Tec Diving gap or maybe not

[Remy B.]

I want to continue diving training and by looking at what the two main agencies offer in too introducing a recreational diver to Technical Diving it seems that PADI Tec 40 is a good starter before jumping into TDI AN/DT, as by just looking at the description of what the new comer will learn between TDI Intro to Tec and PADI Tec 40 it looks like PADI Tec 40 offer more.

I do like to go the TDI way since I did the TDI Nitrox and I like the way the information is structured, but it looks that the Tec 40 fills in a gap between Intro to Tec and AN/DT, what do you guys think ???

By the other hand between SDI Sidemount and PADI Sidemount, it seems by course description SDI to offer more, will I really benefit from the sidemount course ??? or do I put my money somewhere more useful before going towards Tec diving.

I know it depends a lot of the instructor put putting this aside, what is your opinion.

 

[tbone1004]

why do you define PADI and TDI as the two main agencies?

Tec40, complete waste imho
AN/DP from TDI is infinitely more useful.

Sidemount from either is very sketchy because the instructors can be certified to teach sidemount in a weekend and you need to learn sidemount from a sidemount diver, most instructors aren't. They might think they are, but it's very rare to find them.

Look at your long term diving goals first and work backwards from there. If you want to go to tec because of deep wrecks, then find a good wreck instructor. If you're interested in caves, find a good cave instructor and get with them as early as possible, but find an instructor that actually does what you want to do

 

[decompression]

If you're on Curaçao there should several good instructors around. You are right in finding one first to discuss your goals. I'm a fan of the TDI A/N and Deco P courses. After those, TDI has a good succession of courses, you can certainly take a side mount course at the tec level once you've completed D/P and get some expirience.


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[Nasser]

Look at your long term diving goals first and work backwards from there. If you want to go to tec because of deep wrecks, then find a good wreck instructor. If you're interested in caves, find a good cave instructor and get with them as early as possible, but find an instructor that actually does what you want to do

This is good advice and I would start with tbone's suggestion as your focal point first.

If you're happy with TDI then stick with them. Perhaps the Intro to Tech course that TDI offers may be an option?

https://www.tdisdi.com/tdi/get-certified/Intro-to-Tech-Diving/

I do not really know anything abut the course or anyone who's taken it so I can't comment from personal experience, but it seems to be close to what you're looking for. You seem to be wisely taking your time and not rushing into tech so if the above course is not what you're looking for, then I suggest hold off a bit and got some more dives in then go straight to AN/DP.

If you're ready to try another agency perhaps the GUE Fundamentals course would be another option worth investigating. It will definitely help you build a strong foundation as a future tech diver.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

When I was ready to begin technical training, I did TDI Intro to Tech followed by AN/DP. It is a solid progressing and with a good instructor will teach you all that you'll need to begin decompression diving. It also lays the groundwork to move onto helitrox or trimix later if you choose. I honestly don't see a need to add PADI Tec 40 into the mix between Intro to Tech and AN/DP. There isn't a gap there that needs to be filled.

If you plan to be a sidemount tech diver, make sure your instructor is a sidemount tech diver. It's as simple as that. For me, I was and am primarily a backmount Great Lakes wreck diver. So I chose an instructor who is a highly experienced backmount Great Lakes wreck diver. I made my decision based upon the extensiveness and regularity of their experience doing the dives I'd like to eventually do as well as their experience as an instructor.

I should also add that you need an instructor whose style matches how you best learn. Not every instructor and student will mesh. You have to align student learning style with instructor teaching style. That is an important aspect which is often forgotten.

 

[The Chairman]

I know it depends a lot of the instructor put putting this aside, what is your opinion.

Why put it aside? It's the most important factor.

I should also add that you need an instructor whose style matches how you best learn. Not every instructor and student will mesh. You have to align student learning style with instructor teaching style. That is an important aspect which is often forgotten.

Probably the wisest piece of advice in this thread. Thanks!

 

[Remy B.]

Why put it aside? It's the most important factor.

Probably the wisest piece of advice in this thread. Thanks!

The problems is one like me can't know who is good and who is not, any one will know more than I do, I just talk to them, so far they are not Cowboys then I go for a course.

If I had the time to go back to Bonaire to continue with Tec courses with the instructor I had for my TDI Nitrox, with eyes close I go, but know I'm in Europe and try to find something close from where I'm working, is not easy

 

[DevonDiver]

I'll also add the suggestion that it's the instructor, not the agency, that matters. I also wouldn't suggest limiting yourself to only two agencies... find the best instructor you can afford/reach and train with them.

In all honesty, syllabus means very little. It's small stuff. A quality technical diving instructor trains you to technical dive... that's the end of it. Course X, Y or Z are just staging points along the journey.

Any entry-level technical course.... taught properly... is going to introduce you to a new mindset, significantly improve your fundamental diving skills (buoyancy, trim, propulsion, situational awareness), develop your gas management and show you how to dive effectively in a team. Add a few details on how to select decompression gasses, how to use software/computer to plan a dive and how to conduct a safe gas switch. Ta Da!! That's about it.

Further courses improve on those standards... add a 2nd deco mix, add some helium, add some stages.... small leaps. The big leaps come in your fundamental skills refinement, problem solving and experience. That's it.... not rocket science.

My only other advice, relative to some answers on this thread.... is that you must compare like-for-like when considering the levels of course. Tec40 isn't comparable to AN/DP... of course not.... Tec40 AND Tec45 are the equivalent of AN/DP...

Tec40 is level one... not 'intro-to-tech'.... and neither is it 'full' tech (Tec45+ or AN/DP).... but IMHO... Tec40 is a far more useful stand-alone course than AN is by itself...

---------- Post added September 19th, 2015 at 06:59 AM ----------

The problems is one like me can't know who is good and who is not, any one will know more than I do, I just talk to them, so far they are not Cowboys then I go for a course.

Any tech instructor worth their salt has a reputation.... and a 'footprint' in the tech community. Google is a good starting point.... and also word-of-mouth (inc the intern forums and groups).

I put some questions and examples on my blog: How To Select A Technical Diving Instructor

 

[Michael Guerrero]

I feel like a lot of the information you would learn in Intro to Tec is stuff you can just read on the Internet, or here on these boards, or ask a current technical diver. The gear configuration is not particularly complicated and getting comfortable with it is a matter of going out and diving it. Start with it in the shallows and work your way deeper.

 

[DevonDiver]

I feel like a lot of the information you would learn in Intro to Tec is stuff you can just read on the Internet, or here on these boards, or ask a current technical diver.

Since when was learning technical diving merely about acquiring 'information'?

Yes... research about technical diving before investing in learning. But learning has to come with first-hand role-modelling, safe supervision and critical feedback.

Intro-to-Tech is a specific kind of research... it's about getting in the water and seeing if you like it... and how you measure up.

Getting in the water is only half of it...

The gear configuration is not particularly complicated and getting comfortable with it is a matter of going out and diving it. Start with it in the shallows and work your way deeper.

Because, of course, you can't screw it up and drown yourself in the shallows.

If I had a dollar for every tech student I've seen get flustered and try to shut down all their valves....

If I had another dollar for every recreational diver who dove over-weighted....

If I had another dollar for every wannabe tech diver who surfed the net, watched the YouTubes, read the forums.... and dove like an absolute a$$ in the water.


The 'point' of an intro-to-tech.... or any other technical class.... is that you get a first-hand demonstration of the equipment, skills, protocols and mindset..... AS WELL AS direct feedback on your performance.... AS WELL AS the safety of supervision due to the high likelihood that you will screw it up and endanger yourself.