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 out the TDI Medical Statement, and get Dive Accident Insurance.

Class size is 2 divers minimum, 4 student divers maximum, and students will need to make a 50% non-refundable deposit to hold their seat in class. I will be instructing with an Assistant Instructor or Divemaster in the water should we have 4 students. I personally teach the course.

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 technical diving foundation in twin cylinders. Our Dives will be open ocean; no deco wreck dives, with a maximum depth of 75 feet. On the wrecks we will work on skills and getting student divers comfortable in the gear.

Students in this class either have their basic gear, or they do not?  If you have your gear, I will help you tune it to fit you as best we can. If you do not yet have your gear, I will try to help you figure out what will work best for you. I 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 when you have questions, I am here to get you some answers.

Safety Statement  

Underwater overhead environments are inherently dangerous, with technical level dives being even more so. Our priority must 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.

 What – The Four days of Training, Six Open Water Ocean dives total, at which time you can be certified for TDI Intro to Tech and TDI Advanced Nitrox.

The morning of our 4th day is our half day Weather Backup Dive Day, where we can make up for any lost weather dive days, or we just go out and make another couple of training dives together, followed by a debrief in the classroom.

Where – I teach this class out of Pompano Beach, Florida. The wrecks are no more than a 20-minute boat ride out of the inlet for this course.

When –

June 15 thru 18, Monday to Thursday

If these classes are full, or the dates don’t work for you, contact me through the website or by email, and we will work out some dates that will work for you. shadowdivers@me.com

 

Schedule –  

Day 1 – The entire day is spent in the classroom working on equipment and academics.

Day 2 – AM Two nice, easy skill dives around 75′ max, PM Classroom for Debrief and academics.

Day 3 – AM Two Wreck Dives 75′ max, PM Classroom for Debrief and academics.

Day 4 – AM Makeup Weather Backup Dive Day, or additional skill dive if a Make Up Dive is not needed. Dive and debrief.

 

Certifications

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive the TDI Advanced Wreck Diver certification. Your Tuition is for the class, not the certification. The certification must be earned by you meeting the TDI requirements. 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, 2 Students minimum, 4 students maximum, with a second Instructor and/or Divemaster classes with 4 students. I personally teach the class.

 

Student Costs

  • Tuition – Tuition for this class is $1,900, and it includes everything, except charter fees and tips. What it includes is Four days of training, the TDI Online Training modules for Intro to Tech and Advanced Nitrox, all TDI Certification fees, all air and Nitrox fills, and rental cylinders (Faber LP85’s).
  • Deposit – A Non-refundable 50% deposit of $950, holds your spot. Balance is due on the first day of class and I will invoice you so you can pay me online at your convenience.
  • Charter Fees & Tips – The Charter fees are roughly $100 a dive day and are paid by the student directly to the boat operator each day. They take pretty much all forms of electronic payment. Tips for the boat crew typically run $10 to $20 per dive day, depending on the level of service.
  • Equipment – You bring your own equipment; I will provide whatever you need and do not have.

 

Student Preparation

  • Welcome Email – Once we have our dates and a deposit, I will send you a Welcome Email with information on logistics, lodging, administrative stuff, and little bit of supplemental online study materials.
  • ZOOM Call – A week or two before class, I will schedule a ZOOM call at a time convenient to all. We will go over administrative stuff, 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 all love South Florida diving, and this is the Sunshine State! I try to only schedule classes in months where we have a history of reasonably good local weather!! However, as technical wreck divers we all should understand we are at the mercy of the weather. I will do my best to make our dives happen, but student safety is paramount, and if the weather is not suitable for diving, we will not dive.

Because I am already including the Makeup Dive Day, beyond the TDI requirements, our chances of completing our dives for certification are extraordinarily good!! However hurricanes are a thing, and it is possible we could lose a day, or that I must cancel the entire class and reschedule? This happens less than once a year on average. I will always do the best I can with the hand we are dealt by the weather.

You might want to consider Travel Insurance, or book travel dates that leave you some wiggle room? This is not required by me, and up to you. You should also know that most classes finish on time without any serious weather incident.

 

Insurance

  • I require student divers to have Dive Accident Insurance, and I recommend DAN Insurance from  Divers Alert Network. Personal Health Insurance, although good, is not sufficient for hyperbaric treatments if necessary.
  • Travel Insurance, and Dive Equipment Insurance, are not bad ideas, but are not required by me.

 

Cameras

I realize that divers love to take photos and videos and do things like post them online. However, my job is to make the most of our time together, and your job is to learn as much as you can. Underwater photography is a distraction so I request you leave your cameras topside, where you can take whatever pictures you want, when you have time. For the last couple of dives I will shoot video for student divers to view in the debrief. I make this video available to you on Dropbox for download afterward.

 

Private Instruction

Private clients make up about 15% of my business. If you are interested in private training, just ask.

    

Course equipment requirements

What you carry is important. You want what to have with you exactly what you will need and not be carrying any of the crap you will never use. Below is what you should have for class, however in class we will discuss other important considerations such as accessibility, rigging, and validation. The “how” your gear is set up is crucial.

  • Wetsuit/Dri Suit – Depending on the time of year, and personal preference, either a 3mm or a 5mm wetsuit or a Dri Suit. If you want to dive Dri, go for it, but the water is going to be cooler in the Spring, warmer in Summer & Fall.
  • Pockets – I have glued two pockets, one to each of the thighs on each of my wetsuits. One pocket is on the front thigh; the other is on the side of my thigh. Installation was easy, AquaSeal and a pocket. I put the top of the pocket about an inch above the crotch of the suit. The pockets are well made and last longer than the wetsuits. When you retire the old, tired wetsuit, you can transplant the old pocket to new fluffy wetsuit. I use pockets to carry my Backup Mask, Lost Line Spool, Jon Line, Wet Notes, and spare Double Dog. They also help hold my knives in place. I prefer the Zippered Pockets by Dive Rite, Apeks, or Mares. Most Dri Suits come with pockets, usually big Velcro ones, which I am not a fan. Some wetsuit divers, not me, like the Tech Shorts with the bigger pockets. If you need help let me know.You can see what I use, if you have any questions, and go from there.
  • Gloves – Simple hand protection is what you need and if you already have gloves, they will probably work best?  For warm water, I prefer simple Gardening gloves or cut-resistant gloves, like Dyneema. Wreck diving is a full contact sport, and we need to protect our hands.
  • 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, with Lycra Socks, and XXL size fins. They are made for salt water, they are real shoes, and they last literally for years.
  • Mask – A good mask that fits you is essential. When suiting up, I wear my mask under my hood. In other words, I put on my mask and then pull up my hood. This keeps the mask on my face and does not allow the strap to blow off on water entries or pop off if my mask gets bumped in tight spaces. I credit this concept to Steve Belinda. I carry a backup mask, but I also practice active prevention.
  • Cylinders – IMHO, back mounted double steel cylinders with a manifold are the best primary cylinder setup for Open Circuit deco wreck diving. Side mounts, or Twin K Valves will also work, but not as well. You can bring your own cylinders, or I will supply you with Twin Faber LP85’s, and an Aluminum 40cf deco cylinder, all included in tuition.
  •    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, but some guys like 7’ or even 9’? My Left Reg is my Primary, but the internet says I am wrong?
    • You need a single SPG (or transmitter) 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 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 3/16″ 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 can make it for you.
  • Wing – You need a BCD suitable for the Open Water environment with your setup. A typical Wing will have 45# to 65# of lift, and IMHO 45# is ideal for most wreck divers who are weighted properly. The 45# wings, are generally narrower than the 60# wing. This means your profile for navigating restrictions is wider with the larger 60# wing. I like the Dive Rite Rec Wing in 45# with single or dual bladders because the bungees give me a nice narrow profile, and great trim. For deeper dives, divers really need an alternate ascent plan, in the event of a Wing Failure. Your best options are going to be Drysuit, dual bladder wing, or dedicated SMB/Lift Bag, in that order. If you have a dual bladder wing, do not have it connected to an inflator hose, ready to inflate. You are more likely to have an inflator issue, than a wing issue.
  • 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, with Steel cylinders. If I am diving Aluminum 80 doubles, I use a stainless back plate for the weighting, so I don’t need additional weight. Brand is not so important. I personally prefer a continuous Strap over a sewn Harness for a variety of reasons. I also cross the straps behind my neck, right shoulder to left waist, and left shoulder to right waist. It better holds the cylinders in place and keeps them from moving around.
  • Dive Computer – A dive computer is essential. If you want to continue your technical diver journey, I highly recommend a Shearwater, and I will probably convince you in class.
  • Lights – One Primary light is required. I would suggest 1000 lumens minimum.I prefer on/off buttons to twisty turny. For wreck diving, Cannister Lights are unnecessary.
  • Jon Line – I will supply you with a high-quality Jon Line, you supply the Bolt Snap. It will be the finest Jon Line money can buy. Feel free to bring your own Jon Line, if you like, but the one I give you will be much better!
  • Weight – In theory, you will not need any weight if you are diving wet? Either way, I will get you weight if you need 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 or scooters, as they are distracting.  If you have any equipment questions, which you will, just ask. My job is to help you. You will undoubtedly want to change some stuff around, but you do not have to change everything on Day One, or even before the end of class.

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?

$1900

Want to know more?

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