View Full Version : Technical Training
NorthernTechnical
22-06-10, 11:20
Alot of divers on this site have been trained in the more advanced levels of diving by myself under the banner of ITDA, so here's a little bit of History from our website.
Also
Can we have a poll to see the percentage of divers with the various organisations ITDA, TDI, IANTD, PADI and GUE....only commercial operations....:)
The Organisation
International Technical Diving Association(ITDA) is a profesional body of diving instructors specialising in the training and development of technical diving throughout Europe. A combination of the expertise of the ITDA and experienced Instructor trainers has helped evolve highly effective, up to the minute, well-presented diver training courses that can be easily understood by the layman. Potentially a very exciting and exceptional training agency. ITDA is a British Organisation that has a select number of technical training centres throughout Europe. I.T.D.A. is a H.S.E Recognised Recreational Training Agency, and continualy strive to monitor and update the training standards.
The History
ITDA was formed in 1997 by the pioneering and leading Technical diver Rob Palmer. His ideaologies were to form an organisation to promote the safe and structured training of technical diving. Author of over 200 articles and numerous books, he took his ideas to Scotland and the Stenmar group, and the birth of the “new” agency occured.
Rob Palmer was a renown figure in the rapidly growing technical diving market, a tremendous advocate to safe diving practises, to which ITDA prides itself. He was leading major mixed gas rebreather expeditions into caves and wrecks going back to 1987, some 10 years before the APD Inspiration.
He was also part of the “think tank” who originally put together the outlines for the first mixed gas courses, which later became the blueprint for all technical diving courses.
Unfortunately Rob lost his live in 1997, during a diving trip to Egypt, and despite many differing rumours, the cause has never been verified, all that is truly known is diving had lost one of its truly great pioneers.
ITDA was taken over by Stenmar Ltd after Robs death. It was whilst under the Stenmar group, the courses laid out by Rob, gained HSE recognition in the UK, under the guidance of new technical director Simon Townsend and special projects director Ron Mahoney.
ITDA remained under the Stenmar group until the end of 2003, when due to a reorganisation of Stenmar and its subsidury companies, it was descided to sell of the oganisation. Simon Townsend decided to take the company on, not wishing to allow Rob Palmers ideas go to waste.
The Future
ITDA is now a rapidly growing organisation, whilst retaining the “quality rather than quantity” policy regarding instructors, unlike the other organisation. Its quality control is second to none and the materials are still constantly monitored and improved. Manuals and presentations are now availble in a number of different languages.
The materials follow a logical progression into technical diving, presented for the layman, by the layman.
NorthernTechnical
22-06-10, 20:13
Started out as a Nitrox Diver in 1995 and then joined ITDA 1998
ANDI Nx Diver
ITDA NX upto CCR Inst
Still enjoy a good wreck and a long bottom time:)
deafdiveuk
22-06-10, 20:43
International Technical Diving Association(ITDA):thumbup::thumbup:
DDUK Tommy
NorthernTechnical
22-06-10, 20:48
Tenner in the post
Cheers Tommy
NorthernTechnical
22-06-10, 23:33
Wnat one is the other organisation:)
iwmcarthur
22-06-10, 23:40
Do we really need this one again? Matchsticks under the eyelids! It's the instructor not the agency that counts!
Do we really need this one again? Matchsticks under the eyelids! It's the instructor not the agency that counts!
Definitely. All my training has been IANTD but it's been based on the instructor rather than the agency.
I remember Stenmar when they were still running TDI, I was going to do mix instructor with them at Fort Bill until they lost the franchise and Crocky wasn't keen on crossing anyone over.
NorthernTechnical
23-06-10, 01:19
Do we really need this one again? Matchsticks under the eyelids! It's the instructor not the agency that counts!
Yes and don't I know it, My interest is to see how ITDA has made an impact on Tech diving on Conger Alley.
Are you going down the PADI route of Tech dive teaching or not.
NorthernTechnical
23-06-10, 01:28
Definitely. All my training has been IANTD but it's been based on the instructor rather than the agency.
I remember Stenmar when they were still running TDI, I was going to do mix instructor with them at Fort Bill until they lost the franchise and Crocky wasn't keen on crossing anyone over.
Is that Dave Crockford, is he behind PSA, talked to him a few years back about TDI or Submatix training for Aquatron when they were selling units.......if you know this guy do you know Gary Goodyear and John Mayo Evans ????I used to work with these guys when I started in the Salvage game. Small world !!
Yeah, Dave Crockford. Stenmar had the TDI franchise at the time then the hq pulled it and gave it to Dave and there was a big legal wrangle for a while over who owned it. There were two TDIs running at the same time, it looked like Dave's was going to win out and he suggested that he wouldn't cross instructors who had qualified at Fort Bill over to the new agency so I never bothered doing it. I never followed it up because I thought TDI were a bit disorganised. IANTD were too expensive and you had to be mates with the right people.
The only guy I remember was John Penny, I think he was a commie instructor that they got doing the tech stuff. I only spoke to him a couple of times seemed like a nice guy.
I dont really regret not going through with it, too much politics rather than getting anywhere through hard work. I dont know what it's like now but there was definitely a lot of backslapping going on with all the different agencies. There's plenty of people I used to dive with went to top of the tree overnight because it suited their agency's game plan.
stafforddiver
23-06-10, 08:58
Do we really need this one again? Matchsticks under the eyelids! It's the instructor not the agency that counts!
I'd only agree up to about 70% of that statement.
Its important to have a good, competent, professional instructor you can have faith in, its also really useful to have a well thought out course with logical progression with some equally valid course materials. If you want to go back and review something as year after the course and the materials are pish as a reference then, thats not good. From my expereince course materials do vary quite a bit.
Pick an instructor then have a look at the agency.
NorthernTechnical
23-06-10, 11:03
I'd only agree up to about 70% of that statement.
Its important to have a good, competent, professional instructor you can have faith in, its also really useful to have a well thought out course with logical progression with some equally valid course materials. If you want to go back and review something as year after the course and the materials are pish as a reference then, thats not good. From my expereince course materials do vary quite a bit.
Pick an instructor then have a look at the agency.
Can we stop the agency...instructor thing please:)
Staffordiver, what agency did you qualify and where, just interested,,,cheers:)
NorthernTechnical
23-06-10, 12:54
I see ITDA Group have sneaked onto the list, I believe this organisation no longer exsists.....a few companies have contacted myself and Lindz looking for payment:o,,,,we have had to explain we are ITDA. I believe they are trading in Malaysia now, correct me if I am wrong, but we did do a little research.:)
This raises the other question if an agency went bust would your ticket still be valid....cheers
dive granny
23-06-10, 14:41
What is the difference between ITDA and ITDA Group.
stafforddiver
23-06-10, 15:31
I've got a PSAI 60 meter normoxic mix ticket, done by Jack Ingle.
Also a BSAC Adv Deco Procedures Inst, but as thats not paid it does not count :-P
Cheers,
Gareth.
NorthernTechnical
23-06-10, 15:56
ITDA has been around since 1996 and I am Director, we only really do Tek stuff, but I have been informed by Si (other Director) that there will be an involvment with the PSA-CMAS... possibly.
ITDA Group started up in 2003 I think and they covered all areas tec-rec-some commercial stuff, as far as I am aware they are no longer involved with Europe....might be wrong. Similar Agencies different goals
Dive Tramp
23-06-10, 15:56
Could someone, for the sake of the many, define exactly what it is that determines a "Tekkie Diver" (as being different from any diver who is qualified to say, 50m anyway... bearing in mind that we are, mostly, all recreational divers)?
Ta.
NorthernTechnical
23-06-10, 15:57
BSAC have an excellent program and materials for Tek Training.. I know Claire P well and she is a credit to diver training,,,,,counts in my book
NorthernTechnical
23-06-10, 16:00
Could someone, for the sake of the many, define exactly what it is that determines a "Tekkie Diver" (as being different from any diver who is qualified to say, 50m anyway... bearing in mind that we are, mostly, all recreational divers)?
Ta.
Simple
If you create a ceiling where you cannot ascend directly to the surface (forget the 3 min stop dive) I would say you are a Tek diver,,,,even if you don't hold a ticket in any tekkie stuff
Dive Tramp
23-06-10, 16:05
So, any dive with a mandatory (hopefully it will have been planned for) deco stop then?
Cheers Ian.
Could someone, for the sake of the many, define exactly what it is that determines a "Tekkie Diver" (as being different from any diver who is qualified to say, 50m anyway... bearing in mind that we are, mostly, all recreational divers)?
Ta.
Easy. all black kit. :)
gordon mackie
24-06-10, 10:28
Hi - ITDA Group are still running - started in US 1n 1996..formally established in 1998 and opened in UK in 1999. In 2008, Steve Murray who ran the UK side moved to Malaysia as the Malaysian government and Petronas wanted him to start a commercial diving and Hyperbaric Medicine training centre and the UK business was run from there (ITDA Europe Ltd is still an active company 6866201). Stevie Gibson picked up the reins in 2008 but due to ill health, didn't do much till 2009 and he is now running ITDA Group UK.
Charlie Leeson and I are ITDA Group instructors as are many more all round the UK.
I see ITDA Group have sneaked onto the list, I believe this organisation no longer exsists.....
This raises the other question if an agency went bust would your ticket still be valid....cheers
Hi - ITDA Group are still running - started in US 1n 1996..formally established in 1998 and opened in UK in 1999. In 2008, Steve Murray who ran the UK side moved to Malaysia as the Malaysian government and Petronas wanted him to start a commercial diving and Hyperbaric Medicine training centre and the UK business was run from there (ITDA Europe Ltd is still an active company 6866201). Stevie Gibson picked up the reins in 2008 but due to ill health, didn't do much till 2009 and he is now running ITDA Group UK.
Charlie Leeson and I are ITDA Group instructors as are many more all round the UK.
Thats certainly good news for those guys with ITDA Group certs then as they must still be valid with such an established european presence.
gordon mackie
24-06-10, 10:55
yup - all certs have always been valid and folk have been doing ITDA group training worldwide and in the UK.. a google on ITDA comes up with the the ITDA group sites (which are being revamped) and loads of dive schools that are actively running ITDA Group courses... there are 3 active Instructor Trainers in the UK, 1 in Scotland and it is registered as a limited company in the UK and HSE registered and accredited by BSAC as well.... not very secret really :-)
gordon mackie
24-06-10, 12:47
Yes - I thought Ian had renamed ITDAHQ as ITRDA - he posted it last year http://www.congeralley.com/forum/showthread.php?4775-Itrda
NorthernTechnical
24-06-10, 15:55
Hi - ITDA Group are still running - started in US 1n 1996..formally established in 1998 and opened in UK in 1999. In 2008, Steve Murray who ran the UK side moved to Malaysia as the Malaysian government and Petronas wanted him to start a commercial diving and Hyperbaric Medicine training centre and the UK business was run from there (ITDA Europe Ltd is still an active company 6866201). Stevie Gibson picked up the reins in 2008 but due to ill health, didn't do much till 2009 and he is now running ITDA Group UK.
Charlie Leeson and I are ITDA Group instructors as are many more all round the UK.
I think I spoke to Stevie Gibson in 2008, and later on I was informed by another party that ITDA Group has ceased trading in the UK..
So there you go !! second hand info. Where is the Scottish rep based
Cheers
NorthernTechnical
24-06-10, 16:12
Yes - I thought Ian had renamed ITDAHQ as ITRDA - he posted it last year http://www.congeralley.com/forum/showthread.php?4775-Itrda
I personally don't want to rename it. I am dragging my heels on this one, we are still issuing ITDA cards at this date. Toooo many letters !!
NorthernTechnical
24-06-10, 16:17
So, any dive with a mandatory (hopefully it will have been planned for) deco stop then?
Cheers Ian.
Yes anything over 3 mins then. Before I even started tekkie training in the early days.,,,, I was pulling off 40 mins of deco on deep air dives !!!!
gordon mackie
24-06-10, 16:28
http://www.itdagroup.co.uk/united_kingdom.htm has Stevie's contact details - he is based in Bonnyrigg, I am in Edinburgh, Charlie is in Tullibody and there are instructors all over the country from Cornwall to Orkney and everywhere in between, nobody asked us or Stevie if the rumours of our death were true :-)
Stevie is in charge of all of the UK
http://www.itdagroup.co.uk/united_kingdom.htm nobody asked us or Stevie if the rumours of our death were true :-)
But Gordon thats the whole point, can't let truth get in the way of a good rumour...
Have to say its not an agency I'd heard of but hey the more the merrier... in fact will drop a line to see what spaces you have coming up....
I wouldn't have thought a cert stopped being valid when the agency dried up. There's no legal requirement to have a cert so why would it stop being valid? It's just a statement that at some point in time you passed a course, it's not a licence.
NorthernTechnical
26-06-10, 12:35
I wouldn't have thought a cert stopped being valid when the agency dried up. There's no legal requirement to have a cert so why would it stop being valid? It's just a statement that at some point in time you passed a course, it's not a licence.
Good valid point, Cheers
Hope it's not like a driving License and you need an eyetest at 75 cheers
Hi,
Trained by BSAC to Adv Diver..... then all " technical" training by TDI, but I agree that it is the quality of the instructor and not the agency that matters, when you look at the courses from all the agencies, they are all
very similar.
/Tommy
artist1066
28-06-10, 14:33
Hello
Not quite sure if this poll is to include divers in training. I would not class myself as a teckie diver yet, but if this poll is simply to find out the differing spreads of knowledge that is included in this particular community then perhaps I should vote, as I have now been exposed to and will be training with two agencies towards advanced decompression experience/qualifications. I am predominately a BSAC qualified diver with PADI experience and now a novice AOWI through BSAC, but I have recently trained with a group that utilise GUE methods which I have found very interesting from my own knowledge expansion point of view. Maybe one day I will have enough of this knowledge and experience to make educated statements about the differences, positives and negatives of these differing methodologies. So for the poll, I have ticked both BSAC and GUE, as I will continue to dive with and train with both for the more technical side of my diving experience for the near future.
Hope that this helps with the survey!
NorthernTechnical
19-07-10, 16:41
Thats the poll nearly over
It is good to see that ITDA is growing in the Central belt and further expansion to take place in the next 12 months, there will be a few more Instructors coming on line in the east coast and the west,
so watch this space..
Cheers