A. Purpose
- This Program is designed to provide responsible training to divers who plan to dive to a maximum of 130 fsw (39 msw) on air.
- The Deep Diver Program trains divers in skills, performance, theory and planning of deep dives. This Program remains within the commonly practiced depth of 130 fsw (39 msw), and is the first sanctioned international Program to provide proper training in safe deep diving skills and performance.
- It is recommended that this Program be taught in conjunction with the EANx Diver Program or the Advanced EANx Diver Program.
- This program qualifies divers to dive to 130 fsw (39 msw).
B. Prerequisites
- Must be qualified as an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent.
- Must provide proof of a minimum of 10 logged dives.
- Must be a minimum of 15 years of age with a parent or guardian authorization, or a minimum of 12 years of age for Junior Diver qualification, or a minimum of 18 years of age without guardian approval.
C. Program Content
- All lecture and theory material must be completed.
- This Program must include a minimum of 100 minutes of OW bottom time completed within 4 dives, 2 of which must be to depths between 100 fsw (30 msw) and 130 fsw (39 msw).
D. Program Limits
- There may be no more than 4 students per Instructor. This ratio may be increased by 2 students for each assisting Divemaster, up to a maximum of 8 students with 2 Divemasters per class session.
- No dives may be conducted to depths greater than 130 fsw (39 msw).
- No dives having a mandatory decompression Stop exceeding 3 minutes may be made, unless the course is combined with Advanced EANx.
E. Water Skills Development
- A confined water session must be completed before conducting any OW dives.
- Swim in full underwater equipment for 5 minutes.
- Calculate RMV from gas consumed during a 10-minute swim (based on change in cylinder pressure).
- Become proficient in the following propulsion techniques: modified flutter, modified frog, modified dolphin and standard shuffle kicks.
- Demonstrate buoyancy control by:
a. A timed ascent at a rate of 20 feet (6 meters) per minute.
b. Hover at constant depth for 3 mi nutes.
c. Swim 75 feet (23 meters) in full equipment without mask.
d. Deploy a lift bag in less than 2 minutes.
- Perform valve shutdowns: change regulators and shut the primary-regulator valve off, then reopen valve and repeat as if the secondary (backup) regulator had malfunctioned. Repeat until skill (both valve openings shutdowns) is completed in less than 2 minutes.
- Close and open tank valves on all dives.
- Deploy lift bag on at least 2 occasions.
- Remove and replace tank and BCD at surface on at least one dive.
- All ascents are to be at a rate of 30 feet (9 meters) per minute or slower.