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TDI Instructor Manual Date: 01/01/2011
Diver Standards Version: 11.0

9. Trimix Diver
9.1 Introduction
The TDI Trimix course provides the training required to competently and safely utilize breathing gases
containing helium for dives that require  staged decompression, utilizing nitrox and / or oxygen mixtures during
decompression to a maximum depth of 60 metres / 200 feet. The objective of this course is to train divers in the
benefits, hazards and proper procedures of utilizing custom oxygen / helium / nitrogen mixtures as breathing gases.
Cave  
Gas mixes Expedition  
are not to have any lessTthan
rips  
18 percent oxygen (O2).

9.2 Big  Qualifications

Blue  Technical  Diving,   Thailand  
of Graduates
 
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in technical diving activities utilizing
customNational   Expedition  
trimix mixtures without direct -­  3  supervision
Days  –  4  provided:
nights  
1. The diving activities approximate those of training
This   expedition   explores   caves   and   cavern   systems   in   the   remote   jungle  
2. The areas of activities approximate those of training
3. environment  
Environmental oconditions
f   Khao   Sapproximate
ok   National  those Park   and   surrounding   overhead   systems.   The  
of training
4. caves  
Oxygen (O2) percentages
found   arefresh  
under   the   18 percent or higher
water   lakes   of   the   limestone   cliff   topography   are  
perfect  for  newly  certified  cave  divers  and  cave  explorers  wishing  to  extend  their  
9.3 Who May Teach
experience   and   enjoy   the   natural   beauty   of   one   of   United   Kingdom’s   most  
Any active TDI Trimix Instructor may teach this course
stunning  national  parks.  
9.4 Student to Instructor Ratio
Accommodation  is  provided  during  this  course  in  a  floating  raft  village,  national  
Academic
1. park  laws  prohibit  construction  directly  on  the  ground  so  the  entire  hotel  floats.  
Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to ensure comprehensive and
complete training of subject matter
There   is  no  mobile  phone  reception  or  internet.  A  perfect  place  to  "un  plug"  for  a  
Confined Water (swimming pool-like conditions)
while.  Portable  compressor  and  blending  facilities  are  taken  along  to  provide  the  
1. N/A
remote  logistics.  
Open Water (ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary)
1. A maximum of 4 students per instructor; it is the instructor’s discretion to reduce this number as conditions
  dictate

Advanced  Expedition  -­  5  Days  –  6  Nights  

9.5 Student Prerequisites
This  expedition  includes  the  National  Expedition  trip  to  Khao  Sok  National  Park  
1. Minimum age 18
2. and  extends  south  to  Sra  Keow  Cave  and  Bat  Cave  in  Krabi  Province.  Sra  Keow  
Minimum certification as a TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver and TDI Decompression Procedures Diver, or
equivalent
cave   is   for   the   extreme   diver   and   mixed   gas   or   trimix   is   needed   to   fully  
3. Provide proof of a minimum 100 logged dives
appreciate   the   system.   Divers   have   explored   down   to   240m   in   depth   in   previous  
explorations   making   it   one   of   the   deepest   caves   in   the   world.   Penetration   is  
limited  to  60m  in  depth.  
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TDI Instructor Manual Date: 01/01/2011
Diver Standards Version: 11.0

9.6 Course Structure and Duration

Open Water Execution:
1. Four decompression dives are required with a minimum accumulated bottom time of 100 minutes
2. Two of the dives should be deeper than 40 metres / 130 feet
Course Structure:
 
1. TDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill
level
Cave  Expedition  Trips  
Duration:
1. The minimum number of classroom and briefing hours is 8
Big  Blue  Technical  Diving,  Thailand  
 
9.7 Administrative Requirements
National  isExpedition  
The following -­  3  Days  tasks:
the administrative –  4  nights  
1. This  
Collect expedition   explores  
the course fees from all the caves   and   cavern   systems   in   the   remote   jungle  
students
2. Ensure that the students have the required equipment
environment   of   Khao   Sok   National   Park   and   surrounding   overhead   systems.   The  
3. Communicate the training schedule to the students
4. caves  
Have found   under  
the students the   the:
complete fresh   water   lakes   of   the   limestone   cliff   topography   are  
a. for  
perfect   TDInewly   certified  
Liability Release and cave   divers  
Express and  cave  
Assumption of e Form wishing  to  extend  their  
xplorers  
Risk
b. TDI Medical Statement Form
experience   and   enjoy   the   natural   beauty   of   one   of   United   Kingdom’s   most  
Upon successful completion of a TDI course the instructor must:
1. stunning   national  pTDI
Issue the appropriate arks.  
certification by submitting the TDI Diver Registration Form to TDI Headquarters
or registering the students online through member’s area of the TDI website
Accommodation  is  provided  during  this  course  in  a  floating  raft  village,  national  
9.8 park  laws  prohibit  construction  directly  on  the  ground  so  the  entire  hotel  floats.  
Training Material
Required material
There   is  no  mobile  phone  reception  or  internet.  A  perfect  place  to  "un  plug"  for  a  
1. TDI Extended Range Entry Level Trimix Diver Manual
while.  Portable  compressor  and  blending  facilities  are  taken  along  to  provide  the  
Optional Material
remote  logistics.  
1. TDI Extended Range Entry Level Trimix PowerPoint

 
9.9 Required Equipment
Advanced  
The following Expedition  
equipment -­  5  Days  for
is required –  6  each
Nights  
student:
1. This  expedition  includes  the  National  Expedition  trip  to  Khao  Sok  National  Park  
Bottom mix cylinder(s)
a. Cylinder volume appropriate to complete all planned decompression on bottom mix
and  extends  south  to  Sra  Keow  Cave  and  Bat  Cave  in  Krabi  Province.  Sra  Keow  
b. Dual outlet valve, double manifold or independent doubles
cave   c.is   for  
Labeled the  in extreme   diver  
accordance with TDIand   mixed   gas   or   trimix   is   needed   to   fully  
Standards
2. appreciate  
Decompression the  mix cylinder(s)
system.   Divers   have   explored   down   to   240m   in   depth   in   previous  
explorations   making   it   one   of   the   deepest   caves   in   the   world.   Penetration   is  
limited  to  60m  in  depth.  
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a. Cylinder volume should contain a minimum of 1.5 times the gas required for the planned
decompression
b. Labeled in accordance with TDI Standards
3. Suit inflation cylinder, required for dry suit divers only
4. Regulators
a. Primary and primary redundant required on all bottom mix cylinder(s)
 
b. Submersible pressure gauges are required on all primary / bottom mix cylinders
c. A contingency use long hose second stage should be designated and appropriately rigged to
Cave  Expedition   Trips  
facilitate air sharing at depth if necessary
d. It is strongly recommended that the 3 required regulators be all DIN or all yoke
5. Big   Blue  Tcompensator
Buoyancy echnical  Ddevice(s)
iving,  Tadequate
hailand  for equipment configuration
6.   Redundant depth and timing devices
7. Air decompression computers are allowed for use as depth and timing devices, provided they have a gauge
National  
mode Expedition  -­  3  Days  –  4  nights  
8. Redundant light system if required by site
This   expedition   explores   caves   and   cavern   systems   in   the   remote   jungle  
9. Ascent Reel with lift bag/surface marker buoy
environment  
a. Adequate of   Kfor
hao   Sok   National  
maximum Park   and   surrounding   overhead   systems.   The  
planned depth

caves  b.found  
Minimum of 23 kg / 50 lb lift bag; a dump valve highly recommended
under   the   fresh   water   lakes   of   the   limestone   cliff   topography   are  
10. Exposure suit adequate for the open water environment
11.perfect   for  ndevice
Line cutting ewly  certified  cave  divers  and  cave  explorers  wishing  to  extend  their  
12.experience  
Underwater slate,
and  (for decompression
enjoy   / contingency
the   natural   tables
beauty   of   one   of   United   Kingdom’s   most  
13. Helium analyzer, recommended
stunning  national  parks.  

9.10Accommodation  is  provided  during  this  course  in  a  floating  raft  village,  national  
Required Subject Areas
The TDI Extended Range Entry Level Trimix Manual is mandatory for use during this
park  laws  prohibit  construction  directly  on  the  ground  so  the  entire  hotel  floats.  
course but instructors may use any additional text or materials that they feel help present
these topics. The following topics must be covered during this course:
There  is  no  mobile  phone  reception  or  internet.  A  perfect  place  to  "un  plug"  for  a  
1. Physics
while.  a.Portable   compressor  and  blending  facilities  are  taken  along  to  provide  the  
Pressure review
2. remote  
Physiologylogistics.  
a. Hypoxia
  b. Oxygen (O2) toxicity
i. Whole Body (OTU’s)
Advanced  Expedition   -­  5  Days  
ii. Central nervous system–  6(CNS)
 Nights  
c. Nitrogen narcosis
This  expedition  includes  the  National  Expedition  trip  to  Khao  Sok  National  Park  
d. Nitrogen and helium absorption and elimination
and  extends  south  to  Sra  Keow  Cave  and  Bat  Cave  in  Krabi  Province.  Sra  Keow  
e. Carbon dioxide (CO2) toxicity
cave   f.is   for  
Carbon the   extreme  
monoxide (CO)diver  
toxicityand   mixed   gas   or   trimix   is   needed   to   fully  
g. Helium
appreciate   the   system.   Divers   have   explored   down   to   240m   in   depth   in   previous  
i. HPNS
explorations   making   it   one   of   the   deepest   caves   in   the   world.   Penetration   is  
limited  to  60m  in  depth.  
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ii. Effects on respiration

iii. Effects as an insulator
h. Counter diffusion
i. Hyperthermia
j. Hypothermia.
3. Decompression Options
 
a. Air
b. Nitrox
Cave   c. Expedition  
Helium Trips  
4. Equipment Considerations
Big  Blue   Technical  
a. Cylinder Diving,  Thailand  
options
  b. Stage cylinders options
c. Suit inflation options
National   Expedition  -­  3  Days  –  4  nights  
d. Regulator options
This   e.expedition  
Harness / BCD explores  
options caves   and   cavern   systems   in   the   remote   jungle  
f. Computer / depth gauge / bottom timer options
environment   of   Khao   Sok   National   Park   and   surrounding   overhead   systems.   The  
g. Ascent and navigation reels
caves  h.found   under   the  
Lift bags/surface fresh  
marker water   lakes   of   the   limestone   cliff   topography   are  
buoys
i. for  
perfect   Lights
newly  certified  cave  divers  and  cave  explorers  wishing  to  extend  their  
j. Redundant mask and knife
experience  
k. Jon-line
and   enjoy   the   natural   beauty   of   one   of   United   Kingdom’s   most  
5. stunning  
Dive Tables national  parks.  
a. Computer generated tables
Accommodation  is  provided  during  this  course  in  a  floating  raft  village,  national  
b. DCIEM Heliox Tables or other published tables
6. Dive Planning
park  laws  prohibit  construction  directly  on  the  ground  so  the  entire  hotel  floats.  
a. Operational planning
There  is  no  mi.obile   phone  reception  or  internet.  A  perfect  place  to  "un  plug"  for  a  
Support
while.  Portable   ii. cTeams
ompressor  and  blending  facilities  are  taken  along  to  provide  the  
b. Team planning
remote  logistics.   i. Gas requirements
ii. Oxygen limitations
  iii. Inert gas limitations
c. Emergency planning
Advanced   Expedition  -­  5  Days  –  6  Nights  
i. Omitted decompression
This  expedition  includes  the  National  Expedition  trip  to  Khao  Sok  National  Park  
ii. Oxygen toxicity
iii. Analysis and logging
and  extends  south  to  Sra  Keow  Cave  and  Bat  Cave  in  Krabi  Province.  Sra  Keow  
iv. General
7. Procedures the   extreme   diver   and   mixed   gas   or   trimix   is   needed   to   fully  
cave   is   for  
a. Bottom,
appreciate   the   stravel andDdecompression
ystem.   ivers   have   egas
xplored   down   to   240m   in   depth   in   previous  
i. Normal operations
explorations   making   it   one   of   the   deepest   caves   in   the   world.   Penetration   is  
limited  to  60m  in  depth.  
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ii. Failure, loss or inadequate emergency procedures

iii. Analysis and logging

9.11 Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements

The following open water skills must be completed by the student during open-water dives.
It is recommended that all dives   be conducted between 30 metres / 100 feet and 60 metres /
200 feet. Gas mixes are not to have any less than 18 percent oxygen (O2).
1. Skills review from previous TDI skills requirements
Cave  Expedition  Trips  
Land Drills
1. Big   Blue  Technical  
Demonstrate familiarity Dwith
iving,  
basicThailand  
and intermediate hand signals
2.   Select and prepare equipment suitable for soft overhead environment with long decompression obligations
3. Conduct team oriented drills for lift bag deployment and gas switching procedure
4. National   Expedition  
Drills for buddy rescue -­  3  Days  –  4  nights  
5. This  
Properly analyze all explores  
expedition   gas mixtures caves  
to be used and   cavern   systems   in   the   remote   jungle  
6. Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning
environment  
a. Limitsobased
f   Khao   Sok   National  
on personal and teamPgasark  consumption
and   surrounding   overhead   systems.   The  
caves  b.found  
Limitsunder  
based on the   fresh  
oxygen water  atlakes  
exposures planned of  depths
the   limestone   cliff   topography   are  
for actual mixes.
c. Limits based on inert gas absorption at planned depths with actual mixes
perfect  for  newly  certified  cave  divers  and  cave  explorers  wishing  to  extend  their  
Pre-dive Drills
experience   and   enjoy   the   natural   beauty   of   one   of   United   Kingdom’s   most  
1. Use START* before every dive
2. stunning   national  
Stress analysis parks.  
and mitigation
*START is S-drill (OOA drill and Bubble Check), Team (buddy equipment checks), Air (gas matching),
Route Accommodation  is  provided  during  this  course  in  a  floating  raft  village,  national  
(entry/exit and planned path underwater), Tables (depth, duration, waypoints and schedule).
In-water Drills
park  laws  prohibit  construction  directly  on  the  ground  so  the  entire  hotel  floats.  
1. Show good awareness of buddy and other team members through communications, proximity and team
There   is  no  mobile  phone  reception  or  internet.  A  perfect  place  to  "un  plug"  for  a  
oriented dive practices
2. while.   Portable  
Demonstrate compressor  
competence managing and   blending  
2 stage facilities  
cylinders, either 2 a re  tgas
deco aken  
or 1adeco
long  and
to  1pextra
rovide   the  
bottom
gas,)including drop and recovery while maintaining position in the water column
remote  logistics.  
3. Demonstrate ability to confirm gas switches at depth with buddy/team members
4. Demonstrate lift bag deployment from depth and use of bag as back-up buoyancy device
5.   Demonstrate air-sharing ascent from depth while one member of buddy team is without mask
6. Advanced  
Create contingency
Expedition   decompression schedule
-­  5  Days  –  6  Nafter simulated loss of decompression gas
ights  
7. Demonstrate controlled ascent with toxed diver including surface tow at least 30 metres / 100 feet with
This  expedition  includes  the  National  Expedition  trip  to  Khao  Sok  National  Park  
equipment removal on surface, in water too deep to stand in
8. Complete a horizontal breath-hold swim at depth for 15 metres / 50 feet with mask off or blacked out
and  extends  south  to  Sra  Keow  Cave  and  Bat  Cave  in  Krabi  Province.  Sra  Keow  
9. Properly execute the planned dive within all predetermined limits
10.cave   is   for   the
Demonstrate the   extreme  
proper navigational diver   and   mixed  
techniques gas   or  
for the specific dive trimix   is   needed   to   fully  
11. On two of the dives, demonstrate an ascent with ascent reel and lift bag and perform staged decompression
appreciate   the   system.   Divers   have   explored   down   to   240m   in   depth   in   previous  
explorations   making   it   one   of   the   deepest   caves   in   the   world.   Penetration   is  
limited  to  60m  in  depth.  
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12. Demonstrate the proper procedures for switching and isolating a malfunctioning primary regulator This
exercise should not be practiced deeper than 40 metres / 130 feet
13. Demonstrate buoyancy control; ability to hover at fixed position in water column without moving hands or
feet
In order to complete this course, students must:
1.
 
Satisfactorily complete the TDI Trimix Course written examination
2. Complete all open water requirements safely and efficiently
3. Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
Cave  Expedition  Trips  
Big  Blue  Technical  Diving,  Thailand  
 

National  Expedition  -­  3  Days  –  4  nights  

This   expedition   explores   caves   and   cavern   systems   in   the   remote   jungle  
environment   of   Khao   Sok   National   Park   and   surrounding   overhead   systems.   The  
caves   found   under   the   fresh   water   lakes   of   the   limestone   cliff   topography   are  
perfect  for  newly  certified  cave  divers  and  cave  explorers  wishing  to  extend  their  
experience   and   enjoy   the   natural   beauty   of   one   of   United   Kingdom’s   most  
stunning  national  parks.  

Accommodation  is  provided  during  this  course  in  a  floating  raft  village,  national  
park  laws  prohibit  construction  directly  on  the  ground  so  the  entire  hotel  floats.  
There  is  no  mobile  phone  reception  or  internet.  A  perfect  place  to  "un  plug"  for  a  
while.  Portable  compressor  and  blending  facilities  are  taken  along  to  provide  the  
remote  logistics.  

Advanced  Expedition  -­  5  Days  –  6  Nights  

This  expedition  includes  the  National  Expedition  trip  to  Khao  Sok  National  Park  
and  extends  south  to  Sra  Keow  Cave  and  Bat  Cave  in  Krabi  Province.  Sra  Keow  
cave   is   for   the   extreme   diver   and   mixed   gas   or   trimix   is   needed   to   fully  
appreciate   the   system.   Divers   have   explored   down   to   240m   in   depth   in   previous  
explorations   making   it   one   of   the   deepest   caves   in   the   world.   Penetration   is  
limited  to  60m  in  depth.  
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