Discover Tec - is it worth it?

[Doppler]

I'm planning on taking a basic tech class sometime in the next year. My LDS is a running a Discover Tec experience in the pool in January for (i think) $99, which seemed like a lot until I considered that the going rate around here for a pool-only Discover Scuba is $40-50. For various reasons, it'll probably be at least spring before I can take the full course, so is doing a Discover Tec earlier worth it? Is there anything that may/may not be included that would make it a more useful experience? (eg trying out doubles)

Thanks for any input.

A TDI intro-to-tech course runs for four or five days (following the course outline you'll find here). The cost of that program is $450.

Obviously there are different values associated with each course since clearly we are talking about two very different animals.

A few things to consider:
Does the instructor actually do PERSONAL technical dives?
How many and what type?
How long has she/he been teaching technical programs?
What do past students have to say about those programs?
What are the specific deliverables from the program... for example, what skills will you be coached in and what competence level will you be expected to leave with?
Are there past/fail criteria?
What percentage of students failed last year with the instructor and what is the process for remedial work?

There are more.

If you are interested in collecting badges, the average a $99 class may be just fine. If you are looking to gain experience and improve your skills, you may be disappointed.

P.S. A shameless plug: you might want to spend $25 on a good book on the skills needed to do technical dives... link in my signature! LOL


AND I do run programs in the 1000 islands during the spring and summer, if that is an option for you and you are interested. Subscribe to my newsletter for details... link also below.

 

[oreocookie]

The shop advertises the padi tech series, but two of their instructors (both of their padi CDs actually) show up on the TDI website's Find an Instructor search for Into to Tech, AN/DP etc, so going the TDI route may also be an option.

What I'm getting here is that it might be fun to do, but unless they actually go into some depth and actually teach me some skills, it's probably not worth it and I should just wait until logistics allow taking a full course.

 

[chrpai]

If you go the tech route, $100 is a drop in the bucket. Just saying.

(Hence why I'm staying firmly rec!)

 

[Superlyte27]

If you are doing valve-drills on your knees, look for a GUE or UTD instructor. Kneeling on the bottom is not a skill used by technical divers.

Or the right IANTD, NSS-CDS or NACD instructor.

 

[Tug]

P.S. A shameless plug: you might want to spend $25 on a good book on the skills needed to do technical dives... link in my signature! LOL


AND I do run programs in the 1000 islands during the spring and summer, if that is an option for you and you are interested. Subscribe to my newsletter for details... link also below.

I highly recommend both purchasing his book and signing up for the newsletter. Steve is an incredible wealth of knowledge and the book is a great read.

Good luck on your journey!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peter Guy]

OK -- the PADI (nee DSAT) "Discover Tec" program is a specific "experience program" for the recreational diver to be introduced to diving with "technical gear." It is NOT an Intro-to-Tech program. The following is from the PADI Tec Instructor Manual about the program the OP appears to be referencing:

A. Discover Tec is conducted in confined water or limited open water. The maximum depth is 10 metres/30 feet within no stop (no decompression) limits. The site must provide ready access to water shallow enough in which to stand.
...
Explain that Discover Tec is an experience program for trying out tec diving gear. It has no performance requirements, and it does not result in any tec diving qualifications. However, you will demonstrate tec diving skills that they may try, if they want, under your supervision.

In other words, it is a chance for someone to try out a HOG rig with doubles in a pool and have some lecture and review about the "technical mindset."

$99 is probably what it is worth as long as it includes all of the gear and materials.

 

[NAM001]

It sounds like a worth while experience. For those who have relativily few dives, this should shock you into realizing the amount and weight of the hardware that is involved. Just knowing what little info and skills presented in the allotted time is the tip of the iceburg,,,, it should make one think , this is not kansas anymore. The intro to a bp/w itself should be a treat in itself even if you dont persue the tech world. The presentations should will have those taking it doing a lot of post reaserch that can only make them better in the water, whether they stay rec or persue the tech path. it seams like a win win , expecially if you choose as result not to continue which makes the 99$ a cheep lesson in its self. An event like this, though promoting some and detering others, really has no down side.

 

[j yaeger]

by the way,how was the idc / ie????
you must be sooo glad to be back in these warmer climes!!!!!
bob sherwood is also up here in the area for tec intro etc. with GUE
have fun
yaeg

 

[oreocookie]

yaeg, the idc/ie was fun but I'm really tempted to say it was too easy (i'm starting to wonder how/why you can possibly get certified as an instructor with less than 200 dives, but...) which is part of why I'm looking at getting some tech training. 1) as a reminder than I don't know everything (not even close) 2) so my skill-set is beyond what I'm qualified to teach. Aside from that, I want to get into wreck diving beyond what is taught in the padi wreck specialty at some point.

I'm also looking into options with GUE (and UTD) as has been suggested.

 

[j yaeger]

on our side,padi tec is not available within a reasonable drive
but there is mucho tech diving available!!!!!
doing something with doppler or sherwood for you would be a great hit!!!!
congrats to you on your ie!!!
doing mine in montreal was intimidating to say the least
but once i put it into "diving mode", i was fine!!!
maybe see ya diving?
have fun
yaeg