Dan Patterson Diving
Personalized SCUBA Training - Guided Diving Services
EANx Blender | Advanced EANx | Decompression Procedures |Recreational Trimix
Extended Range Diver | Trimix Diver| Advanced Trimix Diver | Trimix Gas Blender
All Technical Programs require that the candidates be a minimum of 18 years of age.
Prices are not listed as each program is scheduled differently with regards to location, logistical requirements, etc.
As the equipment requirements for each program are quite different, we ask that you contact us with questions regarding required equipment.
EANx Blender 'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
EANx Blender is a one day program to introduce the physics, practical application, as well as concerns, of producing Enriched Air Nitrox.
An individual interested in this course must possess a need to take part in blender training (i.e. staff a dive shop, etc.)
Trimix Blender 'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
Trimix Blender is a one day program to introduce the physics, practical application, as well as concerns, of producing helium-based trimixtures.
Introduced are both a review of EANx blending and all common recreational types of trimix - “stacked”, heliair, helitrox, and heliox.
An individual interested in this course must possess a need to take part in blender training (i.e. staff a dive shop, etc.)
Enriched Air Nitrox Diver 'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
This course is an introduction to utilizing enriched oxygen mixtures, with a maximum O2 content of 40%. Theoretical and practical use of EANx, incorporation into dive plans, advantanges and disadvantages are a few of the topics discussed.
Easily corporated into many recreational SCUBA classes, this program takes one day to complete.
Advanced EANx Diver'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
The Advanced EANx program introduces the theoretical and practical use of EANx beyond the 40% Oxygen limit. Topics include equipment configuration alterations to benefit the Advanced EANx diver, dive planning, as well as an introduction to different types of decompression software.
When taught as a standalone class, Advanced EANx is typically two days in length; when incorporated with the Decompression Procedures class, the course normally takes three days. Prerequisites for this course include EANx, and a minimum of 25 dives. Maximum depth 130'.
Decompression Procedures 'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
The Decompression Procedures program introduces the theoretical and practical application of dive planning to introduce the candidate to the basics of step decompression diving. Use of EANx beyond the 40% Oxygen limit to facilitate more beneficial decompression is emphasisized.
When taught as a standalone class, Decompression Procedures is typically two days in length; when incorporated with the Advanced EANx class, the course normally takes three days. Maximum depth 150'.
Recreational Trimix 'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
Essentiallty this course is similiar to the Decompression Procedures course, with the addition of the planning and use of 'helitrox' mixtures, opposed to compressed air or EANx. Advantages and disadvantages to helium use, and precise dive planning are the foundation of this course. Maximum depth 130'.
Extended Range'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
This four day program focuses on planning and executing dives to a maximum depth of 180 ft. Emphasis is on expanding the student’s knowledge in terms of equipment management, use of decompression software, as well as other more detailed aspects of extended range diving since becoming certified at the Advanced EANx and Decompression Procedures levels.
Certification at the Advanced EANx and Decompression Procedures levels is required to participate at this level of training. Maximum depth 180'
Trimix Diver'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.
Trimix diver is an entry-level program designed to introduce the student to the practical use of helium-based trimixtures to a maximum depth of 200ft.
This course normally takes a minimum of four days to complete. Emphasis is on expanding the student’s knowledge in terms of equipment management, use of decompression software, as well as other more detailed aspects of extended range diving.
The prerequisites for trimix diver include certification at the Advanced EANx and Decompression Procedures levels (or equivalent). One may participate in the course having already completed Extended Range, or it may be taken instead of the ER diver course. Maximum depth 220'.
Advanced Trimix Diver
Advanced Trimix Diver is a continuation of the Extended Range and/or Trimix Diver courses. The program is designed to provide instruction in the use of helium based mix gas diving to a maximum depth of 330 ft.
Like ER, and Trimix, this course requires a minimum of four days to complete. Maximum depth 330'.
PADI TecRec
Technical Diving
Technical diving is scuba diving’s “extreme” sport, taking experienced and qualified divers far deeper than in mainstream recreational diving. Technical diving is marked by significantly more equipment and training requirements to manage the additional hazard this type of diving entails. Tec diving isn’t for everyone, but for those who hear its challenge call, the PADI TecRec courses are the answer.
What is technical diving?
Technical scuba diving is defined as diving other than conventional commercial or research diving that takes divers beyond recreational scuba diving limits. It is further defined as and includes one or more of the following:
- diving beyond 40 metres/130 feet deep
- required stage decompression
- diving in an overhead environment beyond 40 linear metres/130 linear feet of the surface
- accelerated decompression and or the use of variable gas mixtures during the dive
Because in technical diving the surface is effectively inaccessible in an emergency, tec divers use extensive methodologies and technologies and training to manage the added risks. Even with these, however, tec diving admittedly has more risk, potential hazard and shorter critical error chains than does recreational scuba diving.
How long has technical diving been around?
Most people would agree that cave diving is a form of technical diving. Cave diving developed in the late 1960s and 1970s, developing into a discipline largely like it is today by the mid 1980s. In the early 1990s, several groups of divers around the world began experimenting with technologies for deep diving (beyond recreational limits) to explore both caves and wrecks. These communities united and emerged as “technical diving” or “tec diving” with the publication of aquaCorps (no longer in print), which dedicated itself to this type of diving. Since then, tec diving continues to develop both in scope and in its technologies.
Why would I want to be a tec diver?
Tec diving not only has more risk, but it requires significantly more effort, discipline and equipment. It’s not for everyone, and you can be an accomplished, avid top-notch diver your entire life without making a tec dive.
That said, there’s a cadre of individuals who want to visit places underwater that relatively few people can. Many spectacular, untouched wrecks lie at depths well below 40 metres/130 feet. Deep reefs have organisms you don’t find in the shallows. Some people enjoy the challenge and focus tec diving requires. Still others love being involved with cutting edge technologies. These reasons make tec diving rewarding.
The PADI TecRec Difference
The TecRec program debuted in 2000. Although TecRec is not the first tec diving program (cave diver training has been around for decades), it repeatedly receives accolades for its merits.
- TecRec courses are integrated into an instructionally valid, seamless course flow that takes you from beginning tec diver to one qualified to the outer reaches of sport diving using different gas mixes.
- Each level introduces you to new gear, planning and procedures appropriate to extend your diving limits.
- The Tec Diver course is an integrated sequence of three subcourses: Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50. You can complete them continuously, or you can complete each level separately with a time span between them. This gives you learning efficiency, instructional integrity and schedule flexibility.
The Scuba Gear You'll Use
Tec diving uses much more equipment than recreational diving. The technical scuba geartypically uses two to four or five regulators, a dive computer, and some accessories.
Check with your local dive shop about the gear you need for this course. You can find most everything at the PADI Dive Center or Resort in your area.
Prerequisites
TecRec prerequisites vary (see individual course descriptions), but the following applies to anyone interested in technical diving: You must be
• 18 years or older
• A mature, responsible person who will follow the required procedures and requirements strictly and faithfully
• Medically fit for tec diving (physician’s signature required)
• Willing to accept the added risks that tec diving presents
• An experienced diver with at least 100 logged dives
• Certified as a PADI Enriched Air Diver and PADI Deep Diver or equivalent (for this program equivalency is proof of training in recreational deep diving 18 meters/60 feet to 40 meters/130 feet consisting of at least four dives and training in nitrogen narcosis considerations, contingency/emergency decompression, making safety stops and air supply management OR, have a minimum of 20 logged dives deeper than 30 meters/100 feet.)
