Basics of Exploration (BOE)

Purpose

Prerequisites

1. Must be a minimum of 14 years of age
2. Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency
3. Should be able to swim a distance of at least 50 feet/15 meters holding his breath
4. Should be able to swim at least 300 meters in less than 15 minutes without stopping.

Duration

Limits

1. Student to instructor ratio is not to exceed 5:1 during in-water training
2. Maximum depth 20 meters
3. No decompression
4. No overhead environment diving
5. Certification does not expire

Price

500 € + Travel and Expenses of the Instructor

Academic Topics

1. ISE – the Structure
2. General Diving Procedures
3. Buoyancy and trim
4. Streamlining and equipment configuration
5. Propulsion techniques
6. Situational awareness
7. Buddy awareness
8. Communication
9. Breathing gas overview
10. Dive planning and gas management

Land Drills & Topics

1. Dive team protocols
2. S-drill and valve-drill
3. Equipment fit and function
4. Propulsion techniques
5. Pre-dive drills
6. Surface marker deployment

Equipment Requirements
Each student should have, and be familiar with, all of the following required equipment.

1. Tanks/Cylinders: Students should use double tanks with a dual outlet isolator manifold, which allows for the use of two first-stages.
2. Regulators: One of the second-stages must be on a 5- to 7-foot/1.5- to 2-meter hose. One of the first-stages must supply a pressure gauge and provide inflation for a dry suit (where applicable).
3. Backplate System: A rigid and flat platform, of metal construction with minimal padding, held to a diver by one continuous piece of nylon webbing. This webbing should be adjustable through the plate and should use a buckle to secure the system at the waist. A crotch strap attached to the lower end of this platform and looped through the waistband would prevent the system from riding up a diver's back. A knife should be secured to the waist on the left webbing tab. This webbing should support five D-rings; the first should be placed at the left hip, the second should be placed in line with a diver's right collarbone, the third should be placed in line with the diver's left collarbone, the fourth and fifth should be affixed to the crotch strap to use while scootering or towing/stowing gear. The harness below the diver's arms should have small restrictive bands to allow for the placement of reserve light powered by three in-line c-cell batteries (where necessary). The system should retain a minimalist approach with no unnecessary components.
4. Buoyancy Compensation Device: A diver's buoyancy compensation device should be back-mounted and minimalist in nature. It should come free of extraneous strings, tabs, or other material. There should be no restrictive bands or "bungee" of any sort affixed to the buoyancy cell. In addition, diver lift should not exceed 55lbs for double tanks. Wing size and shape should be appropriate to the cylinder size(s) employed for training.
5. At least one depth-measuring device
6. At least one timekeeping device
7. Mask and fins: Mask should be low volume; fins should be rigid, non-split
8. At least one cutting device
9. Wet Notes
10. One spool with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver
11. One Surface Marker
12. Exposure suit appropriate for the duration of exposure