I went to the orientation for Beginning Tech Diver, Advanced NITROX, and Decompression Theory class a little over a week ago. The class is being taught through a LDS here in Colo Spgs. The cost of the combined classes was very fair almost 1/2 what others charge. But, it didn't take long before I realized that there were lots more costs.
The following might be helpful to those of you who are currently purchasing equipment, and might like to get into Tech diving. I didnt know any of this, and PADI doesnt tell you any of it, but then, its Tech, not Rec. You might be able to save some money by not having to buy new stuff. I am having to buy new, even though most of my gear is less than 2 years old.
I already had bought my Back Plate and singles wing, and had a doubles wing on the way. But, I didnt know soon enough that I bought a Back Inflate BC, about as close as you can get to a BP/Wing, and not be there. The wing is not replaceable/interchangeable. If Id known more about BP/Wings I could have saved buying both.
You will need 3 regulators. This instructor requires that two be identical (balanced 1st and 2nd stages) and its very desirable that the third be the same too. All three must be DIN not Yoke. Luckily I knew this before I bought my pony reg. So, I have two identical Sherwood Magnums, and I just got a third Sherwood Brute for my Deco bottle (its almost identical and I had a supply of rebuild kits for them). Sherwood makes a DIN conversion for them that I will get. But remember, unless you convert (take the 1st stage apart and put the yoke back on) you cant easily use the common scuba tanks with a Yoke valve. So, maybe another regulator or two in the future? . So, when looking for a second Regulator, consider one that matches what you currently have (assuming you like it and its still functional) and consider if it can be converted to DIN.
Youll also need new hoses for these regs, since youll be using a 5 or 7 on one and the other will be bungeed around your neck. And youll need a short one for the spg on the deco bottle.
What I didn't think about was that no consoles are used in tech diving. That never occurred to me. So I'll have to buy another SPG (Glass & Brass only) with a 24 HP hose, and depth gauge, and eventually a compass; the later two will be wrist mounted.
When I bought my computer about 1-1/2 years ago, I got a wrist mount. Not because I was thinking ahead to tech diving, but because I didn't expect to buy much of my gear, including a regulator. Not easy to attach a console mount computer to a rental regulator. And, also not planned but helpful is that my computer will work in gauge mode. It won't, and most Recreational Computers won't, handle more than one gas mix. That is, on the same dive, you can't tell the computer to change from 21% to 32% to 50/50 to 100% Oxygen. Therefore they teach the class using Tables. But you do need redundant bottom timers and depth gauges to use the tables. So, make sure your computer is capable of working in Gauge Mode. Youll need to forms of Timing and Depth devices.
Then there are some subtle things, like no split fins are allowed (I currently have split fins) so I have to buy solid blade fins and they recommend spring straps. The skirt on your mask must be Black (mines blue). You must have a 50# (minimum) lift bag with finger spool. My SMB is unrated as to lift. All lights must be twist to turn on/off. The primary should be a canister style. You need two backups. Only one of my lights (my backup) is twist on/off. The slate must be wrist mounted mine is the common clip on style.
You will need a redundant buoyancy device (either a dry suit or dual wings).
The LDS sponsoring the class (they are bringing in a TDI Tech Instructor) will rent the double tanks along with the deco bottle. But if they didnt, or if you want to use your own tanks, youll need tank bands and an isolating manifold (DIN) too.
Well, thats what I can think of. As you can probably see, Tech diving requires specific and more equipment. If you can buy the specific equipment as part of your Recreational kit, youll save money. Wrist computers, wrist compass (vs buying on to fit in your console), solid fins, black skirts on your mask, regs that can be converted to DIN easily (and hopefully by you, not the LDS service tech), wrist mounted slate and backup lights that twist on/off, are somewhat easy choices. Harder are the Back Plate/Wing, 50# SMB, and canister light from the start.
I still plan to pursue this, but Ill now wait for the class next spring. That will give me time to find (and pay for) the remaining equipment I need.
The following might be helpful to those of you who are currently purchasing equipment, and might like to get into Tech diving. I didnt know any of this, and PADI doesnt tell you any of it, but then, its Tech, not Rec. You might be able to save some money by not having to buy new stuff. I am having to buy new, even though most of my gear is less than 2 years old.
I already had bought my Back Plate and singles wing, and had a doubles wing on the way. But, I didnt know soon enough that I bought a Back Inflate BC, about as close as you can get to a BP/Wing, and not be there. The wing is not replaceable/interchangeable. If Id known more about BP/Wings I could have saved buying both.
You will need 3 regulators. This instructor requires that two be identical (balanced 1st and 2nd stages) and its very desirable that the third be the same too. All three must be DIN not Yoke. Luckily I knew this before I bought my pony reg. So, I have two identical Sherwood Magnums, and I just got a third Sherwood Brute for my Deco bottle (its almost identical and I had a supply of rebuild kits for them). Sherwood makes a DIN conversion for them that I will get. But remember, unless you convert (take the 1st stage apart and put the yoke back on) you cant easily use the common scuba tanks with a Yoke valve. So, maybe another regulator or two in the future? . So, when looking for a second Regulator, consider one that matches what you currently have (assuming you like it and its still functional) and consider if it can be converted to DIN.
Youll also need new hoses for these regs, since youll be using a 5 or 7 on one and the other will be bungeed around your neck. And youll need a short one for the spg on the deco bottle.
What I didn't think about was that no consoles are used in tech diving. That never occurred to me. So I'll have to buy another SPG (Glass & Brass only) with a 24 HP hose, and depth gauge, and eventually a compass; the later two will be wrist mounted.
When I bought my computer about 1-1/2 years ago, I got a wrist mount. Not because I was thinking ahead to tech diving, but because I didn't expect to buy much of my gear, including a regulator. Not easy to attach a console mount computer to a rental regulator. And, also not planned but helpful is that my computer will work in gauge mode. It won't, and most Recreational Computers won't, handle more than one gas mix. That is, on the same dive, you can't tell the computer to change from 21% to 32% to 50/50 to 100% Oxygen. Therefore they teach the class using Tables. But you do need redundant bottom timers and depth gauges to use the tables. So, make sure your computer is capable of working in Gauge Mode. Youll need to forms of Timing and Depth devices.
Then there are some subtle things, like no split fins are allowed (I currently have split fins) so I have to buy solid blade fins and they recommend spring straps. The skirt on your mask must be Black (mines blue). You must have a 50# (minimum) lift bag with finger spool. My SMB is unrated as to lift. All lights must be twist to turn on/off. The primary should be a canister style. You need two backups. Only one of my lights (my backup) is twist on/off. The slate must be wrist mounted mine is the common clip on style.
You will need a redundant buoyancy device (either a dry suit or dual wings).
The LDS sponsoring the class (they are bringing in a TDI Tech Instructor) will rent the double tanks along with the deco bottle. But if they didnt, or if you want to use your own tanks, youll need tank bands and an isolating manifold (DIN) too.
Well, thats what I can think of. As you can probably see, Tech diving requires specific and more equipment. If you can buy the specific equipment as part of your Recreational kit, youll save money. Wrist computers, wrist compass (vs buying on to fit in your console), solid fins, black skirts on your mask, regs that can be converted to DIN easily (and hopefully by you, not the LDS service tech), wrist mounted slate and backup lights that twist on/off, are somewhat easy choices. Harder are the Back Plate/Wing, 50# SMB, and canister light from the start.
I still plan to pursue this, but Ill now wait for the class next spring. That will give me time to find (and pay for) the remaining equipment I need.
