Tech Track

[silverfish88]

I have recently become interested in learning tech diving. I have a fair amount of recreational scuba diving in both "cool water" with a dry suit and the caribean. I currently have my PADI recue diver certification with a nitrox card. My question to you is: What is the best/safest pathway to take to learn technical diving? I have seen DIR classes offered by certain people. I have seen one group (SSI) offer other technical classes. What should I be looking for in a class/curriculum? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide concerning this matter.

Silverfish

 

[SlowRain]

Wow...where to start. Probably the course you should look at first is a deep dive specialty class (if you don't have it) and then Advanced Nitrox as it is usually a pre-req to any kind of trimix class. I would place focus on the instructor and how well you relate to them. Do not be afraid to talk to the instructor and ask what the course entails, what you will be trained in, what kind of equipment they expect you to have versus what equipment they provide as part of the course. IANTD's advanced nitrox integrates the foundation for tech diving into it with equipment, decompression, etc.

Beyond that there are choices...and it really depends on where you want to go with diving. There is normoxic trimix (trimix with O2 kept at 20%) and beyond that trimix, which allows the O2 content to be altered. It really boils down to what kind of diving you are wanting to engage in, but I would, at least in my opinion, go through the advanced nitrox class first. That will probably give you enough "hands-on" to help steer you through your future course selections.

 

[texdiveguy]

You might consider a course such as this... International Training :: Get Certified :: Intro to Tech Diving ... several other agencies have similar offering and its a good place to start.

 

[ppo2_diver]

First start off by finding a qualified instructor to help evaluate you. There are many things you can look for in an instructor, you should find one with a lot of recent experience in the types of diving you are wanting to do. Second, you skills should be instinctive. Are you comfortable doing air shares, not having a mask, etc. You should be comfortable doing them while keeping neutral buoyancy and trim. The deeper you go, the more perfect your skills have to be.

 

[battles2a5]

The first thing I would do is a little research on the agencies. Look into TDI, IANTD, GUE, NAUI Tech, PADI DSAT, and SSI Tek-XR. I am not going to start a debate on DIR vs. the world or which agency is best. You have to make that decision for yourself. But I would take the following into consideration while doing the research:

1) Where can I find the best instructor in the area?
2) Where can I find a mentor in the area?
3) Where can I find other people to train w/ and dive w/ in the area?
4) Which agency will allow me to the do the type of diving I want to do?

I will say from personal experience that it is tough to go down the GUE path when you have no local resources. Imagine investing the time, money, and effort in getting through Fundies and Tech1 to find that you don't have anyone to dive with. This is what led me to TDI. There are some great TDI instructors within an hour from me, the majority of the tech divers here are TDI, and I have a decent sized group of TDI technical divers that I can train w/ and dive w/ on a regular basis.

Once you find out which path you want to take, see if you can tag along on a training dive to see what the deal is. Your diving will have to change considerably to dive at this level. You have to constantly maintain your skills. This will require a lot of time and a significant financial investment. If you like what you see, try to find a mentor. This can be your instructor or a local diver that is willing to invest the time in you. They will help you choose your gear, learn the skills, and will hopefully give you an honest evaluation on what you need to work on before taking the plunge. Once training begins, you should constantly re-evaluate where you stand with your skills, your experiences, and your comfort before moving forward. Tech diving isn't about collecting cards. Even in training, you can be exposed to some potentially dangerous situations and you need to be able to honestly assess your ability and willingness to accept those risks.

I'm still a tech newbie but so far it has been a rewarding experience and I look forward to continuing my training. All I can say is enjoy the journey. Don't look it as a means to an end but as an opportunity to learn the skills and learn something about yourself in the process. Have fun!

 

[Mike Edmonston]

It has been said before, but bears repeating:

AGENCIES DO NOT MATTER!!!

Find a good instructor, (Really do the research!), then tell him/her what you want to accomplish. Your instructor will evaluate you, and tell you which direction you need to go.

Safe Diving

 

[texdiveguy]

It has been said before, but bears repeating:

AGENCIES DO NOT MATTER!!!

Find a good instructor, (Really do the research!), then tell him/her what you want to accomplish. Your instructor will evaluate you, and tell you which direction you need to go.

Safe Diving

Mike.... I do understand were you are coming from on this... "AGENCIES DO NOT MATTER!!!"... but as important as the selection of an instructor is and particularly at the technical level, I do think agency program flow and course content 'does matter' and should be a part of ones selection process as to were they will end up getting their training.

For me I selected TDI for my technical training partly because of the instructor/cost and I felt TDI had and does have a good solid educational system for at least the programs I have taken.

Now having said all this....there are several agencies materials and content that I like, just so happened TDI was the best selection for me. I would suggest to the OP to seriously look at several agency programs and their materials in addition to interviewing selected instructors for a well balanced training experience.

Alan

 

[silverfish88]

Thanks for all the information. I will look around in NYC and Brooklyn to see what is available in the region. So far I have found Village Divers in manhattan who is TDI I believe. The tech guy here seemed very knowledgeable and friendly. I have also used Kings County Divers recently who is an SSI shop. They also seem to be very good. Any other suggestions in the NYC area that anyone knows of? I look forward to learning the rules/art of technical diving. I can't wait for the weather to warm up to practice some of it too.

 

[TSandM]

I would highly recommend starting with one of the "Intro to Tech" classes -- NAUI has one, GUE has Fundies, and I believe TDI has now put out a similar class.

The skill level required for technical diving is so very different from what's acceptable for most recreational classes that it comes as a rude surprise for a lot of divers who try to make the transition.

 

[O.M.O.H.]

Thanks for all the information. I will look around in NYC and Brooklyn to see what is available in the region. So far I have found Village Divers in manhattan who is TDI I believe. The tech guy here seemed very knowledgeable and friendly. I have also used Kings County Divers recently who is an SSI shop. They also seem to be very good. Any other suggestions in the NYC area that anyone knows of? I look forward to learning the rules/art of technical diving. I can't wait for the weather to warm up to practice some of it too.

You should check out the shop that i am training at and diving with. It is called 1877ScubaUsa, it is a TDI / ERDI shop and the guys there are very knowledgeable and very friendly, in New York kind of way.

I chose them mainly because of the diligence these guys take when they work with you while in training. It is definitely not a "card collection" process.

They are a bit out of the way, in Paramus, but it is worth the drive, at least for me... The guy to speak to is Phil Ventura. Call him at 1-877-ScubaUSA

They now have a program called Meadowland Scuba Club, where you pay monthly membership dues and you get free air/nitrox fills, training certifications (number of certification included is based on your membership level, 2, 4, 6, etc), 50% off rentals, pretty good equipment purchase discounts, free pool practice, etc.

PM me if you need more info.

Cheers.

Eugene