Helitrox

What will you learn?

Topics

• Overview of Decompression Safety Stops Compared to Required Stops.
• Physics.
  • Pressure review.
• Physiology ​
  • Mechanics of bubble formation.
  • Advantages of hyperoxic mixes for decompression.
  • Advantages of helium mixes for bottom gas.
  • Hypoxia.
  • Oxygen toxicity
• Whole Body (OTUs)
• Central Nervous System (CNS)
  • Nitrogen Narcosis.
  • Nitrogen and Helium; Absorption and Elimination
  • Carbon Dioxide Toxicity.
  • Carbon Monoxide Toxicity.
  • Helium.
  • Counter Diffusion.
  • Hyperthermia.
  • Hypothermia.
  • Ascent / Descent rates.
  • Psychological aspects
• Decompression Options
  • Air.
  • Nitrox.
  • Oxygen.
• Equipment Considerations
• Dive Tables vs. Computers
  • Introduction and review of different models (Bühlmann, DCIEM, US Navy, etc.)
  • Proper use of electronic multi-level dive computers for dive planning and decompression.
• Dive Planning
  • Standard operation.
  • Emergency planning.
• Procedures
  • Primary and decompression gas.
  • Descent.
  • Ascent.
  • Fixed or Drifting Decompression Methods.
  • Support.

Land drills:

• Selection and preparation of equipment suitable for soft overhead environment.
• Conduct team oriented drills, buddy checks, for lift bag deployment.
• Conduct team oriented drills, buddy checks, for gas switching procedures.
• Gas matching among buddy team.
• Demonstrate familiarity with basic hand signals.
• Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning.
  • Limits based on personal and team gas consumption.
  • Exact dive and decompression profile.

Pre-dive and water skills

• Use START* before every dive.
• Stress analysis and mitigation.
• Demonstrate buoyancy control; ability to hover at fixed position in water column without moving hands or feet
• Show good awareness of buddy and other team members through communications, proximity and team oriented dive practices
• Demonstrate comfort swimming on surface and at depth carrying single decompression stage cylinder
• Demonstrate ability to drop and retrieve single decompression cylinder while maintaining position in the water column
• Demonstrate ability to deploy a lift bag solo and as member of team.
• Demonstrate controlled / staged ascent on lift bag / emergency ascent line (lost a scent line)
• Remove and replace mask (deploy backup mask)
• Demonstrate appropriate reaction to gas hemorrhage from manifold or first stage, SPG and primary regulator
• React to BCD inflator malfunction; disconnect LP hose, dump gas and orally inflate BCD/Wing to neutral buoyancy.
• Demonstrate ability to confirm gas switch(es) at depth with buddy/team members.
• Buddy breathing decompression gas for at least 1 minute.
• Demonstrate appropriate reaction to simulated free-flowing decompression regulator.
• Demonstrate appropriate modifications to deco schedule in decompression emergency (over time, over depth) (to be simulated).
• Demonstrate tired diver tow at depth and on surface, 30 meters / 100 feet lateral each.
• Complete a horizontal breath hold swim at depth for 15 meters / 45 feet.
• Properly execute the planned dive within all pre-determined limits.

Included throughout the course:

• Private instructor.
• Classroom sessions.
• Transport to the cenotes or boat from the shop.
• Single, CCR, Sidemount and Doubles tanks.
• Weights.
• EAN 32 fills.
• Certification card.
• Water and snacks.

Not included:

• Cenote entrance fee (x day between US$ 10 15).
• Basic diving gear
• Manual or elearning.
• Nitrox or Helium mixtures.
• Lunch.
• Diving insurance.

Servicios Adicionales

• Equipment rental and/or sale
• Basic diving gear
  • Rental US$ 5 each x day (Wetsuit, Mask, Boots, Fins)
• GASES Example
  • ​EAN 50, 80 CUF. US$ 21 por tanque
  • ​O2 100% 13 CUF. US$ 25 por tanque
  • ​Trimix 21/35 80 CUF. US$ 85 por tanque
• Cave Equipment
  • Sidemount Harness (Rental US$ 20 x day).
  • Sidemount Regulator Set (Rental US$ 25 x day).
  • Twinset Wing / Backplate (Rental US$ 20 x day).
  • Twinset Regulator Set (Rental US$ 25 x day).
  • Stage Regulator and Rig ( US$ 15 x day).
  • Cave Primary Light (US$ 20 x day).
  • Backup Light (US$ 5 usd x day).
  • Scrubber
  • EAC cartridge US$ 85 (4-5 hours of scrubbing approx.)
  • Sofnolime 8 – 12 US$ 12 x lb.

Important Information:

Plan carfully your trip to minimize your enviromental impact, please avoid sunscreen / mosquito repellent or other skin products for all water activities. Whenever possible, choose rechargable batteries and aviod to carring things like disposable razors, plastic bags, plastic water bottels, etc. We are in a very fragil and pristine enviroment and is our responsability to keep it that way.

We will do our best to improve your skills and knowledge, also we will set the best training plan according to the skills and experience of each diver to help them to succeed in the course but consider sometimes we need extra days to achieve the goals with a classroom or water sessions and we apply extra rate if is necessary. We strongly recommend to the students plan at least two extra days just in case.

Notes:

Please bring change of clothes & towels for cenote training days.

All courses are available in English or Spanish.