PADI TecRec - Discover Tec on Koh Tao
PADI Discover Tec is a short, 1-day experience that allows curious divers to try out technical diving equipment in a pool or shallow water environment.
Under the guidance of a Tec Instructor, you’ll learn about the redundancy of tec gear and practice basic technical skills like bubble checks and valve drills.
It’s a low-pressure way to see if the technical path is right for you before committing to the full Tec 40 certification.
PADI Discover Tec in Koh Tao
PADI Discover Tec at Black Turtle Dive is a one-day introductory technical diving experience on Koh Tao. It allows recreational divers to experience technical diving principles, specialized equipment configurations, and decompression planning in a controlled environment. This experience serves as the primary gateway for those looking to transition beyond traditional recreational diving limits.
If you have ever wondered about what lies beyond the traditional depth and no-decompression limits of Recreational Diving, then the PADI Discover Tec experience offers the perfect opportunity to begin experimenting and exploring the discipline, equipment, mindset, procedures and skills required for Technical Diving.
PADI Discover Tec Experience
Your PADI Discover Tec experience takes place within a carefully controlled, curated and safety-focused environment, while under the expert supervision of an experienced and qualified PADI TecRec Technical Diving Instructor.
During this experience, you will be introduced to the philosophy and discipline that defines Technical Diving. You will learn the basic principles of how Technical Divers approach dive planning and preparation, including equipment configuration and preparation.
You will learn about the importance of team communication prior to and after entering the water and before gearing up in a personally adjusted and custom fitted full Technical Diving rig, including multiple cylinders, for drills, skills, and an extended no-stop Technical Diving Try-Dive.
PADI Discover Tec is not a certification course, although its aim is to provide an adventurous, exciting, and informative introduction to the practicalities and techniques used in Technical Diving to advance and extend your limits beyond those imposed by the traditional depths and no-stop times of Recreational Diving.
Technical Diver Training
If you enjoy the experience and would like to consider additional Technical Diving training, the experience can also count as credit towards the PADI Tec Basics or PADI Tec 40 Diver courses, should you decide to continue your Technical Diving journey.
For many divers, PADI Discover Tec becomes the moment when curiosity turns into passion, and Recreational Diving evolves into something deeper, more disciplined, more exploratory, and, as a result – more rewarding and satisfying.
Included in the PADI Discover Tec Experience on Koh Tao
- PADI Discover Tec Experience introductory program
- 1 x PADI Discover Tec Experience Technical Diving Try-Dive + Dive Insurance
- Rental and use of all required Technical Diving equipment, including Sidemount Harness & Sidemount Regulators, as well as required backup / redundant equipment, including Dive Computer/s, Reels, SMBs, Slates etc.
- FREE rental and use of 2 x Dive Computers
- 2 x Students per PADI TecRec Instructor, and / or max. 4 x Students per PADI TecRec Instructor + PADI TecRec Certified Assistant
- Black Turtle Dive Customer & Environmental Promise
Prerequisites for PADI Discover Tec Experience on Koh Tao
- PADI Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another agency)
- Minimum of 10 x logged dives
- 15 years old
- Medically fit to dive
**Please note that qualifying certification(s) from another agency can be used to meet the pre-requisites for the PADI Discover Tec Experience on Koh Tao – please contact us for clarification / confirmation, or with any additional questions.
PADI Discover Tec Experience Schedule & Structure
The PADI Discover Tec Experience on Koh Tao is conducted over one day, and includes a comprehensive, full, and thorough introduction to Technical Diving equipment, procedures, and theory, before entering the water for your experience dive.
Day 1:
09:00-12:00 – Introduction & Orientation + Equipment Workshop
12:30-17:30 – Technical Diving Experience Try-Dive
The Black Turtle Dive program throughout the day consists of:
PADI Discover Tec Introduction & Orientation
Our in-house PADI TecRec Instructor will introduce you to the fundamental basics and principles of Technical Diving, as well as examining and exploring how and why it differs from Recreational Diving.
During this portion of the experience, you will also learn more about the technical equipment configuration that you will be using for your experience dive, including its functionality, management and use in the water.
Equipment Workshop
During this portion of the program, our in-house PADI TecRec Instructor will guide and mentor you through the process of assembling, configuring and checking your Technical Diving equipment prior to a dive.
This includes adjusting, customising, and tailor-fitting your rig for your experience dive later in the day.
You will also be introduced to other aspects of Technical Diving equipment and management throughout a dive, including regulator configuration, gas management and gas switching principles and procedures, as well as the critical importance of the concept of redundancy and redundant systems.
Technical Diving Experience Dive
During this extended no-stop dive and under the expert supervision of our experienced in-house PADI TecRec Instructor, you will develop an appreciation and understanding of, as well as exposure to and practice of numerous Technical Diving procedures.
This includes but is not limited to regulator switching, team communication, buoyancy and trim control with multiple cylinders, as well as running simulated decompression schedules and the enhanced environmental and situational awareness required to accomplish this type of diving safely and successfully.
Discover Technical Diving on Koh Tao
The adventure, allure, challenges, rewards and subsequent satisfaction of Technical Diving represent a natural progression for experienced divers who wish to expand their abilities and horizons and explore deeper and more inaccessible environments, with extended bottom times.
The PADI Discover Tec experience presents and offers a relaxed and informative way of experiencing and experimenting with these philosophies and techniques before committing to full Technical Diving training.
Many divers that initially begin with a PADI Discover Tec Experience and Technical Diving Try-Dive choose to continue their training with PADI Tec Basics or PADI Tec 40 Diver, PADI Tec 45 Diver and PADI Tec 50 Diver passionately and purposefully progressing on their journey toward becoming a fully certified Technical Diver.
What next after PADI Discover Tec Experience?
If you enjoy your PADI Discover Tec Experience on Koh Tao and have the desire and wish to continue exploring your Technical Diving Training journey, the next step in the PADI TecRec pathway is the PADI Tec Basics Course.
This is focused on developing solid and stable Technical Diving foundations and fundamentals, which can often, although does not have to be, a gateway and stepping-stone certification on the path to PADI Tec 40 Diver, the first full advanced nitrox and decompression diving Technical Diving certification in the suite of PADI TecRec courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I learn during the PADI Discover Tec experience?
During the PADI Discover Tec experience on Koh Tao, you will receive an introduction to the equipment, procedures and mindset required for Technical Diving.
Over the course of the day, our in-house PADI TecRec Instructor will introduce you to some of the key concepts used in Technical Diving, including redundant equipment systems, multi-cylinder configurations, and the planning and preparation considerations involved in dives that push past the boundaries and go beyond traditional Recreational Diving limits.
The PADI Discover Tec experience is designed to give Recreational Divers a safe and enjoyable introduction to the advanced and exploratory world of Technical Diving, and to help you decide whether continuing your Technical Diving adventure with courses such as PADI Tec Basics or PADI Tec 40 Diver is the right next step for you on your diving journey.
How long does the PADI Discover Tec experience take on Koh Tao?
The PADI Discover Tec experience on Koh Tao can be completed in one day, starting at around: 09:00 and finishing at approximately: 17:00-17:30.
You will meet our in-house PADI TecRec Instructor for a detailed orientation and equipment introduction, followed by an equipment workshop targeted at customising and fitting the full Technical Diving rig that you will wear for your Experience Dive, as well as a full briefing and discussion on Technical Diving concepts and procedures, and the practicalities of your Try-Dive later that afternoon.
After becoming familiar with the equipment and procedures, you will complete your PADI Discover Tec Experience Dive under the expert supervision of our in-house PADI TecRec Instructor, allowing you to experience and explore Technical Diving techniques in a controlled and safe environment.
What is the cost of the PADI Discover Tec experience on Koh Tao?
The cost of the PADI Discover Tec experience is: 6,000 THB.
This price includes all equipment rental, instructor supervision, dive accident insurance for the activity, and the use of all Technical Diving equipment required for the experience.
Food and accommodation are not included, although we can provide recommendations for accommodation options on Koh Tao.
Do I need previous Technical Diving experience to try PADI Discover Tec on Koh Tao?
No previous Technical Diving experience is required, as the idea and philosophy behind this Technical Diving experience and Try-Dive is to introduce people to the skills, mindset, procedures, philosophy and techniques required for Technical Diving.
The PADI Discover Tec experience is specifically designed for Recreational Divers who are curious about Technical Diving and would like to experiment with and try the equipment and techniques used in PADI TecRec Courses before committing to full Technical Diving training.
To participate in the PADI Discover Tec experience on Koh Tao you only need to be a certified Open Water Diver, or equivalent certification from another training agency, with a minimum of 10 x logged dives, and medically fit to dive.
What are the next steps after the PADI Discover Tec experience on Koh Tao?
If you enjoy the PADI Discover Tec experience on Koh Tao and would like to continue your Technical Diving training, the next step is usually the PADI Tec Basics Course, where you will hone and refine the essential skills required for Technical Diving.
After the PADI Tec Basics Course, divers typically and usually progress to the PADI Tec 40 Diver Course, and enter the realms of the first advanced nitrox and staged gas decompression diving course in the suite of PADI TecRec Technical Diving Courses.
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