Dive Guide Standards E

A. Course pre-requisites: The participant must:

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. IART Advanced Nitrox Diver or equiv.
  3. Rescue Diver
  4. Oxygen administrator
  5. of 100 logged dives
  6. Valid medical (within 12 months)

or

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. IART Extended Range Diver or equiv.
  3. At least 20 logged Ex. Range dives
  4. Valid medical (within 12 months)
  5. Oxygen administrator

B. Course objectives: This course will first prepare you to take on the responsibility of leading less experienced dive partners on dives within their own capabilities and qualifications. The second part of the course addresses the role of the professional dive guide in caring for and leading groups of divers both above and below water. It prepares you to fulfil the needs of the diving industry In respect of the standard of knowledge and skills required by working dive guides. It will improve your awareness of potential dangers, improve your judgement of diving conditions and of the physical and mental state of the divers under your responsibility.

C. Course content: In part I of this course the emphasis lies on conducting dives with a less experienced buddy. In part II, the emphasis shifts to controlling groups of divers and in part III other important aspects of working as a professional dive guide.

D. Support material: IART OC Dive Guide manual, NOAA 02-exposure tables, Computer-based dive tables such as VPM, Z-Plan, etc., Instructor presentation materials and flash-cards.

E. Required equipment: Complete, well-maintained SCUBA unit, separate bail-out cylinder, thermal protection adequate for the environmental conditions, lift bag, safety reel, knife or tool, Nitrox dive computer, slate, back-up computer or depth gauge and bottom timer .

F. Limits: The minimum/maximum depths during training are for all dives 15 and 40 metres respectively. All dives must be terminated within no-stop limits.

G. Practical skills: The dives should include the proper dive planning including the assessment of the dive site and weather conditions, dive briefing, calculation of dive profile, gas analysing and labelling, equipment familiarization, buddy checks and correct entry procedures. Underwater the correct navigation, positioning with buddy or group, correct control of dive time , maximum depth, remaining gas supply, diver or divers being guided, correct use of signals, correct use of ancillary equipment and correct ascent techniques.

H. Certification requirements: The student must satisfactorily complete a written exam. Once training requirements are met at the Instructor’s discretion, it is necessary to submit an application in order to obtain the corresponding IART certification card. In accordance with IART quality control, the student and Instructor are required to fill in the training protocol form. The instructor must retain this form with the student file.

I. Certification: IART HQ

J. Certification Renewal: n/a