TDI Intro to Tech

The objective of the course is to familarize students with technical equipment configurations, to enhance open water diving skills (such as buoyancy, trim, and situational awareness), and to introduce students to advanced gas planning within a no-decompression context.  This course is strictly a no-decompression course; students are permitted to use enriched air nitrox (EAN) mixes, permitted the gas mixes are within their current level of certification.

Who this course is for:

• Certified open water scuba diver who wants to expand diver knowledge
• Certified open water scuba diver who is considering technical training
• Certified divers looking to enter the realm of technical diving

Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
• Minimum certification: SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
• Proof of 25 logged open water dives
• South Jersey Scuba may require demonstration of skills and additional documents prior to acceptance of students into this class

What you can expect to learn:

• In-depth dive planning, advanced buoyancy control, gas management, situational awareness, proper trim, gear configuration and selection

What’s in it for you:

• Exposure to in-depth dive planning, introduction to more advanced technical diving and equipment
• Opportunity to become a more proficient diver and expand on diver skills and knowledge

TDI Intro to Tech minimum requirements:

• Execute proper gear selection and preparation as well as buddy gas matching
• Mastery of S.T.A.R.T, trim, finning techniques, body positioning, and diver skills
• Overall demonstration of mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
• Performance that meets Instructor expectations

Why do Intro to Tech with South Jersey Scuba?

• Classes schedules are based around you! Once you enroll, we will decide together on a course schedule that best meets your schedule.
• Small class size- many of our tech courses are 2 students or less per instructor
• Mentor style teaching ensures maximum focus on you
• More focus on developing you as a technical diver over checklists- produces a quality diver ready for further technical training or solid understanding of what tech diving is.
• Intro to Tech is focused on introducing you to Technical Diving. Heavy focus is placed on gear configuration, basic protocols, and getting you ready to progress to Tech Fundamentals (which is heavily focused on skills & performance)
• We have backmount doubles and sidemount setups for you to try.  This ensures you get your gear choice right before spending thousands of dollars!

Intro to Tech schedule:

• Minimum 3 classroom/Zoom sessions (approximately 2 hours/meeting):
  
  • 1 for introductory meeting- expectations, goals, performance requirements
  • At least 1 for discussion of gear configurations
  • At least 1 for discussion of skills and techniques
• Minimum of 1 confined water session (4+ hours in-water, pool-like conditions)
• Minimum of 3 open water dives (Plan on this being over at least a full weekend, 8+ hours of practice)
• Expect Total minimum time commitment to be 18 hours just for contact time with the instructor.
• How well you perform and how much you learn is up to your dedication to practicing and studying!!
• NOTE: If student decides on backmount configuration, then will continue with Intro to Tech.  If sidemount is preferred, then student will bump over to TDI Sidemount course.