WHY SDI/TDI?

I recently had an article published on the TDI/SDI UK blog site so I thought I would share it with you below.  Alternatively the article can be found here.

WHY SDI/TDI?

by Timothy Gort

 

So why did I choose to be a SDI/TDI instructor? 

 

I started with my first TDI course on Semi-Closed Rebreather Drager Dolphin and moved on to Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures, Trimix, Cavern and Intro-Cave, and DPV before finally completing the Gas Blender and Service Technician course.  Having experienced the variety of courses SDI/TDI has to offer, it was a natural progression for me to move onto the instructor grade.  Here are a few things I would like to say about SDI/TDI and why I choose to teach for them:

 

Instructor crossover

I had been thinking about this for some time and by chance met Brian Carney at the Birmingham NEC dive show.  For those of you who don’t know, Brian Carney happens to be the President of SDI/TDI worldwide.  Wow!  I mean how many agency presidents would make an appearance at a UK dive show?  In my books this proves to show how much SDI/TDI value their instructor training.  An instructor crossover generally consists of a theory session reviewing the instructor materials and the standards and procedures, an eLearning session and a practical skills circuit.  If you wish to learn more about becoming an SDI/TDI instructor in the UK feel free to contact SDI/TDI UK here or contact Mark Powell at Dive-Tech here.

 

UK Instructors

From my experience, SDI/TDI instructors often introduce students to other SDI/TDI instructors if they can offer a better date or location to suit the student.

 

Flexibility of courses

SDI/TDI courses are flexible and work around the student.  There are no set skills assigned to set dives but rather a set of standards the student must achieve.  This allows the student to maximise their potential and strengthen their weaknesses.  This allows the instructor to plan a course for YOU.  For the students, the standards do not change; they are still required to meet the criteria and earn their certification before they are awarded their c-card. 

 

Instructor and student resources

SDI/TDI is constantly reviewing their materials so the students are taught on the most current information.  In the past month SDI/TDI have released new Decompression Procedures materials and made the theory portion of the Solo Diver course available as eLearning.  SDI/TDI is now looking at improving their Extended Range Diver course.

 

Leading from the front

SDI/TDI was the first agency to offer any type of solo/self-reliant diver training with its release of Solo Diver and it’s still the only course of its type to be recognised by insurance agencies.

 

But not afraid to follow

As well as leading, SDI/TDI isn’t afraid of listening to its members.  When the other agencies introduced a sub-50m helium course, SDI/TDI followed with the introduction of the Helitrox course.

 

The current trend

There currently seems to be a trend in diving and some traditional courses appear to have been forgotten about with some students buying equipment they may not need and completing a course which they either may not need to or may not be capable of.  Personally I feel that Intro to Tech is often the most overlooked course.  I would say that this course is probably the single most important course any student can take.  Intro to Tech is designed to help any diver decide if technical diving is for them, or help them to develop as a better diver at their current certification level.  Buoyancy and trim, equipment configurations, propulsion techniques (frog, flutter, back kick etc…) and gas management are some of the syllabus of this course.  If this is combined with Advanced Nitrox and either Decompression Procedures or Helitrox then the majority of divers will have earned the certifications to achieve most of their diving goals; especially here in the UK.  Regarding equipment, SDI/TDI has an open mind and as long as it is capable of doing the job it will be allowed on the course.  Any SDI/TDI instructor will be able to discuss the pros and cons of any equipment configuration questions any students may have. 

 

For me, the learning doesn’t stop here.  I am looking forward to my Full Cave in Florida this Spring and hope to complete my Advanced Trimix soon. 

 

So what are YOU waiting for?  Start your SDI/TDI training today and become the diver you’ve always wanted to.

 

RECTOTEC

rectotec is an SDI/TDI diver training facility offering all levels courses including Solo Diver and up to Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures.  Located in Ipswich and the West Midlands, rectotec is able to run courses at a time and location to suit you; the theory can be done on-site, through e-learning or even at yours if you would so wish.  rectotec is also happy to work with dive shops or clubs and run courses at your location. 

 

If you want to get in contact with Tim feel free to contact him on 07968148261 or tim@rectotec.co.uk.

HOW TO: SHORTEN A LOW PRESSURE HOSE

Have you ever bought a new low pressure hose as the one you had before was too long?  Imagine you’re setting up your very first twinset and you have plenty of spare regulator and/or wing/BCD hoses?  A standard regulator hose is 29” where a ‘DIR’ style backup hose is generally 22-24” (depending on first stage).  If you were to use the standard hose you would be left with a large loop that may snag.  I had the same problem when I was setting up my twinset and again this weekend when I was rebuilding the wife’s twinset.  To save yourself some money and recycle some of your existing hoses you can modify one with an AP50B from AP Valves; it allows the shortening of standard diameter low pressure hoses by cutting to length and screwing onto the end

The following guide is designed for a standard 3/8” UNF fitting for a standard first stage.  It has not been tried with the older style 1/2" Apeks fitting.

WARNING; THIS IS NOT TO BE USED WITH A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE

You will need the following:

1. Existing LP hose.
2. AP50B*.
3. A sharp knife.
4. 2x adjustable spanners.

*If you call the friendly Alison at AP Valves on 01326 561040 and part with £10.24 of your hard earned (or maybe not) money you’ll get one in the post the next day.

Cut off the old 3/8” UNF fitting ensuring the cut is completely straight.  To do this I measured the appropriate distance (in this case 22”) and marked it with a paint pen.  To double check it was the correct length I then donned the twinset, put the regulator in my mouth and got my wife to confirm where the hose met the first stage (ensuring I had a full range of head movement).

Unscrew the 2 parts of the AP50B and screw the outer all of the way onto the hose ensuring the end of the hose is flush with the inside of the fitting.  It takes a little bit of an effort as the screw thread needs to bite into the hose so bear with it.

Using both spanners; one to hold the outer in place and one to rotate the inner, screw the inner in place.  Again this takes a small bit of effort.

Once finished it should look similar to the one on the left.

Thanks for reading; hopefully this is of some use. 

rectotec take no responsibility for any injuries caused by incorrect fitting of this part.

The boring bit!

All opinions expressed in my articles are my own and may differ to other instructor’s and agency guidelines; by no means are they wrong and I would not wish to disrepute any of them.  This article is for information only and should not replace proper training.

Safe diving!

Timothy Gort

BSAC, PADI and SDI/TDI diver training
l Mob: 07968148261 l Email: tim@rectotec.co.uk l