David Hale
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                    Sent by:                Subject:     Re: [SCUBA-SE] Any tech divers have an
                    SouthEast US             opinion on PADI's new tech              probram?
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                    03/13/2002 02:33
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>I have briefly looked at the PADI tech stuff on-line.
>There is not much information about the content of the
>courses, but it appears they are only offering "tech"
>up to the level of what TDI calls Extended Range
>Diver. That is basically depths to 165 feet with
>decompression and gas switching. This is kind of a
>transition zone to tech diving, though PADI may plan
>to phase in additional courses over time.

That is correct.  The course is to 165 with deco and gas switching.  They
also talk alot about gas switching in a multi-level dive to stay out of
deco...

I beleive PADI does plan on phasing in additional courses.  This program is
about 2 years old, less than a year ago the started a gas blender program
that includes trimix.  My thinking is that was preparing for other courses.
This is no more than a guess and I have nothing else to base it on.

>I am encouraged that PADI is requiring their tech
>instructors to have substantial experience and to have
>assisted with some tech courses before becoming a tech
>instructor.
>(http://www.padi.com/courses/tecrec/TecDeepInstr.asp)

An instructor has to assist in 2 courses before being certified as a tech
instructor.  If memory serves me right they have to have 27?? multistage
deco dives as well.  Is this alot?  Is that what you would(generaly
speaking) call "substantial experience"?

>Perhaps PADI is acknowledging that at certain levels
>the quality and experience of the instructor is more
>important than the quality of the instructional
>materials furnished by the certifying agency. I
>certainly believe this to be the case for tech certs.

And I thought in PADI's mind all instructors where created equal! (Except
for Course Directors of course...)

>After all, one little secret in tech diving is that
>you don't show up with a trimix card and just walk
>onto a Doria trip. Experience and references count -
>they will want to know who certified you.

To bad they don't do that on all boats..

>My thoughts on important qualities for a tech
>instructor:

>2) Uses the agency materials as a reference, but
>teaches mostly from their own experience and knowledge
>(In tech diving you mostly learn from planning,
>performing, and analyzing the dives),

I doubt PADI will go for that, they are pretty ridged with their course
material.  Although I do see a little free rein in the tech program.

>3) Is willing to turn down students who may meet the
>paper qualifications, if the instructor believes the
>student is not ready for tech type diving, and

What do you think about PADI's paper qualifications?

>4) Is willing to fail students, even if it causes a
>financial loss.

I think this should be true for recreational as well

>Food for thought.

Thanks!

I have a copy of the training material and have read through it.  I also
have done some research into other tech agencies and there appears to be
some variation.  For instance where your long hose should be routed and
which hose you should be breathing off.