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There seems to be quite a lot of misinformation about NITROX diver training
courses, and a general perception that the courses exist solely as a means for
the instructor to make large fees. For example, here's a quote from a recent
posting by Pat Shaw (dps@mi*.bc*.ca*):
> I recently asked for a 50% fill into oxygen clean tanks, and was turned
> down since I don't have a advanced nitrox course, just the basic IANTD
> course which I assumed would permit me access to any mix up to 99% O2/1% N2.
> Am I the only one who wonders about and is offended by the blatant
> money-grab marketing which surrounds much of the nitrox training and
> certification?
>
Here's another one posted by Mark Pansing (markp@br*.co*.co*):
> Nitrox, Deep Diving, TriMix = Money, Money, Money.
> I've been diving for a couple of years now, long before there were courses
> on these items and I've watched how fast these courses have sprung up. It
> seems to me that a select group of people are taking a very limited amount
> of information and trying to get the most money from it.
>
Although I cannot answer for ANDI, I can speak about the IAND/IANTD courses
and their standards.
First, let's understand that both the EANx Diver and Advanced EANx diver
courses are RECREATIONAL diving courses. In other words, divers are taught
how to use NITROX for no stop dives no deeper than 130 FSW. EANx divers are
limited to EAN32 and EAN36. Advanced EANx divers can choose custom mixes up
to EAN50. The Advanced EANx course was designed for recreational divers who
wanted more NITROX flexibility without having to purchase/wear technical diving
equipment or take a Technical EANx course.
Next, let's look at how the NITROX industry has changed, and how those changes
have affected divers. Two years ago in the blossoming NITROX industry ANYONE
with a recreational EANx diver certification card could walk into just about
any EANx facility and purchase hot mixes or pure O2 for decompression. Those
days are pretty much gone (some parts of Florida excluded), and for good
reason - the industry is regulating itself because divers are getting killed.
Thus was born the Technical EANx certification, which teaches divers how to
plan and execute TECHNICAL dives using various gas mixes and use hot EANx or
pure O2 for decompression. This change was driven by the need to improve
diving safety - not by a desire to grab more money. Today, diver's desiring
to purchase EANx mixes greater than 50% or O2 for decompression, must have
the Technical EANx Diver certification.
I'm sure there some practicing technical divers who only have the EANx diver
certification and are upset because their local shop can't sell them hot
mixes any more. In order to purchase those hot mixes or O2 they are going to
have to get the Technical EANx certification. If they feel they are qualified
and do not need to take the course, then at the instructor's discretion they
can get the rating by doing the following:
(1) Pass the waterpersonship skills evaluation described in the Technical EANx
Diver Student Workbook which will demonstrate their proficiency with the
required equipment.
(2) Pass the standardized Technical EANx written exam demonstrating their
command of the course material.
(3) Present their logbook detailing their experience.
By extension, the same concept can be applied to any practicing deep diver
who wants to take the Technical EANx course without having to take the
prerequisite Deep Air and Advanced Deep Air courses. IANTD has always given
the instructor the discretion of crediting a diver with his/her PROVEN
ability and experience.
Since I've mentioned prerequisites, I should probably layout a quick map of
the current IANTD course progression so that we're all on the same sheet of
music:
EANx Diver
|
Deep Air Diver
|
+------------------+
| |
| Advanced EANx Diver
|
Advanced Deep Air Diver
|
+------------------+------------------+
| |
| NITROX Technical Diver
| |
Technical Deep Air Diver Trimix Diver
All data was taken from the IAND/IANTD Standard and Procedures Guide dated
October 21, 1993. For clarity I've ommitted the instructor ratings, the
overhead environment specialties (cave, wreck), the blender ratings,
and the supervisor ratings. Note that the new Advanced EANx Diver rating is
not a prerequisite for anything - it is, as was stated, simply a more
advanced course for the recreational NITROX diver, giving him/her more mix
flexibility.
The bottom line is that IANTD training is hierarchical, incremental and
performance-based. Divers with absolutely NO prior experience can start with
the EANx Diver course and work their way down the ladder all the way to Trimix
if they wish. Divers with previous experience can jump-in the ladder at any
point as long as they can clearly demonstrate their qualifications.
Hopefully, IANTD will get on the net in the near future. Tom Mount, the
president of IAND/IANTD, told me yesterday that they are working hard to
make this happen soon. After that they will be able to answer questions
directly.
In closing I'd like to state that it is irresponsible and outright dangerous
for anyone to suggest that there is "a very limited amount of information"
and/or training involved in current NITROX and technical diver training.
Safe Diving,
Greg Dawe, NTI #71
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