The new PADI TEC BASICS course
PADI’s technical diving courses are separated into three courses: TEC40, TEC45, and TEC50. But since this year, we have a new course in the program, the TEC BASICS. This course comes before the TEC40 but is not mandatory. So who is it for?
The TEC BASICS course is meant for students as preparation for the TEC40. Whether you need this preparation depends on your level of diving. People from all kinds of backgrounds want to start TEC diving, so there can be a big difference in the knowledge and skills of students signing up for their TEC training.
First of all, let’s have a look at the requirements. To start your TEC40 course, you need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a medical statement confirming you are fit for diving (maximum 12 month old)
- Be a certified PADI Rescue Diver
- Be a certified PADI DEEP Diver
- Be a certified PADI Nitrox Diver
- Have a minimum of 50 logged dives, including at least 10 dives on Nitrox and 15 dives deeper than -30mFor the TEC BASICS course you only need to:
- Be at least 15 years old
- Have a medical statement confirming you are fit for diving (maximum 12 months old)
- Be a certified AOWD Diver
- Be a certified PADI Nitrox Diver
As you see, you can start your TEC BASICS way before the TEC40, if you want to get a first impression on TEC Diving and already start your journey!
What is the TEC BASICS course?
This is a two-day course with two theory sessions, practical applications, and two dives in the sea with technical gear and a twinset. In the TEC BASICS course, we show you the basics you need to know about diving with TEC gear. That means a backplate and a double regulator configuration with a long hose and necklace on a 12L twinset. You will learn basic skills like proper propulsion techniques (flutter, frog, helicopter, and back kick), S-Drills, gas sharing on a long hose, appropriate gear checks in and out of the water, and much more!
So, do I need it?
In general, our recommendation is: If you have a decent amount of experience with backplate-style wings and especially diving with a long hose configuration on your regulator, you have heard of a backward kick—well, then you are good to start your TEC40 course directly.
If you’ve never dived with a long hose before, a backplate is something new for you, or in general, you don’t get to dive that often, then starting with the TEC BASICS will help you feel more comfortable. This Course will give you a solid base to rely on so you can properly concentrate on what you really have to learn in your TEC40 course.
You should do the PADI TEC BASICS when you…
❌ didn’t do too many dives so far or don’t dive very often
❌ have never used a long hose before
❌ have never dived a backplate & wing
❌ have never seen a backward kick
Go directly for the PADI TEC40 when you…
✅ have lots of diving experience
✅ are familiar with long hose
✅ are familiar with backplate & wing
✅ have mastered the backward kick
To give two examples:
Case 1: I have had students who were Scuba Instructors with 500+ dives, diving every day with a backplate and long hose. Proper back kick and other propulsion techniques—no issue whatsoever in starting directly with TEC40!
Case 2: Our typical “hobby diver” who enjoys diving a lot but can’t really dive much at home. He has his own gear but a normal jacket-style BCD with a recreational regulator configuration. Around 100 dives over seven years. In this case, we start with the TEC BASICS first to get him comfortable with the new equipment configuration, propulsion techniques, and the twinset.
For more info and prices have a look at our TEC DIVING page 😉
