Technical Beginners Guide

'Beginner's Guide' is a bit of a misnomer when referring to technical diving. Embarking on a technical diving course presupposes that you will be a qualified scuba diver with a fair amount of experience.

First, a definition. A 'technical dive' is a self-contained untethered dive in which the diver switches a breathing gas during the dive. It usually involves the diver in using a "bottom mix" followed by one or two intermediate decompression mixes of enriched air and oxygen. Whenever the diver does not have a direct ascent option to the surface, the dive becomes inherently more dangerous. These types of dives are typically beyond the no-stop time limits of air or enriched air diving tables; they may involve overhead environments such as wrecks, caves, or use of a rebreather. NAUI defines a category of recreational technical diving for purposes of diving instruction and insurance as diving that is not commercial and that meets any of the following conditions: Depths beyond 130 fsw (40 msw), enriched air mixtures with oxygen fractions greater than 41%, or any other non-air mix (trimix), or planned decompression.
Technical diving requires specific equipment. The following list covers a general description of the gear a technical student candidate must arrive with for training, typical of the requirements of TDI.

Due to the serious nature of technical diving the prospective technical diver is expected to own his/her own equipment. Part of the discipline of the sport is care and maintenance of equipment, and in ownership of his equipment a technical diver is completely liable for any accidents or failures of his gear.

Backplate & Harness With the system also include:

2 sets (4 total) shoulder harness pads
2 waist band pouches

Single Bladder Wing 55-65 lbs. lift preferred. LP inflator hose should reach chest level when suited up.

D-Rings -- harness is to have 3 D-rings -- one on each shoulder and one on the left side side of the waist band. Waist band rings can be either standard rings or fixed position Billy Rings (Abyss, OMS, Highland, or you can make them. The crotch strap is to have 2 d-rings, one in the front, one in the back.

Class-A regulators (2) one with 5-7' hose and standard low pressure inflator hose (for right hand outlet) the other with low pressure inflator hose and brass SPG. All primary regulators are to be fitted with 300 bar DIN connections.

Stage regulators (2) prepared for oxygen service fitted with a 6" to 7" HP hose with metal SPG, these are for decompression cylinders.

Regulator hose should be 44 inches.

Bottom Timer (2) (1 if using computer) electronic bottom timer / depth gauge

Computer (1) (2 recommended) decompression dive computer capable of at least 1 Nitrox mixture with a minimum capability of a 60 foot deco stop, download capability or a good multi gas unit.

Compass for navigation

Back-up lights (2) 3 C-cell size works well.

Primary light (cylindrical canister light with "Goodman Handle" preferred. maximum 50 watts with up to 90 minute burn time recommended

Wreck Reel 250' of line, (Aqua Explorers RA8, OMS, EE, AUL, Dive Rite, Reef Scuba etc.)

Safety Reel 130' to 150' of line.

Knife Small Very Sharp

Lift Bags (2)
or
Surface Marker Buoy and 1 50 lbs. lift bag

Survival Sausage - inflatable 1 meter size - orange, yellow, lime green

Slates (2) small

Personal Gear - Mask, Fins, snorkel (for rescue simulations)

Exposure suit - a Dry Suit is required for all trimix dives and all dives where average water temp is 75 or less.

For water warmer than 75f a wet suit may be used. Gloves for environment are required too.

Safety Items

Sky Blazer Diver's Flare kit
Whistle or Dive Alert
Small signal mirror
Jon-line 2 (used for decompression) 1 primary 1 back up - 6-9 feet long
Weight belt - metal buckle (4 weight keepers)

Cylinders

Back Tanks

Divers will be required to have two (2) complete sets for each day of training dives

Decompression (stage) Tanks

Technical students need 3 cylinders. Two for nitrox, One for Oxygen.

Spare Parts/Tool Kit

This would include any special regulator plugs, o-rings, replacement batteries, mask straps, fin straps, zip ties, etc.

Bungee Cord: you will need a minimum of 20 feet of 3/8 inch diameter bungee.

Snap Clips have a variety of snap clips with you for stage bottle rigging, clipping regulators, etc.

Books & Software
All courses at TDI include text for that specific course