Blogs
Intro to Tech: What is it about?
Article by José Pablo Mir
Pictures by Cezary Abramowski
The world of technical diving is exciting. It opens the door to new sites, depths, and bottom times. More importantly, it opens our minds to a new way of planning, facing, and experiencing dives, even those not purely technical.
Becoming a technical diver is a process, and like in other aspects of life, we should find the proper entry point that suits us best based on our knowledge and experience. The Introduction to Technical Diving course from TDI -the world’s largest and most recognized technical diving teaching organization- is the best option for divers who have yet to gain experience in the fundamental aspects of this new practice. The course’s content and its embrace of new techniques and technologies make it possible to acquire a solid foundation to learn and gain experience in this practice properly.
Becoming a technical diver is not something that happens overnight, whether deciding to become one or receiving a certification card stating we are now technical divers. It is a slow process extending farther away than any introductory course. It requires effort and dedication. But it will bring us satisfaction from day one -or two.
It is a matter of mentality
First, we must understand and accept that technical diving, involving greater depths, longer bottom times, exotic gases, virtual or real ceilings, and more, comes with higher levels of risk than the sport diving we have been practicing until now.
Although this discussion usually starts with a warning about risks, as I’ve done in the previous sentence, our practice is not a game of chance.
Technical diving is a rational activity that requires maturity and good judgment, and we will put everything into ensuring that each dive is a successful one -meaning we return from it safe and sound. With this understanding, we will strive to establish a mental attitude more aligned with our practice and its realities.
This new “technical diver” mindset we will develop will lead us to be more cautious in our executions, more analytical in our plans, more rational in our strategies, and more detailed in our procedures.
Experience will keep teaching us to know ourselves better, to keep our anxiety and other emotions under control, and to manage our impulses. Over time, our senses will sharpen, and we will be more attentive to the particulars of the situation we find ourselves in.
Strategies and procedures
Our strategies, those broad guiding lines tracing the path to follow, from how to approach planning to where, with what, and how we are willing to get there, will be more specific and more practical. Not because they magically become so, but because we will consciously and deliberately frame them that way.
We will establish clear, concise, and realistic procedures. Not only for the undesirable situations that may present themselves but also for those that are part of our dive objectives.
Even though, as technical divers, we often use equipment different from what we were previously accustomed to, it is essential to note that the gear does not make the diver. In a way, we could consider such equipment as the necessary tools to implement what our goal seeks to achieve, according to our strategies and procedures.
Technique plays an important role
We must put our greatest effort into learning and perfecting the different techniques we will be acquiring. Buoyancy, trim, propulsion, cylinder handling, deploying DSMBs and lift bags, valve drills, and more are essential skills we must begin to master to progress in our art. What we cannot do, when we need to do it, can harm us.
Our techniques must be effective and achieve the purpose for which they were devised. But they must also be efficient and require the least resources possible, including the time they take and the effort they demand. Effectiveness and efficiency will prevail over beauty and other considerations that may come to mind, although none of them should be mutually exclusive. A technique executed efficiently and effectively tends to have an inherent beauty.
Refining techniques is a lifelong mission. Some of them will be easy to master from the go; others, on the other hand, will be our life mission and will require many repetitions just to resemble the idea we have in mind of how they should be executed.
We must consider the environment
Our learning, the needs and musts of the practice we engage in, the experience we gradually gain, our strategies and procedures, and even our equipment and tools change with the environment.
Diving in the ocean, everything about us must be suitable for ocean dives. Conditions there rarely emulate those found in a pool, lake, or river. Variable winds and currents, greater depths, visibility conditions, other divers with uncertain skills around us, marine life, maritime traffic, distance from the coast, and many other factors add complexity and uncertainty.
It is never necessary to master the pool on the first day, but planning and aspiring to gradually cope with the ocean’s conditions is essential.
The cost of good training
We are aware that our resources are often scarce in relation to the possibilities of use we could give them if they were not. To a greater or lesser extent, we are part of the economic reality in which we are embedded.
Fortunately, the cost of good technical diver training is not an entry barrier. Comparing training and equipment costs, we see that the former are generally lower. Yes, lower cost for personalized service, essential to our future
performance and safety, than for a series of mass-produced products that are mere, albeit necessary, tools for an end.
The value of good training
The value of the training we received encompasses a range of characteristics, from emotional and methodological to technical and technological. TDI and its Introduction to Technical Diving course offer a deep and modern approach, with a teaching strategy that aims to create thinking divers, not merely obedient ones.
As technical divers, our knowledge is our primary tool. In this type of activity, what we don’t know can harm us.
Is this course optional?
Unfortunately, the fact that this Introduction to Technical Diving course is not a prerequisite for any subsequent training is an invitation to consider it optional. And we all know what usually happens to “optional” under budget constraints.
However, this course should be seen as optional only by those divers who are somehow familiar with the use of technical equipment, who have a mindset more in line with the requirements of this type of diving, who plan and execute the dives the proper “technical” way, who know their gas consumption rate, who are not intimidated by non-decompression tables, who feel comfortable using their dive computers, and know the techniques and have at least an acceptable level of buoyancy, positioning, and propulsion. Those can go straight to a more advanced training course, such as TDI’s Advanced Nitrox.
We must ask ourselves whether or not we are in that group.
Remember our goal: to have fun
Recreational diving is our passion. Jumping into the water carrying heavy equipment and having properly dotted our I’s and crossed our T’s have only one ultimate goal: fun. This is the activity we have chosen as a hobby. We must enjoy it; it must give us pleasure and make us vibrate.
Having a good time is not optional!
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure at boot Düsseldorf, the world’s premier yacht and watersports show. This incredible event draws 214,000 visitors from over 120 countries, showcasing more than 1,500 exhibitors from 67 nations across a staggering 220,000 square meters in 16 exhibition halls.
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Discover the Diving World in Halls 11 and 12
Immerse yourself in the underwater magic of the Diving Halls, where you’ll find everything from trial dives to professional workshops and even insights into the latest equipment and travel destinations. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, there’s plenty to explore. Don’t miss the centerpiece of the diving area—the Diving Tower, a magnificent structure made of sleek steel and crystal-clear acrylic glass. This engineering marvel provides an unparalleled 360-degree view, making it an unmissable attraction for both participants and spectators. Secure your tickets today—BUY TICKETS NOW!
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Exhibitor Showcase: DYNAMICNORD
Hall Number: Hall 12 / Stand Number: 12/E60
Email: info@dynamicnord.com / Tel: +49 8061 3898330 / Web: www.dynamicnord.com
The new German diving brand DYNAMICNORD, which presented its product line for the first time at the boot show in 2023, has been entering the British market.
The international team combines extensive experience in the world of diving. DYNAMICNORD produces sustainable, innovative and functional diving equipment: From regulators, computers, BCDs, suits, masks, snorkels and fins to dry suits, bags and accessories. DYNAMICNORD also offers a tech and freediving line as well as a swimwear series.
At DYNAMICNORD the complete team works to reduce the environmental impact in all manufacturing processes. The German R&D department works according to the guidelines and findings of the most important institutions for the protection and sustainability of the environment, at sea and on land.
Raw materials, production methods and locations are chosen carefully. When selecting its suppliers, the team pays attention to full automation, which results in lower electricity and water consumption. 80% of all products are manufactured in Europe.
DYNAMICNORD already recycles all plastic and glass parts of its masks. The inserts of the fin foot pocket are made from PP and TPR waste. The suspension hooks are made from PC waste. Furthermore, DYNAMICNORD supports numerous environmental protection organisations.
Show Offer:
The DYNAMICNORD team is looking forward to presenting the entire product range at the boot show.
During the boot show super bargains can be snapped up – both at DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store. There is 20% off the entire range from 18.-27.1.2025.
Furthermore, if you sign up for the newsletter at the DYNAMICNORD stand, you have the chance to an IR-50 regulator worth €499!
All products are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers in UK/Ireland and in the online store. www.dynamicnord.com.
Email: info@dynamicnord.com / Tel: +49 8061 3898330 / Web: www.dynamicnord.com
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Advanced Diving Workshops
For certified divers looking to take their skills to the next level, the advanced workshops in Hall 12 are the perfect choice. Conducted in the state-of-the-art Diving Tower, these sessions are led by seasoned professionals who will help you refine your techniques and gain new insights into the underwater world.
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Apnoea Diving: Master the Art of Freediving
Dive into the world of apnoea diving, where a single breath takes you on a remarkable underwater journey. This unique discipline combines physical endurance, mental focus, and a deep connection with the water.
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If you’ve ever dreamed of moving through the water like a mermaid, this is your chance! In the Mermaiding sessions, you’ll glide through the water with a large fin, mastering the wave-like movements and breathing techniques needed for this graceful activity.
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Exhibitor Showcase: Prodivers Maldives
Hall Number: Hall 12 / Stand Number: 12/E68
Email: info@prodivers.com / Web: www.prodivers.com / Social: @prodiversmaldives
35 YEARS OF PRODIVERS!
Prodivers operates a network of dive centers throughout the Maldives, each following the same core philosophy—ensuring that your diving and snorkelling adventures are unforgettable. Each center is designed to cater to the specific needs of the guests visiting each island.
Prodivers Dive Centers are strategically located near the Maldives’ top dive sites. From nearly endless drop-offs and overhangs to gently sloping reefs, from tranquil underwater islands teeming with schools of fish to current-rich channels where large fish roam, Prodivers is fortunate to offer it all!
Explore the reefs of Lhaviyani and South Ari Atolls with PRODIVERS MALDIVES at one of our seven dive centers:
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• Komandoo Island Resort
• Lily Beach Resort & Spa
• Hurawalhi Island Resort
• Kudadoo Private Island
• Innahura Maldives Resort
• Jawakawa Islands Maldives
SUMMER SPECIAL OFFER**
• 15% OFF for all divers
• 25% OFF for groups (minimum of 6 divers)
*Offer valid from May 1 to October 1, 2025
*Email us to claim your discount
35 JAHRE PRODIVERS!
Prodivers betreibt Tauchzentren auf den Malediven, jedes mit der gleichen Philosophie – sicherzustellen, dass Ihre Tauch- und Schnorchelerlebnisse so gut wie möglich sind. Jedes Zentrum ist speziell auf die Bedürfnisse der Gäste abgestimmt, die jede der Inseln besuchen.
Die Prodivers Tauchzentren befinden sich in unmittelbarer Nähe der besten Tauchplätze der Malediven. Von fast bodenlosen Abhängen mit Überhängen bis zu sanft abfallenden Riffen, von geschützten Unterwasserinseln, die Zufluchtsorte für schwimmende Fische sind, bis zu Kantrandbereichen, in denen Strömungen rasant sind und große Fische umherziehen – bei Prodivers haben wir großes Glück – wir haben alles!
Entdecken Sie die Riffe der Lhaviyani- und Süd-Ari-Atolle mit PRODIVERS MALDIVES in einem unserer sieben Tauchzentren:
• Kuredu Island Resort
• Komandoo Island Resort
• Lily Beach Resort & Spa
• Hurawalhi Island Resort
• Kudadoo Private Island
• Innahura Maldives Resort
• Jawakawa Islands Maldives
SOMMER-SPECIAL**
15% RABATT FÜR ALLE TAUCHER
25% RABATT FÜR GRUPPEN (MIN. 6 TAUCHER)
*Gültig vom 1. Mai bis 1. Oktober 2025
*Emailen Sie uns, um Ihren Rabatt zu aktivieren
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The Spectacular New Diving Tower
A true highlight of boot Düsseldorf, the Diving Tower is a masterpiece of design and functionality. Standing tall with a diameter of eight meters and a height of four meters, this massive structure holds 200,000 liters of water and offers spectators a full 360-degree view of the action inside.
Introduced in 2023, this impressive feature, designed by architect Jürgen Sütterlin, has quickly become a centerpiece of the show. Whether you’re participating in workshops or simply enjoying the view, the Diving Tower is a must-see attraction. Find it in Hall 12, where it’s surrounded by interactive activities and workshops for divers of all skill levels. Don’t miss the chance to experience this marvel up close—BUY TICKETS NOW to be part of the action!
Capture the Magic at Water Pixel World in Hall 11
For photography and film enthusiasts, Water Pixel World is the ultimate destination. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find a wealth of resources to help you capture the beauty of underwater life and watersports.
From expert-led talks to hands-on demonstrations, this area offers everything you need to elevate your skills. Discover the latest photography and videography equipment, gain insights from professional photographers, and witness breathtaking visuals on the Water Pixel World stage.
Highlights from the Speaker Lineup
- Adrian Mattern: Learn how to capture the excitement of whitewater action sports through photography.
- Tobias Friedrich: Gain professional tips for underwater photography using SeaLife cameras to create stunning images.
- Peter Löseke: Explore the art of finding the perfect angles to capture marine life in its full glory.
If you’re passionate about documenting your underwater adventures, Water Pixel World is not to be missed. Upgrade your skills and gear—BUY TICKETS NOW to join the fun!
Don’t Miss Boot Düsseldorf 2025!
From diving and photography to mermaiding and freediving, boot Düsseldorf offers an incredible array of experiences for watersports lovers. With world-class exhibits, hands-on activities, and awe-inspiring attractions, it’s an event like no other. Be part of the magic—BUY TICKETS NOW and secure your spot at boot Düsseldorf 2025!
Visitor hotline: +49 211 4560-7640
email: info@messe-duesseldorf.de
Welcome to Buceo Anilao, a haven for divers nestled in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Immerse yourself in the perfect blend of relaxation and the renowned hospitality of the Filipino people.
Our lush gardens and premium amenities provide a sanctuary of tranquillity amidst nature’s beauty. Surround yourself with artistry and serenity, complemented by the vibrant colours of our resort.
Retreat to one of our 23 spacious and inviting rooms, each designed to provide a clean and relaxing environment, ensuring you are well-rested for the exciting diving activities that await.
The buffet breakfast and à la carte menu offer a wide range of appetising dishes, featuring a delightful fusion of local flavours and international cuisine.
At Buceo Anilao, we cater to every taste, making dining an integral part of the experience.
Get ready to explore the depths with confidence, thanks to our well-maintained equipment and knowledgeable staff. Our camera room is a sanctuary for underwater photographers, providing the perfect space to prepare and care for your gear.
Your safety is paramount. Trust our local dive masters to guide you through each dive, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. Elevate your expertise with our diverse range of courses designed to enhance your diving skills.
Dive into a haven for macro photography, where every dive unveils a kaleidoscope of marine treasures. Encounter countless underwater species, from vibrant nudibranchs to elusive Rhinopias, amidst stunning coral reefs, muck sites, and other diverse underwater landscapes.
Elevate your diving experience with mesmerising night dives! Encounter rare marine wildlife for an unforgettable adventure.
Relax after your activities with a treatment in our spa, where therapeutic massage sessions and panoramic views provide the perfect way to unwind after your underwater adventures.
As the day winds down, enjoy a relaxed sunset session. Revel in the magic of Buceo Anilao with stunning views and refreshing drinks, concluding another memorable day in our diver’s paradise.
No need to travel far! Buceo Anilao is conveniently located near Manila International Airport, just a short 2.5-hour drive to one of the best macro photography destinations in the world. This is the top choice for underwater photographers who value diversity, convenience, and the ultimate resort experience! 😊
For bookings, email us at contact@buceoanilao.com or visit our website and social media accounts for more information:
Website: www.BuceoAnilao.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/buceoanilao
Instagram: www.instagram.com/buceoanilao
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