Reach the pinnacle of RAID open-circuit normoxic technical diving with the RAID Normoxic Decompression Diver program at Thai Ocean Academy in Pattaya. This advanced course prepares experienced technical divers to safely conduct optimized decompression dives to 60 metres (200 feet) using air, nitrox, oxygen, and trimix with up to three decompression gases. Through intensive performance-based training, you’ll refine every aspect of your technical diving while building the confidence and discipline required for deep exploration and expedition-level diving.
The RAID Normoxic Decompression Diver program represents the highest level of RAID’s normoxic open-circuit technical diving pathway before progressing to hypoxic trimix. Designed for experienced decompression divers, this course develops the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to safely conduct complex decompression dives to a maximum depth of 60 metres (200 feet).
Building on the foundations established during Advanced and Extended Decompression training, you’ll learn to plan and execute dives using air, nitrox, oxygen, and normoxic trimix, with decompression optimized through the use of up to three decompression gases. RAID standards require trimix to be planned with an Equivalent Narcotic Depth (END/EAD) not exceeding 30 metres (100 feet), ensuring greater clarity, reduced narcosis, and improved diver performance during deep dives.
Throughout the course, you’ll further refine advanced buoyancy control, trim, propulsion techniques, gas management, emergency procedures, decompression discipline, and team communication. Every dive is carefully planned, thoroughly briefed, and professionally debriefed, allowing you to build confidence through structured, performance-based learning.
At Thai Ocean Academy, our experienced RAID Technical Instructors focus on producing competent technical divers—not simply issuing certifications. With small class sizes and individual coaching, every student is challenged to achieve a consistently high standard of precision, awareness, and decision-making before progressing.
Whether your goal is exploring deep wrecks, participating in expedition diving, or preparing for RAID Hypoxic Trimix training, the Normoxic Decompression Diver program provides the knowledge and practical experience required to safely undertake advanced technical dives
Training begins with an in-depth review of advanced decompression theory, trimix planning, gas management, equipment configuration, and emergency procedures before moving into confined water to refine core technical skills.
Skills include:
Over four days of open water training, you’ll complete progressively more demanding technical dives while refining every aspect of deep decompression diving.
Training focuses on:
RAID standards require a minimum of five open water dives, with at least two dives deeper than 45 metres (145 feet) and one dive deeper than 50 metres (165 feet).
At Thai Ocean Academy we focus on training the RAID way. We find that RAID is better aligned with our pace and high standards of diver training. The certifications issued are recognized world wide, and are accepted by all other major agencies
We typically recommend to complete your Explorer 30 (Advanced) training soon after your Open Water training. This allows you to quickly reinforce all the basic skills you learned, while task loading with more advanced ideas.Â