How expensive is tech?

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

I was wondering how expensive would going into tech be? I have researched course prices for advanced nitrox, deco-procedures etc and they are not cheap. But once you do get certified, can anyone give me and idea as to

1. what kind of gear investment are we looking at? Is it necessary to own 8 different regulator sets etc? It is understandable to collect gear as you go up in training experience but if you get 6 different regulators serviced annually, that alone is a lot of money. No? Are all tech guys extremely rich people? (Doctors, CEO, dentists etc)

2. How much does a typical tech charter cost?

3. What about gas fills? I pay 13 dollars for nitrox fills so how much would helium and trimix etc cost?

Any other hidden costs? Thanks. I want to do tech but if it means diving less than Id rather stay recreational and just dive more.

 

[Superlyte27]

It can be very expensive.

Assuming you have all recreational gear....
Get rid of the split fins, get new fins... 150 bucks. Get rid of computer console, get wrist bottom timer or computer. Get DIN Regs. Get Double tanks, get good flashlights, get back up lights, get reels, Get BP/W. Etc, etc, etc.... so on and so on and so on.

I'd say if you had no technical gear at all, you're probably looking at 2k+ for gear, being thrifty and buying used when able. At a minimum. Factor in that technical training is a never ending pursuit and classes are about 1k+ at this level, and you better start saving those tax returns.

Then factor in that you'll be growing in your technical pursuit. You probably will eventually want 5 or 6 regulators. My last OC dive deep was 2 regs for back gas, 1 reg for 50%, 1 reg for 100% and 1 reg for drysuit bottle. And this was a minor dive. Then add in that I had about $150 in trimix and oxygen for a single dive. And it gets pricey.

My best buddy laughed at me 2 years ago. I said, "I only need one more regulator and a new drysuit and I'm done buying gear for at least a decade". Bear in mind, I had 30+ tanks, 6 sets of doubles, 9 regulators, 3 wetsuits, etc. etc. He told me I was nuts, that I would never have enough gear. I thought he was wrong.

Not six weeks later someone offered me a rebreather class. I took it. Not an hour after that class I wanted a rebreather. Then someone took me scooter diving. I wanted a scooter. Then I realized I needed 6 matching AL80's for bailout. But I also wanted LP50's for bailout. Then I wanted another trimix analyzer. Oh, and... and.... and.... and......

Well, it never ends. I've got more than 40k in dive gear. And I could spent another 3k right now for stuff I believe I legitimately need. My wife doesn't agree. And that's not counting the second rebreather I plan on buying at Christmas.

 

[Garth]

Tech charter: 200$ or so plus tip

Fills with helium on doubles: figure $100-150

Annual service on regulators $400-500.

I would go into it thinking you will probably be paying about $10,000 over the first few years... That is if you actually dive with your new technical certifications.

How much do you dive, what do you like, why would you want to do tech?

I wish you the best of luck. There are plenty of ways you can save money but be smart about where you skimp as if you choose unwisely you will find yourself in unsafe situations...


Garth

 

[Allison Finch]

Are you ready to take a second mortgage on your house? Yes, it can be quite expensive.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Tech charter: 200$ or so plus tip

Fills with helium on doubles: figure $100-150

Annual service on regulators $400-500.

I would go into it thinking you will probably be paying about $10,000 over the first few years... That is if you actually dive with your new technical certifications.

How much do you dive, what do you like, why would you want to do tech?

I wish you the best of luck. There are plenty of ways you can save money but be smart about where you skimp as if you choose unwisely you will find yourself in unsafe situations...


Garth

Thanks for the info Garth. I live in VA and dive NC more than any place else. Last year for me was 15 dives in the whole year and this year is 30 dives. Next year will be 40 - 50 dives so the number of dives has grown each year. I am interested in Tech because there are some wrecks that I would like to photograph / film. Besides that, I am hoping that tech will open up some more dive sites locally for me in the NJ / NC area.

 

[elan]

Turns out to be at least $200 per dive here. thats after you have all minimal gear required and does not include equipment maintenance costs

 

[Superlyte27]

What am I, chopped liver? LOL

 

[chrpai]

I'm not sure I'd suggest Tech for someone who logs < 100 dives a year. As for $$$, if you have to ask...

I used to live in Springfield. There should be plenty of diving available to a recreational diver.

 

[TSandM]

1. You're going to need at least two first stages and two second stages, whether you dive backmount or sidemount. In addition, you need at least one deco reg, and if you are diving helium, an argon/suit inflation reg setup. If you go on to very deep technical dives, you will need two deco regs and perhaps a stage reg. Yes, service on all that stuff gets kind of frightening, which is why a lot of us are moving to HOG regs, where a technical diver can take the service class and openly buy the service kits. Don't forget viz and hydro on the tanks!

2. Up here, charters at the Tech 1 level (150 feet) cost the same as recreational charters -- and we often mix the teams on the same boat, with the tech guys doing a deeper profile with about a 60 minute run time, which is what the recreational divers generally do. Charters for the deeper wrecks can be quite expensive, because the boat can't carry as many divers, and divides the cost among the few people who are on it. And you have no guarantee that you will be able to do the dive when you get there, either . . . water conditions, current, visibility, and weather can result in a blown out dive where the charter still needs to be paid.

3. Gases aren't cheap. We're paying about $0.80 a cubic foot for helium right now -- a 21/35 fill in my double 100s has about $56 worth of helium in it. I believe this is relatively inexpensive as helium goes. Oxygen isn't terribly expensive, thank goodness.

If you don't have a dry suit, you will almost certainly need one; deep water is cold, and redundant buoyancy is an awfully good idea, especially when you are diving large tanks. A bright and focused light is almost imperative for the dark and often murky conditions at depth.

I think getting technical training is worthwhile. It will change your mindset and hone your skills. Even if you do very little technical diving, you will have learned something. I did my tech training to do some specific dives, some of which I have done, and some of which I haven't gotten to yet. I don't end up doing very much technical diving, but I'm glad the knowledge and skill set are there if and when I decide to.

 

[SandPhantom]

Save yourself frustration and $$$ by finding a good instructor prior to buying gear.