OWND Standards E
- Course: Open Water Nitrox Diver
- Course objective: This course develops in the participant, the required abilities, knowledge and techniques to dive responsibly with Nitrox 32 and 36 to a maximum depth of 30m within no-decompression limits.
- Pre-requisites: minimum 18 years of age and a valid diving medical. No previous diving qualifications are necessary.
- Course content/duration: All theoretical and practical aspects of diving with OC scuba equipment and Nitrox 32 and 36 mixes. The classroom sessions explain in what ways we need to adapt to the underwater environment, the physical and physiological effects of pressure, volume and density changes. Equipment choice, care and maintenance, EAD and MOD calculation, equipment considerations for Nitrox diving with 32and 36% mixes and all procedures involved. The practical part of the course includes 4 confined water sessions and 6 open water dives. Course duration is typically 5 – 6 days. The in-water sessions must be carried out by the participant(s) under direct underwater supervision of the course instructor. The instructor-to-student ratio is 1:4 in CW and 1:3 for the Open Water training dives.
- Support material: IART OWND manual, NOAA 02-exposure tables, and standard air and Nitrox no-stop tables, Instructor stick and Instructor presentation materials including UW cue cards.
- Required equipment: Complete SCUBA equipment including depth gauge and bottom timer or dive computer, no-stop tables, slate and compass. The regulator must be fitted with an octopus and be compatible for use with Nitrox mixes containing up to 36% oxygen. A dive suit (wet or dry) offering adequate insulation must be worn.
- Limits: The maximum depths during training are determining by the MOD of the mix being used. An oxygen partial pressure of 1.4 bar should not be exceeded at any time. Dive duration should not exceed no-stop limits.
- Practical skills: The dives should include proper planning and preparation, including an assessment of the dive site, gas analysis of cylinder contents and calculation of the MOD; EAD; and CNS-loading, successful execution of all skills as laid out in the OWND manual and on the instructor USB stick, correct ascent procedures including safety stops and correct exit techniques. All OW dives must be conducted within the MOD of the mix used and within no-decompression limits. The student should record his CNS loading after the first dive and take the residual loading into account when planning a repetitive dive. Accurate log book entries following each dive are a mandatory part of the practical skills.
- 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.
- Certification: IART HQ
- Certification Renewal: n/a