Technical Diving — What It Is and Why It Matters

Technical diving (tec diving) is diving that exceeds recreational limits — deeper than 40 meters, requiring decompression stops, using multiple gas mixes, or involving overhead environments (wrecks, caves) where direct access to the surface is not available. Technical divers carry redundant equipment, plan for gas management and decompression obligations, and undergo extensive training beyond recreational certifications.

Technical diving requires specialized dive computers that support multi-gas tracking, gradient factor adjustment, and extended decompression planning. Popular technical dive computers include the Shearwater Perdix 2 and Petrel 3, Garmin Descent Mk3i, and various open-source platforms. Technical training is offered by agencies like TDI, IANTD, GUE, and PADI TecRec.