The DSAT TecRec range was initially designed in 2000 and was soon recognised as setting a new high standard for instructional design and quality support materials. Instructors who teach the system know that a Tec Deep Diver or Tec Trimix Diver are superbly trained for technical diving. But now it’s time for a change.
Why change something that works? Well, we are not changing the best parts. The competencies at these two levels will stay the same, in other words pretty much exactly the same total set of skills and experience. However, nine years is a long time in technical diving, and the range was due for a review.
The way the review was conducted was to speak to the experts — you. We have spent a lot of time conducting forums around the world and talking to the people who teach this stuff on a day to day basis. You know what works and what doesn’t. You said you love the end product of those two courses, but that you wanted more incremental steps for divers to reach them, so that it was more practical for divers and instructors to schedule training. You also said that there should be a definite increase in a diver’s capabilities at each stage.
As no one wanted to change the overall level of information provided to the students, we have not revised the diver manuals. However, we are producing new instructor guides, knowledge reviews and exams to cover the new levels.
So here is a first look at the new TecRec range. As a general rule, each of the diver courses has four dives; in some cases the initial dives may be conducted in confined or limited open water.
Diver Levels
Tec 40
The entry point into the technical range, it provides a transition from recreational to tech. Although the use of full tech gear (doubles and wings) is preferred, it does allow modified use of recreational gear in some situations, provided the diver has two separate regulators, with one of the first stages fitted with a long hose. The intended working limit for a diver of this grade is 40 metres/130 feet with up to 10 minutes of non-accelerated decompression while breathing up to EANx50.
Tec 45
The diver now must wear the full ‘standardised’ tech rig, including wings and doubles, plus an additional deco cylinder. (Note that side mounted cylinders are an acceptable alternative to back mounted doubles throughout the TecRec range). The course will allow the diver to go to 45 metres/145 feet and make accelerated decompression dives using any mix of EANx or oxygen.
Tec 50
At the end of this course the diver will have the same set of skills and knowledge as the present Tec Deep Diver. As such it represents a high level of competency for a technical diver. Although the option exists to make the last dive of the course using trimix, it is intended as an air/nitrox rating and by the end the diver can dive to a maximum of 50 metres/165 feet and make extended, accelerated decompression dives.
Tec Trimix 65
This course opens up the advantages of trimix to the diver, and divers are qualified to make multi-stop decompression dives that employ EANx and oxygen for accelerated decompression, and any trimix with an oxygen content of 18% or more. They can dive to a maximum depth of 65 metres/210 feet.
Tec Trimix
This level is essentially the same as the existing course of this name. Therefore there is no numbered suffix after the course title — there are no limits are placed on how deep the diver can go after training, providing they build their experience gradually.
Instructor Levels
Tec Instructor
This is a new level of instructor in the TecRec range. The Tec Instructor will be able to teach the Tec 40 course.
Tec Deep Instructor
All existing Tec Deep Instructors keep the same credential, and will be able to offer the Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50 courses.
Tec Trimix Instructor
Again, existing instructors of this level retain this credential and can offer any of the diver level courses in the range.
All these courses will be released in the next couple of months, so look for more news soon.
TecRec Blog 
Great stuff I’m really pleased to see this changes – but PLEASE hurry with the exams, guides etc. I’ve got courses backing up here!!
Fantastic changes to the course. Breaking down to 3 levels rather than overloading a lot of skills at the start,. Giving some small amount of deco at tec 40. Allowing a 45m level will open up a lot of our local wrecks and make it competitive against other training agencies that currently offered acc deco to 42m but wiht only one stage tank. Before the Tec Level 1 really offered nothing new with depth or deco.
Also good to see an extra entry level for instructors.
Being able to market to 3 levels will be much better for students.
Well done DSAT!
What will the new courses be labeled in the US
Tec 130 Tec 150 Tec 164 Trimix 216 ???
Great idea, much easier to market etc but names may confuse, maybe other non numerical cert names would be better and depth limits stated on the cards in both metric and imperial…
you could have a new Tec level 1 and then level Two then Tec Deep
Normoxic Trimix and Tec Trimix or Full Trimix
many options but we have to be careful to prevent confusion with other tec agency titles…more so on the tec deep progs as the trimix progs fit in with other tec agencies more easily.
Rod
Rod
The course names will be the same anywhere in the world; as those listed in the article.
Mark Caney
Thanks DSAT. Excellent work. Now our students can receive a certification for each stage completed. The student can continue developing it while diving to another level.
Eduardo Macedo – DSAT IT
I like the look of these changes, a lot.
I believe the changes will make it much easier to offer a very flexible range of programs.
Look forward to seeing these changes coming in.
It will be interesting to see what comes out of it.
I personally believe, that at this level all courses should be metric.
This is a good time to set a standard.
Tec 40 sounds to me more like ripp off. This should be coverd with Deep and Nitrox as prerequisites to go further.
I wonder, if Padi will allow crossovers?
Peter,
MSDT, TDI CCR
Tec 40 now allows 10 mins of deco quite a step up from the PADI Deep. And not a rip off if you teach twin tanks, long hoses and stage regs
I agree with Terri and let’s not forget sidemount diving
Why not ad an entry level fundamental course (cf NAUI Intro to Tec or his copy the Dir Fundamental) in order to attract new divers on the tec side. They can avoid wrong choice in buying equipement and will have a long term goal.
This course will be designed for OWD + nitrox + 25 dives and incude all the tec skills at a maximum depth of 18meters.
We already have Discover Tec & Tec Basics in the programmes this will provide for this need unless or course these will be discontinued..??
Please Please Please tell me the new Instructor Manual will be available in PDF ?????????
I second, third and fourth that. In fact I’ll beg…
Add me to the list of people who vote for a PDF of the IM. Be good if this was extended to the Gas Blender IM as well.
still not very happy about the 50m on Air bit?
would like to go from Tec 45 to trimix?
Digital versions of the DSAT Instructor Tec Deep manual is a must, especially when travelling. Great work on the courses and I look forward to seeing the revised materials very soon.