Mine II

This course is the second stage of training in the TDI Mine Diver Development Program. This course is not intended to prepare divers for evaluating all facets of mine diving. The objective of this course is to expand and critique previous skills accomplished in the TDI Cavern and Mine Diver Level I Programs. Emphasis is placed upon dive planning and skill perfection through actual mine penetration. This course may be combined with TDI Mine Diver Level I at the discretion of the instructor.TDI Mine Diver II uses the same principles and techniques as the TDI Full Cave Course, including utilizing the same training materials and equipment. However, dual certification is not permitted and graduates wishing to dive in caves must complete the TDI Full Cave Course.

Level I Mine Divers who are interested in expanding their knowledge and skills for diving in flooded mines.

• Minimum age 18
• Certified TDI Mine Diver Level I

The following topics must be covered during this course:

• Policy for mine and cave diving
• Gas matching procedures and management to include dissimilar volumes
• Psychological considerations
• Equipment considerations
  • Cylinder options
  • Regulator options
  • Buoyancy compensator device (BCD)/harness options
  • Reel options
  • Proper weighting
  • Equipment configurations
• Communication
  
  • Hand signals
  • Light signals
  • Touch contact signals
• Swimming techniques
  • Body posture/ trim
  • Buoyancy control
  • Line following
  • Propulsion techniques
• Physiology
  • Breathing techniques
  • Stress management
  • Decompression theory and its application to mine diving
• Mine environment
  
  • Types of mines
  • Geology
  • Structure
  • Hazards
  • Local access requirements
  • Land owner relations
• Conservation
• Problem solving
  • Emergency procedures
  • Equipment failure
  • Silting conditions
• Accident analysis
• Review of dive tables and decompression theory
• Mine and cave diving etiquette

 All of the following information must be determined/obtained and utilized in dive planning:

• What material(s) were extracted from the mine and by what method(s)
• Were toxic solutions or substances used or created during the extraction process and is there a risk of such substance(s) remaining or of any general pollution – If so, ascertain which location(s)
• Obtain a detailed map of the mine from the mining company or whoever is responsible for the site
• Are there any known or potentially collapsible tunnels
• All known access and egress points from the mine, their depths and possible emergency traverses to other exits
• Type(s) of sediment in the mine
• Type of ceiling supports; i.e. wooden or metal and how to detect signs of wear, type of debris left in the mine
• All possible entanglement points
• Location, size and depth of vertical extraction shafts
• Points that could damage divers’ delicate equipment such as lines, dry suits, etc
• Line options
• How to evaluate the stability of a passage
• Existing collapse points
• Special equipment requirements
• Type of entry/exit
• How to properly:
  • Deploy a guideline
  • Follow a guideline
• Use of safety reel in:
  • Lost diver procedures
  • Lost line drill
• Demonstrate
  • Adequate pre-dive planning
  • Equipment check and equipment matching
  • Bubble check
  • Specialized propulsion techniques in varying types of flow
  • Proper buoyancy control
  • Proper body posture
  • Proper stress analysis (detection and management)
• Properly deploy a guideline
• Properly use directional and non directional line markers
• Properly follow a guideline with eyes open and closed (simulating loss of visibility)
• Air share with a buddy with eyes open , following the guideline
• Air share with a buddy with lights off and eyes closed and use touch contact, following the guideline
• Remove and replace mask while in contact with guideline
• Demonstrate light/hand -signals and touch contact
• Conservation and awareness techniques
• Referencing as back-up navigation
• Demonstrate adequate anti-silting techniques
• Simulate a primary light failure, and use back light to exit the cave
• Demonstrate lost line and lost diver drills
• Demonstrate to use of reels to perform jumps and gaps required in circuits and traverses to maintain a continuous guideline to open water
• Identify and avoid potential hazard, entanglement and collapse points

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in mine diving activities without direct supervision provided the graduates adhere to the following limits:

• Penetration is limited to the 1/3 air rule
• 40 metres/130 feet maximum depth
• No equipment removal in mine
• Safety and decompression stops appropriate or necessary, within the current qualification of student(s) and instructor(s)
• Maintain a continuous guideline
• Proper mine diving equipment is used

• Satisfactorily complete the TDI Cave Diver Course written examination (this requirement may be waived by the instructor if the student is already TDI Full Cave certified)
• Perform all land drills and mine dive requirements safely and efficiently
• Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
• Maintain an appropriate level of awareness and respect for the mine environment
• Log all dives