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TDI – Technical Divemaster Course
Introduction
This program is designed to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for an individual to lead certified Technical divers in the open water environment.

Qualifications of Graduates
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may:
1. Assist an active TDI instructor during approved diving courses provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior training.
2. Supervise and conduct dives for certified Technical divers provided the activities are similar to the graduate’s prior training.
3. This program does not cover overhead environment with the exception of Advanced Wreck.

Who May Teach
Who may teach this course:
1. Any active TDI Instructor may teach this program to the level they are qualified.
2. For example: A TDI Decompression Procedures Instructor can qualify a student up to the level of TDI Technical Divemaster for Decompression Procedures.

Student – Instructor Ratio
Academic:
1. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive and complete training.
Confined Water (Swimming pool-like conditions):
1. N/A.
Open Water (Ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary):
1. A maximum of four (4) students per Instructor. However, it is the instructor’s discretion to reduce this number as conditions dictate.

3.5 Student Pre-Requisites
The student must:
1. Be a minimum age of eighteen (18).
2. Hold a certification as a Sport Diver Divemaster.
3. Hold Current CPR and First Aid certification.
4. Have a current medical examination.
5. Proof of fifty (50) logged open water dives.
6. Hold the Technical Diver Rating which they are applying for Divemaster certification in. For example: A TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver, who is also a Divemaster, may receive a Technical Divemaster rating up to Advanced Nitrox.

3.6 Course Structure and Duration
Open Water Execution:
1. Four (4) dives are required with a minimum accumulated bottom time of one hundred (100) minutes.
Course Structure:
1. TDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill level.
Duration:
1. The minimum number of classroom and briefing hours is ten (10).

3.7 Administrative Requirements
The following is the administrative tasks:
1. Collect the course fees from all the students.
2. Ensure that the students have the required equipment.
3. Communicate the training schedule to the students.
4. Have the students complete the Liability Release and Medical history forms.
5. The Instructor should review the Liability Release and Medical Forms before starting on the course.
Upon successful completion of the course the Instructor must:
1. Complete the Student Registration Form and send the Registration Form to TDI HQ.
2. Award card and certificate.

3.8 Required Equipment
The following are required for this course:
1. TDI User Manuals.
2. TDI Instructor Guides.
The minimum equipment requirements for training by an Instructor, Assistant Instructor, Divemaster and student are as follows:
1. Mask and Fins.
2. Buoyancy compensator with low-pressure power inflator.
3. Regulator with submersible pressure gauge. Students wearing air integrated hose-less computers are not required to carry a submersible pressure gauge.
4. Alternate air source.
5. Weight system and/or weights.
6. Personal dive computer.
7. Exposure suit adequate for the training conditions.
8. Compressed gas cylinder.
9. Compass.
10. Knife and Rescue signal.
11. A dive flag is required on all training dives unless otherwise specified by local laws or regulations (unless in a pool).
12. Extra Equipment associated with the particular technical diving activity they are part taking in.

3.9 Required Subject Areas
Instructor Trainers must use the current TDI Standards and Procedures Instructor Manual but may also use any additional text or materials that they feel help present these topics. The following topics must be covered during this course:
1. Knowledge Development
A. Equipment.
B. Physics of diving.
C. Medical problems related to diving.
D. Use of dive computers and tables.
E. Diving environment.
F. Technical Dive planning and dive management control.
G. Underwater and surface communications.
H. Diver assistance.
I. Recommended safe diving practices.
J. Boat diving procedures.
K. Shore/Beach diving procedures.
L. Accident management.
2. Leadership Development
A. Planning group Technical dives.
B. Divemaster check lists and logs.

3.10 Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements
Divemaster Performance Requirements:
1. Must give a minimum of two (2) briefs/debriefs.
2. Show preparation, planning, and control in dive management and technical diving activities.
3. Three (3) open water dives.
4. Training dives must not exceed the diver’s current experience.
5. Upon successful completion of the dives – students must complete their logbooks and the instructor must sign off on the completed dives.
6. Students must demonstrate all the skills required in the previous courses at Divemaster quality in leadership level equipment. Skills include:
A. Diving equipment assembly and disassembly.
B. Equipment inspection.
C. Entries and exits.
D. Proper weighting and buoyancy control.
E. Regulator recovery.
F. Controlled descents and ascents.
G. Underwater swimming.
H. Buddy system techniques.
I. Weight /ballast system removal and replacement.
J. Scuba system removal and replacement.
K. Out-of-air emergency alternatives.
L. Equipment care and maintenance.
In order to complete this course, students must:
1. Satisfactorily complete the TDI written examination according to the course they are applying for Divemaster in.
2. Complete all water requirements.
3. Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution.
Updated 9 May 2003