Dive Shop Accessories Cylinders Regulators Lighting Systems Mask & Fins Reels Air fills Hardware Wet & Dry Suits BC Systems Training Recreational Technical Technical Diver Technical Wreck Diver Normoxic Trimix Diver Trimix Diver EANx Gas Blender Trimix Gas Blender Stephane Jolicoeur Open Water Diver Nitrox Diver Advanced Open Water Wreck Diver Deep Diver Advanced Nitrox Advanced Wreck Diver Rescue Diver Dive Master Stephane Jolicoeur Expeditions The Empress of Ireland The Roy A. Jodrey The Gunilda 31 Mile Lake Ice Diving Avro Arrow Forum Forum Information Web Links Dive Schedule Search

Overhead Environment  - Wreck Diver and EANx Overhead Environment Wreck Diver

Purpose

1. This Program is designed to develop wreck and cavern diving skills within the limits of light penetration and to insure that divers are aware of self-responsibility and capable of risk management in overhead environments. The Program may be taught using either air or EANx.
2. If combined with the IANTD EANx Diver Program, or if the student is already qualified as an IANTD EANx Diver, the student may use a mixture of EANx in the range of 21% through 40% oxygen.
3. If combined with the IANTD Advanced EANx Diver Program, or if the student is already qualified as an IANTD Advanced EANx Diver, the student may use a mixture of EANx in the range of 21% through 40% oxygen as a dive gas, and safety or required decompression stops may involve EANx mixtures of up to 50% oxygen.

Prerequisites

1. Must be qualified as an IANTD Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent.
2. Must provide proof of a minimum of 10 logged dives.
3. Must be a minimum of 15 years of age with a parent or guardian authorization, or a minimum of 12 years of age for Junior Diver qualification, or a minimum of 18 years of age without guardian approval.

Texts

1. IANTD EANx Overhead Environment Diver Student Manual & Workbook or equivalent text(s) approved in writing by the Board of Directors (written approval will be issued by IAND, Inc./IANTD World Headquarters).

   Additionally For EANx Overhead Environment Diver:

2. IANTD EANx Student Manual and Workbook, or equivalent text(s) approved in writing by the Board of Directors (written approval will be issued by IAND, Inc./IANTD World Headquarters).

Program Content

1. A continuous guideline that allows for a safe exit to the entrance will be in place at all times during training in a overhead environment.
2. A minimum of 90 minutes of bottom time must be completed in the overhead environment within 4 to 6 dives.
3. Land Drills:
   1. Use of guide lines.
   2. Following guide lines with and without vision.
   3. Simulation of silt-outs, etc.

Equipment Requirements

1. A dual-outlet (H or Y) valve is recommended. If a rebreather is used, it must be equipped with adequate bailout.
2. A 40-inch (1-meter) long hose is to be attached to one of the second stages on the primary gas supply.
3. It is recommended a long hose (5 to 7 feet/1.5 to 2 meters in length) for gas sharing be carried by each diver.
4. Primary reel and/or safety reel.
5. Two lights.

Program Limits

1. There may be no more than 4 students per Instructor inside the overhead environment.
2. Unobstructed exit / surface light must always be visible.
3. No dives may be conducted to depths greater than 130 fsw (39 msw).
4. The Rule of Thirds must be applied from the point of entering the overhead environment until safe exit from the overhead environment portion of the dive.
5. All appropriate safety or required decompression stops must be performed.

Waterskills Development

1. A confined water session must be completed before conducting any dives in an overhead environment.
2. Become proficient in the following propulsion techniques: modified flutter, modified frog, modified dolphin and standard shuffle kick.
3. Swim a distance of 75 feet (23 meters) without a mask.

   Swim in a simulated out-of-air situation (without breathing, and exhaling slowly) for a distance of at least 45 feet (15 meters), and commence gas sharing; or appropriate rebreather gas management drill for out-of air diver. While gas sharing, continue to swim for a distance of at least 200 feet (60 meters) while maintaining a swim rate of approximately 60 feet (18 meters) per minute.

4. For wreck dives, practice deployment of lift bag.
5. Determine SAC rate and RMV.
6. Practice use of reel and line.
7. In the overhead environment, practice running the line and making tie wraps.
8. With eyes closed, follow a guideline in the overhead environment.
9. Share breathing gas while following the guideline, both with eyes open and with eyes closed..
10. Perform an "S" drill prior to commencement of all dives.

Copyright © 2006 TEKDIV Exploration
 Email: sales@tekdiv.com Phone: (514) 862-0274

This page was last updated 02/17/07