What Is Tech Diving?

What is tech diving? Tech or technical diving is scuba diving that exposes divers to dangers beyond those typically associated with recreational diving. Skills are developed through appropriate training and experience – and risks lowered by using suitable equipment and the correct procedures.

See the essentials of technical diving here…

The Attraction of Technical Diving

Technical divers can explore dive sites that recreational divers simply cannot reach. And have the freedom to discover new dive sites using this challenging type of diving. It provides new skills to practise – equipment needs to be correctly configured – and a vast variety of new things to see.

Technical Diving Data

A general definition of tech diving is to be covered by a ceiling that doesn’t let a diver ascend to the surface at any time during the dive. This might be a cave or a wreck. It typically involves dives that go beyond 40 metres – or extend in an enclosed environment that is more than 40 metres from the point of entry.

Technical diving requires one or more mandatory decompression stops on during ascent when the diver may exchange breathing gas mixtures. Calculations are needed for the amount of gas likely to be used on individual dives – forming the basis for dive planning. This is crucial along with the suitability of gases, equipment requirements, and dive logistics.

Technical Dive Equipment

Technical dive gear should consist of but is not limited to:

• Mask – a good quality option that fits well is essential. Chose tempered-glass lens for safety, with a comfortable rubber skirt, enclosed nose with finger pockets to allow ear equalising, and an adjustable strap that can be locked into place.
• Fins – look for an ample size blade that provides adequate power with a comfortable foot pocket – often made from neoprene rubber. Open heel fins require wetsuit boots necessary for the protection in colder water.
• Buoyancy Control Device – available in different styles with technical diving systems combining wing-style bladders with harness setups.
• Weight System – weight belts are the most common style, but other options include integrated systems built into the BCD allowing the division of weight into pockets on either side.
• Regulator – attached to the scuba tank valve this reduces tank air pressure and routes it to several hoses. It links many pieces of gear delivering air to you the way you need it to breathe.
• Submersible Pressure Gauge – displays how much air remains in your tank so that you end the dive safely. It needs to be easy to read and understand as you constantly monitor your air supply. It may be a mechanical gauge or built into your dive computer.
• Dive computer – provides real-time and depth dive information and applies it to a decompression model to track dissolved nitrogen in your body during the dive. This results in continuous monitoring of have much dive time you have safely remaining.
• Scuba tanks – technical divers may use dual-cylinder manifolds or Y and H valves that connect two regulators to one cylinder.

Technical Diver Training

Every scuba diver needs to complete a training course to become certified to dive. This training includes the theory which is often an online course or printed manual, followed by the practice of optimal breathing gas techniques and stage decompression basics.

Your technical instructor will introduce you to the special equipment and discipline needed for:

• Rebreathers: open and closed-circuit technology
• Gas mixtures such as nitrox, trimix, and helitrox
• Buoyancy control principles
• Safety procedures and technical dive planning

Go Technical Diving

Scuba diving in Playa del Carmen with Koox is a great location to use your newly acquired technical diver certification. You’ll be able to enjoy a unique experience as you cave dive under the supervision of a certified and experienced guide. And your price includes all the diving gear you’ll need.