FRTI Oxygen Administration Course

Decompression illness is a dive emergency. When nitrogen or other inert gases come out of solution in the body's tissues during ascent, the results range from joint pain and fatigue to neurological symptoms and paralysis. The fastest and most effective first aid response available before reaching a hyperbaric chamber is high-concentration emergency oxygen. Getting it right -- the right equipment, the right mask configuration, the right delivery method for a breathing or non-breathing victim -- is what this course trains.

The FRTI Oxygen Administration course covers the identification of DCI, the equipment used to deliver emergency oxygen, and the hands-on procedures for administering it. It is OSHA and ILCOR compliant and is the oxygen provider certification accepted for SDI professional programs.

Who This Course Is For

• Scuba divers who want to be able to respond to a DCI emergency on a dive boat or at a dive site
• Dive professionals and boat staff who may be the first responder when a diver surfaces with decompression illness symptoms
• Anyone pursuing SDI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor certification, for whom oxygen provider training is part of the CPR and first aid prerequisite
• Other individuals in water-adjacent environments who may need to administer emergency oxygen

What the Course Covers

Recognizing Decompression Illness

DCI is an umbrella term that includes decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE). Both are serious, both can present with overlapping symptoms, and both respond to high-concentration oxygen as first aid. The course covers how to recognize the signs and symptoms of DCI in a diver, how to conduct a basic victim assessment, and how to activate emergency medical services and arrange evacuation to the nearest hyperbaric facility. DAN (Divers Alert Network) emergency contacts and referral procedures are also covered.

Oxygen Equipment Selection and Use

Not all oxygen delivery setups are the same, and the right configuration depends on whether the victim is breathing. The course covers the types of oxygen units and masks used in dive emergency response, how to select the appropriate equipment for the situation, how to set up and operate an oxygen delivery system correctly, and equipment maintenance and storage considerations. Demand valves, non-rebreather masks, and pocket mask configurations are all covered.

Administering Oxygen to Breathing and Non-Breathing Victims

The procedures for oxygen delivery differ based on whether the victim is breathing. A breathing DCI victim receives high-concentration oxygen via a non-rebreather mask at maximum flow. A non-breathing victim requires oxygen delivered in conjunction with rescue breathing. The course covers both scenarios with hands-on practice, and addresses how to maintain oxygen delivery during transport and how to manage a victim until emergency services take over.

Required for SDI Professional Programs

Oxygen provider certification is part of the current CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider prerequisite for the following SDI programs:

• SDI Divemaster
• SDI Assistant Instructor
• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor

The FRTI Oxygen Administration certification is accepted for all three. It is also frequently taken alongside the FRTI CPR/First Aid/AED course to satisfy the full prerequisite in one session. Call us at (480) 881-4013 to discuss scheduling both together.

Compliance

The FRTI Oxygen Administration course is OSHA and ILCOR compliant. ILCOR is the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, the body that sets evidence-based international standards for emergency care. OSHA compliance means the course satisfies workplace emergency response training requirements for employers who need certified documentation on file.

Who Can Enroll

No prior training or experience is required. Minimum age 10 with parental consent, 18 without.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DCI in diving?

DCI stands for decompression illness, an umbrella term covering two related conditions: decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE). DCS occurs when inert gases absorbed during a dive come out of solution in the body's tissues during ascent, forming bubbles that cause symptoms ranging from joint pain and fatigue to neurological effects and paralysis. AGE occurs when air enters the arterial circulation, typically from a pulmonary barotrauma. Both are serious emergencies and both respond to emergency oxygen as first aid.

Why is oxygen used to treat decompression sickness?

High-concentration oxygen accelerates the elimination of nitrogen from the body's tissues by increasing the pressure gradient between tissue nitrogen and the breathing gas. It also helps reduce bubble size in DCS and improves tissue oxygenation. It is the most effective first aid available before a diver reaches a hyperbaric chamber and should be administered as soon as DCI is suspected.

What does the FRTI Oxygen Administration course cover?

The course covers DCI recognition and victim assessment, oxygen equipment types and selection, setup and operation of oxygen delivery systems including demand valves and non-rebreather masks, procedures for administering oxygen to breathing and non-breathing victims, and how to manage a DCI victim until emergency services arrive. DAN emergency contact procedures are also covered.

Is oxygen provider certification required for Divemaster?

Yes. Oxygen provider certification is part of the current CPR, first aid, and oxygen provider prerequisite for SDI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Instructor programs. The FRTI Oxygen Administration certification is accepted for all three. It is frequently taken alongside the FRTI CPR/First Aid/AED course to complete the full prerequisite in one session.

Who should take an oxygen administration course?

Any diver who spends time on dive boats or at dive sites where DCI could occur. Dive professionals and boat staff who are likely to be first on scene when a diver surfaces with symptoms. And anyone pursuing SDI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or Instructor certification, for whom this course is part of the required prerequisites.

Ready to Get Certified?

Contact us to schedule the FRTI Oxygen Administration course. It can be taken on its own or combined with the FRTI CPR/First Aid/AED course to complete the full SDI professional prerequisite in one session. Call us at (480) 881-4013 or stop by the shop. We are open Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, at 18618 S 186th Way, Queen Creek, inside The Shooting Range.

For more information and to see course standards, click here!