Trimix

[diver gadget]

Looking for more info on trimix. I have been looking into taking the course for a year or two.

Questions: Who fills HE in the GTA? Is it something that you sort of should look into getting your blenders card and filling your own or is there a place to get fills?

I also am still looking for instructers. I was told about Mike Robertson and have over the past year tried to get in touch with him. Not much luck. Partly my fault as I was never to persistant. I figure right now that I would like to take the course over next winter so that next spring I could do the check out dives.

Any info would be great. Thanks

[sisterJ]

diver

Have you looked into GUE training. They offer 2 courses. Tech1 is for those that want to progress into the more extreme side of the sport and a recreational triox course that trains you in normoxic helium to depth of 130 or 140 ft (I am not sure which).

I think if you price out all the individual course that you have to take through other agencies to become Trimix certified, you will find the GUE courses a greater value for your money.

I had training upto Basic nitrox and took the rest of my trianing at NTD www.northerntechdiver.com. I had to take a fundamentals course first approx $300.00 and then Tech1 last year approx $1000.00. The fundamentals refines all the basic skills of bouyancy and trim and was my first introduction diving with real team mates. The fundamental was held over a weekend.

The Tech1 was held over a week and was alot of hard work, but well worth the effort. I think they now are able to break the course into 3 parts. to better serve people with busy schedules.

I was really taken by the quality and professional level of training provided by Dan at NTD. I am lucky to of stumbled upon the store when I was shopping for equipment.

All I can advise you on is to research the courses and price them all out. When I priced out TDI I was into $1200.00 for advanced nitrox and extended range training plus all my expenses for the dives before I could even think about trimix. The trimix courses were all $1100 to $1200 each again plus expenses. This was 2 years ago. Research the courses and arange to dive with different folks from each camp. You will see the difference in the training first hand.

Good luck
sisterJ

[diver gadget]

I already have my advanced Nitrox and Deco course, the price was now where near that 1200 price you gave. I think it was something like 500 bucks for the two.

I have looked into taking the DIRF course and I believe there was someone looking into getting Dan to come to the GTA to teach a DIRF course this summer.

[DivingGal]

I don't know, but Doppler might know for shops in the GTA.

I do know that Dive Tech (http://www.divetech.ca/) does do Trimix fills, and they're sort of in the neighbourhood (being in Mallorytown)

[diver gadget]

I was hoping that Doppler might be one of the people that puts his opinion into the ring. I had talked to him a long time ago about a course. Not sure if he still teaches or not.
As far as Dive Tech, in Mallerytown, I think would still be about a three and a half hour drive? I live just west of Toronto. Don't know if a three hour drive is worth it for a air fill!!

[sheck33]

sisterJ once bubbled...
diver

Have you looked into GUE training. They offer 2 courses. Tech1 is for those that want to progress into the more extreme side of the sport and a recreational triox course that trains you in normoxic helium to depth of 130 or 140 ft (I am not sure which)......


Good luck
sisterJ

The triox class teaches no decompression diving to a max depth of 120 ft.

[DivingGal]

I know for a fact that Doppler still teaches it as not too long ago I had dinner with him and a few of his Trimix students.

I agree 3.5 hrs is a bit long to drive just for the fill, but if you're diving in the St Lawrence or the Kingston area of Lake Ontario, it probably would be ideal.

[diver gadget]

sheck33 once bubbled...


The triox class teaches no decompression diving to a max depth of 120 ft.

Is that DIR Tech1?

DivingGal- That is true, when I dive out that way and need HE I will keep them in mind. As for Doppler, it's good to hear he is back to teaching. Now if only he would show up to this thread.

Does anyone know about Mike Robertson?? Matt out of Dan's Dive teaches intro trimix. I am just wanting a few names and then talk to them before I decide with who to go with as far as an instructor.

[sheck33]

diver gadget once bubbled...


Is that DIR Tech1?

DivingGal- That is true, when I dive out that way and need HE I will keep them in mind. As for Doppler, it's good to hear he is back to teaching. Now if only he would show up to this thread.

Does anyone know about Mike Robertson?? Matt out of Dan's Dive teaches intro trimix. I am just wanting a few names and then talk to them before I decide with who to go with as far as an instructor.

no this is the Triox class.

Tech 1 teaches helium based diving to 150 ft with the use of 1 stage bottle.

[diver gadget]

IS The triox class a prerequisite to Tech1?

[diver gadget]

IS The triox class a prerequisite to Tech1?

[sheck33]

diver gadget once bubbled...
IS The triox class a prerequisite to Tech1?

it is not.

[diver gadget]

When I go on to the web site of NorthernTechdiver they list the DIRF course and then tech 1 and tech 2. No mention of a triox course?

[sheck33]

diver gadget once bubbled...
When I go on to the web site of NorthernTechdiver they list the DIRF course and then tech 1 and tech 2. No mention of a triox course?

have a look at http://www.fifthd.com/classindex.html and click on 'Recreational triox' on the left hand side.
It is basically the first part of the Tech 1 course.

[squidguy]

Mike sold his shop (UCS) and is working part-time (I think) at Climb/Dive Toronto www.divetoronto.com He only does the teaching end of things now, but I think gas is available at that location. It has been kinda neat to see this new operation get up and going (pretty much a family operation) as I witnessed the place turn from a warehouse to a pretty cool climbing gym. ;)

[UpperCanDiver]

Hope he has got a good anchor and some really good guys on a belay line, he doesn't want to fall...........again.

[sisterJ]

diver

I just did a little research regarding pricing. I am pretty much on the money with what I posted early. Here are a few links to view for comparison. One is in B.C. One in Quebec and one in the U.K they are comparable in price if you run the exchange. I used these 3 for examples as they were the first 3 I came across with posted price lists.

NTD does not have a GUE Rec Triox course on the web site but if you email Dan MacKay at the store he will likely fill you in on the details.

Thanks sheck33 for posting the correct depth for the rec triox course.

And diver once again good luck with your research.

http://www.aquasapiens.com/trngfee.htm

http://www.tekdiv.com/training%20prices.htm

http://www.divingleisurelondon.co.uk/dllcontents/coursespricelist.html

sisterJ

[Marvintpa]

Select your course and instructor carefully. There are very few trimix instructors in the area, and fewer who are any good. Talk to them at length before putting your money down to find out if they have the attitude and abilities you are looking for, then ask around to see if anyone has experience with them and how they felt about the course.

[Doppler]

I do still teach trimix -- gave up for a little while a couple of years ago... boy, word gets around, eh.

My courses are sanctioned by TDI but are a little out of left field... my exams and my outline, prerequisites and standards. I teach Hogathian, VPM baseline for schedules, standard gases -- no 80/20 -- and structure my courses for Great Lakes conditions.

Sorry for the ad, but just wanted to set the record straight!

Thanks

Doppler

P.S. I agree with Marvintpa's posting.

[Bubble Boy]

Marvintpa once bubbled...
Select your course and instructor carefully. There are very few trimix instructors in the area, and fewer who are any good. Talk to them at length before putting your money down to find out if they have the attitude and abilities you are looking for, then ask around to see if anyone has experience with them and how they felt about the course.

Well said!!! A good instructor will also pick his/her students as well (ie attitude check, experience)

[diver gadget]

Thanks for all the posts, its been helpful.

Diver Gadget

[sisterJ]

Diver

One thing I forgot to mention. Check for how many students there are for each instructor. I am not sure of the ratio for the fundamentals, but for tech 1 it is 3 student to each instructor. Checking this is a great way of gauging quality of instruction. It is hard to recieve good instruction is large classes.

sisterJ

[jrtonkin]

If you're on the west side of Toronto, "Dean's Sport and Dive", up in Kitchener will also do Helium-fills... Should be about an hour's drive each way.

Jamie

[MarcHall]

GUE Fundamentals Ratio is 6:1
GUE Rec Triox is 3:1
GUE Tech 1/2 is 3:1

You'all are talking some significant drives to get to shops that pump trimix.

Another approach to He fills is do it yourself. He is readily available from your local gas house, a bank of 3-4 He bottles and perhaps a couple of O2 bottles would not be that expensive. A friendly local shop that would pump air on top of your mix and you are all set. Otherwise add the cost of a compressor and proper filter set.

Marc Hall
www.enjoythedive.com
march@gue.com