Surface supplied diver not restricted to 50 meters
This course prepares you to practice as a commercial diver using supplied air and communication equipment. It allows you to learn about decompression, gas mixtures, diving physics, safety procedures, underwater construction, pouring cement, explosives, underwater cutting, underwater welding, operating a hyperbaric chamber to do surface decompression dives (SURDO2), maintenance and repair of helmets, regulators, use of hydraulic generators, pneumatic tools, rigging, etc.
Course is designed to meet the Canadian standard for commercial diver training. We will soon apply for recognition by the Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC), which is recognized by International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).
Duration: 3.5 months
Prerequisites: Diving Medical Exam, 18 years of age, Certified Open Water Diver (OW), High School diploma and/ or full vocational school. Literacy and basic knowledge in mathematics. The course is in English. Individual teaching in Spanish also provided.
Required personal equipment:
- wetsuit
- metal or composite toe boots (steel toe or composite)
- metal toe rubber boots
- 8” and 12” adjustable wrenches
- diving knife
- life vest
- calculator
- notebook
- raincoat
- multitool
- safety glasses
- diving gloves
- chronometer
- flashlight/ torch
Theoretical Subjects
- Diving physiology, decompression and emergency management, evacuation chart, rapid neurological evaluation, risk evaluation,
- DCIEM decompression tables, US Navy, Decompression and Dive Management Programs, Saturation, Risers, Bounce diving, etc. Treatment tables.
- Gas mixtures, theory, mixing procedure, planning and managing the manifold
- Human physiology, signs and symptoms of dysbaric injuries (decompression sickness, DCS)
Diving equipment, systems and procedures: helmets, band masks, constant flow, full face masks, diving in contaminated water, closed bell diving. Diving from ships with dynamic positioning.
- High- and low-pressure air compressors
- Volume tanks, overpressure, pass, drain valves, hydrostatic and visual tests.
- Air filter systems, standards and maintenance.
- Hoses, classification, couplings and accepted materials, maintenance.
- Hydraulic-electric pumps, diesel.
Practical use of diving equipment: Assembly of the diving rack (manifold), principles of operation, care, couplings and maintenance. Assembly of diving helmets, maintenance and inspection procedures before and after diving.
Diving risks and legislation: Applicable standards, international and local laws. Applicable labor legislation, Manuals. Planning, Risk assessment.
Diving communication systems: Umbilical, loss of communication, UW radio and video communication.
Rigging: Safety, heavy lifting, load calculation, synthetic ropes and steel cables, rigging equipment
UW inspections and searches:
- Closed-loop video systems, photos, side scan sonar, non-destructive testing principles.
- Hand and hydraulic tools
- Venturi dredgers, float bags
- Water jet, hydraulic brushes, polishing discs, pneumatic tools.
Cutting and welding equipment: Ventilation of the cutting area, risk assessment, cutting circuit, electrodes; oxy-acetylene, oxy-hydrogen, oxy-arc, nail gun, angle grinder. Different types of welding machines, cables, amperage, polarity test, risks.
Underwater explosives: Principles, applications, uses, types of explosives.
Underwater Construction Techniques: Pier Construction, Pile Cutting, and Lifting
Hyperbaric chamber operations: SurDo2, handling, rules, care and maintenance
Diving physics: Principles, gas laws. History. Human Factor applied to diving. First aid and CPR, Oxygen Administration for diving emergencies.
Basic mechanics: diesel/ gasoline
Documentation: Manuals, diver’s log, supervisor, maintenance. Responsibility traceability. Preparation of budget and quotation.