Technical diving encompasses nitrox diving and any type of scuba diving that is considered higher risk than conventional recreational diving. This also includes penetration diving and open-water diving, though many diving experts contend that penetrating overhead environments should be regarded as a separate type of diving.
Other Definitions and Depths
Other experts seek to define technical diving solely by reference to the use of decompression depths. Certain non-specific higher risk factors should cause diving to be classed as technical diving. Even those who agree on the broad definitions of technical diving may disagree on the precise boundaries between technical and recreational diving. One point upon which most scuba professionals generally agree is that any dive in which a safe and direct ascent to the surface is not possible makes it technical diving, and since it also requires specialized training and associated advanced certification and equipment such as diving computers.
Thus, technical diving may encompass the following:
The recommended maximum depth for conventional or recreational scuba diving is 130 feet. Technical divers may work in the range of 170 to 350 feet, and often deeper. Technical diving almost always requires one or more mandatory decompression stops upon ascent.
Specialized Equipment
Technical divers use special diving equipment. Typically, technical dives last longer than average recreational scuba dives. Because required decompression stops act as an obstacle preventing a diver in difficulty from surfacing immediately, there is a need for redundant equipment.
Technical divers usually carry at least two tanks, each with its own regulator. In the event of a failure, the second tank and regulator act as a back-up system. Technical divers therefore increase their supply of available breathing gas by either connecting multiple high capacity diving cylinders and/or by using a rebreather.
The technical diver may also carry additional cylinders, known as stage bottles, to ensure adequate breathing gas supply for decompression. For purposes of monitoring, diving computers monitor each and every aspect of the diver’s equipment.
Other Definitions and Depths
Other experts seek to define technical diving solely by reference to the use of decompression depths. Certain non-specific higher risk factors should cause diving to be classed as technical diving. Even those who agree on the broad definitions of technical diving may disagree on the precise boundaries between technical and recreational diving. One point upon which most scuba professionals generally agree is that any dive in which a safe and direct ascent to the surface is not possible makes it technical diving, and since it also requires specialized training and associated advanced certification and equipment such as diving computers.
Thus, technical diving may encompass the following:
- Decompression diving wherein the absorption of nitrogen gas in the diver’s body tissues will never allow a safe and direct ascent without decompression stops.
- Cave, ice, or wreck diving wherein penetration inside a cave, shipwreck, or under sheet ice, will never allow a direct ascent, because a horizontal path must first occur back to the point of penetration.
- All diving methods that exceed the limits imposed on depth and immersion time for recreational scuba diving. This often involves the use of special gas mixtures aside from compressed air for breathing. The type of gas mixture used is determined either by the maximum depth planned for the dive, or by the length of time that the diver intends to spend underwater.
The recommended maximum depth for conventional or recreational scuba diving is 130 feet. Technical divers may work in the range of 170 to 350 feet, and often deeper. Technical diving almost always requires one or more mandatory decompression stops upon ascent.
Specialized Equipment
Technical divers use special diving equipment. Typically, technical dives last longer than average recreational scuba dives. Because required decompression stops act as an obstacle preventing a diver in difficulty from surfacing immediately, there is a need for redundant equipment.
Technical divers usually carry at least two tanks, each with its own regulator. In the event of a failure, the second tank and regulator act as a back-up system. Technical divers therefore increase their supply of available breathing gas by either connecting multiple high capacity diving cylinders and/or by using a rebreather.
The technical diver may also carry additional cylinders, known as stage bottles, to ensure adequate breathing gas supply for decompression. For purposes of monitoring, diving computers monitor each and every aspect of the diver’s equipment.