You can still do that in the Deep Diving specialty course as "simulated" decompression stop and use 40% O2 bottle for the simulated deco. (as long as the student is Nitrox certified). If the PADI Tec40 requires training in a technical diving set up, twin tanks with two different regulators etc., this isn't for recreational diving really. The best route still a deep diving course with a qualified and thorough instructor. There is a fine line between tech. and rec and one isn't necessarily better in place of other without taking things into context. I know that it is "fashionable" to keep hammering the technical side of things (just like BP/W, etc.) but I don't think that this is appropriate nor a good advice.
Academically, you can add whatever you want. It just needs to actually make sense. Here are some relevant parts of the standards for the PADI deep course.
Materials and Equipment
Instructor Materials and Equipment
Use the PADI Deep Diver course materials prescriptively to accommodate various sequencing preferences and teaching and learning styles.
Required
• PADI Deep Diver Specialty Course Instructor Guide
• Specialty equipment needed for student divers to perform deep dives.
• Underwater light
• Demonstration items (e.g., puzzles, problems, colored objects or colors painted on a slate)
• Pressure affected items (e.g., ping-pong ball, tennis ball, wet suit materials, etc.)
• Safety equipment (e.g., emergency oxygen; #ag and surface #oat with 6
metre/20 foot weighted line for safety stops with backup air supply attached).
• Emergency backup air supply
Recommended
• PADI Deep Diver Manual. Use the student diver manual for detailed content explanation.
• PADI Deep Diving video
• As needed: Extra backup lights, slates with pencils, compasses, and dive computers for student divers.
Student Diver Materials and Equipment
Recommended
• PADI Deep Diver Manual
• PADI Deep Diving video
• Underwater light
• Slate with pencil
• Dive computer
• Access to support equipment as necessary, including but not limited to: backup lights, slate and pencils, and compasses.
Performance Requirements
By the end of the open water dives, student divers will be able to:
Deep Diver Open Water Dive One
• Execute a descent using a reference as a tactile or visual guide (line, wall or sloping bottom).
• Compare changes in color at the surface and at depth.
• Compare your own depth gauge to your instructor’s and/or other student diver’s depth gauges.
• Use a depth gauge and timing device (or a dive computer with an ascentrate indicator) to measure an ascent rate not to exceed 18 metres/60 feet per minute.
• Perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres/15 feet before surfacing.
Deep Diver Open Water Dive Two
• Execute a “free” descent using a reference line, wall or sloping bottom as a visual guide only.
• Describe and record the changes that occur to three pressure-sensitive items while at depth.
• Perform a navigation swim with a compass away from, and back to, the anchor of the reference line (one diver navigates away from, the other navigates back to, the reference line for a distance of between 10 and 20 kick cycles, depending on visibility).
• Perform an ascent using a reference line, wall or sloping bottom as a visual guide only.
• Use depth gauge and timing device (or a dive computer with ascent-rate indicator) to measure an ascent rate not to exceed 18 metres/60 feet per minute.
• Perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres/15 feet before surfacing without physically holding on to a reference line for positioning.
Deep Diver Open Water Dive Three
• Execute a descent using a reference as a tactile or visual guide (line, wall or sloping bottom).
• Compare the amount of time needed to complete a task on the surface and at depth.
• Perform an ascent using a reference as a tactile or visual guide (line, wall or sloping bottom).
• Use a depth gauge and timing device (or a dive computer with ascentrate indicator) to measure an ascent rate not to exceed 18 metres/60 feet per minute.
• Perform an 8-minute simulated emergency decompression stop at 5 metres/15 feet before surfacing, while breathing from an emergency air source for at least one minute of the total time.
Deep Diver Open Water Dive Four
• Execute a descent using a reference as a tactile or visual guide (line, wall or sloping bottom).
• Complete an underwater tour of the area.
• Perform an ascent using a reference as a tactile or visual guide (line, wall or sloping bottom).
• Use your depth gauge and timing device (or a dive computer with ascentrate indicator) to measure an ascent rate not to exceed 18 metres/60 feet per minute.
• Perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres/15 feet before surfacing.
I find the performance requirements to be underwhelming, though some have expressed their experience as positive.
I believe in the idea of training to beyond a level in which I dive. For recreational divers, I believe Tec40 will help them dive more safely during recreational dives as their awareness will be dramatically increased.
