Want to explore deep wrecks? Explore underwater caves? Stay longer at depth? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then technical dive training is what you need.

Unlike recreational sport diving which keeps you within no-decompression limits and a depth limit of 130 feet, technical diving lets us go deeper and/or stay longer at depth with proper knowledge, training, and experience.

Is this type of diving safe? As with any type of diving, technical diving has risks. To reduce the risks we prepare our gear thoroughly, plan extensively, and practice our skills on a regular basis.

Dive gear for this type of diving is a bit different than recreational gear. Divers wear either stainless steel or aluminum back plates with a continuous webbing harness to reduce failure points like buckles. The webbing has stainless steel d-rings that can be positioned in the exact required area it is needed to secure our gear. Sandwiched between the back plate and tanks is a back buoyancy device, a.k.a. wing, which are designed to be used in conjunction with twin cylinders. The tanks are twinned together with a manifold system so divers can breathe from both tanks at the same time or isolate a problem with the system.

Redundancy is a key aspect to technical diving: divers carry a spare masks, two 1st stages, and two adjustable 2nd stages on our tanks, two bottom timers, and other essential gear for the dive. In addition to carrying the twin tanks on our backs, a diver may have one or more additional tanks with decompression gases such as 50% and/or 100% oxygen.

Technical Diving International (TDI) is one of the forefathers of technical diving. The courses provided by TDI have developed over the years from practical experience in technical diving. Each course builds upon the other, giving the diver knowledge and experience prior to continue on to the next level. Getting the proper training for technical diving is essential for safe diving.

The first level of technical diving is “Intro to Tech Diving”. In this course, the student will learn how to assemble and prep their gear, emergency procedures, trim (horizontal) position in the water, situation awareness, fin kicks (modified frog, backwards, modified flutter, helicopter), surface marker buoy (SMB) deployment, and dive planning to name a few. After the student completes and builds experience from this course, he/she may continue onto Advanced Nitrox Course and Decompression Procedures Course.

While technical diving is not for everyone, divers that are looking to venture deeper, longer, or would like to penetrate a wreck or cave, may want to consider getting properly trained before attempting this type of diving.

An essential part of any scuba diving expedition is the scuba tank. For obvious reasons, you want to be sure that you get a scuba tank that is reliable and has enough capacity for the majority of your dives, yet easy enough for you to maneuver and carry. Scuba gets its name from the diving tank, because SCUBA stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. In fact, that is the distinguishing factor between snorkeling and scuba diving because the high-pressure gas for breathing allows you to go deeper underwater without resurfacing.

Scuba tanks contain several components including the aluminum or steel pressure vessel that holds the mixed oxygen-gas mixture, the pillar valve which connects to the diving regulator, and the rubber o-ring that forms a seal between the valve and regulator. The tanks made of steel add more weight to those that wear highly buoyant diving suits, or other tanks might be made of aluminum for ease of carrying. They should not be confused with oxygen tanks, because scuba tanks contain an air mixture that includes oxygen, but is not the oxygen-rich, hospital quality mixture.

Another factor that comes with deeper diving is that you might need different scuba tanks for each phase or depth of the dive. For example, your tank for the ascent and descent might include 21 to 40 percent oxygen, where the scuba tank you would use in deeper water might contain lower amounts of oxygen below the 21 percent or hypoxic below 17 percent. Decompression scuba tanks will contain high amounts of oxygen or pure oxygen to accelerate the decompression process.

Those that are certified in scuba diving instruction know formulas to calculate the amount of air you will need and take other factors into consideration. Details such as tanks that get lighter as you breathe them are on the verge of getting empty, can be a factor to consider in buoyancy, which will increase towards the end of the dive, for example. Recreational divers don’t need to worry about these scuba tank issues as much as those doing technical dives, such as exploring old shipwrecks in cold, deep and murky waters, for instance. The importance of your scuba tank is obvious when you are going on scuba diving expeditions, so it is advisable to seek out certified and expert help on your tanks before venturing out on your own.

The first one is that you need to have a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. These high pressure tanks that are strapped to the back of the diver, provide air to the diver that is regulated through a breathing device. This lets the diver go very deep in the water without worrying about coming up for oxygen.

Next of the facts about scuba diving is that you need specific diving apparel to protect your body and allow you to swim easily. Such apparel includes wetsuits, gloves, hoods, computer watch, etc. The next fact about scuba diving is that nearly anyone can be certified for scuba diving. More than one million people get certified for scuba diving each year. As long as you can put on a heavy tank filled with compressed and dive down deep, you can become certified.

The next of the facts about scuba diving is that the diver must make a decision on what type of underwater adventure would be preferred. You could dive in warm or cold water, or explore locations of shipwrecks. If you are on a cruise or in other specific instances, you may not have to get certified before going scuba diving. In cruises to the Caribbean, Acapulco, and the Florida Keys, you can get a one day crash course on scuba diving before you go exploring.

Breathing-wise, you need to be able to breath solely through your mouth. This is one of the most important facts about scuba diving, because otherwise you won’t be able to stay under water. When it comes to equalizing, you need to know how to “pop” your ears. When you go deep in the water, there is a lot of pressure that builds up in the ears, and so you must “pop” your ears in order to equalize the pressure. To do this correctly, you will need to consult your scuba instructor or a doctor.

The last of the facts about scuba diving is knowing whether you have any physical conditions that might limit your ability to scuba dive. Such conditions include being overweight, fatigued, having diabetes, heart conditions, or any other ailments, and prone to drowning. It is always a good idea to get a physical done by a doctor before scuba diving. For information on purchasing scuba diving apparel and equipment or finding scuba diving lessons, start searching online. You are sure to find everything you need.

Technical diving is a relatively risky activity; therefore, the training course follows stricter rules when admitting students. The instructor has the right to refuse non-suitable candidates onto courses such as technical cave diving and re-breather diving. Generally, students participating in basic technical diving courses should have at least two to three years of diving experience, perhaps even as certified recreational diving instructors.

There are about five international training centres in Hong Kong, including the founding agent IANTD and PADI. Several points should be considered when selecting a training centre: equipment availability and standard, insistence on reasonable and correct training procedures, the experience of the technical diving instructors, and the opinions of ex-students. Though cost could be another point to consider, the difference of a hundred or a thousand dollars is meaningless compared with the value of your life.

The course structure of a technical diving course is similar to a recreational one in that everyone starts from a basic level, even if you are a qualified instructor or experienced diver. The technical deep dive course comprises three different levels under the IANTD and PADI systems. The basic course is named Advanced Nitrox Diver (IANTD) or Apprentice Tech Deep Diver (PADI). It teaches the student the benefits, hazards and proper procedures to dive to a 45m depth using high content oxygen for rapid decompression. It is important to strictly follow the time and safety stops procedures for surfacing, otherwise decompression sickness (the Bends) could result. If a diver spends 30mins at a depth of 45m, they will need an extra 40minutes for decompression.

After finishing the basic course, the student can move on to the Technical Nitrox Diver (IANTD) or Tec-Deep Diver (PADI). In this course, the student dives as deep as 55 meters with two oxygen-rich tanks (one is pure oxygen) for decompression. The 30-minute deep dive practice at 55m will necessitate another 50 mins for decompression. Apart from the deep dive practice, the student thoroughly studies the high pressure impact on the diver and psychological changes and works on improving posture and buoyancy control technique.

The final course is Trimix Diver. The diver uses a combination of low oxygen, low nitrogen and high helium gas mixtures for an 80m dive. This gas mix is essential for such a deep dive as ordinary pressurized air places negative impacts on the diver’s body at depths of more than 55m. The 21% in air after 55m depth will cause the diver to conrulse and even lose consciousness – this is oxygen toxcity. Inappropriate usage of the trimix gases, however, will also cause problems; therefore, specialized training is a must.

All the technical diving courses include lectures, pool work and deep water practice. The ratio of instructor to student is much lower than in recreational diving courses in which one instructor handles 3 to 4 students and the ratio is even stricter for certain courses, to account for the more complicated nature of the course.

In case you are fixated on a method or way to learn to scuba dive, allow me to introduce you to the different ways to learn to scuba dive. One instructor may teach you in a pool. Another may take you by the hand and practice descending off a real boat in a real sea. Others will join a scuba diving club or register for a full course at the local dive shop.

Way to learn to scuba dive is to do so while on holidays in resort islands such as Phuket, Mauritius, Tioman, etc. Firstly, you are in a totally relaxed mood. Secondly, the waters are clear and the environment creates a wonderful and beautiful atmosphere. So the next time you want to pay a sum of money upfront for a full diving course certification, save it for your resort trip. Normally, participating in the beginner diving course is enough for you to get started.

The certified instructor will explain everything you need to know about pressure underwater, equipment, and other practical tips you need to be aware of when you are in the water. Obviously, there will be a full demonstration of the basic skills. Once you have fully understood, you are now ready to get ready to put on your scuba gear. Usually, you together with other participants will be grouped together and stay at a point in the pool where you can have full view of what he is saying.

You will probably start first with breathing exercises and regulator recovery at the surface. After that, you will be asked to kneel on the bottom of the pool and start breathing. This is necessary for you to get used for being underwater. The instructor will then ask that you try out each of the skills taught which include complete mask clearing regulator recovery and buoyancy control. Once students are ready, they will be asked to demonstrate these skills. After this, the instructor will allow the students to swim around near the pool bottom to get used to the equipment and breathing.

Everyone is comfortable with their equipment, breathing techniques, etc when the practice at the pool is considered complete. This also means that you can now get a chance at your first open water scuba dive. This normally takes place from a boat in clear waters or shallow sites where it is easy to handle. Usually, the instructor will highlight the importance of some common mistakes or ways to improve your diving skills. He will probably also encourage you to obtain a full certificate in open water scuba diving. This is arguably the best way to learn to scuba dive.

Diving technical schools are highly specialized institutions that offer technical diving instruction. There are a number of diving technical schools located nationwide. These schools provide training courses for beginners, advanced, and technical divers. Most of the top diving technical schools feature highly experienced and active instructors. Advanced training, wide experience, and specialized equipment are some of the requisites to become technical divers.

Open water diver and open water nitrox are two training programs for the beginners. Of which, open water courses are ideal for those wishing to become scuba divers. Advanced open water diver, EANx nitrox diver, deep air diver, dive master, and recreational trimix are some of the advanced courses offered by diving technical schools. You will also be taught some of the scuba skills including night diving, drift diving, underwater naturalist, overhead environment, underwater navigation, underwater photography, deep diving, wreck diving, multilevel diving, spear fishing, and many more. For technical divers, courses such as EANx gas blender, trimix gas blender, advanced EANx nitrox diver, normoxic trimix diver are offered. Most of the training courses give instruction on marine life. Online diving technical programs are also provided in some of the schools. Practitioners pursuing an online course do not get direct supervision from the diving instructors. In this case, multimedia lessons and reference manuals are offered through internet.

There’s nothing quite as mysterious as that which is contained underwater. Since the beginning of time, man has attempted to explore the deep of the sea; to investigate the secrets it holds. The modern equivalent of this exploration is scuba diving – a one-man voyage that can yield enormous adventure. But before you can dive, you must crawl, so to speak.

Deciding whether scuba diving is right for you depends solely on your personality. If you’re someone who enjoys swimming, exploring, and adventurous activities, then chances are you will thoroughly enjoy scuba diving. However, in order to complete the training and scuba dive safely and successfully you must also be in good physical health.

If you have an interest in scuba diving you can get your feet wet through scuba instruction. In order to participate in scuba diving in open water, you must be trained and certified in scuba. You can find a host of training facilities in towns and cities throughout the world – regardless of whether or not you live near the ocean. Scuba diving instruction is given in indoor pools because of the controlled environment. But before water work even begins, students are given extensive classroom instruction to familiarize them with the essentials of scuba diving.

Once in the pool, the instructor will put the classroom instruction into practice, allowing students to practice techniques associated with scuba diving. Scuba diving instruction can take place over many weeks; it is imperative that students receive thorough training in order to ensure their safety. The culmination of training will be your certification in scuba diving. And you’re on your way.

Reputable instructors can certainly point you in the direction of finding scuba gear that will be essential for your dives. Equipment necessary for scuba diving includes a wetsuit, flippers, eye and face mask, and oxygen tank and accessories. You also have the ability to rent equipment prior to any dives; just be sure that you are taken out by scuba professionals who are reputable and experienced.

Scuba diving can be an unbelievable experience that will forever transform you. Take the steps necessary to ensure your safety and the rest is pure enjoyment.