Tech 1

Description

The training provided in Tech 1 course focuses on critical skills, including problem-solving and identification, cultivating, integrating and finally testing the skills and abilities essential for safe technical diving.  This course uses helium to minimize narcosis and explores the use and benefits of using a single decompression tank.

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What you’ll learn

Tech 1 course will now focus more on solving problems in deeper water and away from the bottom. This even further improves your comfort level. This will also prepare you for the future where more of the dives is done in mid-water than on the bottom when you progress to Tech 2 diver and beyond. You will become a stronger diver with a deep understanding of what it takes to perform these deeper dives safely and still have fun. 

How long does it last

The course is typically taught over 5 days and features a minimum of 32 hours of instruction devoted to teaching the practicalities of technical diving, the use of Trimix and decompression mixes, including history, physics, physiology, tables and other technical considerations.

Initial dives will be carried out in shallow water to check the level of preparation of the students, correct their defects in the execution of the exercises and teach emergency resolution techniques. The last two dives are reserved for experience dives and must be carried out at a maximum depth of 48m.

Limits

Maximum depth 48 meters, a single decompression tank and, if the extension is applied (included in the course price), a single phase tank. Maximum decompression time using 100% Oxygen is limited to one oxygen cycle (15 minutes) and maximum decompression time using Nitrox 50 is 30 minutes.

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 21 years.
• Medical certificate
• Have at least 75 dives since Open Water certification.
• UTD Essentials of Tech, Recreational 2 with Doubles Mini (double cylinder) or Techreational extension, or equivalent certification  subject to evaluation.
• Swim at least 365 meters in less than 14 minutes or at least 550 meters in 18 minutes with mask and fins.
• Swim for at least 15 meters freediving without fins.

Before starting

Check that you have the necessary equipment available:

• https://media.wix.com/ugd/cb6828_d92c40e70cb54a3eb1647f8aa45dad78.pdf
• https://media.wix.com/ugd/cb6828_a8f716f34f4c40af83c9a56ac67b52f2.pdf

Note: at Argentario Divers you will find all the equipment you will need for the course. Contact your UTD instructor before purchasing equipment.

Optional extensions

• Sidemount (if the course was carried out in Backmount configuration)
• Backmount (if the course was carried out in Sidemount configuration)

Included: some extra-course materials, equipment rental, certification and dives.

Not included: teaching material  to be purchased on the UTD website and Nitrox/Trimix fills.