Attention Technical Divers!!!   A Team of Expert Deep Divers Dove 365 Feet To The Bottom Of The Blue Hole.     A team of 3 men and 2 women staying at Exotic Caye Beach Resort in December reached the bottom of the famous Blue Hole.  While thousands of divers have explored the walls and crevices of this mysterious formation, not one had documented reaching the bottom, until now.  A team of expert deep sea divers took the challenge to explore the extreme depths while documenting the adventure on high- definition video for a DVD, Dive Portal Video Magazine.  John Chatterton and Richie Kohler are the stars of the popular History Channel television show, Deep Sea Detectives.  The challenge and appeal, according to the team, is that it had never been done before.  Some rumors exist of divers reaching the bottom, and it is thought that the famous ocean explorer Jacque Cousteau had used a mini-submarine to explore the Hole`s depths,  but no documentation has surfaced.  These divers came equipped with 19 pieces of luggage including their diving apparatus.  Early Thursday morning December 15th, under stormy skies, the team headed for the Blue Hole, about 60 miles from Belize City.  The almost perfectly circular Blue Hole is more than 1,000 feet across with an unknown depth, but estimated around 400 feet deep.    Once the Deep Sea Detectives entered the water, they quickly descended to three hundred feet below the surface where Kohler remained serving his role as deep- water support.  Finally as the depth gage read 365 feet, the team of Chatterton and Kovak gently touched on the silty bottom.  The team had twenty minutes to explore the bottom using a highly advanced rebreather apparatus. They also discovered some crabs and other creatures that were dead, but because of the lack of oxygen at depth, were not decomposing and could be a number of years old.  They will be documenting a new DVD magazine titled Dive Portal Video Magazine which should be available in April.     In addition to being an exceptional recreational dive destination, Exotic Caye also offers the most advanced diving and courses for those divers looking to grow in the sport. We welcome you to explore our many programs for  detailed information regarding our technical diving services.  A price sheet is provided below and as always, we welcome any questions about diving with us in Belize. Contact Us. Nitrox Resort Diver This program is designed to provide recreational divers with an introductory experience to the benefits of EANx diving. The diver may elect to dive the "mix" on EANx tables or conservatively using their dive computers on air tables with an added diver safety margin. The program does not certify divers as EANx divers and does not count toward EANx Diver certification. Nitrox Diver This program provides recreational divers a safer breathing medium for enjoying dives in 40 fsw (12 msw) to 130 fsw (39 msw) depth range. The diver may elect to dive the mix on EANx tables or conservatively using their dive computers or air tables with an added diver safety margin. The IANTD Nitrox Diver certification is adaptable to being taught as a single program or by combining it with a variety of advanced or specialty diver courses. Deep Diver This program has been developed to provide responsible training to divers who plan to dive to 130 fsw (39 msw) on air. The IANTD Deep Air Diver program trains divers in skills, performance, theory and planning of deep dives. This program remains within the commonly practiced depth of 130 fsw (39 msw). It is the first sanctioned program to provide proper international training in safe deep diving skills and performance. It is recommended that this program be taught in conjunction with the IANTD EANx Diver program. Advanced Nitrox Diver This program is designed to extend the divers knowledge with O2 mixes of 22 to 40% and up to 50% for decompression. It further develops diving skills and provides a greater understanding of the Nitrox diving concept. Divemaster This program is designed to provide responsible training for those persons wishing to supervise standard IANTD divers, including Nitrox Divers, Advanced Nitrox Divers and Deep Air Divers. IANTD Nitrox Divemasters may supervise and assist in all open water IANTD diver programs but cannot conduct training exercise's unless under the direction of a qualified IANTD instructor. Mixing and Blending Technician This program is intended to teach detailed technical information to mixing and blending technicians. It is intended to explain the standards, properties, equipment, oxygen safety, handling and cleaning procedures for mixing or blending diving gases other than air, such as Nitrox (EANx). Trimix Gas Blender This program has been designed to train competent personnel in the safe handling of oxygen and the preparation of Trimix. Technical Diver Supervisor This program is designed to provide recognition of leadership qualifications of competent divers. A Nitrox Technical Diver Supervisor is a leadership or instructor in training rating. Nitrox Technical Diver Supervisors may supervise divers in open water and students in all standard courses (except Overhead Environment) Advanced Deep Air Diver, and Nitrox Technical Diver under the direction of a qualified IANTD instructor. Normoxic Trimix Diver The IANTD Normoxic Trimix Diver program is aimed at those who wish to dive in the zone between 130 fsw (39 msw) and 200 fsw (60 msw) but are not comfortable doing so on air. The course uses normoxic mixtures and consists of 12 dives and one three (3) hour confined water session. Six (6) dives are on air to depths between 100 fsw (30 msw) and 130 fsw (39 msw) and six (6) dives involve practicing specified skills at depths between 30 fsw (9 msw) and 90 fsw (27 msw). All dives will be performed with two (2) stage cylinders. Four (4) Trimix dives are also made in the course with two (2) at depths up to 165 fsw (50 msw) and two (2) at depths up to 200 fsw (60 msw). This is an intense seven (7) day program enabling the graduate to be qualified to dive normoxic Trimix to 200 fsw (60 msw). It does not qualify the diver to use hypoxic mixtures to participate in dives deeper than 200 fsw (60 msw). The text for the course is IANTD's Technical Diver Encyclopedia, associated Technical Diver Workbook, Slides and newly developed Water-proof Tables. Trimix Diver The IANTD Trimix Diver program is dedicated to those individuals already involved in deep diving activities. The Trimix course is not designed to be used as an enticement to divers who are content to remain in normal recreational or Nitrox diving limits. Trimix affords a safer method for deep water exploration for divers who must dive deep or perform with a clear head in intermediate depths. The IANTD Trimix program establishes the need to be self-sufficient. Trimix Diver Supervisor This program provides certification and recognition for leadership levels of Trimix diving. A Trimix Diver Supervisor is a leadership or instructor in training rating and prerequisite for IANTD Trimix instructor. IANTD Diver Supervisors may supervise and assist in all open water IANTD Diver programs but cannot conduct training exercises unless under the direction of a qualified IANTD instructor. Nitrox Instructor This program ensures professional, quality training to IANTD divers. An IANTD Nitrox Instructor teaches Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Nitrox and Open Water Nitrox Diver programs. Advanced Nitrox Instructor IANTD Nitrox Instructors who have gained experience teaching may obtain additional training in order to teach the Advanced Nitrox and Deep Diver programs.  Advanced Nitrox Instructors also train Dive Masters and may offer additional specialties. Technical Instructor Development Program The program trains qualified IANTD Technical Divers who are not already Scuba instructors to teach IANTD Technical Diving Programs. This program is offered only to IANTD Technical Divers with outstanding experience and knowledge. To participate, the individual must be recommended by a current IANTD Instructor. Upon teaching three non-technical programs, the newly certified IANTD Instructor may progress as defined in the IANTD Standards and Procedures. Technical Instructor This program has been designed to provide a more in depth knowledge of Nitrox and technical diving application. This individual is charged with teaching divers who use custom blends of Nitrox for bottom mix, travel mixes and decompression mixes. Normoxic Trimix Instructor Fulfilling a need for Trimix advantages at shallower depths than the traditional Trimix training, Normoxic Trimix Instructors provide training in the use of Helium mixes in intermediate depth dives.  Trimix Instructor This mixed gas program was developed by leading diving educators, diving physiologist's and the most experienced gas divers in the technical diving community. The IANTD Trimix Instructor represent the standard of excellence in mixed gas applications for recreational diving. Gas Blending Instructor There are several programs designed to promote the safe practices of gas blending.  The EANx Gas Blender and Trimix Gas Blender programs are taught by qualified IANTD Instructors to provide specialized training to personnel who are involved with filling cylinders and operating filling stations.  In addition there are programs for Life Support Systems Technicians who repair and maintain diving equipment. Technical Diving Price Sheet & Protech Dive Center Bulletin Top of page