TDI Helitrox Diver Course
The TDI Helitrox Diver Course teaches technical divers how to dive at depth with greater focus, safety and control. This course shows you how to use helium in your breathing gas to reduce narcosis and keep your thinking clear at depth.
When divers go to depth using air, nitrogen can slow down thinking and reactions. Helium reduces this effect. In this course, you learn how to use helium safely within the TDI allowed limits. You learn to plan, conduct and complete staged decompression dives in a calm and controlled manner.
This course follows current TDI standards and is taught with Blue Water Ascent’s professional training system. It builds strong technical diving skills and creates a safe path for future TDI trimix training.
TDI Helitrox Diver
The TDI Helitrox Diver course focuses on the theory, planning strategies, and practical procedures required to perform staged decompression dives when using helium-based breathing mixtures. By introducing helium into the gas mixture, divers can significantly reduce the effects of inert gas narcosis during deep dives.
This course prepares divers to properly plan and execute staged decompression dives to a maximum depth of 45 meters / 150 feet. It covers standard equipment requirements, proper gear configuration, and proven decompression techniques used in technical diving. During training, students may use enriched air nitrox and helium mixtures containing more than 35% helium, as well as up to 100% oxygen for decompression purposes.
Divers can take this program as a stand-alone certification, or instructors can combine it with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course if they feel it benefits the student.
What You Can Expect To Learn You Can Keep Do:
Decompression Dive Planning, Including:
- Gas volume calculations
- Oxygen exposure limits
- Nitrogen exposure limits
- Helium exposure considerations
- Choosing decompression gases
- Comparing dive tables with personal dive computers
- Emergency and contingency planning
Helium As a Breathing Gas:
- Its effect on narcosis
- Its effect on breathing resistance
- Thermal insulation properties
- Counterdiffusion considerations
- High pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS)
Decompression Diving Procedures:
- Equipment selection and configuration
- Pre-dive checks and skill drills
- Stress identification and management
- Strict adherence to decompression schedules
- Safe gas-switching Techniques
- Team Communication and Situational Awareness
- SMB and Lift Bag Deployment
- Maintaining Proper Trim, Buoyancy, and Propulsion
- Managing Emergency Situations
- Equipment Considerations, Cylinder Marking, Nitrox Analysis, and Gas Mixing Basics
Who Is This Course For:
This course is ideal for :
- Certified Advanced Divers or Intro to Tech Divers who want to build a deeper understanding of decompression theory and Helitrox diving techniques
- Certified Advanced Divers or Intro to Tech Divers who aim to safely increase their bottom time
- Certified Advanced Divers or Intro to Tech Divers planning to progress into technical diving education
Course Prerequisites:
To join this course, you must have :
- Minimum age 18 years
- Minimum certification of SDI Advanced Diver (including Deep Specialty) or TDI Intro to Tech Diver, or equivalent
- TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver certification (unless taken at the same time)
- Evidence of at least 50 logged dives
What's In It For You?
After certification, you gain the ability to independently perform decompression dives while using helium and/or nitrox mixtures, provided that:
- Dive activities closely match training conditions
- Dive environments are similar to those used during training
- Environmental factors remain within training limits
- Breathing gases contain no more than 35% helium and no less than 21% oxygen
This certification also qualifies you to continue your technical training in:
- TDI Extended Range
- TDI Advanced Wreck
- TDI Trimix Courses
TDI Helitrox Diver Minimum Requirements:
To obtain the TDI Helitrox Diver certification, you must:
- Successfully pass the TDI Helitrox Diver written exam with a minimum score of 80%, followed by a full instructor-led remediation
- Complete all required open water dives safely and competently
- Demonstrate the ability to make responsible decisions in dive planning and execution
How to Take This Course!
- Find your local TDI Dive Center: Here
- Find a qualified instructor for this course
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Helitrox Diving?
Helitrox Diving uses oxygen, nitrogen, and helium to reduce narcosis and improve clear thinking at depth.
Who can join this course?
Certified technical divers with advanced nitrox and decompression training can join.
What is the maximum depth?
The maximum depth is 45 meters / 150 feet.
Does this course help with trimix training?
Yes. It prepares divers for advanced courses like TDI trimix.
Why train with Blue Water Ascent?
Blue Water Ascent focuses on safety, structure, and clear skill development for advanced technical diving.
