RAID Decompression Instructor

Become a RAID Technical Diving Instructor and Lead Divers Into Their First Stage of Decompression Training

Begin your progression toward becoming a RAID Technical Instructor.

Why Become a RAID Decompression Instructor?

The RAID Decompression Instructor rating is the essential entry point into RAID technical instruction. As a Decompression Instructor, you will qualify to teach divers the foundations of staged decompression, gas-switching discipline, buoyancy stability, and the performance standards required for the 40–45 metre Air/Nitrox decompression environment.

This instructor level is designed for experienced technical divers who want to take on a leadership role and teach the first stage of RAID’s OC technical pathway. You will learn how to guide divers through the transition from recreational profiles into structured decompression procedures — safely, confidently, and in strict accordance with RAID standards.

This course develops your instructional delivery, your technical briefing capability, and your ability to assess diver performance in a controlled but demanding environment.

What This Instructor Rating Allows You to Teach

  • RAID Decompression Diver (40m / 45m Air–Nitrox)

  • Multi-gas decompression foundations

  • Entry-level stage handling and gas-switch procedures

  • Ascent and decompression discipline

  • Risk management & emergency planning at technical depth

You will become the instructor who sets the tone for a diver’s entire technical career.

RAID Deco Instructor At A Glance

  • Teaching Depth Range: 40–45 metres

  • Breathing Gases Taught: Air / Nitrox

  • Student Decompression Gases: Up to two (up to 100% oxygen)

  • Configurations Supported: Twinset or Sidemount

  • You Will Teach: Full planned decompression profiles

  • Program Structure: Online academics → instructor development → open-water evaluations

  • Certification Earned: RAID Decompression Instructor

RAID Deco Instructor Requirements

To enrol in the RAID Decompression Instructor program, you must:

  • Be 18 years or older

  • Hold the RAID Decompression Diver (40m/45m) rating or higher

  • Hold a recognised technical diving certification appropriate for the depth

  • Have logged at least 100 dives, including:

    • 25 decompression dives

    • Experience in twinset or sidemount

  • Hold a current RAID Instructor (OC) qualification or equivalent

  • Have valid First Aid, CPR & Oxygen Provider certifications

  • Meet all RAID professional documentation and medical requirements

Stuart may require an evaluation dive prior to instructor-level training if training is not recent.

What You’ll Learn in the RAID Decompression Instructor Course

You will develop the instructional capability required to train decompression divers to RAID technical standards. This includes:

RAID Academic Teaching System

You will learn:

  • How to teach RAID decompression theory

  • Gas planning teaching methods

  • How to structure academic presentations for technical divers

  • Assessment standards and performance criteria

  • Communication and briefing techniques for decompression courses

Step 2: Confined Water Instructor Development

You will be evaluated on your ability to:

  • Demonstrate skills flawlessly

  • Manage student buoyancy, trim, and stability

  • Run stage cylinder drills safely

  • Maintain control of student teams

  • Provide corrective feedback effectively

Step 3: Open Water Instructor Assessment

You will complete open-water evaluations covering:

  • Skill demonstration at depth

  • Student management in real decompression scenarios

  • Emergency responses and rescue competence

  • Controlled decompression ascents

  • Problem-solving and team control

Let's talk about getting started with your instructor development.

Certification & Teaching Rights

As a certified RAID Decompression Instructor, you may:

  • Teach and certify RAID Decompression Diver (40m/45m) students

  • Conduct training dives using Air/Nitrox bottom gas

  • Supervise students using up to two decompression gases

  • Evaluate student readiness for deeper technical progression

  • Teach both Twinset and Sidemount configurations

  • Operate independently or under a RAID dive centre

Progression Pathway

Once certified, you may progress to:

  • Advanced Decompression Instructor (50m Trimix)

  • Normoxic Decompression Instructor (60m Trimix)

  • RAID Technical Instructor Trainer pathways

  • Additional gas-blending or specialty instructor ratings

This qualification is the first major step in the technical instructor ladder.

Why Complete Your RAID Instructor Crossover With Stuart Girdler?

Training is personally delivered by RAID Instructor Trainer & Examiner Stuart Girdler, offering:

  • 30+ years of military, expedition, and deep technical instructor experience

  • High-level OC & CCR training expertise across multiple platforms

  • Proven capability in developing structured, competent, safety-focused instructors

  • A disciplined teaching approach grounded in precision and clarity

  • A professional, supportive environment with small training ratios

  • Instructor mentorship with long-term development in mind

Stuart does not simply certify instructors, he builds technical educators capable of shaping divers for the rest of their careers.

How To Begin Your Instructor Training

You can begin immediately by submitting your interest and accessing RAID’s digital instructor resources through RAID Free Learning.

Begin your RAID instructor development journey today.

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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