Scuba Education – Intro To TEC
Technical diving is often viewed as a difficult, scary and deep diving speciality, when actually it can be quite the opposite.
Technical diving allows us divers to explore our favourite wrecks and reefs for longer, discover new dive sites which are slightly deeper and know how to keep ourselves safe when dealing with more challenging dives. It is something I have always been curious about. When Scuba Blue launched their Intro to TEC course I jumped at the chance to give it all a try.
The Intro to TEC course has been written by instructor Andy to bridge the gap between recreational diving and technical diving. A stepping stone who want to give it a try. Those who like me, have reservations that tec diving is for a particular type of diver and wanted to spend a day playing with a twinset!
The Basics Behind The Twinset
We started the day with a coffee and a chat about what technical diving means to us and where it could take us. The course only has 2 students so I did the course with my other half, Joe. By having such a small group the conversation was able to be tailored to the style of diving that me and Joe enjoy. Focusing on how technical diving could enhance our favourite dives or settle any nerves about diving. Andy had produced some information books for each student, with examples of local wrecks and how tec diving would allow you to enjoy these dives for longer.
After that, we had a look at the twinset kit. All kit was supplied excluding exposure suits, masks and fins. Which by the time you start looking into technical diving you’ll already have! It was really interesting to see how the kit is set up and the differences between a single tank set up and a twinset. I particularly liked the long hose set up so will be looking at getting my single cylinder set up with a long hose configuration.
A Taste Of The TEC World
It was now time to get kitted up, jump in and see what it’s all about. The first thing that I noticed was, no weight belt! With the additional weight of a second cylinder, there was no need for extra weight in a belt. I felt my harness fit much nicer without the belt, so much more comfortable both on land and underwater.
We were diving at Vobster Quay so headed down towards the crushing works to get settled into the kit. After this, we headed deeper to the ‘field of jesters’ at around 23m. I hadn’t seen these jesters before so was cool to have a look, in early April it was pretty chilly down there. Only 7°c, Brrr.
We looped back around to the start of the 12m plateau and completed our safety stop where I was still happily weighted right. When getting out, one of my biggest concerns about the twinset was the weight on the land. That it would be heavier and harder to move around. However, this was not the case. It was no different to using my standard single 12ltr cylinder and weights. When you compare the differences in the setup’s weights they do pretty much balance out.
Floaty Moments and The Elusive Helicopter
After the first dive, we discussed the feeling of diving the twinset and the advantages such as double the amount of air that comes with you on a dive! We looked at the mindset of TEC diving. The day was broken up into theory – dive – theory – dive which worked really well. When discussing the second theory section you could draw on your first impressions of the first dive.
I loved the first dive. As a diver who has been very nervous about deep dives before (for various reasons) having the stable feeling and extra air certainly quelled some of my nerves. So going into the second dive I was excited to do another deep dive to finally see the Helicopter hidden at 25m.
In the second dive, I was slightly buoyant at the start. Once I had descended it was all fine, a great dive. Heading down the side of the crushing works then over to the helicopter. Joe and I have not managed to see the ‘elusive’ helicopter in the 2 years we have been diving at Vobster. Everyone else has, just us who hadn’t!
We headed back over the ledge to the Jacqulin boat, finally to the bottom of the pit then back to the entrance. It was here that a couple of Kg of lead would have been handy. I was rather buoyant on the 3-minute safety stop. So next time I dive with a twinset I’ll add a couple of Kg’s of weight to my wing.
To Continue TEC Diving?
That’s the big question! The next step after the intro to TEC course is the TEC 40, where you go further into the world of technical diving. Looking at decompression, how to plan dives including deco stops in a safe way. This is something I am certainly considering for the future. Personally, I loved diving the twinsets. It felt a lot more secure on my back and when underwater I was feeling more stable too. I’m definitely keen to do more diving with twinsets as there are many advantages to it that work well with the way I like to dive.
I would love to go further with technical diving as my confidence and scuba diving skills grow. So I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do and where it takes me, particularly combining it with my underwater photography.
If you fancy diving technical diving a go or just fancy seeing what diving with twinsets is like then I 100% recommend this course with Scuba Blue! The small groups for personalised learning, knowledgeable and experienced instructors and relaxed structure to the course is a fantastic way to get a taste for TEC diving.
