Question Should I become a tech diver? Mostly dive south Florida

[vspeeds]

Thank you in advance for any comments and feedback.
I'm a 4-5 hour drive from Key Largo and Pensacola. I'm interested in diving Chuuk at some point, maybe in 2026. In any case, it would not be an annual trip, likely a one and done.
For the FL dives, it's easy to do tech diving with Horizon Divers. I have never seen a tech diver on my Key West dives on the Vandenberg. And my 2 trips on the Oriskany I didn't have tech divers.
I don't have a dive buddy at rec level. Not sure I will have one as a tech diver.
My question is, if I start "tech diving" what are my opportunities locally in FL? What dive operators host a single tech diver? I have my SDI solo and I can only solo dive with one operator. I'm concerned with making the effort to become a tech diver and being limited in what I can do with the equipment and training.
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[SmashMonkey]

Most of Truk Lagoon wrecks are above 130 ft / 40 m. Being able to dive to to 150 ft / 145 m and linger a bit longer unlocks a wee bit more.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d1f8b6514f05200011df35c/t/5f58c373566f64061ae2eaf6/1599652735458/Truk+Lagoon+Wreck+Depths+Chart.png

 

[vspeeds]

It's not so much about the depth as it is limitations on wreck penetration as a rec diver. My task loading saturation limit is increasing as I gain more experience. I switched to BPW, long hose primary, pony bottle and upgraded all secondary 2nd stages (from crappy octos I didn't trust) about 40 dives ago. Trying to build experience with the kit I would have as a tec diver. This has been great feedback and I've decided to move forward with TDI AN/DP. My next decision and thread is going to be, do I do AN/DP in combination with Choptima training, or start with OC and then do CCR at a later date.

 

[inquis]

do I do AN/DP in combination with Choptima training, or start with OC and then do CCR at a later date.

AN/DP first because "walk before you run". The additional deco theory and focus on precision stops will be a good stepping stone. Your first CCR cert can be deco/helitrox, and if you have to bail out from the CCR with a deco obligation looming, you'll have experience hitting/holding your stops on OC. The CCR BO will only be more difficult, as there is an additional air space to manage.

 

[Zaixon]

Do it

 

[chrisjur]

South Florida tech diver here who had many of the same questions at some points in my journey. There are some good thoughts in this thread. Let me hopefully add a few more:

First, if you’re going to tec dive regularly, you’re probably in the best place in the country for it. Besides the obvious (year-round good weather), the logistics are relatively easy (e.g. lots of options for tec gas fills, lots of knowledgeable shops and boats) and there are many tec-friendly charter options every week. You can tec dive a different wreck from Jupiter to the Keys weekly without repeating one in a year. If it interests you, do it. You’re lucky to live here.

Second, I find the tec community to be friendly and continuously growing. You’ll meet people who you’ll get to dive with again in the future. You’ll find Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Dive operators will help you get paired up. Your instructor will help you out. Don’t stress too much about this now.

Next, I’d stress that many of the skills you have stated that you’re interested in learning are completely different skills and should be learned separately, slowly and progressively. Start with basic decompression procedures. Maybe increase your depth and time with trimix. If wrecks are your thing (which it obviously seems that they are), follow on with Advanced Wreck. Then if you like all that, you can consider rebreather. But I greatly recommend that you don’t try to enter the tec world and the rebreather world simultaneously - and I’m not sure you’d find a good instructor who would let you. Get some good tec experience first - there’s a lot out there to explore.

Also, don’t stress about agency. You always hear that the instructor is more important than agency, and that’s a hundred times more true when it comes to tec diving.

 

[bbaydiver2]

Getting into tech diving was one of the best steps I ever took. Even though I had been diving for years, the training really gave me a much better appreciation & deeper understanding of the theory and physics behind diving. The constant practice and approach to tech diving (not just grabbing tanks and jumping in the water, but having to plan the dives, the gasses, the refills/top-off's on multi-day dives with only air fills available, understand the risks and how to deal with them, etc.) really took my skills to another level. Don’t worry too much about finding buddies right away—you’ll naturally connect with other divers at your same skill level as you go through the courses and meet other divers. Take your time, enjoy the journey, and get your wife to sign a waiver absolving you from future blame for all the money you're about to spend