fit, until we meet.
• 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# either single or with 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.    
• Dive Computer – For this class, a  Shearwater Dive Computer  is what you either want, or will want. In class, we will download your dives from 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. If you do not have a Shearwater, you can rent one.   
• Lights – One Primary is fine.
• SMB  – You will need a good SMB, 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.   
• Cutting Device – Bring a knife, not “like a knife”. Make it sharp.   
• Slate and Pencil – We want to make notes on our dive plan, or take notes about what happens on a dive. 
• Jon Line – I 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 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, we will deal with it. 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: 18   
• Minimum Previous Certifications:   
  • Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent   
  • Nitrox Diver or equivalent   
• Proof of at least 25 open water dives   
• Dive Accident  Insurance
• No previous technical diving experience required  

How much is this course?