Certificate cards: These are issued only to those who have earned them. Certification is not guaranteed by simply taking part in a course. Multiple training agencies might offer certification cards for cave courses. C-cards usually cost about $30, depending on which agency you choose. Talk to your instructor for details.
You don't need to worry about how all this will work. The course includes learning how to set-up your Sidemount equipment, as well as how to measure and adjust clips and bungees so that your tanks are in perfect trim. You will have your instructor to assist you in all aspects.
It's normal to be anxious about how it will all work out. Your instructor will assist you with everything!
Technical diving is defined by being exposed at the ceiling, which prohibits the diver from reaching the surface at any time during the dive. This can be due either to a literal ceiling (a cave, wreck, or virtual ceiling) or a decompression obligation. In such cases, mandatory decompression stops are required on ascent for anyone who exceeds the NDL. This may require the use of special equipment (e.g. Twinsets, Sidemount, special gas mixtures, and more training are needed to perform those stops as well as other tasks on ascent. This will optimize Nitrogen offgassing.
Decompression divers may add Helium into their cylinders to make deep dives over 130ft. Sometimes they are less likely to visit wrecks or reefs than astronauts to reach the moon every year.
Your Sidemount BCD is a harness with a bladder and a somewhat intricate system of sliding D-rings, bungee cords, and clips. Their position and fit are crucial for your tank position and trim later in the water and your instructor will probably spend quite a bit of time to get them just right.
Gear – While the gear is fundamentally identical, divers in their intro tech class (Intro, Tech, Sidemount or the CCR-Air diluent), may notice some fundamental configuration changes. They now have two second stages, each with a separate start stage. Gas planning becomes a detailed, thorough process. The harnesses also have more chrome.
Know what you’re getting: Prices include instruction and eLearning fees. Bear in mind, the cost of eLearning, by itself, can be worth anywhere from $140 to $280 or more. Thus, a $640 course from us may actually cost the same as a $500 course from someone else if you have to pay for elearning separately.
Sidemount divers generally use two tanks. But you can use one tank, (I was told it's called monkey), or two tanks for deco dives.
Skills (specific): Throughout tech programs, the dive skills specific to that category are practiced until they become flawless. Line skills and navigation are perfected for overhead diving. Decompression divers can execute stops and manage gas without blinking an ear. Rebreather divers take great care in building, testing and disassembling their equipment to ensure its optimal functionality. The first level of certification lays the foundation for each course, with further training as necessary. Each step takes you deeper, or makes these skills more difficult. It is a way to become a better diver.
There are many great readings about technical diving. Some are stories of personal experiences and adventures in technical diving that are definitely worth reading. Some of the greatest books for sure are:
Academics – The academic parts of technical courses are similar to any other class in scuba diving. Students will learn from their instructors and do some self-study. Technical courses require a lot more planning than most people are familiar with, but they are crucial to a successful dive. Gas management will be a more involved part of overhead and decompression dives than many divers are used. The computer program calculates the required gas volumes and reserves for each dive.
If you want some diving classes alternative and lessons or want to know what's best next for your education, take a look at the three options below.
Technical diving was something that I never had an interest in at first. I remember laughing at the Tec divers and wondering why anyone would need more equipment. I love the feeling you get when you are close to nature. Tom had a reputation for being an inspirational teacher. It seemed to me that I should at least try.
Have a PADI Deep Specialty Instructor certification or have completed a PADI Deep Specialty Instructor course. Have at least 100 logged dives, including at least 20 enriched air dives, 25 dives deeper than 18 meters/60 feet, and 15 dives deeper than 30 meters/100 feet. You can become a Tec 45 diver.
5-6 days
Rebreather training classes are typically 5-6 days long, but can be longer depending on a variety of factors such as the training agency, your local conditions, your instructor, and your ability to meet the class standards.
Technical diving (also known as tec diving or tech diving) is non-professional scuba diving that exceeds the agency-specified limits of recreational diving.