Which technical course ?

[Looka]

I have just come back from a lovely week in Egypt diving the Brothers and Elphinstone, whilst at the Brothers I had the pleasure of making several dives on the Numidia, unfortunately due to NDL the dives were far shorter than I would have liked. To avoid this problem in future I am considering dipping my toes in to the dark scarey world of technical diving So I'd like some advice as to what the best way to do it is ? TDI / DSAT etc etc ? or any other suggestions greatly received ? Currenty I'm nitrox and SSI stress and rescue certified.

Many Thanks

Looka

[Jack]

Looka

I think TDI are your best bet.- I tried PSA, but found their course materials rubbish (no mention of how many dives required or the objectives).

DSAT tend to be very rigid (but maybe that's not a bad thing), insisting on double bladder wing etc, whilst TDI are a little more flexible in equipment configurations allowed.

What ever course you choose, make sure it covers you for deco diving using 100% oxygen,- which is the whole point of tech diving.

Oh & get decent insurance- some places will insist on seeing it, and get a medical done too, you'll also definetly need one too.

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by Jack

Looka

I think TDI are your best bet.- I tried PSA, but found their course materials rubbish (no mention of how many dives required or the objectives).

DSAT tend to be very rigid (but maybe that's not a bad thing), insisting on double bladder wing etc, whilst TDI are a little more flexible in equipment configurations allowed.

What ever course you choose, make sure it covers you for deco diving using 100% oxygen,- which is the whole point of tech diving.

Oh & get decent insurance- some places will insist on seeing it, and get a medical done too, you'll also definetly need one too.

I did the Discover DSAT course, and while they say you should have redundant lift, it does not have to be in the form of a twin bladder. Your dry suit will suffice so long as it has the required lift. You also have to have a medical form signed by a doctor to do the full course, rather than self certify

From the bit of the DSAT course I have done, I am happy with it, and the way the course would progress so I will probably follow their course rather than looking for another one. DSAT can be done in 2 main stages, Tec 1, allows you to 40m deco dives with 100% or Tec 2 which allows you to 50m deco dives with 100%.

[Sharky1973]

The next step is to cover decompression since that is what is limiting you now. The TDI deco procedure course covers this.
As you progress the next limit becomes the available gas, which means moving to twin cylinders. There are plenty of familiarization courses to set you up on that route.

If you want to take both these steps at the same time the TDI Advanced Nitrox with Deco as a combined course or the IANTD Advanced Nitrox are good choices. Both give accelerated decompression although the IANTD is only EAN50 (more than enough at this stage).

Another route is through BSAC who will offer some decompression advice and mentoring although not a recognized qualification for this subject alone. The BSAC Advanced Nitrox, Extended Range and Sports mixed gas courses will also take you a little further.

As a last option I suggest taking a look at the IANTD Advanced Recreational Trimix course, this covers decompression (Inc accelerated) twinset use and the introduction of trimix for dives to 45m.

So it’s really up to you how quick you want to progress and what is convenient.

[Daniel101]

From my experience, there is very little actual difference between courses with different agencies. A far more important consideration is the quality and experience of the instructor you choose.

The DSAT course, IMHO, offers the best quality of learning materials and follows the PADI teaching system - that many divers are already familiar with. TDI and IANTD have less professionally produced materials, but have a wider variety of instructors qualified with them - meaning your choice of instructor is more critical. BSAC are relatively new to the technical teaching market and I've seen some bad stuff there (not to say that all BSAC tech instructors are bad though!!!). Another option is GUE. More expensive and very rigid...but the quality of instruction will be high and your 'core' skills will be extensively developed.
The structure of courses with different agencies does vary, but all essentially follow the same pattern. Firstly, you will learn to use higher nitrox mixes (>40%), followed by training in decompression skills. Lastly, you will put these two areas together and utilize rich nitrox for accelerated decompression. The initial stages typically use air as the leanest bottom gas - meaning that your max depth is limited by the PO2 of air....and tolerance for narcosis.

To venture deeper, you need to reduce FO2 in your bottom gas and raise your Equivalent Nitrogen Depth...and this will mean substitution of some of these gasses with Helium....a Trimix course.

I like the way that DSAT has 'done away' with the concept of breaking these areas into different courses....you simply do a Tech Deep (accelerated deco, using air as bottom gas) and then a Trimix course. IMHO, far more streamlined than doing an Advanced Nitrox, Deco Procedures and then Extended Range mix of courses. Also have a look around for the new SSI TXR course…….as the basic Tech course (all-in-one like the DSAT course) also includes Normoxic (Entry Level) Trimix training/certification.

[Jack]

As with any PADI course. However, if you're serious about Tech diving, then IMHO, a more in-depth medical would be a good investment.
Sorry, some corrections, Tech 1 (formerly Apprentice Tec) allows you to:

Dive to a maximum depth of 40 meters / 130 feet using AIR or ENRICHED AIR (max 60% oxygen).

Make NO-STOP dives with no stop time extended by switching gases during the dive

Tech 2 (Tech Deep) allows you to:

Dive to a maximum depth of 50 meters / 165 feet using air or enriched air.

Make decompression dives using air, enriched air or oxygen.

Make no stop dives with any stop time extended by switching gases during the dive.

....essentially, the Tech 1 is a glorified EANx course, but also gives you the skills necessary to effectively utilize a twinset and to conduct safe gas switches. Decompression is only covered with the Tech 2 course....however, most people do both 'courses' as a single course (IMHO, there is little point in conducting the Tech 1 alone, unless you do not have the pre-requisites to complete Tech 2 and/or you are only interested in learning how to use a twinset for recreational dives

[Zeus]

Deep air diving in BSAC would allow you deco as does SAA.[/font]
IANTD or TDI will guide you through the different methods of deeper diving.

I would suggest you look at the agencies and see who has been doing it longer that a few years coming from the 40 mtr maximum stage.

There is nothing scary if you follow your drills learn correctly and take your time.

[Dragonfire]

The TDI Advanced Nitrox and Deco should take 5 days.The first course is more about the benefits of accelerated nitrogen elimination and you don't HAVE to wear a twinset (but most people do). If you then wish you will go on to do Extended Range, Normoxic Trimix and Advanced Trimix when you have a bit more experience.