RAID Decompression Diver (40m)

Begin Your Decompression Journey With Precision, Safety, and Confidence

Instant access to your online learning, course preparation modules. Begin training immediately.

Why Choose the RAID Decompression Diver 40m Course?

The RAID Decompression Diver (40m) course transitions you from recreational diving limits to the precision of technical diving. It is designed for those ready to move beyond "no-stop" limits and take on the responsibility of staged decompression. By mastering these protocols, you unlock deeper dive sites and longer bottom times while maintaining a rigorous safety margin.

What This Course Helps You Achieve

  • Safely plan and execute dives to 40 meters

  • Manage a separate decompression stage cylinder

  • Optimize your ascent schedules

  • Explore the underwater world with greater depth and efficiency.

What You’ll Learn in the Decompression Diver 40m Course

  • Decompression Theory: Master the physics and physiology behind staged ascents and gas management.

  • Gas Logistics: Learn SAC rate calculations and the "one-third" gas reserve rule to ensure safety for you and your buddy.

  • Technical Gear Setup: Configure a technical regulator set with a long hose and a dedicated stage cylinder.

  • Advanced Dive Planning: Utilize decompression software on smartphones or tablets to create robust dive profiles.

  • Task Management: Maintain neutral buoyancy and trim while performing gas switches and emergency drills.Execute safe and efficient stage cylinder handling.

RAID Decompression Diver 40m: Course at a Glance

  • Maximum Depth: 40 Meters (130 Feet).

  • Gas Options: Air or Nitrox.

  • Decompression: Staged decompression using a single stage cylinder (up to 100% O2).

  • Configurations: Twinset or Sidemount.

  • Training Volume: Minimum of 4 open water dives and 3 hours of underwater training.

RAID Decompression Diver 40m Prerequisites

To enrol in the RAID Decompression Diver course, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be 18 years or older

  • Hold a RAID Open Water 20 and RAID Deep 40 Diver or equivalent.

  • Hold RAID Nitrox certification

  • Have logged at least 30 hours underwater

    • Or 25 dives using open circuit.

  • Be medically fit for technical diving

  • Complete all RAID documentation and online registration

  • Hold a RAID Sidemount or Twinset Diver certification if using those setups for the course.

Mastering the Core Technical Diver Skills

Stuart Girdler ensures you master a modern technical skill set that includes:

Step 1: Online Learning

Complete all unit-specific RAID academic modules covering:

  • Decompression theory and physics for technical diving.

  • Gas planning and calculating "one-third" gas reserve rules.

  • SAC rate calculations for precise gas management.

  • Decompression software mastery for smartphones and tablets.

  • Physiology related to staged ascents and nitrogen loading.

  • Equipment management for twinsets, sidemount, and stage cylinders.

  • Management and protocols for confined and open water sessions.

Step 2: In-Water Skills

You will complete a skills-focused confined session to master:

  • Stage cylinder setup, rigging, and handling (surface and underwater).

  • Controlled gas switch protocols for decompression optimization.

  • Neutral buoyancy and trim during technical task loading.

  • Shutdown drills for twinset or sidemount configurations.

  • SMB deployment and reel/spool management from depth.

  • Long hose recovery and gas sharing (stationary, swimming, and ascending).

  • Advanced propulsion including frog kick, back fin, and helicopter turns.

Step 3: Open Water Dives

Your open-water training includes multiple staged decompression dives with:

  • Staged decompression schedules using air or nitrox.

  • Optimized decompression using up to 100% oxygen in a separate stage.

  • Team protocols and gas sharing swimming ascent drills.

  • Actual decompression discipline under professional supervision.

  • Emergency procedures including back-up mask deployment.

  • Simulated failures and stress-resistant ascent control.

  • Real-world technical dive execution to a maximum of 40m.

Instant access to your online learning, course preparation modules. Begin training immediately.

Certification Limits & Operational Protocols

  • Depth Limit: Maximum 40m / 130ft.

  • PO2 Limits: Maximum PO2 of 1.4 for bottom gas and 1.6 for decompression gas.

  • Gas Reserve: Must maintain a one-third reserve to share gas with a buddy during decompression.

  • Equipment Requirements: Redundant buoyancy (wing and plate), technical regulator setup, and backup dive computer or depth timer.

Progression Pathway

The 40m Decompression certification is the cornerstone of your technical journey. From here, you can upgrade to:
➜ Limited Trimix (45m Trimix)

➜ Advanced Decompression Diver (50m Trimix)

➜ Normoxic Trimix Diver (60m)

➜ Hypoxic Trimix Diver (80–100m)

➜ Full expedition-level mixed gas pathways

Train With a RAID CCR Instructor Trainer

As a highly experienced RAID Instructor Trainer and Examiner, Stuart brings a level of expertise that goes far beyond the standard curriculum. His commitment is to instilling genuine competence, ensuring you don't just "pass" the course, but emerge as a disciplined and stable technical explorer.

Why Train With Stuart Girdler?

  • Personalised Mentorship: Stuart focuses on your individual equipment configuration and trim.

  • High Standards: Training is conducted with a focus on mastery, ensuring every drill becomes instinctual.

  • Professional Environment: Access elite-level instruction in a low-stress, structured learning environment.

  • Mastery in both twinset and sidemount platforms

  • Precision-focused training and small instructor ratios

  • Real-world decompression, bailout, and mixed-gas expertise

  • Over 30 years of professional diving experience

How To Begin Your Training

You can begin immediately with RAID Free Learning, gaining instant access to online learning modules, course preparation materials, trimix fundamentals, extended-range decompression theory. Ready to begin your trimix journey?

Instant access to your online learning, course preparation modules. Begin training immediately.

OPEN CIRCUIT TEC

RAID OC Tec courses focus on advanced open-circuit diving skills, including gas planning, decompression, and deep diving techniques for extended range exploration.

CLOSED CIRCUIT TEC

RAID CCR Tec training introduces divers to closed-circuit rebreathers, offering precision, efficiency, and longer dive times through cutting-edge technology

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