What is Tech diving?

[diverbrian]

To answer some of your questions, I do a little tech diving by the definitions that I see here.

The minute that you get into tech diving, you had better have a really large single tank with a two outlet valve for your redundant regulators or doubles. Most people find doubles on a backplate and harness easier to operate. The reason that redundant equipment is needed is that you no longer have a direct ascent to the surface so if a regulator free-flows (for instance) you will have to be able to quickly switch. The size of the tank comes into play, because a deco obligation or overhead environment requires you to manage your air supply by the "rule of thirds" which is far more restrictive than the old "be back in with 500 psi left" rule.

I personally keep a separate BC system (wings and harness with doubles) for this type of diving as most BC's do not adequately handle the lift required for the extra tanks deep. I maintain an excellent recreational BC for single tank diving and I just don't find it useful for this. And no, the thought of lugging around a harness with a steel backplate and adapter does not thrill me for recreational diving. I don't want to throw out my back on land just to dive 30 foot in a spring or quarry for a relatively short dive.

I will reiterate what I have seen here. IANTD will not train anyone in the beginning stages of tech diving without at least an advanced open water card for VERY good reason. Learn to dive well before learning this as the extra planning required for the dive, etc. will tend to take the fun out of diving for someone fresh out of open water training and all experienced divers want to see everyone possible ALIVE, STAYING OUT OF A RECOMPRESSION CHAMBER AND HAVING FUN!

Brian C. Palmer

recently completed IANTD Advanced Nitrox Diver

PS I spent a two years in Orlando for Nuclear Power School. There is water all over the place within two to three hours of the area, like the other two point out. Where there is water below 10 feet , there is diving!

 

[Wendy]

diverbrian once bubbled...
And no, the thought of lugging around a harness with a steel backplate and adapter does not thrill me for recreational diving. I don't want to throw out my back on land just to dive 30 foot in a spring or quarry for a relatively short dive.

I have an al backplate and single tank adapter and don't think it weighs any more than a jacket style bc, and its more compact for travel. I use my single tank wing (Halcyon 27# pioneer wing) for single tanks and a larger wing for my doubles.

The rest of the stuff about redundantcy I agree with.

 

[Northeastwrecks]

diverbrian once bubbled...
And no, the thought of lugging around a harness with a steel backplate and adapter does not thrill me for recreational diving. I don't want to throw out my back on land just to dive 30 foot in a spring or quarry for a relatively short dive.

If this is the case, you should probably get evaluated by a qualified physician.

A SS BP weighs about 6 lbs. You don't need a STA on some models; however, even if you do, that's about 4 lbs more.

Add everything else (wing and webbing) and you're probably talking about 13 lbs.

Groceries weigh more.

BP&W works wonderfully for recreational dives. I use mine for everything from diving in the Cayman Islands to wreck diving in the Northeast.

 

[diverbrian]

I forgot to add the other reason that I maintain two systems which is more important.

I work with open water students and our dive shop (actually SSI requirement) requires that DiveCons use the RECREATIONAL gear supported by the shop for which they are assisting/ divemastering. Our dive shop owner prefers to see his DiveCons and Instructors in the type of BC's that he sells to the students. To maintain my profiency with that style of BC, I use both sets of gear.

I use a SS Backplate with double 100's for my own diving and my recreational gear for divemastering shop "fun dives" and working with classes. As a result, I associate my backplate with doubles only and they are quite heavy in that capacity.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Lead_carrier]

diverbrian once bubbled...
I forgot to add the other reason that I maintain two systems which is more important.

I work with open water students and our dive shop (actually SSI requirement) requires that DiveCons use the RECREATIONAL gear supported by the shop for which they are assisting/ divemastering. Our dive shop owner prefers to see his DiveCons and Instructors in the type of BC's that he sells to the students. To maintain my profiency with that style of BC, I use both sets of gear.

Actually diverbrian, the use of gear is not regulated by SSI. That is done by the shop. It is recommended by SSI that dive leaders use gear that is supported by the shop but not required as a standard to my knowledge. Makes sense tho, students are influenced by their instructors and divecons immeadiately. I know of one shop in our area that has a "uniform" that must be used. I cannot teach for them since I have to use prescription lens and his required mask doesn't have corrective lens available.

 

[diverbrian]

Thanks for the info. I still am thinking of the chapter in my DiveCon manual that basically refers to DiveCons/Instructors as the role models. It doesn't require, but it STRONGLY IMPLIES that the DiveCons should be using gear supported by the dive shop of professional quality. I agree after reviewing the standards that this is not a requirement by SSI.

But, if I want to DiveCon for this shop (and I really do like them), I have been informed in so many words that I WILL be in recreational gear of top quality to set an example for the students so that maybe they will think about buying gear of the same quality. I don't have a problem with that as the owner doesn't sell any gear that is of "bad" quality (to my observations). It is actually comfortable and easy to use.

I still wish that I didn't have to cross organizations for my decompression diving/ beginning tech certs, but it is beneficial to be exposed to the different philosophies of the two different agencies that I certified with. It makes for a more well rounded base of knowledge. As a matter of fact, I was talking with the store owner about taking tri-mix training in a couple of years.

I am sorry to hear about the problem with your local LDS about the "uniforms". In the pool our "uniform" would be that most of us have bought 3mm jumpsuits. This would be because they are convenient in the pool and salt water trips, but absolutely useless locally. So unless you spend a lot of time in the pool or go to the Caribbean a great deal, you will not waste your money on a 3 mm wetsuit, LOL. The store does have any for rent either (for obvious reasons, again), so students typically don't have them.

 

[Walter]

“Technical" diving, how did that concept come about anyway? It's been around for a long, long time, but there was never any need to give it a name. About 15 years ago somebody coined the term to encompass a bunch of unrelated activities. At first it meant dives that broke rules established by agencies. Now, it's trying to (and succeeding in many cases) make new rules to put "technical" diving within another set of rules. Later folks started including established, although not main stream, specialties, like cave diving, in with the other unrelated types of diving under the "technical" umbrella. "Technical" diving is a meaningless term. It means too many things to too many people. When you say "technical" diving I have no idea if you are referring to cave, mixed gas, solo, deep air, something else or a combination. If you are interested in mixed gas; refer to mixed gas; if it's cave; refer to cave, etc. Your message will be much clearer. Expertise in one type of "technical" diving does not carry over into another. "Technical" diving is a useless distinction that IMHO we should all stop using.

 

[Big-t-2538]

My suggestion to you is first to get out and dive.....nothing will let you know more about where you want your diving career to go than your own dives and experience.

That being said, I would suggest not rushing into buying gear. Talk to the LDS that certified you and see if they have a BCs or other set-ups you can rent and try-out. Find out what you like, find out what is comfrotable. If the LDS doesn't have anything for you to try, talk with some other divers. I have found in almost any case at a dive site, if you approach someone and act like a human being, most divers are willing to let you try something out, especially if you are new.

There is no sense in dropping 500$ on something you aren't going to like in 2 months.

As for tech diving, I am by no means a tech diver, or anywhere close. I do know I want to start diving wrecks, thus I am in the process of evolving my gear and getting the training for it. Do not jump into something you don't know how to use. Do not jump into something you are not comfortable in. Do not be afraid to abort a dive 10 minutes in because you think something is wrong. Anyway, that's just my opininon, plan your dive, dive your plan, and have fun. There's no sense in doing something if you aren't having fun.

 

[TX65]

Tech or Tek diving is considered to be diving that requires equipment and training outside the scope of basic and advanced open water training. Without taking the plunge into tech diving, additional training can be obtained in areas like Dry Suit diving.

Tech diving has classically been cave or wreck diving and the use of nitrox. In recent years, the tech community has continued to bring more and more technology in from the commercial and military community such as rebreathers, heliox, trimix and deep diving.

 

[cornfed]

the_kuang once bubbled...
Also, I might be moving down to the Orlando area -- what's the diving like down there?

I hear it's great... only problem is it's underground!