NAUI Tec progression through Tech and Cave classes

[headhunter]

What is the progression through NAUI Tech with regard to Tech and Cave classes?

Is there a basic class (like GUE-F) that a diver starts with?

If so, what must you be able to demonstrate to know whether or not you are ready to take the next class?

Is there a parallel that can be drawn between Naui Tec and GUE classes in the way of equivalence?

Another discussion, got me wondering about these things.

I was certified as a NAUI diver what now seems a very long time ago and have taken, but not passed GUE-F in a single tank. I am planning to pass it in a doubles rig for a Tech Pass.

Please forgive all of the references to GUE. It's simply the filter through which I currently view things.

I know we have NAUI Tec instuctors here at The Dive Matrix and no doubt we have many NAUI Tec students that have insight on this as well.

Thanks in advance for any info!

Christian

[Rainer]

Taking this off the Gauntlet page (note, I haven't taken any classes from them, but I do dive off their boat). There are pdfs with details on the NADE page.

http://www.northernatlanticdive.com/training.htm (scroll down)
http://www.nauitec.com/

Brief Course Descriptions:

Introduction to Technical Diving (ITD): This course is designed to give the open water or advanced diver an opportunity to improve their skills, knowledge and equipment configuration, thereby increasing their safety and efficiency. Course is also intended to prepare the advanced diver for the rigors of technical diver training. This is an introduction of the skills demonstrated in NAUI Technical courses.

Helitrox: This course is to provide the training and experience necessary to gain the knowledge and understand the hazards of utilizing Helium for dives to maximum depth of 150 fsw that may require stage decompression, utilizing EANx mixtures and/or oxygen during decompression.

Decompression Techniques: This course is to provide the diver with a working knowledge of the theory, methods and procedures of planned stage decompression diving. As a part of the course students will plan and conduct a standard stage decompression dive not exceeding a maximum depth of 130 fsw.

Technical EANx Diver: This course is to provide the EANx certified diver with the skills and knowledge needed to minimize the risks of utilizing optimal breathing gas EANx mixtures of 25-28% through 100% (oxygen) for dives to a maximum depth of 150 fsw requiring mandatory decompression.

Heliair Diver: This course is to provide the training and experience necessary to understand the hazards of and utilize Heliair for dives to maximum of 180 fsw that require stage decompression, utilizing EANx mixtures and/or oxygen during decompression. Note - this course replaces Extended Range.

Trimix Diver: These courses are to provide the diver with the skills and knowledge needed to minimize the risks of utilizing helium-based trimix breathing gas mixes for dives to a maximum training depth of 250 fsw requiring staged decompression and utilizing EANx mixtures and/ or oxygen during decompression.

Level I: Training for the skills to plan and execute technical dives that require staged decompression and utilize helium-based trimix breathing gasmixtures, EANx and/or oxygen for stage decompression without direct supervision to depths not to exceed 200 fsw provided the diving activities and the areas dived approximate those of training.
Level II: Training to plan and execute technical dives that require stage decompression and utilize helium-based trimix breathing gas mixtures, EANx or oxygen for stage decompression without direct supervision provided the diving activities and the areas dived approximate those of training. Technical Support Leader (TSL): This program is designed to train knowledgeable NAUI Instructors, Divemasters, and Assistant Instructors who are also technical divers to act as part of a support team for technical diving and training activities. A NAUI Technical Support Leader (TSL) is qualified to provide assistance to teams of technical divers during training or post-certification diving activities, provided diving conditions and methods approximate those in which the TSL was trained. An active status NAUI TSL is qualified to assist an active-status NAUI Technical Instructor in technical training dives.

Mixed Gas Blender and Oxygen Service Technician: This course is to provide the student with the skills and knowledge needed to safely handle high pressure gases, prepare oxygen enriched air and helium base mixes, and prepare equipment for oxygen service. Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are considered competent to prepare Oxygen Enriched Air and Helium based breathing gases without direct supervision for use by divers- provided that the equipment used is the same or approximates that used in training. And to prepare scuba equipment for oxygen service provided that they have been authorized by the manufacturer for servicing the particular brand of equipment being placed into oxygen service

[blondie]

The course outline above is pretty comprehensive- some instructors combine some of these classes as they fit well together (for example, I prefer to teach Helitrox, Adv. Nitrox and Deco as one class, as it puts all the tools in your toolbox, as opposed to just bits and pieces).

There really isn't a comparison to the GUE courses- even the cave courses, though they are termed Cave 1,2 and 3.

[David H]

The way it is taught out here by AG/JoeT is:

Intro to Tech (Was exact same content as GUE-F with an AL40 added)
Tech 1 (Combined Helitrox and Deco Procedures class)
Tech 2 (Trimix 1 and Trimix 2)

[rjack]

I generally understand the Tech/Deco differences. But is there a more complete syllabus of the NAUI Cave1, 2,3 progression available somewhere?

The NAUI website is kinda weak in their cave descriptions.

[Rainer]

I wrote Heather about this awhile ago, but can't find the PMs; hopefully she'll chime back in her with details.

[blondie]

I generally understand the Tech/Deco differences. But is there a more complete syllabus of the NAUI Cave1, 2,3 progression available somewhere?

The NAUI website is kinda weak in their cave descriptions.

There isn't anything online. I can send you a the full PDF document if you like, but in a nutshell:

3rd's of doubles,
2 "navigational decisions" (jumps or gaps)
no decompression
as far as drills go:

lost line, lost diver, gas sharing, manifold stuff, light protocols, line protocols, blind gas sharing exits.

academics:

gas planning, time planning, deco planning, accident analysis, hydrology, geology.

The above is Cave 1

Cave 2 will include complex dive planning and navigation, deco, and survey. I haven't seent he full S&P for it yet, so I can't be more specific than that.

Cave 3 is "exploration" (which is kind of a misnomer for us and GUE, as you can't teach soemone how to explore- it takes a different kind of drive- and for serious stuff, a dedicated group of people (ala WKPP), who will train you in their methods anyway).

[Grateful Diver]

- some instructors combine some of these classes as they fit well together (for example, I prefer to teach Helitrox, Adv. Nitrox and Deco as one class, as it puts all the tools in your toolbox, as opposed to just bits and pieces).

That's what my instructor did ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[rjack]

There isn't anything online. I can send you a the full PDF document if you like, but in a nutshell:
3rd's of doubles,

Does NAUI Cave1 advocate/teach/use more conservative limits when diving in a team of 2, something like 1/4s? 1/3rds of doubles for me would be the domain of a team of 3.

Thanks for the synopsis