Introduction
UTD's Recreational Diver 3 class is a Non-Decompression (NDL) Helitrox course structured to prepare divers for deeper recreational diving using proper equipment, diving techniques and standard Helium breathing mixtures.

Recreational Diver 3 training continues the Essentials of Rec / Essentials of Tech and the Recreational 2 or equivalent skills and is designed to cultivate, integrate and expand those skills required for safe deeper recreational diving.

The class will incorporate more advanced decompression theories and the use of correct ascent procedures along with problem identification/resolution, while building the capacity for progressively more challenging diving. In this class, students will be trained in: (a) the use of single or double tanks/cylinders and in the potential failure problems associated with them; (b) the use of Nitrox and Helitrox for extended bottom times; and (c) the use of Helium to minimize narcosis, CO2, gas density and post dive “nitrogen stress.”

The UTD Recreational 3 course is normally conducted over a 3-4 day period, and cumulatively involves a minimum of 30 hours of instruction including academics, pool/confined water, and open water dives to 130’/39m using Helitrox 25/25 as a breathing gas. The final dives are “experience dives,” where you will use your new skills while being “shadowed” by your instructor.
 

This is an NDL/min deco class preparing a diver for depths to 130’/39m without accelerated decompression procedures.

Prerequisites

• Minimum 18 years of age
• UTD Rec 2, or Essentials of Rec and Nitrox, or equivalent
• Minimum of 50 dives beyond open water certification, 25 of which must be non-training dives

• Maximum depth 130’/39m
• Standard gases are Nitrox 32 and Helitrox 25/25
• No stage decompression
• No overhead environments

Who this class is designed for?

The “Recreational Diving level 3” class is a friendly learning environment where the students will build upon their foundation of Essentials or Intro to tech and/or Recreational level 2 or equivalent. The class is designed for the recreational diver who wants to learn the final step in recreational diving without moving into deco bottles or staged decompression, tech or overhead environments. In other words those who want to stay within recreational diving limits of 130'/39m but want to use  enriched mixtures of helium (Helitrox 25/25. It's geared towards those who have taken Essentials of Recreational diving or Essentials of Tech and/or the Recreational 2 and now want the next step in applying the UTD foundation and UTD principles into their deeper recreational diving practices to increase both safety and fun.

Why Should I Take this Class?

As the previous recreational classes have focused on the foundational building blocks, some experience skills, using single tanks and nitrox to a limit of 100'/30m, many recreational divers now want to start extending their range beyond 100'/18m and want to ensure they learn the next set of skills to safely explorer this territory. This class serves as an excellent next step is perfect for someone who wants to learn how to comfortably dive with helium between 100'/30m - 130'/39m without carrying deco or stage bottles and without going into staged decompression diving.

Class Information

The “Recreational 3” class is designed to be taught over a three (3) day period with 6 dives.

Day 1. Typically the class begins with a 3 - 4 hour initial session consisting of introductions, a power point presentation including video tape of the skills to be introduced in throughout the class. The “dry runs” of the skills and some practice before entering the water. Dry runs allow the student to practice the skills on land, before entering the water, under the watchful eye of the instructor(s). Skills reviewed are diver trim, proficiency and precision buoyancy control, perfecting propulsion techniques (including backwards kick), underwater communication, utilizing a team diving approach, Valve Drills, S-Drill, Ascent Drill, SMB deploy, rescue diver techniques as well as effective dive planning. Students will then conduct 2 (two) dives with a max depth of 60'/18m putting the skills and concepts learned in the morning session into actual practice while the videographer captures the in-water session for review. We conclude the day with a 1-2 hour video review.

Day 2. Begins with dry runs allowing the student to practice the skills on land, before entering the water, under the watchful eye of the instructor(s). Skills include simulated SMB failures, OOA emergencies, Simulated valve failures, Team separation, Mid -water ascents, Ascent line use and separation, minimum deco procedures. Students will then conduct 2 (two) dives with a max depth of 100'/24m while putting the skills and concepts learned in the dry-run session into actual practice while the videographer captures the in-water session for review. We conclude the day with a 1-2 hour video review followed by a 3 hour lecture covering Nitrox, Gas planning, Dive planning, Min Deco procedures, Emergency planning, contingencies to mention a few topics.

Day 3. The third day will commence with 2 dives to a max depth of 130'/39m where students will continue to practice all the skills and improving on the prior days performance. During these dives they will again be video taped for subsequent review. The class will then conclude with video review, final lecture session, test and student performance review.

All UTD classes are videotaped for educational and review purposes only as we believe this is invaluable for students to visually focus on their individual in-water skills, situational awareness, You will be evaluated during the class to obtain the UTD "Recreational 3" Certification. This Certification will allow you to dive within the certification limitation, the use of Helium as a recreational diver and is the completion of the recreational curricula and if you want to continue will allow you to continue within the UTD Technical Training curriculum. Our focus is the complete dedication to your diving skills, knowledge & in water practice. In our helpful hints section and our Learning Center you can find out more information about the class, the equipment and skills you will be learning about.

Requirements

• Minimum age of 18
• Completed UTD registration process
• Open water certification, Essentials of recreational diving or Intro To Tech or recreational 2 or Equivalent.
• The use of prescription drugs must be authorized prior to the onset of diver training by a physician
• Must be able to swim a distance of at least 50 feet/15 meters on a breath hold.
• Must be able to swim at least 300 yards/275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping.

Getting Started

• Check the Schedule of classes in your area
• Register Online
• Complete the online Knowledge Base course for Recreational 3
• Get a copy and review the "Essentials of Recreational Diving DVD", Intro To Tech DVD and Technical DVD

Guidelines

• Nitrox/Helitrox
• Single or Double tank* configuration
• Long hose primary, and necklace style backup regulator hose configuration
• Instructor to student ratio maximum 6:1 in open water, adjusting downward for environmental conditions.

* Taking this class in doubles does require either the Intro to tech or Doubles Mini (or equivalent as a prerequisite).

Equipment Specifications

UTD equipment configuration is designed to be simple, efficient, and consistent. To get the most from your class it is advisable that you take the course in a complete UTD style system. You do not have to own any UTD equipment. To better assist you in preparing for class, we have listed below our required and suggested equipment lists for the class. Please check out our Learning Center or consult with us if you have further questions about your equipment needs

Required Equipment :

• 5 or 7 ft. Primary Regulator Hose without this you will not be able to learn and conduct air sharing correctly.
• Fins: non-split variety without these you will be unable to learn proficient fin kick
• Dive light for team communication Back plate BC System SS or Aluminum Back plate w/ web harness and hardware
• Back inflate style wing
• At least one depth-measuring device
• At least one time-keeping device
• At least one cutting device.
• X-notes or Wetnotes
• One spool with 100 feet of line
• One surface marker or lift bag
• Exposure suit appropriate for the environment you will be diving in

Suggested Accessories (not required, just nice if available for you): BC mounted canister dive light w/ Goodman handle or long hose catch such as a knife pouch.

•    Cylinders Single tank configuration with K, H, or Y valve (need 2 per day of diving)
•    Optional Double tank configuration* (1 per day of diving)
•    No stage or decompression bottle is necessary for this class.