RAID International have announced the release of their RAID Deep 40 program. On making the announcement RAID International Recreational Training Director Mark McCrum said: “We believe this is the most advanced recreational Deep Diver program in the dive industry. Innovative ideas and real practical training make this a very saleable and desirable course for those divers wanting a little more out of a deep diver program than has been traditionally offered elsewhere. One of the key features is the program seeks to bridge the gap between traditional recreational deep courses and technical diving. The aim is to have a deep diving program with seamless integration into higher levels of training. No conflicting ideas or procedures, but a system that encourages consistency between the programs.”

RAID International Training Director Paul Toomer said: “The ultimate aim of the program is to create a diver that can properly plan and execute deep dives in accordance with all the rules contained in our program. This needs to be independent of the instructor by the end of the program with the instructor becoming an observing mentor by the last dive.”

The program is also designed to link in with the RAID Explorer 30 program, RAID Advanced 35 program and the RAID deco programs. There are some common dives between programs and considerable advanced academics not found in other recreational deep diver programs.

RAID International CEO Jim Holliday said: “What the RAID Team has produced with this course is ground breaking. For a long time I have been hearing that divers want more from a recreational deep diving courses than what is currently out there and here we deliver just that. The course covers general information about deep diving, but also goes into specific detail on equipment required and various gear configurations, physics and physiology, dive management and open water considerations when deep diving.

RAID International Director of Business and Marketing Terry Cummins added: “Many agencies advocate using traditional recreational procedures for deep diving. This program seeks to bridge the gap between recreational and technical without creating double standards in terms of planning and procedures. For example, it allows the use of nitrox and trimix in the deep course, but explains the planning and limitations in great detail. There is a robust planning section which aims to train divers on all the aspects of planning deep divers, including planning for NDL, Nitrox, gas limits, helium and other contingencies. The one thing that stands out for me is that RAID has not only bridged the gap between recreational and technical diving with this course, but has also provided clear guidelines for RAID Deep 40 Instructors accepting divers on the program, whether they were trained by RAID or another agency.”

Toomer added: “We conducted a Beta Test on the Deep 40 and the soon to be released RAID Wreck Diver programs in the UK and were super impressed with the input we received. For example, one of the RAID Beta Testers, Gary Grant from Diving Dreams, reported to me: “Great training materials and skills, mate this course is totally awesome, totally pushes the students,” and “Thank you for making a difference to the dive industry.” It does not get much better than that.”

McCrum concluded: “At RAID we are proud to have created a ‘REAL’ deep diver program that has cutting edge ideas, sensible practical training and seamless integration to our other programs. This is a unique program designed for quality, consistency and competency for divers conducting deep recreational dives. It will be an easy program to market and sell for RAID Dive Centres and Instructors. A great addition to the RAID list of courses.”

To learn more contact your local RAID Regional Office or find all the information you need on all RAID programs at www.diveraid.com and www.freedivingraid.com.