The TDI Extended Range course is for those who wish to conduct more advanced dives but don't have access to Trimix. There is a strong emphasis on solid procedures and skill development, since as you move deeper, diver responses to any issues that occur need to be fine tuned and confidently performed.
Experience, familiarity with procedures and equipment, and comfort, are the key to having fun and diving safely. The course dives are conducted on air or nitrox and using up to two decompression gases..
This training is not a prerequisite to TDI Trimix Diver, should you wish to move directly from Decompression Procedures to Trimix Diver this is possible and a good option. Either Extended Range or Trimix can lead you to the TDI Advanced Trimix course. TDI eLearning is available - please contact us for details.
So now you could be certified to 54m/180ft. What does that give you? Well, this diving range offers a great deal, being a depth that still allows a good balance of bottom time, easily up to half an hour, without decompression becoming too long.
In Puerto Galera itself this course will get you to places on our outer reef which are absolute gems. Sweetlips Corner, Markus Cave, The Fishbowl, and the awe inspiring Secret Reef, or Blackfish Pinnacle on Verde Island. Check out our Dive Sites map for more. Elsewhere in the world, you will see that shipwrecks are rarely found in shallow water, nor last long if they are. For the Extended Range Diver, a great place to visit would be Truk Lagoon, home to one of the highest concentrations of unsalvaged shipwrecks to be found anywhere in the world, and spanning all depths from almost the surface to over 50m. This is just the kind of opportunity we learn to technical dive for!
Prerequisites
Program Content and Limits
During the TDI Extended Range Diver course you will expand on what you learned in Advanced Nitrox & Deco Procedures. Dive planning becomes more involved due to depth and loss of gas scenarios that need to be considered, and exposures are higher. Further fine tuning of equipment may be required to make sure it is really helping you in the water. During the classwork, land drills and in water you will learn about :
Note: As with other TDI programs, the diver must complete and pass the written examination, complete all open water requirements efficiently and safely, and demonstrate mature and sound judgement in dive planning and execution in order to be certified.
You will find details of what is included and not included across all TDI courses on the Overview page.
The TDI Extended Range course is normally taught in double tanks although Sidemount is an option for those already certified. Two decompression tanks are generally used. Either a printed manual or eLearning are available for this course.
In the TDI progression the diver has a choice of taking either Extended Range Diver or Trimix Diver. Being air based, Extended Range is depth limited at 54m/180ft. TDI Trimix Diver is fundamentally the same program with the obvious inclusion of mixed gas and a depth limit of 60m/200ft. Time taken is the same. During the Trimix course you can expect a helium cost of roughly $250-300/Php12,000-15,000, which is not applicable in Extended Range. Which one is best for you? Please do contact us to discuss.