The Chad:
I took a DSAt blender class and was not impressed. I think it was mostly the instructor. ... Alot of ppl are in it for the money, some are in it because they truely love it and are good at it. I would seek out the later, and then agency won't be an issue
There are differences across agencies, in length of experience in tec instruction, quality of the training materials, and the specific requirements of the course. With a good instructor, the impact of these may be minimized, although not necessarily eliminated. I completed the PADI / DSAT Tec level 1 and 2, and found the course to be excellent. It took me through a logical progression of development over 12 dives, provided isolated instruction on specific skills as the program progressed, and ended with an integrated experience - a deco dive to 165ft, employing air as the backgas, and using two deco mixes. The manual was excellent - detailed and informative. Possible downsides of this course: 1) I had an excellent instructor, with whom I could work easily and effectively, who was genuinely committed to helping students develop. I cannot say that all DSAT tec instructors are the same, although I would like to think most are. 2) PADI / DSAT is a relative newcomer to technical training compared to certain other agencies. 3) While the materials for the Tec 1 and 2 are excellent, I do not think the materials for the trimix course are anywhere near as substantive. 4) Trimix diving is also a separate / subsequent step in the DSAT technical dive training process, whereas it may be integrated earlier in other agency programs. 5) The DSAT tec student AND the instructor (who is supposed to be gas-matched with the students) dive air to 165ft, which some view as suboptimal, or even wrong (I do not). 6) The tec training, before trimix, takes you from a maximum recommended depth of 130 to 165 ft, which some may view as rather limited 'gain' (again, I do not). These are not necessarily flaws, just characteristics of this particular agency technical curriculum.
A few personal observations, possibly based by the specific program I completed. Tec training is very much about equipment, procedures, and attitude. Advanced preparation can be helpful in offsetting some of the challenges of the very task-loaded training and diving involved in tec 1 and 2. Before pursuing technical training, I think it is essential to have comfort and facility with drysuit diving, rather than try to master that skill set during the course. Likewise, having experience with doubles diving is highly desirable before beginning the tec training process (although some make the argument that the tec course is what provides the needed initial training in diving doubles). I do not recommend that someone try to set up their doubles rig entirely during the beginning of the course, and dive it for the first time. It is just a lot to try and do. Experience with diving (and air-sharing with) a long hose, deploying lift bags, diving with slung bottles (pony to start, decos in the course) is helpful, and can be practiced BEFORE the course. And, having an attitude that failure to perform with perfection during the course is not only possible but almost guaranteed, is desirable. It is a humbling experience.
