Tec/Rec
Tec Rec Course
Tec 40 - Tec 45 - Tec 50
Tec Sidemount Diver
Tec Gas Blender
Technical diving is scuba diving's "extreme" sport, taking experienced and qualified divers far deeper than in mainstream recreational diving. Technical diving is marked by significantly more equipment and training requirements to manage the additional hazard this type of diving entails. Tec diving isn't for everyone, but for those who hear its challenge call, the PADI TecRec courses are the answer.
Why would I want to be a tec diver? Tec diving not only has more risk, but it requires significantly more effort, discipline and equipment. It's not for everyone, and you can be an accomplished, avid top-notch diver your entire life without making a tec dive.
That said, there's a cadre of individuals who want to visit places underwater that relatively few people can. Many spectacular, untouched wrecks lie at depths well below 40 meters/130 feet. Deep reefs have organisms you don't find in the shallows. Some people enjoy the challenge and focus tec diving requires. Still others love being involved with cutting edge technologies. These reasons make tec diving rewarding.
Tec 40 Course
The PADI Tec 40 course introduces divers to limited decompression diving within accepted recreational depth limits. Although you should take this course in complete Technical diving equipment if you wish to continue on through the Tec 45 and Tec 50, the limits of the Tec 40 qualification allow for more flexibility. Therefore, it is easy to accommodate divers interested in very limited technical diving since the Tec 40 equipment requirements are only a bit beyond the standard recreational kit.
You'll learn:
- To use decompression software and dive computers to plan and make decompression dives with no more than 10 minutes of total decompression and not deeper than 40 meters/130 feet.
- To use a single cylinder of decompression gas with up to 50 percent oxygen (EANx50) to add conservatism to the required decompression.
Tec 45 Course
PADI Tec 45 course provides a transitional qualification while continuing to develop as a technical diver. The equipment requirements are the same as for the Tec Deep Diver Course. This diver is qualified to make limited technical decompression dives using the equipment and the procedures used at the Tec Deep Diver level. However, qualifications are narrow, reflecting comparatively limited training and experience. The expectation is that a Tec 45 diver plans to continue on to Tec 50.
The Tec 45 course picks up where Tec 40 leaves off and takes your training as a tec diver further and deeper. It is the second sub course in the full PADI Tec Diver course.
You'll learn:
- The skills and equipment and planning need to dive to a maximum of 45 meters/145 feet.
- The knowledge to plan and execute single and repetitive decompression dives using a single stage cylinder of EANx or oxygen to accelerate or add conservatism to the decompression stops.
- There would be no time limit to amount of decompression.
- To prepare for and respond to foreseeable technical diving emergencies .
- To master the basic skills and procedures you'll need as you move into deeper technical diving.
Tec 50 Course
PADI Tec 50 course is the complete, entry-level skill set for extensive open circuit deep decompression tec diving (formerly Tec Deep Diver). The diver is qualified to make technical decompression dives within the limits of training and equipment.
You'll learn:
- To make actual decompression dives as deep as 50 meters/165 feet.
- To use enriched air nitrox and/or oxygen for decompression.
- There would be no time limit to amount of decompression.
- To prepare for and respond to foreseeable technical diving emergencies.
- To use desk top decompression software to create custom dive tables and plan your dives.
- To qualify to make technical decompression dives independently.
Schedule and Price
At Dive Utah, we can accommodate any schedule. Each course will require 3 - 4 days of diving (including pool and open water sessions), 2 - 3 academic sessions, and 2 or more equipment configuration sessions. Courses run from $500 - $550 + books and equipment rental. It's highly recommended you become a sidemount diver prior to the course. The distinctive sidemount diver course can be combined with your Tec 40 course upon request.
Tec Sidemount Diver Course
The PADI TecRec Tec Sidemount Diver course develops the base equipment-related motor skills and underlying knowledge for the use of sidemount in technical diving. Developed for maximum flexibility, the Tec Sidemount Diver course addresses a wide range of divers. Becoming a Tec Sidemount Diver requires you to demonstrate mastery of motor skills and procedures used in different forms of Tec Diving. If you're new to technical diving, you need a base understanding of what technical diving is, and the philosophies you apply as a Tec Diver. Additional Technical training can be achieved through the Tec Basics or Tec 40 courses.
PADI Tec Sidemount course is intended for recreational divers looking for a technical diving transition course. The equipment requirements are the same as for the Tec Deep Diver Course. The expectation is that a Tec Sidemount diver plans to conduct their technical dive training in sidemount or are already back mounted technical divers looking to make the transition to sidemount.
You'll learn:
- Introduction to Tec Diving in Sidemount Configuration
- Tec Diving Two Cylinder Sidemount
- Managing Gas with Stage Cylinders and Decompression Cylinders
- Sidemount Diving with Stage Cylinders and Decompression Cylinders
- Managing Out-of-Gas Problems with Stage/Deco Cylinders in Sidemount
- Sidemount Rigging as well as Rigging for Stage/Deco Cylinders
- Replacing a Malfunctioning Regulator
Schedule and Price
The course will require 2 - 3 days of diving (including pool and open water sessions), 1 - 2 academic sessions, and 3 practical application / equipment configuration sessions. The course runs $400 including equipment rental.
Tec Gas Blender Course
More people are diving with enriched air and this means the demand for enriched air fills is also increasing. However, there needs to be someone qualified to administer these fills to meet this demand. This is where the PADI Gas Blender course comes in. It can result in one of two certifications: PADI Gas Blender or PADI Trimix Blender. This is also an excellent course for any technical diving as deco fills and back gas blends can be rather costly.
You'll learn:
- The Gas Blender course will train you as a qualified gas blender, allowing you to blend your own Enriched air and Trimix.
- The physical properties of oxygen, its associated hazards, handling requirements and what cleaning equipment is necessary.
- Finally, the five methods of obtaining the desired enriched air nitrox mix and the various methods used to obtain proper helium mixes.
Schedule and Price
This course will require 2 days of training. You will need to be certified as an Enriched Air Diver (which we can accommodate if necessary.) Course fee is $250 + books and blending gasses.
