Introduction to Technical Diving

[Rhone Man]

I have recently been considering taking an introductory course relating to technical diving. I have been happy with simple recreational diving for 25 odd years, and whilst I think it is highly unlikely that I am going to start doing any serious technical diving (death and me don't get along), I am curious about how things are done on the "dark side" of the sport, and I also think that even if one does not actually engage in technical diving on an ongoing basis, there are probably some very useful skills to be learned (thinking more of deep diving, gas blending and decompression diving rather than wreck or cave penetration - I also secretly suspect rebreathers are going to one day become very standard kit).

I know that PADI's technical diving arm, DSAT, has a course designed to do exactly this ("Discover Tec diving"), but I wondered if it would be a little lightweight, and whether I would be better off looking into courses run by TDI (or other organisation), particularly if I then decided to go on and do other technical training courses. There is no one who teaches technical diving in this part of the globe anyhow, so I would need to travel regardless which route I took.

I know that there are a lot of technical divers and technical diving instructors on the boards, so I would certainly welcome the views of those who know what they are talking about.

 

[muddiver]

 

[sheck33]

Hi, not exactly sure what it is you actually want to end up doing but, as a suggestion, have you considered GUE's Fundies and Triox class? You will learn a lot of very useful stuff without getting into 'heavy' Tech diving, you can always choose to continue to Tech 1 if you so wish.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I personally like the NAUI Intro to Tech and combine it with the Heliotrox course. Will get you into doubles and entry level trimix as well as extend your range to 150 or so.

 

[SlowRain]

IANTD's Advanced Nitrox (certification allows you to use EAN to 100%). When I went through it also did intro to tech, decompression procedures...etc etc, doubles were optional, but if you were diving single then you had to have an H valve and two regulator sets (checkout dives were decompression dives). From there you can move to either the recreational trimix route or more serious road (doubles are mandatory at this point) of normoxic trimix and then full trimix (both have more tech built into the coursework). They also have gas blender courses...and just about everything up to and including rebeather training specific to, from what I could see, most of the current models out there. Check their website for more information.

IANTD IAND rebreathers Scuba Dive Training Agency Nitrox EANx Trimix Oxygen Rebreather Cave Wreck IANDT IAND decompression, scuba diver

 

[ucfdiver]

Were PADI and tech diving used in the same post?


What do tech diving and death have to do with each other? Tech diving isn't Russian roulette, it's a branch of diving that can be done safely with training.

 

[ianr33]

IANTD's Advanced Nitrox (certification allows you to use EAN to 100%). ]

I dont think thats true. From the website you linked:

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.

I *think* you need to do Technical Nitrox to get a card for 100% O2

I found IANTD far too confusing so I went with TDI

 

[texdiveguy]

Rhone Man... it appears from your SB bio and post you are an experienced diver, so I am assuming you have a grasp on the distinct differences between rec/tec.

I think your wanting to consider an Intro to Technical class is cool. Most all the mainstream training agencies have some type of class to address just folks like yourself.

DSAT has a good class....at least from what I have 'read'.....NAUI has a well respected class that seems to be popular and generally gets nice reviews from students taking it. Of course I think TDI's is going to be the best! International Training :: Get Certified :: Intro to Tech Diving Most of these classes are a 2 day affair with a bit of classroom and in water training of various topics that will answer many of the basics and allow you the opt. to visit with an instructor and other technical divers one on one.

Try to interview a few instructors to get a feel for their instruction and class materials. I always look at this class as a non-certf. class as it really does not allow the diver greater use of gases--depth etc. beyond their current certf. level...BUT what it does as you pointed out will generally help you to becoming a more informed and better skilled diver!

Good luck and let us know where you go with this.

 

[GDI]

TDI Intro to Tech Class does this for divers like you

 

[Rick Inman]

I found IANTD far too confusing so I went with TDI

No kidding! I've got several IANTD tech cards, and I'm still not sure what they all mean. My latest one says trimix to 330', so I figure that will about cover anything I need to show a card for. But even moving through then classes, the instructor wasn't sure what was what, and even Patty Mount had difficulty giving consistent answers.

That said, I think intro to tech can be great through IANTD (Deep Diver / Advanced Nitrox combined class), if you have the right instructor. However, GUE's DIRF class is a sure winner, as should be NAUI intro to tech.

I think the OP is correct that the skills are worth it, even if you never move into any technical diving.