The TRICHOTOMY of DIVING

The Concept

We know that ultimately a person needs to be competent to be a safe diver and in order to achieve that goal they must engage in a complete learning experience that incorporates much more than just formal academic training. In Technically Speaking© a concept called the Trichotomy of Diving, identifies the primary elements essential to diver development, encapsulating them into a marriage of three specific ranges that include the various environments we dive in, the equipment we use and the activities we use them with.

It is a conceptual model that provides divers with the blueprints for assembling the critical elements of a dive while acquiring total competency. It is effective, simple to use and brings us back to basics. It allows one to honestly evaluate whether they are capable and competent to make a dive and how to prepare themselves if they are not. Even the novice or beginner diver will find much value in the information presented in the book (Technically Speaking). All practical aspects of diving begin with a basic approach but must continue to develop as we extend the 'ranges' of our diving practices, be it the environment, the equipment or the activity.

As a diver increases the complexity of the ranges they are said to 'extend' the range or engage in an Extended Range Dive. Ranges expand accordingly to the development of a diver's ability which, in turn, is facilitated by both the availability of learning opportunities and the diver's willingness to learn. This innovative new philosophy identifies four primary areas of diver development as cornerstones in a four pillar approach that represent the Core Values of Diver Competency. These values are training, attitude, skills and knowledge and will ultimately determine a divers true ability.

Full scale posters (above is cropped version) of the Tricotomy of Diving Model are available. This is a fantastic visual aid for any Instructors teaching any level of diving.