OTU

Term from Scuba Diving Instruction industry explained for recruiters

OTU (Oxygen Toxicity Unit) is a measurement used in scuba diving to track how much oxygen exposure a diver has received during deep or long dives. Think of it like a safety counter that helps diving instructors ensure their students stay within safe limits when using special breathing gas mixtures. It's similar to tracking UV exposure time in the sun - there's a daily limit that shouldn't be exceeded. When you see this term in resumes, it usually indicates that the person has advanced diving experience, especially in technical diving or diving instruction.

Examples in Resumes

Trained advanced divers in monitoring OTU levels during technical dives

Developed and implemented OTU tracking procedures for diving courses

Managed student OTU exposure during extended multi-day diving programs

Typical job title: "Scuba Diving Instructors"

Also try searching for:

Technical Diving Instructor Diving Safety Officer Technical Diving Trainer Advanced Scuba Instructor Mixed Gas Diving Instructor

Where to Find Scuba Diving Instructors

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you plan extended diving operations while managing OTU limits for a group?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they track oxygen exposure for multiple divers, create schedules that balance activity with safety limits, and handle emergency procedures if limits are approached.

Q: What procedures do you implement for OTU monitoring in a diving school?

Expected Answer: Should describe creating clear tracking systems, training other instructors, maintaining logs, and establishing clear safety protocols for different types of diving activities.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you explain OTU limits to new technical diving students?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to explain complex safety concepts in simple terms and describe practical methods they use to help students track their exposure.

Q: What factors affect OTU accumulation and how do you adjust for them?

Expected Answer: Should show understanding of depth, time, and oxygen percentage relationships, and explain how they modify dive plans based on these factors.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is an OTU and why is it important in diving?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic concept of oxygen exposure measurement and why it matters for diver safety in simple terms.

Q: How do you calculate basic OTU limits for a single dive?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic calculations and understanding of daily exposure limits for regular diving activities.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of OTU calculations
  • Ability to monitor oxygen exposure
  • Knowledge of basic safety limits
  • Simple dive planning skills

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced OTU tracking methods
  • Technical diving experience
  • Emergency procedure management
  • Student training in oxygen monitoring

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex dive operation planning
  • Training program development
  • Safety protocol creation
  • Team supervision and risk management

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No formal technical diving certification
  • Unfamiliarity with oxygen exposure calculations
  • Lack of emergency procedure knowledge
  • No experience with dive planning software
  • Poor understanding of diving physics and physiology