Technical Diving
It's not voodoo anymore...
What is Technical Diving?
Great question! The dive community generally agrees that technical diving can be defined as any dive that exceeds the recreational limit of 130ft, that is within an overhead environment either virtually (decompression obligation) or literally (caves & wrecks), using gases other than air and using accelerated gases for the facilitation of decompression, can be described as a technical dive.
Is Technical Diving for Me?
At the center of safety in technical diving is an honest self assessment of your mental and physical preparedness for this type of dive. Technical diving requires self discipline and the desire to achieve excellence. Although the basic skills required in technical diving mirror those in recreational diving, the level of performance for which these skills must be completed is exponentially higher, in what can be a very unforgiving environment. It has been said that divers, educators and organizations underestimate the the degree of skill required to dive competently in any environment, and we agree. Last but not least- remember the risks. With increased activity comes increased risk. Think about the implications of your risks, and remember that proper training, skill refreshing, and mental & physical fitness can help minimize these risks.
What does it take?
Experience is the most important feature to any safe and competent technical diver. At minimum it is suggested you hold an Advanced Open Water diver certification with at least 100 dives, 1/5th of which should be greater than 90ft. Active divers who regularly dive and maintain their skills will be better prepared for training.
Ability as a diver is also essential. The ability to maintain correct diaphragmatic breathing, neutral buoyancy with 500 psi in your tank with little or no air in the BCD through proper weighting. These skills will insure proper and quality safety/deco stops. The ability to maintain a horizontal position while swimming and hovering. To do the frog kick and turn 360 degrees without using your hands... these are the essentials that make a technical diver.
Physical fitness. You should be in good cardiovascular shape, preferably a non-smoker with dietary habits that your doctor would approve of (not too many trips through the fast food lines!). The diver should be able to swim 900ft in less than 10 mins without aids and complete a breath-hold horizontal swim for 50ft.
Diving at this level is more than a sport, it's a discipline. Don't let the word put you off, it's still great fun, but it is disciplined fun!
What's next?
If the above sounds like you, come by and talk to us. We won't lie, technical diving not only requires a commitment to the sport, but a financial commitment as well. Most technical divers ultimately end up purchasing an entire new setup designed for that level of diving. Remember your life is worth the price of quality equipment and training.
