Tech 1

Tech 1 develops staged decompression diving to a maximum of 160 feet / 48 metres using appropriate UTD standard bottom gases, including Nitrox 32 and Trimix 25/25, 21/35 or 18/45. The course uses one decompression bottle of either oxygen or Nitrox 50. Decompression on oxygen is limited to one oxygen cycle, and on Nitrox 50 to 30 minutes.

The optional stage bottle extension requires additional training. As depth and decompression obligations increase, so do the demands of gas planning, team awareness, gas analysis, and precise execution. Training uses the critical skills approach, treating dives as real dives with objectives and evolving failures to be solved together.

Particular emphasis is placed on mid-water control, disciplined ascents, gas switching, valve drills, and management of failures away from the bottom. Prerequisites include minimum age 21, at least 75 dives beyond open water, and UTD Essentials of Tech, Recreational 2 with the Doubles MINI, Techreational, or equivalent with assessment, plus the swim, tow and rescue requirements. The instructor verifies eligibility and readiness before training.