WHAT IS TECHNICAL DIVING ?

The term Technical Diving is used to describe a wide range of advanced level diving activities that can be very diverse, ranging from the overhead environment, to wreck deep and/or mixed gas diving.

Generally it is expected that most technical dives take place below 40m where set decompression stops are required before surfacing. Dives that takes place in the overhead environment, such as wreck, or cave penetration can also often be defined as technical dives as are certain types of Rebreather diving.

The line between technical diving and non-technical and recreational diving is, to say the least, vague. A type of diving that may be "cutting edge" one day may be "mainstream" the next.

itrox Diving is a good example. Until a few years ago Nitrox diving was frowned upon and some segments of the industry actively discouraged its use. Times have changed and Nitrox has become an accepted part of regular recreational diving and is now a part of many dive operations around the world.

How did it all start?

Technical diving was, and still is, all about wanting to go that bit further. Why, well, because it is there! Divers have always had the call of the deep, whether it is a ship wreck a cave, cavern or an undived reef!

Since the mid eighties technical training agencies have been training certified divers in the skills required for advanced level diving. The goal of "Tech Diving" is not just to go somewhere, it is to go to stay, and most importantly, come back safely.

To achieve this, one must have all the necessary tools, training, equipment and experience and a good safety culture. At Aquatic Explorers we promote safety first. “There are old divers, there are bold divers there ain’t old bold divers!”

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TDI NITROX SPECIALTY COURSE

Let me start with a question: “Are you a logical person?” If “Yes”, then let me ask another question: “Why are you still using air below 24m?”.

Amongst other things Nitrox affords extended bottom times and reduced surface intervals, in the recreational field its benefits over air, are beyond question.

This course will introduce you to Enriched Air Nitrox and its advantages over air for recreational diving. The course lays the foundation for technical diving although it is a recreational/no-decompression course.

Pre-requisites:

• Minimum Open water Dive
• Minimum Age: 15 years with parent or guardian authorisation

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TDI ADVANCED WRECK SPECIALTY COURSE

This course provides training and experience to competently conduct advanced wreck dives. It includes penetration skills and techniques.

Depths shall not exceed the level in which the diver is trained and competent, but in no case shall the maximum depth in this program exceed 55 m (salt water).

The objective of this course is to train divers in the proper techniques, equipment requirements and hazards of wreck diving.

Pre-requisites:

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Show proof of at least 50 logged dives

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TDI ENTRY LEVEL TRIMIX SPECIALTY COURSE

The TDI Entry Level Trimix Course provides the training required to competently and safely utilize breathing gases containing Helium for dives that require staged decompression to a maximum depth of 60 metres.

Pre-requisites:

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Decompression Procedures Diver and Advanced Nitrox Diver
• Minimum of 100 logged dives

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TDI TRIMIX SPECIALTY COURSE

This Program is designed for those individuals already involved in deep diving activities. It is not, intended to be used as an enticement to divers who are content to remain in normal Sport or EANx diving limits.

Trimix affords a safer means of deep-water exploration for divers who must dive deep or perform with a clear head at the intermediate depths. The TDI Trimix Diver Program establishes the need to be self-sufficient/reliant.

This diver will be qualified to dive using Trimix to a maximum depth of 79 m salt water.

Pre-requisites:

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Technical Diver or Technical Cave Diver or Technical Wreck Diver or Normoxic Trimix Diver or equivalent
• Minimum of 200 logged dives, of which at least 25 were to depths between 39m (salt water) and 60m (salt water).

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TDI ADVANCED WRECK SPECIALTY COURSE

This course provides training and experience to competently conduct advanced wreck dives. It includes penetration skills and techniques.

Depths shall not exceed the level in which the diver is trained and competent, but in no case shall the maximum depth in this program exceed 55 m (salt water).

The objective of this course is to train divers in the proper techniques, equipment requirements and hazards of wreck diving.

Pre-requisites:

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Show proof of at least 50 logged dives

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TDI NITROX GAS BLENDER SPECIALTY COURSE

This Program is designed to train divers in the proper techniques, equipment requirements and hazards involved in blending Nitrox gases for recreational scuba. Easy & informative.

Pre Requisites

• Minimum Age: 18 Years
• Must have a need to become a blender or be recommended by a TDI Facility.

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TDI ADVANCED GAS BLENDER SPECIALTY COURSE

The objective of this course is to train divers in the proper procedures needed for the preparation and blending of high quality gases, for example Helium, Oxygen and Nitrox. (Coming Soon!)

Pre Requisites:

• Minimum Age :18 years
• Minimum Certification of Nitrox Diver & TDI Gas Blender

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