Tech Diving
Tech Diving
Technical diving is scuba diving's "extreme" sport, taking experienced and qualified divers far deeper than in mainstream recreational diving. Technical diving is marked by significantly more equipment and training requirements to manage the additional hazard this type of diving entails. Tec diving isn't for everyone, but for those who want to push themselves, TDI courses are the answer. TDI is another training agency, like PADI, except it has focused solely on Technical Diving.
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Technical scuba diving is defined as diving other than conventional commercial or research diving that takes divers beyond recreational scuba diving limits. It is further defined as and includes one or more of the following:
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diving beyond 40 metres/130 feet deep
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required stage decompression
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diving in an overhead environment beyond 40 linear metres/130 linear feet of the surface
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accelerated decompression and or the use of variable gas mixtures during the dive
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TDI Intro to Tech
Who this course is for:
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Certified open water scuba diver who wants to expand diver knowledge
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Certified open water scuba diver who is considering technical training
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Certified technical diver who is seeking a refresher course
Course prerequisites:
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Minimum age 18
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Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water
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Proof of 25 logged open water dives, at least 15 in a drysuit, and at least 6 within the past 6 month
What you can expect to learn:
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In-depth dive planning, advanced buoyancy control, gas management, situational awareness, proper trim, gear configuration and selection
TDI Advanced Nitrox
Who this course is for:
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The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their understanding of nitrox mixtures containing more than 40% oxygen
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The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their in-water skills
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The certified diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education
Course prerequisites:
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Minimum age 18
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Minimum certification of Nitrox Diver and Advanced Open Water
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Proof of 30 logged open water dives, at least 15 in a drysuit, at least 6 within the past 6 month, and at least 5 using nitrox
What you can expect to learn:
Advanced Nitrox picks up where the Nitrox course leaves off and offers a more in-depth look at diving with nitrox including:
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Physics and physiology relating to diving with gas mixes containing more than 40% oxygen
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Gas planning, dive tables, dive computers, oxygen limitations, nitrogen limitations
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Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, gas blending procedures, and oxygen service ratings for using gases with more than 40% oxygen
TDI Deco Procedures
Who this course is for:
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The certified Advanced Diver looking to expand their knowledge of decompression theory and diving techniques
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The certified Advanced Diver who is interested in extending their bottom time
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The certified Advanced Diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education
Course prerequisites:
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Minimum age 18
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Minimum certification of Advanced Diver and Deep Diver
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Proof of 35 logged open water dives, at least 15 in a drysuit, at least 6 within the past 6 month, and at least 8 past 100ft/30m
What you can expect to learn:
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Decompression dive planning including:
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Decompression gas choices
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Tables vs. personal dive computers
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Emergency and contingency planning (equipment failure, omitted decompression, etc.)
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Decompression diving procedures
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Equipment selection
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Pre-dive checks and drills
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Stress analysis and mitigation
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Following a decompression schedule
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Gas switching
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Team awareness and communication
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SMB/lift bag deployment
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Proper trim, buoyancy and finning techniques
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Emergency procedures (equipment failures, catastrophic gas loss, omitted decompression, navigational errors, etc.)
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Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures
Not Ready to Take the Plunge into Tech Diving? Try These Tech - Minded Courses
These courses are not technical courses themselves, however they do follow along with tech diving mentality of more gear, redundant systems and more overall planning.
Find a new and different way to configure your cylinders with the PADI Sidemount Diver course. Sidemount diving offers:
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an alternative way to streamline in the water
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easier equipment transportation when topside
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reduced lower back strain
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provides redundant gas supply
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ability to monitor all equipment because it's in front of you
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increased gas supply for longer dives
Why not try one of PADI's newest specialty courses - Self-Reliant Diver. The purpose of this program is to recognize and accept the role of the buddy system and its contributions to diver safety while identifying and developing self-reliance and independence while diving. This course is perfect for photographers, instructors and travelers.
More people are diving with enriched air and this means the demand for enriched air fills is also increasing. However, there needs to be someone qualified to administer these fills to meet this demand. This is where the PADI Gas Blender course comes in. The Gas Blender course will train you as a qualified gas blender, allowing you to provide gas mixes to appropriately certified consumers.