When you are looking to get your recreational trimix diver certification, you should learn about the different types of gas and mix ratios. Learn how to manage your equipment and the differences between Normoxic, Hypoxic, or Heliox dives. You will also need to know how to maintain body posture underwater. These are the most important requirements for this type certificate. You will need several sessions in confined water to obtain your card.
Normoxic
The IANTD Normoxic Trimix Diver course is a training course for divers who would like to dive up to 60 meters without breathing air. This course includes both a theory and confined water skills practice. This course offers four stage decompression dives in addition to the theory. During these dives, students practice skills for emergency scenarios. Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to take the full CCR trimix certification.
Technical diver training can be used to differentiate between the two levels. The normoxic trimix divers can begin their descent in a bottom mixture. For a hypoxic trimix diver to start their descent, they must dive in a mixture of bottom and travel gases. This makes it more difficult as the diver must switch gasses during the first descent. Hypoxic trimix divers might have to dive for longer periods of time and may need to use a wider range of mixtures.
Hypoxic
The SSI Hypoxic Trimix Diver Course is the most prestigious of all the technical diving courses. The course covers advanced techniques, multiple decompression gas systems and proper use of travel gases. Additionally, students will learn about the risks and hazards of technical diving, as well as how to respond in emergencies. Six dives are required to be equipped with anoxia-reducing equipment.
Normal air contains 20 percent to 21% oxygen. The minimum oxygen content is 18 percent. Normal air is safe to breathe at sea level because of the low atmospheric pressure (around one bar). Divers must use a blend of travel mixes when diving in waters with less than 18% oxygen. This will allow divers to breathe deeper. For a 100 meter dive, normal air is not sufficient. Hypoxic divers should use travel mixtures to compensate.
Heliox
Numerous myths regarding heliox/diving have been created since the Hans Keller tragedy. Some were worried about the lengthy decompression times and some were worried about CNS side effects. Helium is expensive and rare, which fuelled these myths. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is abundant, cheap, and has few toxicity concerns. Hydrogen is also safe to use at any depth.
One of the first diving groups to study decompression was the Navy Experimental Diving Unit. More than 80 years ago, the research team created the first functioning heliox table. The mixed gas myth was disproven by them. In fact, the research group has developed a decompression table that has the potential to reduce the chances of death while diving. Follow the instructions of your manufacturer if you are a diver using heliox.
Heliox 32
The Heliox 32 Trimix Diver is a perfect replacement for the Heliair diving mix. This gas contains less than 21% oxygen. It is therefore less expensive than air and also less toxic. It is recommended to be used for diving at all depths. However, there are a number of things you should consider before switching to this gas. Continue reading to learn more about the gas. It may surprise you at how well it performs according to your needs.
Consider the type of dive you'll be doing when you choose a tank. Heliox tanks and nitrogen divers tanks should have lower levels of helium because they release oxygen at differing rates. Divers who combine both are dangerous and can get decompression sick. Consider the safety of your diving partner as they may be able to share your weight.