TDI Helitrox Diver Course

TDI Helitrox Diver Course: Dive Deeper with a Clearer Head

Ready to extend your dive limits while managing the effects of narcosis? The TDI Helitrox Diver Course introduces you to using helium in your breathing gas (Helitrox), allowing you to conduct planned decompression dives down to 45 meters / 150 feet with greater mental clarity.

This course focuses specifically on the theory, methods, and procedures for diving with helium-enriched air (containing no more than 35% helium and at least 21% oxygen). By replacing some nitrogen with helium, Helitrox reduces the narcotic effects experienced at depth.

You'll learn:

• Helitrox Dive Planning: Mastering decompression planning, including gas requirements and limitations for oxygen, nitrogen, and helium.
• Understanding Helium: Learn about helium's effects on respiration, insulation, and decompression.
• Gas Switching & Deco Procedures: Proper techniques for using decompression gases (up to 100% oxygen) and following decompression schedules.
• Equipment Configuration: Setting up your gear, including stage cylinders, for helitrox diving.
• Emergency Management: Handling potential problems specific to deeper dives and different gas mixtures.

This program can be taken as a stand-alone course or combined with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course.

Prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18
• Minimum certification of SDI Advanced Diver (with Deep specialty) OR TDI Intro to Tech Diver (or equivalent).
• Must also be certified as TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver (or enrolling concurrently).
• Proof of 50 logged dives.

Required Equipment:

A full technical gear configuration is necessary:

• Backmount twin cylinders OR Sidemount cylinders (with appropriate harness/wing BCD)
• Decompression Cylinder(s): AL40 (40 cu ft) oxygen clean cylinder with regulator recommended. (Note: While the course covers procedures that may involve multiple deco gases, confirm the exact cylinder requirements with your instructor)
• Two (2) dive computers or bottom timers (or one of each), multi-gas capable
• Exposure suit appropriate for cold water diving (drysuit highly recommended)
• Reel and lift bag or DSMB
• Two (2) cutting devices
• Underwater slate or wetnotes
• Compass
• Two (2) dive lights
• Backup buoyancy device (e.g., drysuit inflation, lift bag, or dual bladder wing)
• Backup mask

Not Included: Rental Gear, Quarry entrance fees, Gas fills (including Helium)

Dive Locations: We typically conduct this course at Wazee Lake, Gilboa Quarry, and Mermet Springs between April and November.

Experience deeper dives with reduced narcosis. Enroll in the TDI Helitrox Diver course online today!

Key Topics

• Use of Helium-Enriched Air (Helitrox, max 35% He, min 21% O2)
• Qualifies divers for planned decompression dives to 45 meters / 150 feet.
• Focuses on reducing inert gas narcosis.
• Covers:
  
  • Decompression planning (gas reqs, O2/N2/He limits, gas choices, computers).
  • Helium as a breathing gas (effects on narcosis, respiration, insulation, etc.).
  • Decompression procedures (equipment, checks, stress, gas switching, team awareness, SMB/lift bag).
  • Emergency procedures (equipment failure, gas loss, omitted deco, navigation errors).
  • Equipment considerations (labeling, analysis, blending overview).
  • Can be standalone or combined with TDI Advanced Nitrox.
• Prerequisites:
  
  • Min. age 18
  • SDI Advanced Diver w/ Deep Specialty OR TDI Intro to Tech (or equiv.)
  • TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver (or concurrent enrollment)
  • 50+ logged dives
• Required Equipment: Full technical setup including twinset/sidemount, deco bottle(s)/reg(confirm number), redundant computers/timers, lights, cutting devices, backup buoyancy/mask, reel/lift bag/DSMB, etc.
• Excluded: Rental Gear, Quarry Fees, Gas Fills (incl. Helium).
• Typical Locations: Wazee Lake, Gilboa Quarry, Mermet Springs (April-Nov).
• Outcome: Certification to conduct decompression diving activities to 150ft/45m using Helitrox (max 35% He) and appropriate deco gases (up to 100% O2).