Video credit: Ken Chew

PSAI / PADI certification

Theory Session x 1, Open water Training x 2 days

Instructor fee: $3,500 (for 2+ class size, excluding facility costs, equipment rental and certification fees)

DPV rental option: Dive Xtras Blacktip ($500 per day)

What will you learn: DPV theory covering history, DPV application, DPV Parts and components, hazards related to DPV, battery technology and conservation, proper buoyancy and trim of DPV diver (sidemount, backmount or twin-set), after-dive care. Skills and Drills: DPV swimming and driving, diver tow, navigational patterns, speed matching, air-sharing in a DPV team, pros and cons of various lanyard arrangements, DPV dive planning using cruising speed, distance, time and GPS.

The PSAI ABC course covers the more advanced buoyancy skills, the proper trim, propulsion techniques, safety drills, equipment configurations and most importantly how all these combine to equip a diver with all-rounded awareness and competence, both in normal, task-loaded and stressful circumstances. Therefore ABC is often viewed as the preparatory course for technical diving. But ABC is as well for every diver who wishes to further their diving skills and to derive more fun out of diving (for environmental conservation's sake, leisure divers, safety and underwater photographers alike). It is not meant to be only for technical diving.

Course Structure: 2 theory sessions + 5 water sessions

Instructor Fee: $5,800 (for class size 2 or up)

This course is designed specifically for technical divers and instructors who are interested in understanding how decompression algorithm is implemented based on the Bühlmann’s model and gradient factors.  The literature starts with a revision on the evolution of decompression theory, tissue compartments, half times, M-value lines before then furthering onto the algorithm of decompression stops iteration, the impact of gas mixes other than air on decompression plan and time, as well as the use of gradient factors for manipulating conservatism.  Eddie, being a hands-on software engineer for over 15 years who has been working on the software design of dive computer and decompression planner, is able to explain decompression procedures and its application to technical diving in a mathematical, algorithmic and programmatic perspective.

Instructor Fee: $2,500 (4 hours, classroom only)