For dives deeper than 56m gas mixes called Trimix are used. In order to reduce narcosis and reduce the toxic effects of Nitrogen and Oxygen, Helium is added which has no negative effect on our body to very deep depth. There are additional risks with helium but those start at depths of around 180m. In history tests have been executed with different noble gasses, however they all turned out to be toxic for the human body, so helium was the only one adequate for diving. One other gas that has no effect on the human body is Hydrogen but due to its high risk of fire and explosion in contact with oxygen, the blending of it is very difficult if not almost impossible with the techniques we use currently.
I arrived just two months ago on Malapascua Island in Philippines. There, I will learn how to become a Tec diver instructor. Since 2012, I've been a Bali recreational instructor. I am eager to improve my diving skills and expand my knowledge. Sidemount PCB was the place where my first experience of technical diving was. Tom West, PADI course director and instructor-trainer for Tec, made me a Certified Tec-50 Diver.
How To Become A Sidemount Technical Scuba Diver PersonnelComputer-assisted instruction is an integral part almost every course that we teach. The Why? The answer is simple: eLearning makes it easier for students to get in the water quicker and spend more time there. That's why we offer all applicable eLearning courses -- which are usually $140 worth -- at no extra cost. This means that you will get an extra day of training in the water. How valuable is that? Priceless.
I was a bit numb after my initial pool sessions. I was strapped into the twin tanks, trying to conduct valve drills. But, the Tec 40-45 and 50 courses helped me to feel more comfortable and my skills began to improve. By the end of the course, I was enjoying myself. It's about taking your diving skills, buoyancy and awareness up to the next level. This is what Tec diving offers. This is a great feeling. Knowing you're capable in managing life-threatening emergency situations at depth without the need to ascend to the surface (dues decompression requirements), is an amazing feeling. It's very satisfying to execute your dive program with military precision.
Items such as cylinders and primary lights, which my be difficult to travel with, are available for rental. Be sure to alert us if you will need any of these.
International Training is the parent organization of Technical Diving International and Scuba Diving International. They offer both the SDI and TDI versions for their Sidemount Diver course. Both courses are similar. Both courses use the same learning materials (which we also wrote). What's the difference between them?
Decompression divers employ oxygen mixtures of all kinds to extend their time looking at wrecks and reefs on the ocean floor. While the sport diver may get two 15 minute bottom time dives at 100ft the decompression diver can cruise around for 60 minutes or more, getting the most bang for their buck.
Scuba sidemount diving is very popular, even in open sea.
Mentality - Technical dive is still enjoyable. It's all about looking for cool things. Technical divers can see further and deeper than the sport diver, which allows them to see details that may not be visible to other divers. Technical divers are still fun-focused but also remain focused. Although jokes and laughter are still possible, it is essential to have a serious attitude when planning and executing dives. Every dive comes with risks. If you do not plan, practice skills, and execute your dives properly, these risks will increase.
SDI/TDIIncludes 2 open water divesMinimum 18 years, 15 years with parental consentMust have an SDI Open Water Diver or the equivalent
Sidemount mounting for cylinders was originally used in cave diving. Since then, they have grown to be more popular in all types of technical diving. The dual cylinders are separated with a 1st stage for each cylinder. They then mount them on either one side of the diver's bodies. However, this does not allow the diver access to any valves and allows him to only breathe from one cylinder in the unlikely event of a regulator failing. Sidemount diving offers a divers a wider horizontal profile, but smaller vertical profile.
International Training, parent organization to Technical Diving International / Scuba Diving International (TDI), and Technical Diving International / Scuba Diving International - offers both TDI and SDI versions of the Sidemount Diver course. Both courses have a lot in common. Both courses use identical learning materials (which we also wrote). So, what is the difference?
Technical diving means that a diver is not allowed to reach the surface from any point during the dive. It could be due to a ceiling in the form of a cave/wreck or virtual ceilings created by decompression obligations. To avoid decompression sickness, you must perform mandatory stops on ascent when the NDL's are exceeded. This usually requires the use special equipment like Sidemounts and Twinsets. Twinsets and Sidemounts require special gas mixes, additional training, and twinsets/sidemounts to ensure that you can perform these stops correctly on ascent in order to maximize Nitrogen offgassing.
‘Diving into Darkness’ by Phillip Finch is telling the story about an Australian cave diver trying to recover a body in a South African cave called Bushman’s hole.
According to experts, approximately 40% of technical divers enroll in additional education and training programs. This yields a reasonable estimate of approximately 160,000 active technical divers worldwide.
Technical diving (also known as tec diving or tech diving) is non-professional scuba diving that exceeds the agency-specified limits of recreational diving.
- Increased Bottom Time A Closed Circuit diver is not concerned with running out of gas because they are only limited by decompression. This can also be reduced by selecting an oxygen partial pressure that provides the diver with virtually limitless bottom times in 60 feet or less of water.