Purpose

This Program is designed to extend the diver’s knowledge in the use of EANx for Sport diving. It further develops diving skills and provides a greater understanding of the EANx concept of diving.

The Program employs EANx mixes from 21% to a maximum of 50% oxygen.

This program qualifies divers to do dive to 140 fsw (42 msw) and do decompression stops required dives for up to 15 minutes using EAN 50 as a decompression gas

Prerequisites

Must be qualified as an IANTD EANx Diver and IANTD Deep Diver with proof of a minimum of 25 logged dives or sufficient experience to satisfy the instructor that the student has the ability and knowledge to continue into this level of training.

Must be a minimum of 15 years of age with a parent or guardian authorization, or a minimum of 18 years of age without guardian approval.

Texts

IANTD Advanced EANx Student Manual and Workbook, or equivalent text(s) approved in writing by the Board of Directors (written approval will be issued by IAND, Inc./IANTD World Headquarters).

Program Content

All Lecture and theory material must be completed.

This Program must include a minimum of 120 minutes of OW bottom time completed within 4 dives, 2 of which must be to depths between 100 fsw (30 msw) and 140 fsw (42 msw). If combined with a Deep Diver Program, the total dive time for both Programs must include a minimum of 160 minutes completed within 6 or more dives. Even if the time and skill requirements are met within fewer than 6 dives, the minimum 6 dives must be made. If combined with a Deep Diver Program 3 dives must be made to depths between 100 fsw (30 msw) and 140 fsw (42 msw).

Students are taught the use of EANx mixtures from 21% to a maximum of 40% oxygen for diving. EANx mixtures in the range of 41% to a maximum of 50% oxygen are used to teach the fundamentals of safety and decompression stops.

Equipment Requirements

A safety or decompression gas cylinder (if used) rigged as either a pony or stage cylinder. Gas cylinders must be oxygen clean and oxygen serviceable where needed.

Program Limits

There may be no more than 4 students per Instructor. This ratio may be increased by 2 students for each assisting IANTD Divemaster, up to a maximum of 8 students with 2 IANTD Divemasters per class session.

No dives may be conducted to depths greater than 140 fsw (42 msw).

All dives must be conducted using EANx (maximum 40% oxygen). A higher EANx (maximum 50% oxygen) may be used at the decompression or safety stops.

All appropriate safety or required decompression stops must be performed.

Decompression stops are limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Water Skills Development

A confined water session must be completed before conducting any OW dives.

Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of dive techniques and employ precision buoyancy control.

Swim in a simulated out-of-air situation (without breathing, and exhaling slowly) without a mask for a distance of at least 45 feet (15 meters), and commence gas sharing; or appropriate Rebreather gas management drill for out-of air diver. While gas sharing, swim for 3 minutes, then replace and clear mask.

On an OW dive, demonstrate dive planning abilities, especially for avoiding CNS exposure risk.

Perform a gas sharing ascent using the alternate second stage.

Perform valve shutdowns on each dive.

Deploy lift bag 2 times, using it as an ascent platform.

Demonstrate a safe attitude and awareness to the Instructor’s satisfaction.

Remove and replace tank and BCD at a depth greater than 20 fsw (6 msw).

Remove and replace tank and BCD at surface.

Demonstrate acceptable navigation / orientation abilities.

In an area where a depth is attainable beyond the planned depth, evaluate that the student has the discipline not to exceed the dive plan.

Demonstrate accident management / control techniques as described in text.

If entering the Program based on previous experience, complete the IANTD Deep Diver water skills.

Recommended watermanship evaluation, to be completed during the Advanced EANx course (80 points passing)

Skill One (confined water)

Swim for a distance of 900 feet (270 meters) underwater in SCUBA gear. Score 25 points if completed in less than 7 minutes, and subtract one point for each additional 30 seconds required to complete the skill.

Skill Two (confined water)

Swim for a distance of 50 feet (15 meters) in SCUBA gear without breathing, then commence gas sharing and swim for a distance of 250 feet (75 meters) without a mask.

Skill Three (confined water)

Remove SCUBA gear underwater and perform a free ascent to the surface. Take three breaths, perform a surface dive, and don SCUBA gear. Repeat removal and replacement on surface. Score each as follows, then average the two scores for the overall skill score.

Skill Four

Simulated emergency lift bag ascent from a depth no shallower than 50 feet (15 meters), including a 3-minute safety stop. Evaluate on skill in deploying lift bag and on maintaining a tight reel and neutral buoyancy during safety stop. Score 25 points if performed correctly, and subtract 3 points for each mistake made, or five points if the student jams the reel or has to repeat the skill.