This introductory session lets experienced recreational divers try out technical diving equipment and procedures in a controlled environment. You’ll gain an early understanding of the gear, mindset, and skills required for technical diving before committing to a full certification pathway.
The experience begins with an equipment orientation where you’ll handle twin cylinders, a wing-style BCD, and backup regulators to understand how Tec configurations differ from recreational setups. Your instructor will explain key concepts such as gas redundancy, isolation valves, and the philosophy behind technical dive planning. This briefing ensures you enter the water with a clear understanding of what each part of the kit does and how it supports deeper or more complex dives.
In confined water, you will practise simple technical skills under direct supervision. These include switching from primary to secondary regulators, gas shutdown procedures, and maintaining stable trim using the different buoyancy system. The focus is on giving you a realistic feel for the equipment without pushing beyond recreational limits. Your instructor will guide you through every step, ensuring you understand how technical divers manage risk, maintain control, and operate with precision.
This session stands alone as an introduction, yet it also acts as a pathway. If you decide to continue, your experience can be credited toward Tec Basics or Tec 40, giving you a useful head start. By the end, you will have a much clearer idea of whether technical diving suits your interests, goals, and comfort level underwater.
Training takes place in confined-water settings chosen specifically for their controlled conditions, which are essential when trying unfamiliar equipment. These locations provide predictable visibility, easy entries, and stable water movement, allowing you to focus on learning the fundamentals of technical diving rather than adapting to environmental challenges.
On-site facilities include briefing areas, equipment preparation zones, and comfortable spaces to review concepts between exercises. The controlled environment ensures that your introduction to Tec gear and procedures remains focused, safe, and supportive throughout the session.
Divers must hold an Open Water certification and have logged at least ten dives. These requirements ensure you have sufficient comfort and foundational ability underwater before handling more complex equipment and procedures. Previous experience with buoyancy control and basic emergency responses will help you get the most out of the session.
Participants aged 15 to 17 may join the experience but will not perform decompression-related skills. All divers should arrive ready to follow technical diving protocols, which emphasise careful planning, strong situational awareness, and a disciplined approach to equipment management.
You’ll learn from instructors with extensive experience teaching technical diving principles and safely introducing recreational divers to Tec configurations. Training is delivered in structured stages, beginning with detailed explanations and gradually progressing into in-water practice. The approach ensures you gain practical insight into what technical divers do and why each procedure matters.
A supportive and safety-focused environment helps divers test their interest in more advanced training without pressure. Facilities are clean and well organised, equipment is well maintained, and instructors are committed to giving participants a clear and realistic understanding of what technical diving involves. Whether you continue on the Tec pathway or simply gain new skills, the session provides valuable experience that strengthens your overall diving ability.
It is an introductory session designed to let recreational divers try technical diving equipment and basic skills in a controlled environment. You’ll get a hands-on feel for twin-cylinder setups, alternative buoyancy systems, and procedures that technical divers use routinely.
The session offers a structured and safe introduction, allowing you to understand the mindset and planning approaches involved in Tec diving. It is not a certification but provides insight into whether advanced training suits your goals.
No previous Tec experience is needed. The session is specifically designed for recreational divers who are curious about more advanced equipment and procedures. You only need to hold an Open Water certification and have at least ten logged dives.
Having solid buoyancy control and basic underwater awareness will help you get more from the session. The instructor will guide you through each step, making it accessible even if you’ve never handled Tec equipment before.
You will use technical diving gear such as twin cylinders, primary and backup regulators, and a wing-style BCD suitable for backmount or sidemount configurations. These setups provide redundancy and improved control during complex dives.
Your instructor will explain how each component functions and why technical divers rely on them. You’ll then practise adjusting and operating the equipment underwater to understand how it differs from standard recreational gear.
The session covers simple but essential Tec skills such as switching from primary to secondary regulators, performing gas shutdown procedures, and maintaining stable trim using a different buoyancy system. These exercises help you understand how technical divers manage equipment and gas supplies.
You’ll also learn about the planning and safety philosophy behind technical diving, including risk management and redundancy principles. The session is designed to give you a realistic preview without exceeding recreational limits.
The maximum depth for this session is 10 metres. This depth is ideal for focusing on equipment handling and skill practice without additional complexity from deeper conditions.
Shallow, confined-water settings ensure the session remains safe and controlled while still allowing you to experience how Tec equipment behaves underwater.
Yes, Discover Tec can be credited toward the Tec Basics course and may also apply to Tec 40 in some circumstances. This gives you a practical head start if you decide to pursue full technical diving certification.
Completing this session helps you understand what to expect in future training and prepares you to progress more efficiently through subsequent requirements.
Technical setups are heavier and more complex than recreational gear. You’ll get a feel for the additional weight, redundancy systems, and increased equipment management requirements during the session. Good baseline fitness makes the experience more comfortable.
The confined-water environment reduces physical strain, giving you time to adjust gradually. Your instructor will help you handle the equipment safely and comfortably.
The session is conducted in controlled conditions with an instructor trained in technical diving. They introduce each component step by step, ensuring you understand how to manage the equipment before entering the water.
Technical procedures may look complex, but with guidance and supervision, they become manageable. The focus is on safety, understanding, and gradual progression.
This experience does not provide a certification. Its purpose is to help divers explore whether technical diving suits their interests. If you decide to continue, the session gives you credit toward Tec Basics.
Many divers use this opportunity to gauge their readiness before committing to deeper, longer, and more advanced technical training.
Bring swimwear, a towel, dry clothing, and footwear suitable for the pool or confined-water area. A reusable water bottle and sun protection may be helpful depending on the location.
All technical diving equipment is provided, allowing you to focus entirely on learning and exploring the gear. If you use a personal mask or fins and prefer them for comfort, you can bring them along.
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