Advanced Nitrox

Duration

Minimum duration of course is 2 days, with the number of class room sessions being 5. The minimum classroom duration is 6 hours.

The minimum number of 2 dives are required with one dive to include the use of oxygen during decompression.

Entry Grade

Student’s minimum age of 18 years, SAA Club Diver and SAA Basic Nitrox Diver, or equivalents. Minimum number of dives over 50 (at least 5 of these using Nitrox mixture)

Instructors

INSTRUCTORS

This course will be a regional course run by qualified Advanced Nitrox [ AdvEAN ] instructors. This course must be lead by an Approved Advanced Nitrox Instructor [ approved by the National Nitrox Coordinator ] , assisted either by other Approved AdvEAN Instructors or instructors gaining their qualification.

The number of ‘Assistant Instructors’ must not exceed the number of Approved AdvEAN Instructors. A register of Approved AdvEAN Instructors is maintained by the National Nitrox Coordinator at Head Office.

Ratio: One Instructor for every two candidates for Dives 1 and 2

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Advanced Nitrox

Course Outline

FACILITIES

Suitable classroom with teaching aids for formal presentations.

Suitable shallow open water dive site (10m maximum) for Dive 1.

Dive site with 30m maximum for Dive 2.

Equipment and materials for classroom and practical sessions, as detailed in AdvEAN Course Instructor Notes

APPROVAL

CMAS approval to be sought from CMAS as this course has been developed in line with the current CMAS standard.

QUALIFICATION

Course Certification will be issued by SAA Head Office.

SYLLABUS



Instructor briefing Assemble, Introductions, Administration

Theory Lesson -Advanced Oxygen Theory - 90 minutes

• Advanced oxygen theory

• Advanced physiology

• Gas toxicity theory

• Reasons for, and methods of avoiding, central nervous system toxicity and pulmonary toxicity

• Effects of these on human physiology.

Theory Lesson Nitrogen Effects - 90 minutes

• The symptoms and effects of nitrogen on human physiology

• The reduction or avoidance of these effects by the use of appropriate Nitrox mixtures,

• Recognition of symptoms of decompression sickness

• Emergency treatment procedures.

Theory Lesson – Deep Diving Procedures - 90 minutes

• Advanced deep diving procedures for depths to 40 metres

• Appropriate equipment selection

• Practical decompression management using different gases

• Advanced decompression planning for dives using different gas mixtures and pure oxygen

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Advanced Nitrox

Course Outline

Theory Lesson Practical Considerations - 90 minutes

• Suitability of equipment for use with Nitrox and oxygen

• Gas mixing methods

• Gas management

• Gas analysis

Practical lessons

Practical 1 (open water, dives 1 ; approx. 1 hr.)

• Site orientation, dive planning, depth limits, choice of mixture.

• Pre-dive briefing, equipment check including gas analysis

• Open water dive 1 ; objectives : observe Nitrox diving depth disciplines.

• Undertake Gas switch during the dive

• Deploy a delayed SMB during ascent

• Post-dive review (debriefing)

Practical 2 (as PR1 but with use of pure oxygen as a decompression gas)

By the end of the course, students should be able to

• Identify the problems and advantages related to diving with Nitrox mixtures and oxygen.

• Explain the physiological phenomena associated with diving with Nitrox mixtures and oxygen.

• Correctly use standard diving equipment for diving with Nitrox up to 40% and equipment rated for oxygen service for diving with higher concentrations of oxygen.

• Demonstrate their knowledge of diving with Nitrox mixtures and oxygen.

• Students should be able to demonstrate their ability to plan and execute dives using Nitrox mixtures, including decompression stops using oxygen.

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