Most current version of PADI Deep Diving Manual?

[Gaijinsan]

I'm trying to find out what the most current version of the PADI Deep Diving manual is so I can get a copy and have any knowledge reviews completed before heading off on the next diving trip. Naturally PADI doesn't seem to want to put this information out there so they can force students to buy the books (at markup rates) from dive schools, but most dive schools I've encountered could care less where you got the book as long as you have the correct one.

I'm not honestly thrilled about having to do the Deep Specialty before being allowed into TEC 40 since both are for the same depth and TEC 40 is far more comprehensive... but PADI needs to make a few extra dollars somehow I guess. Frankly I'd rather find another organization to start Tech with anyway, but PADI is too convenient everywhere I travel and especially where I live. Will see.

Any PADI shop staff here who can let me know the correct book version so I can grab a copy online before the trip would be much appreciated.

 

[Patoux01]

I'm not honestly thrilled about having to do the Deep Specialty before being allowed into TEC 40 since both are for the same depth and TEC 40 is far more comprehensive... but PADI needs to make a few extra dollars somehow I guess. Frankly I'd rather find another organization to start Tech with anyway, but PADI is too convenient everywhere I travel and especially where I live. Will see.

Doesn't answer your question, but:
- If you don't like the agency, don't go there.
- Pretty sure any tec diving center will recognize a TDI cert at least as well as a PADI cert...

 

[Edward3c]

I'm trying to find out what the most current version of the PADI Deep Diving manual is so I can get a copy and have any knowledge reviews completed before heading off on the next diving trip. Naturally PADI doesn't seem to want to put this information out there so they can force students to buy the books (at markup rates) from dive schools, but most dive schools I've encountered could care less where you got the book as long as you have the correct one.

I'm not honestly thrilled about having to do the Deep Specialty before being allowed into TEC 40 since both are for the same depth and TEC 40 is far more comprehensive... but PADI needs to make a few extra dollars somehow I guess. Frankly I'd rather find another organization to start Tech with anyway, but PADI is too convenient everywhere I travel and especially where I live. Will see.

Any PADI shop staff here who can let me know the correct book version so I can grab a copy online before the trip would be much appreciated.

PADI are a publishing house and pretty aggressive in controlling their income stream. However, it's good practice to teach to the latest thinking, hence the insistence that the current version is used by students

Have you looked at what BSAC Japan offer?

I've found most dive operators will accept certifications from any agency.

 

[DevonDiver]

I'm not honestly thrilled about having to do the Deep Specialty before being allowed into TEC 40 since both are for the same depth and TEC 40 is far more comprehensive...

You don't have to.

You can enrol directly on to Tec40 with the following prerequisites:

1. Certified as PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent.

2. Certified as PADI Enriched Air Diver or equivalent.

3. Certified as PADI Deep Diver... OR... Proof of 10 dives to 30m/100ft.

4. 18 years old.

5. 30 logged dives: 10 with EANx, 7 deeper than 30m/100ft.

Note.... there is an acceptable logged dive experience alternative to the Deep Diver qualification.

This is as per the PADI TecRec 'Tech Deep Instructor Manual', but it isn't publicised in PADI marketing materials...

Beyond this... you NEED TO BE READY to take on the challenge of tech training. Yes, Tec40 gives you a LOT more training than the Deep Diver course... but you need to have the foundational competencies in place if you are to achieve that benefit..

If the Deep Diver course actually provided those strong foundational competencies them I'd wholeheartedly support it as a prerequisite. But the fact is, when taught to the minimum standards by rec instructors with zero tech diving experience, the course is very weak... and mostly irrelevant as preparation for tech training.

However, do a Deep Diver course with a serious tech instructor... for the purposes of being a primer to tech diving (beginning with the end in mind)... and it could be very beneficial indeed...

As a tech instructor, I'm far more interested in the diving competency of my students. Whilst I have to follow the minimum prerequisites stated by the agency, these are the least of my concerns. All tech instructors are supposed to conduct pre-course assessments... I think a few (or more) are only interested in doing credit checks.. LOL

Here's an article I wrote that compares Deep Diver and Tec40...

PADI Deep Diver versus the Tec40 Course: A Comparison

 

[dumpsterDiver]

You don't have to.

You can enrol directly on to Tec40 with the following prerequisites:

1. Certified as PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent.

2. Certified as PADI Enriched Air Diver or equivalent.

3. Certified as PADI Deep Diver... OR... Proof of 10 dives to 30m/100ft.

4. 18 years old.

5. 30 logged dives: 10 with EANx, 7 deeper than 30m/100ft.

Note.... there is an acceptable logged dive experience alternative to the Deep Diver qualification.

This is as per the PADI TecRec 'Tech Deep Instructor Manual', but it isn't publicised in PADI marketing materials...

Beyond this... you NEED TO BE READY to take on the challenge of tech training. Yes, Tec40 gives you a LOT more training than the Deep Diver course... but you need to have the foundational competencies in place if you are to achieve that benefit..

If the Deep Diver course actually provided those strong foundational competencies them I'd wholeheartedly support it as a prerequisite. But the fact is, when taught to the minimum standards by rec instructors with zero tech diving experience, the course is very weak... and mostly irrelevant as preparation for tech training.

However, do a Deep Diver course with a serious tech instructor... for the purposes of being a primer to tech diving (beginning with the end in mind)... and it could be very beneficial indeed...

As a tech instructor, I'm far more interested in the diving competency of my students. Whilst I have to follow the minimum prerequisites stated by the agency, these are the least of my concerns. All tech instructors are supposed to conduct pre-course assessments... I think a few (or more) are only interested in doing credit checks.. LOL

Here's an article I wrote that compares Deep Diver and Tec40...

PADI Deep Diver versus the Tec40 Course: A Comparison

I read you website about the differences.

Is Tech 40 a PADI course? That was not entirely clear?

The Tech 40 REQUIRES 10 minutes of actual deco. Depth is to 130 ft and the required (minimum) redundancy is a 30 cu-ft pony bottle.

We hear so much "talk" on this board about how a large pony bottle is ESSENTIAL to simply reach the surface from 100 ft or deeper - so doing planned DECO with 10 minutes required deco... I would think people might get heart burn over this - especially (I am assuming) if the gas plan would include some extra gas for an unplanned extension of the bottom time which could increase the actual deco above the planned 10 minutes.

Also,, you make a reference to contentious instructors... that is probably an auto - correct..

 

[Sevenrider860]

The Tech 40 REQUIRES 10 minutes of actual deco. Depth is to 130 ft and the required (minimum) redundancy is a 30 cu-ft pony bottle.

Unless things have changed, the requirement of a pony bottle only exists if the Tec40 diver is not using an H or Y valve when diving with a single cylinder.

"The cylinder should have an H or Y valve, which allows you to have two entirely separate regulators."
"With Tec 40 limits, it is alternatively acceptable to have a large, main cylinder with a pony bottle in place of an H/Y valve."

 

[Hawkwood]

I'll answer!

Is Tech 40 a PADI course? That was not entirely clear?

Yes it is.

Also,, you make a reference to contentious instructors... that is probably an auto - correct..

​Sometimes auto-correct makes for the best reading.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

So then why Tech 40 vs TDI Advanced Ntirox & Staged Decompression Procedures?

It looked to me like the TDI Advanced Ntirox & Staged Decompression Procedures would allow me additional training and advancement in diving.
Is there a PADI equivalent or does it start with Tech 40?
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[tursiops]

So then why Tech 40 vs TDI Advanced Ntirox & Staged Decompression Procedures?

It looked to me like the TDI Advanced Ntirox & Staged Decompression Procedures would allow me additional training and advancement in diving.
Is there a PADI equivalent or does it start with Tech 40?
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It's called Tech 45....so 40+45 is two couses, just as AN+DP is two courses.

 

[Sevenrider860]

So then why Tech 40 vs TDI Advanced Ntirox & Staged Decompression Procedures?

It looked to me like the TDI Advanced Ntirox & Staged Decompression Procedures would allow me additional training and advancement in diving.
Is there a PADI equivalent or does it start with Tech 40?
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I am not familiar with the TDI equivalents, but the PADI Tec40 course is the first step in the progression of a "Deep Air" curriculum that ends with Tec50. Of course some may take the Tec40 to extend their "deep recreational" diving and never feel a need to move further.

Tec40 - Single deco mix at 50%. Max depth of 40 meters. Max deco of 10 minutes planned using the same mix as your backgas. 50% used to add conservatism to the plan. Can use "recreational" equipment with minimal modifications.

Tec45 - Single deco mix up to 100%. Max depth of 45 meters. Unlimited accelerated deco planned using the actual mix of your deco gas. A technical rig/kit is now required.

Tec50 - Two deco mixes up to 100%. Max depth of 50 meters. Same planning and rig/kit as Tec45.

I believe it was a way to split the previous "Tec Deep" in to graduated steps. There are some that claim is was a way to charge for 3 courses instead of one...we all know that PADI likes it's fees, but I don't believe that was the basis of the decision to split the old "Deep" into 3 sections.

My decision was not based on it being a TDI or PADI course. I picked the instructor I wanted and that dictated the program. I earned my Tec40 and Tec Sidemount on one trip and then completed Tec45 and Tec50 on another trip. Yes PADI received 4 PIC payments, but the progression worked for me and I was happy with it.