Television, magazines or stories from a close friend can all be used to explore the underwater world. It doesn't really matter which source you use, it is still exciting and very enticing. So what can we do to continue exploring? What is technical diving?
Make sure you understand what you're buying: Prices include instruction as well as eLearning fees. Remember that eLearning fees can run anywhere from $140 - $280. For example, a $640 course offered by us may be equivalent to a $500 course provided you pay separately for elearning.
Cookies are used by this website to offer you the best user experience. Cookies are stored in the browser. These cookies perform functions such as recognising your browser when you return and helping our team identify which sections of our website you find most relevant and useful.
Three parts are required to become certified: knowledge development, skill practise and open water diving. You can choose to do each part locally, on holiday or alternate between them.
The entry-level tech diver will learn to optimize their gear to avoid drag and dangling objects. This allows for maximum propulsion efficiency and awareness.
While I still haven’t mastered this art quite yet, I am proud to say that after 20 Sidemount dives I am excited to call myself a Sidemount diver and think it is the most comfortable way to dive!
When or why I decided to do my Sidemount course I don’t remember. As with most of my diving decisions, it was probably a case of – oh that looks cool, could be useful, I’m going to try it!I knew that Sidemount was going to be a useful certification and something that I could use in the future and build on. I also knew that I eventually wanted to do some proper cave diving and that a Sidemount certification would come in handy for that.
After successful completion, the Tech Diver Level 1 can be started and allows a diver to dive to 51m using appropriate Trimix gas mixes beyond 30m. It is also possible to start Cave Diving Training after the Fundamental Tech Pass.
2nd stage regulator; exposure suit with side pockets, BCD-sidemount, SMB cutting tool, diving spool. Jet fins. Mask and spare mask. Technical diving equipments. 1 long hose (2.10m-7ft), hogarthian, or cave harness.
Decompression divers can use all sorts of oxygen mixtures to extend their time looking at reefs and wrecks on the sea floor. While the sport diver may only have two 15-minute bottom time dives at 100ft, the decompression diver is able to cruise for up 60 minutes. This allows them to get the most bang possible.
Sidemount diving is a form of sidemount diving that originated in cave diving but has been incorporated into recreational and non-overhead diving over the years. Simply put, your tanks will be worn on your side instead of being attached to your back. The tanks attach to a Sidemount BCD with clips or bungee chords, allowing for maximum flexibility. It was this flexibility that cave divers used to be able to lift their tanks from the bottom underwater, making it easier to pass through tight spaces.
Technical diving was something I didn't initially like to do. I clearly remember chuckling at the Tec divers that I saw and wondering why anyone would want more equipment underwater. The feeling of being close to nature and the freedom it can give you is something I love. Tom was an inspiring teacher and it seemed right to try, as I was working at a dive shop that offered Tec courses.
Mentality – Technical diving is still fun. It’s all about seeing cool things, just like sport diving, but technical divers see sights longer, deeper, and hidden to the sport diver. While technical divers are still fun-focused they also regular focused. Jokes can still be made, laughs can still be had, but a certain sense of serious must come about when it comes to dive planning and execution. All diving has risks, and those risks are increased if proper planning, skill practice, and execution are not done.
Gear – While the gear is fundamentally identical, divers in their intro tech class (Intro, Tech, Sidemount or the CCR-Air diluent), may notice some fundamental configuration changes. They now have two second stages, each with a separate start stage. Gas planning becomes a detailed, thorough process. The harnesses also have more chrome.
According to experts, approximately 40% of technical divers enroll in additional education and training programs. This yields a reasonable estimate of approximately 160,000 active technical divers worldwide.
5-6 days
Rebreather training classes are typically 5-6 days long, but can be longer depending on a variety of factors such as the training agency, your local conditions, your instructor, and your ability to meet the class standards.
Have a PADI Deep Specialty Instructor certification or have completed a PADI Deep Specialty Instructor course. Have at least 100 logged dives, including at least 20 enriched air dives, 25 dives deeper than 18 meters/60 feet, and 15 dives deeper than 30 meters/100 feet. You can become a Tec 45 diver.