The new RAID Innovative Technical Diving Programs

Exploring the underwater world offers endless excitement, but pushing beyond recreational limits requires specialized skills and knowledge. RAID's technical diving programs open new doors for divers ready to extend their bottom time, explore deeper waters, and master complex dive planning. Whether you want to start with enriched air or aim for extreme depths using helium mixes, RAID has a course designed to match your ambitions.

Starting Your Technical Journey with Nitrox Plus

The Nitrox Plus course is the perfect entry point for divers interested in technical diving. It introduces the use of enriched air nitrox, which increases oxygen content beyond standard air. This allows for longer bottom times and shorter surface intervals, making dives safer and more enjoyable.

In this course, divers learn:

• How to analyze and handle enriched air mixtures

• Planning dives with limited decompression (10 minutes)

• Managing oxygen exposure to avoid toxicity

Nitrox Plus builds a solid foundation for more advanced technical courses by teaching gas management and dive planning skills essential for deeper and longer dives.

Going Beyond No-Decompression Limits with Decompression Diver

Once comfortable with enriched air, divers can take the Decompression Diver course. This program teaches how to plan and execute dives that require staged decompression stops. Instead of limiting dives to no-decompression limits, divers learn to use gas mixtures and dive computers to safely extend their time underwater.

Key skills include:

• Real gas planning for decompression dives

• Managing multiple gas switches during ascent

• Understanding decompression theory and physiology

This course prepares divers for more complex dives and introduces the discipline needed for technical diving safety.

Diving Deeper with Advanced Decompression Diver

For those wanting to explore depths beyond recreational limits, the Advanced Decompression Diver course is essential. Trimix is a breathing gas that includes helium, which reduces nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity at depth.

This course covers:

• Using helium mixes to reduce narcosis effects

• Planning deep dives with staged decompression

• Handling complex gas switches and emergency procedures

Divers trained in trimix decompression can safely explore wrecks, caves, and deep reefs that were previously out of reach.

Serious Depths with Normoxic Trimix Diver

The Normoxic Trimix Diver course allows divers to explore serious depths while maintaining a safe oxygen level in their breathing gas. Normoxic trimix contains oxygen levels similar to air but includes helium to reduce narcosis.

Course highlights:

• Planning dives with normoxic trimix gases

• Managing gas switches and decompression stops

• Understanding physiological effects at depth

This course suits divers aiming for deep technical dives where oxygen toxicity risk must be controlled without sacrificing depth capability.

Extreme Depths with Hypoxic Trimix Diver

For elite technical divers, the Hypoxic Trimix Diver course offers training to dive to extreme depths. Hypoxic trimix contains very low oxygen levels, requiring the use of additional gases during descent and ascent.

Training focuses on:

• Handling hypoxic gas mixtures safely

• Planning and executing very deep dives with staged decompression

• Emergency procedures for extreme depth scenarios

Divers certified in hypoxic trimix are prepared for the most demanding technical dives, such as deep cave exploration or advanced wreck penetration.

Extended Decompression Diver for Longer and More Complex Dives

The Extended Decompression Diver course takes decompression diving to the next level. It focuses on precision and planning for longer, deeper dives with multiple gas mixes and extended decompression schedules.

This training includes:

• Advanced dive planning techniques

• Managing complex gas mixtures and multiple switches

• Emergency management for extended dives

Divers who complete this course can undertake challenging dives that require careful timing and gas management.

Taking the Next Step in Your Diving Adventure

RAID's technical diving programs provide a clear path for divers to expand their skills and explore new underwater frontiers. Starting with Nitrox Plus and progressing through decompression and trimix courses, divers gain the knowledge and confidence to plan and execute complex dives safely.

Each course builds on the previous one, ensuring divers develop a strong understanding of gas management, dive planning, and emergency procedures. Whether your goal is longer bottom times or reaching extreme depths, RAID offers the training to help you get there.