1. Tec Basics – new optional two-dive “bridge” course for getting started into technical diving with fewer dives. The Tec Basics Diver course can also be used to refresh skills after inactivity, for crossing X-brand divers into PADI® TecRec® and orienting sidemount divers to back mount (or vice versa). The certification qualifies divers to make no-stop dives to 40 metres/130 feet using the specific equipment configuration used during training. Divers who are 18 years or older have the options to use a deco cylinder with a gas that is breathable at all depths of the dive.
2. Tec 40 Diver – divers learn to plan decompression dives to 40 metres/130 feet with not more than 10 minutes decompression using a single deco gas (up to 50 percent oxygen), or up to 15 minutes decompression using bottom gas.
3. Tec 40 Trimix Diver – same limits as Tec 40 Diver, but divers learn to use trimix with at least 21 percent oxygen and at most 35 percent helium.
4. Tec 45 Diver – divers learn to plan decompression dives to 45 metres/150 feet using a single deco gas with up to 100 percent oxygen.
5. Tec 45 Trimix Diver – same limits as Tec 45 Diver, but divers learn to use trimix with at least 21 percent oxygen and at most 35 percent helium.
6. Tec 50 Diver – divers learn to plan decompression dives to 50 metres/165 feet using two deco gases.
7. Tec 50 Trimix Diver – same limits Tec 50 Diver, but divers learn to use trimix with at least 21 percent oxygen and at most 40 percent helium.
The trimix option has a similar format at each level, with students completing additional knowledge development, trimix analysis and dive planning for trimix dives during practical applications, and using trimix during the final two dives.
Certification cards issued for the revised diver levels will state the new limits. See the individual course prerequisites and requirements in the Tec Diver Instructor Manual.
Instructor Ratings
There are six instructor ratings that correspond to the diver levels. 1. Tec 40 Instructor – may conduct Discover Tec, Tec Basics and Tec 40 Diver courses
Prerequisites:
• PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
• PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty Instructor
• PADI Deep Diver Specialty Instructor
• Tec 45 Diver
• 25 EANx dives deeper than 30 m/100 ft
• 10 decompression dives wearing full technical equipment
Exit Requirements:
• Certified 25 divers
• Have a minimum of 20 decompression dives
Meet one of the following:
• Completed a PADI Tec 40 Instructor course
• Have a qualifying tec instructor rating with another organization and have assisted with one Tec 40 Diver course or taught two qualifying courses, and successfully completed the Tec 40 Instructor Exam within 12 months of application
2. Tec 40 Trimix Instructor – may conduct the same courses as Tec 40 Instructor, plus the Tec 40 Trimix option
Meet all Tec 40 Instructor prerequisites and requirements, and:
• Have a Tec 50 Trimix Diver certification
• Have a minimum of 10 trimix dives
• Successfully complete the Tec Diver Trimix Instructor Course and Exam
3. Tec 45 Instructor – may conduct Discover Tec, Tec Basics, Tec 40, and Tec 45 Diver courses
Prerequisites:
• PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
• PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty Instructor
• PADI Deep Diver Specialty Instructor
• Tec 45 Diver
• 25 EANx dives deeper than 30 m/100 ft
• 10 decompression dives wearing full technical equipment
Exit Requirements:
• Certified 25 divers
• 150 logged dives with 20 decompression dives deeper than 30 m/100 ft Meet one of the following:
• Completed a PADI Tec 45 Instructor course
• Have a qualifying tec instructor rating with another organization and be a PADI Tec 40 Instructor or have assisted with one Tec 40 Diver course or taught two qualifying courses, and have assisted with one Tec 45 Dive course or taught two qualifying courses, and successfully completed the Tec 45 Instructor Exam within 12 months
4. Tec 45 Trimix Instructor – may conduct the same courses as Tec 45 Instructor, plus the Tec 40 and Tec 45 Trimix option
Meet all the Tec 45 Instructor prerequisites and requirements, and:
• Have a Tec 50 Trimix Diver certification
• Have a minimum of 10 trimix dives
• Successfully complete the Tec Diver Trimix Instructor Course and Exam
5. Tec 50 Instructor – may conduct Discover Tec, Tec Basics, Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50 Diver courses
Prerequisites:
• PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
• PADI Enriched Air Diver Specialty Instructor
• PADI Deep Diver Specialty Instructor
• Tec 50 Diver
• 25 EANx dives deeper than 30 m/100 ft
• 10 decompression dives wearing full technical equipment
Exit Requirements
• Certified 25 divers
• 250 logged dives with 25 decompression dives deeper than 40 metres/130 feet
Meet one of the following:
• Completed a PADI Tec 50 Instructor course
• Have a qualifying tec instructor rating with another organization and be a PADI Tec 40 Instructor or have assisted with one Tec 40 Diver course or taught two qualifying courses, be a PADI Tec 45 Instructor or have assisted with one Tec 45 Diver course or taught two qualifying course, and have assisted with one Tec 50 Diver course or taught two qualifying courses, and successfully completed the Tec 50 Instructor Exam within 12 months
6. Tec 50 Trimix Instructor – may conduct the same courses as Tec 50 Instructor, plus the Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50 Trimix option
Meet all Tec 50 Instructor prerequisites and requirements, and:
• Have a Tec 50 Trimix Diver certification
• Have a minimum of 10 trimix dives
• Successfully complete the Tec Diver Trimix Instructor Course and Exam
Qualifying as a Tec 40 Trimix Instructor qualifies the instructor for the trimix instructor level when applying for Tec 45 or Tec 50 Instructor ratings.
Instructor Trainer Ratings
There are two instructor trainer ratings.
1. Tec 50 Instructor Trainer – may conduct Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50 Instructor courses.
Prerequisites:
• Tec 50 Instructor
• Issued at least 30 certifications from PADI TecRec courses with at least five certifications each for Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50 Diver levels
Meet one of the following:
• PADI Course Director who has assisted with at least one Tec 40, 45 or 50 Instructor Course, and successfully completed a Tec 50 Instructor Trainer Orientation or a Tec 50 Instructor Trainer Course
• Successfully completed a Tec 50 Instructor Trainer Course
2. Tec 50 Trimix Instructor Trainer – may conduct Tec 40, Tec 40 Trimix, Tec 45, Tec 45 Trimix, Tec 50 and Tec 50 Trimix Instructor courses.
Meet all Tec 50 Instructor Trainer prerequisites and requirements and be a Tec 50 Trimix Instructor (or higher level trimix instructor rating)
How Do You Update Your Instructor or Instructor Trainer Rating?
Current PADI Tec Instructors qualify as PADI Tec 40 Instructors after completing an online update and familiarizing themselves with the diver-level eLearning and instructional materials.
Similarly, PADI Tec Deep Instructors qualify as PADI Tec 50 Instructors after completing an online update and familiarizing themselves with the materials.
PADI Tec Deep Instructor Trainers also need to complete an online update and familiarize themselves with all the materials to become PADI Tec 50 Instructor Trainers.
Look for an email invitation to obtain a PADI Tec Instructor/Instructor Trainer Update Pak to update your rating. Once updated, you can apply to upgrade to the applicable trimix instructor rating if you meet the requirements.
Tec Trimix Instructors qualify as Tec 50 Trimix Instructors after completing the Tec Deep Instructor online update.
Tec Trimix Instructor Trainers who complete the online update qualify as Tec 50 Trimix Instructor Trainers.
