What is Technical Diving?

An introduction into technical diving for those seeking a better understanding of tec diving and trimix diving. We discuss the risks, the rewards and the consequences of decompression diving.
⚠️ Some concepts have been simplified for viewer understanding.
⚠️ Tech diving is not for everyone. Proper instruction by a certified technical diving instructor is required before engaging in this activity.
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[@Kriterian]

You need more subscribers! Not only is all your technical information on point but the video quality is excellent. I'm glad youtube algorithm pointed me here, keep up the good work.

[@DiveSAGA]

Wow thank you! Tell all your SCUBA friends to subscribe 😊

[@Official_Blair]

Honestly one of the best Tec explanations I've heard. Well done!

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave that compliment! 🙏

[@CubanazoJB]

I’m a CCR trimix diver.. your vid is excellent… I’m recommending it to everyone who interested in tech dive!!

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! Much appreciated! 👊

[@Bretdajet]

Great video. No ego or holier than thou attitude. Just facts and explanations. Thank you.

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@elsr.williams9195]

I like your intro, good video, great content, good information, you almost convinced to be a diver.

[@DiveSAGA]

Thanks dude! That's such a nice comment! Now take the plunge and become a diver! You got my support 👊

[@alexscriba6075]

I loved that.

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! 👊

[@morganames8142]

OUTSTANDING, Nick!!!! I'm a 70 year old PADI TEC45 diver (Tec Sidemount) and am keenly interested in your Mexico 2023 cenotes dive trip and bull shark encounter dive. For these cenote dives, should I pursue TEC-50 or TMX-50 cert this summer to prepare me for deep overhead deco profiles? In general, I have used EANx80% for technical wreck diving in the ocean to accelerate my off-gassing but, as time marches on, I often wonder how much longer I'll be able to pursue the disciplined exploration drive and, at what point, I should satisfy myself with simpler dive profiles? I look forward to engaging with you to learn more!

[@DiveSAGA]

Hi Morgan! The Mexico cenote trip requires nothing more than Advanced certification and Nitrox to make it a bit more worth while. It's cavern diving, not cave, so no technical certification is required!

[@rabukan5842]

Hi Morgan. I just commented a bit about deco and aging. I am a full tech instructor/cave/cave rebreathers... I am 65 and I am already slowing myself down as I've done the tec/cave dives I wanted to, and now I just enjoy being in the water. Period. At 70, 5 years older, you might feel differently as you are still in the learning process. But some of the best advice I could give is to know that we do not know what technical decompression diving (as explained in this video) does to the aging body. There are so many wonderful dives that you can do that do not require serious technical planning and execution, where the risks are much, much lower. It all depends on how much risk you want to take. But I'd say at 70, you have accomplished a lot. Just enjoy, safely. I do know of 80 year olds taking trimix courses, but that's not something I would recommend. 30-40 meter ocean, cave, wreck dives for more than 60 minutes still excite me, and there is still enough planning and execution to make me feel like a tech diver... lite :)

[@daveb6345]

Way to go mate, you are living the dream now! 😁 Awesome video and explanation for those that don't understand or do Tec.

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! I appreciate the compliment a lot 🖤

[@minukaasel]

This is GOLD! Thanks!

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! I hope it's informational!

[@jimmymikecallahan8488]

As a tri/deep/cave/wreck /deco diver I have to agree with you fully. I believe the best recommendation I ever learned in getting into Tec is a quote told to me oh so many years ago. 'If you desire to run with the big dogs, first learn to pee in the tall grass' Solid training is mandatory. Good video mate.

[@DiveSAGA]

Thanks you! I appreciate you taking the time to leave that feedback!

[@caro_santamaria]

Great in-depth explanation! Thank you 👌🏽🫧

[@rabukan5842]

Very well explained! One of the best explanatory videos on this subject. I am a technical/cave/cave rebreather diver/instructor who no longer does much deco diving because of age. There comes a point when science can no longer tell us what deco does to the aging body, so there is a time for each of us to know our body's limits, and regulate ourselves. But the years I was doing deco (and yes, it's all about preparation) were profound as the skill levels required really expanded my horizons not only in diving, but in life. I now love just diving reefs, shallower wrecks and caves, dpv's, and teaching those who want to learn the fundamentals of tech skills. Enjoy!

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! I agree that even in the "prime" of one's life decompression theory is at best an indication of what could be safe. Too many divers think if they follow their deco algorithm it will protect them like bullet proof armor. The best divers are the conservative ones!

[@leonardrichards9079]

I'm new to diving. At what age should be considered prohibitive to tech diving ?

[@rabukan5842]

@@leonardrichards9079 It's a very personal decision as the science is not really clear about how depth and pressure affects the aging body. I am in my late 60's and I just don't have the need to dive below say 45 meters anymore. The body changes as it ages, and I just find that I can enjoy shallower cave dives and reef diving to 30 meters without affecting the many injuries I have accumulated over the years. Just as my exercise regime has changed, so has my diving, and in some ways, I enjoy it even more as all of my dives now are stress free and meditative, as I no longer need to push my envelop.

[@leonardrichards9079]

@@rabukan5842 Thank You for sharing your experience with me. I am new and late in age to the sport at 58. It's nice to know that a lot of enjoyment and " meditative" enjoyment exist within those limits for me. I just did my dry suit certification and looking forward to making the right equipment purchases the first time. Your response has helped me to put the computer purchase in prospective. Max depth 130 feet. Thanks again.

[@rabukan5842]

@@leonardrichards9079 You are welcome. Just remember, to have stressless/meditative dives, you want to stay at the depth or within the limits of your skill level. That doesn't mean you can't explore new things under the ocean. It just means that you remain comfortable - the way you might be when walking around your own backyard. At my level, my skills are 2nd nature and this allows my dives to be more meditative. At your level, practicing your skills can also be meditative, once you no longer have to think about them.

[@dive_with_matt]

Great Video Nick. Very thorough and informative! I’m looking into doing my Tech 40/45 within the next couple of years!

[@williamfavors7255]

Great episode! I appreciate it.

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you for the feedback! Feel free to let me know every episode of we're going in the right direction! 🫡

[@SeattleRingHunter]

Can you speak more on with it looks like to increase bottom times between 100’ to 120’ feet deep. If you can touch on what this looks like using a twin set vs CCR Rebreather. Cheers, #SwattleRingHunter

[@alann_kardek]

Great video, Nick! As always bringing a lot of information. Thanks!

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! I really appreciate that! 🫵

Great video, thank you so much! Despit being a diver for 30+ years I often forget about tradeoffs you tackle so meticolously. Keep safe!

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! Compliments are always appreciated! 👊

[@brittonwinter9271]

Well done video. Thank you for presenting the information the way you did.

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! I very much appreciate that! 👊

[@LordF100]

Great Video!

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you!

[@KakashiArru]

Awesome video, thanks for make me understand how tech diving goes

[@DiveSAGA]

You're very welcome! 🙌

[@Violaodabossa]

Thank you Nick👍🏼 A great video and explanation👌🏼 Best wishes >Lutz

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you!

[@nicolasmommens7664]

Amazing video ! Loved every bit of it !!! Totally agree/adhere to your philosophy ;)

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you! It's a basic video but the goal is to inform people who are new to tec diving. 👊💙

[@yrouxel]

Great pedagogical video. Thanks fir sharing. I hope to join you one day. One risk not covered yet by PADi in OC is the density of gas that need to not exceed 6.3 (DAN recommendation). It is on the PADI CCR courses and will come to OC as well.

[@vmartinez71]

I believe the proper term that should be used is "no-stop" diving as opposed to "non-stop diving" when referring to recreational, non-deco dives

[@catalinchivulescu1470]

Great video but I would like to mention that there is a mistake, at minute 11:08. Breathing a gas outside MOD does not give OTU oxygen toxicity. It gives CNS Toxicity (Central Nervous System Toxicity) which usually leads to convulsions and death. OTU is related to Pulmonary oxigen toxicity, which can be "ignored" if you usually follow CNS toxicity (One OTU is earned by breathing 100% oxygen at one bar for one minute. The most conservative limit sets a maximum of 300 OTUs per day for multi day diving trips.)

[@DiveSAGA]

Thank you for watching! 😊 If you look again you will notice I said "O2 toxicity" not "OTU toxicity" which would be an incorrect term anyways.

[@woutvanostaden1299]

21 more days before my open water divers course starts😢 and the outside water dives don't yet start until May😢😢😢. But then I too will start being a diver. We will see if I'd like to pursue technical diving. I do love developing technical skills that others might not (I do lots of circus disciplines) and wether I can afford it. 😅

[@DiveSAGA]

It's not a bad thing that the training takes a while. The worst divers were trained too fast! So take your time and focus on being competent. Good luck with the course, you will love it! 👊

[@woutvanostaden1299]

@@DiveSAGA I should be 🤞licensed🤞 by may, so if you happen to be close to the Netherlands I'd love to learn. I'm definitely planning to do a lot of different specialties.

[@francisbevacqua8014]

Great job my friend! Now you got me looking for a Trimix instructor! 😊

[@DiveSAGA]

You're looking at one right here! 👨‍🚀

[@francisbevacqua8014]

@@DiveSAGA Great! May I ask your course requirements? Which agency are you teaching

[@DiveSAGA]

@@francisbevacqua8014 we teach PADI so they're divided in Trimix 65 and Full Trimix. If you're interested, you can have a look on our website here: www.dive-utila.com/technical

[@francisbevacqua8014]

@@DiveSAGA Question for you, I have my adv Nitrox & deco through TDI, does that matter?

[@alexarroyogarcia4740]

Hey nick the helium in trimix is the same we put into ballon’s?? Or is some kind of medical grade helium? Love the videos you are killing it.

[@DiveSAGA]

It's pure Helium. I think they put some oxygen in the one used for baloons so people don't pass out when joking around.

[@Sureshocked]

😮

[@ahmedelshahawy852]

whats your h😅and watch sir plzz