Technical Diving International
Technical Diving International (TDI) claims to be the largest technical diving certification agency in the world, and one of the first agencies to offer mixed gas and rebreather training. TDI specializes in more advanced Scuba diving techniques, particularly diving with rebreathers and use of breathing gases such as trimix and heliox. TDI provides courses and certification for divers and for instructors. TDI history. TDI was founded in 1994 by Bret Gilliam, David Sipperly and Mitch Skaggs after a split away from International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) in 1993. The agency aimed to provide training  materials and education for specialized diving situations. Some courses offered by TDI include open circuit courses such as diving with Nitrox as well as Rebreather courses. They also provide training for overhead environments like caves and wrecks, mixed gas training and were one of the first diving agencies to create a comprehensive insurance plan for technical diving instructors. In 1998, the International Training brand expanded their offerings by starting a sister organization known as Scuba Diving International (SDI) focusing on the sport side of scuba diving. In 2000, another sister organization was launched called Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI) to  teach public safety diving to public safety organizations. One of TDI's main goals since its inception is to be an innovator in the technical diving market, providing the latest programs & techniques and altering the previously held perception that technical diving was too risky. By 1993 a few technical diving organizations had begun to form to prepare professional divers for technical diving situations and TDI joined the market. TDI created a training mission to shed new light on traditional diving limits while offering courses that meet the standards set by the World Recreational Scuba Training Council. In February 2004 Bret  Gilliam sold the conglomerate company, International Training, Inc., for a seven figure sum to an investment group led by Brian Carney. Courses & Training. Technical Diving Student Courses/Technical Diving Professional Courses These courses are offered by TDI for both student and professional certification. Open Circuit Courses: In open circuit scuba diving, air and mixed gas are used as the gas supply, however air is the primary gas supply. With open circuit systems, a compressed gas supply is attached to a demand regulator, which is the device from which the diver breathes. Divers who plan to use open circuit systems must  be properly trained in this equipment. Open circuit courses include Intro to Tech Diving, Nitrox diving and other topics. See below for a full list of Open Circuit Courses offered by TDI. Overhead Environment Courses: Overhead Environment diving refers to diving situations in which there is not open water above the diver and the diver can't make a direct ascent to the surface. Thus, Overhead Environment divers must take extra preparations and precautions, as they will not be able to escape upward in the case of an emergency. Overhead Environment Diving includes wreck diving and cave diving, which are  highly sought after by many divers. See below for a full list of Open Circuit Courses offered by TDI. Rebreather Courses: A rebreather is a breathing apparatus consisting of a breathing loop, a mouthpiece, a CO2 absorbent canister, and a counterlung. There are three types of rebreathers: Oxygen rebreathers, semi-closed rebreathers and closed circuit rebreathers. While rebreathers allow for a greater efficiency of gas use, optimized decompression characteristics and quieter operation, divers must be properly trained in this equipment before their use. TDI offers the courses below to help divers who wish to start using rebreathers. Service Courses: When  it comes to diving, air is not necessarily the best gas to breathe. For this reason, technical divers experiment with blending alternative gases to create a better diving gas. Gas blending is a technique that must be carefully learned, which is why TDI offers service courses to learn how to blend these gases. Students learn the formulas to determine how much of each gas is needed as well as proper techniques for preparing equipment. Technical Diving Instructor Trainer Courses TDI offers an instructor trainer workshop which is a 7-day program to achieve the greatest level of certification offered by  the agency. Technical Divemaster Course The Technical Divemaster Course is the first step to achieving Leadership certification. Divemasters learn the physics involved in diving, as well as how to lead groups of divers on safe, enjoyable dives. Divemasters assist Technical Diving Instructors, the highest level of leadership certification. EUF Certification. The TDI and the SDI training systems obtained CEN certification from the EUF certification body in 2006. Affiliations. Technical Diving International is the sister company of SCUBA Diving International, which focuses on the sport side of recreational diving, as well as Emergency Response Diving International, the company's public safety  diving branch.