Technical Diving
Technical diving is a form of scuba diving that exceeds the scope of recreational diving (in terms of depth, bottom time and type of diving) and offers divers a new challenge. Technical divers require advanced training, extensive experience, specialised equipment and often breathe gases other than air and nitrox.
Technical diving has become increasingly popular, especially in recent years, allowing divers to go that bit deeper, for that bit longer. As a leading dive tour operator, we aim to provide all the training and kit necessary for those who are interested. Whether you are a experienced technical diver looking for some stunning Red Sea diving or a complete novice eager to learn what it's all about, you've come to the right place!
***SPECIAL OFFER*** 10% OFF course booked on RedTec trips in 2013!
Please use the links below, to be directed to the relevant sections for more information.
- COURSES >>>
- SERVICES, KIT HIRE & GASES >>>
- PRICES >>>
- FORMS >>>
Back to top >>>
Technical diving not only has more risk, but also requires significantly more effort, discipline and equipment. It's not for everyone, and you can be an accomplished, avid, top-notch diver your entire life without ever making a technical dive.
That said there are some individuals who want to visit sites that would not be possible in normal recreational diving. Many spectacular, untouched wrecks lie at depths well below 40m. Deep reefs have organisms you will not find in the shallows. Some people enjoy the challenge and focus technical diving requires and others love being involved with cutting edge technologies. These reasons make technical diving rewarding.
We are now proud to be able to offer PADI TecRec courses on board our vessels in the Red Sea and the complete course is an integrated sequence of three sub-courses: Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50. This gives you the flexibility of completing them in a row or each course separately with a break in between.
TEC 40
This course is the first module of the complete PADI Tec Deep level. The aim is for you to learn how to use decompression software and dive computers to plan and make decompression dives with no more than 10 minutes of total decompression and not deeper than 40 metres. You will also be introduced to the use of a single cylinder of decompression gas with up to 50 percent oxygen (EANx50) to add conservatism to the required decompression.
To participate in this course, you must:
- Be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Enriched Air Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Deep Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Have a minimum of 30 logged dives, of which at least 10 dives were made with enriched air nitrox deeper than 18m
- Have a medical form signed by your doctor
The course will last between 2 and 3 days and consists of 3 theory sessions, 3 practical applications exercises and 4 proper dives.
To participate in this course, your normal scuba kit will be sufficient, but we recommend starting to dive and get familiar with the proper technical kit.
Please contact our expert team for more information >>>
TEC 45
This course is the second module of the complete PADI Tec Deep level and picks up where Tec 40 leaves off. It will take your training as a technical diver a step further and deeper.
You will learn the skills and planning needed to dive to a maximum of 45 metres and about the equipment required. You will also acquire the knowledge to plan and execute single and repetitive decompression dives using a single stage cylinder of EANx or oxygen to accelerate or add conservatism to the decompression stops. In this course, there would be no time limit on the amount of decompression.
Lastly, you will learn to prepare yourself for and respond to foreseeable technical diving emergencies.
This mastery of the basic skills and procedures will be the base to move into deeper technical diving.
To participate in this course, you must:
- Be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Enriched Air Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Deep Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Tec 40 diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Have a minimum of 50 logged dives, of which at least:
- 12 dives were made with enriched air nitrox deeper than 18m/60 feet
- 6 (with or without EANx) dives were deeper than 30m/100 feet
- At least 18 years old
- Have a medical statement signed by a doctor
The course will last 2 to 3 days and consists of 3 theory sessions, 3 practical applications exercises and 4 proper dives.
To participate in this course, you will need to have the technical kit which consists of: harness & wing, 1x back gas regulator set, 1x stage regulator, 1x arm slate and 1x bottom timer (excluding the normal fins/mask, SMB & reel, suit).
Please contact our expert team for more information >>>
TEC 50
The Tec 50 course completes your training as an entry-level technical diver, taking you past the limits of recreational diving. It is the last module of PADI Tec Deep level and by the end you will be qualified to make technical decompression dives independently.
During the training, you will make decompression dives as deep as 50m. You will be using enriched air nitrox and/or oxygen for decompression and use desk top decompression software to create custom dive tables and plan your dives.
To participate in this course, you must:
- Be a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Be a PADI Enriched Air Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- DSAT Tec 45 Diver (or equivalent certification from another organisation)
- Have a minimum of 100 logged dives, of which
- 20 dives must be enriched air dives
- 25 dives must be deeper than 18m
- at least 20 dives must be deeper than 30m
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a medical statement signed by your doctor
The course will last 2 to 3 days and consists of 3 theory sessions, 3 practical applications exercises and 4 proper dives.
To participate in this course, you will need to have the technical kit which consists of: harness & wing, 1x back gas regulator set, 2x stage regulators, 1x arm slate and 2x bottom timers (excluding the normal fins/mask, SMB & reel, suit).
Please contact our expert team for more information >>>
Back to top >>>
The Red Sea is a prime location for enjoying some fantastic technical dives and we facilitate the whole process for you to get the most out of your diving holidays.
Egypt is the perfect playground for technical divers and with warm waters, near-perfect visibility and stunning sites, you will definitely be able to experience some fantastic dives.
LIVEABOARDS
We are the industry leader for liveaboard holidays in the Red Sea and our vessels provide the perfect location for you to enjoy your dives. What better way than to have everything at your door step? All your kit stays in one place, the crew is always on hand to give you a hand and understand the concept of technical diving. The dive guides are professional and qualified; they will not only take you down to unique sites, but will also fill all of your cylinders with your requested mixes.
With all the facilities and experience on hand, your liveaboard holiday could turn into a fantastic technical diving experience.
blue o two can offer you the chance to do some technical diving during the week or you could go all out and join one of our specialist itineraries.
If you chose to do some technical dives during your recreational week diving, you only have to enquire with our expert travel team
and let us know what your requests are by downloading one of these
two forms.
The best itineraries to enjoy some technical dives are:
- Simply the Best
- North & Brothers
- Best of Wrecks
- Best of Brothers
- Brothers & Elphinstone
- Strait of Tiran & Brothers
- Strait of Tiran & North
- Daedalus & St Johns
This list is of course only a suggestion and each of our itineraries could offer you the chance to get some technical diving in.
Please see our HIGHLIGHTS section for more information on what is available where.
For all prices on kit hire & gases, please see our pricelist.
If a complete technical week is more your style, blue o two runs a specialist trip in conjunction with Diving Matrix called 'RedTec: Technical 40m+'. The itinerary is based on the 'Strait of Tiran and North' itinerary and will be tailored to the guests' experience.
RedTec can sail to exciting sites which are not offered on standard itineraries including Eel Garden Canyon, Hebat Allah and the untouched wrecks of the Lara and the 80m Al Qamar Al Saudi Al Misri. This is a 60 to 70m maximum depth week and there will be two planned dives each day, which, within reason will not have limited runtimes. RedTec is aimed at all levels of technical diver; for those at entry level through to experienced divers looking to further their skills. Paul Toomer or Ian France of Diving Matrix will be onboard and can conduct a range of technical courses. In addition, Paul/Ian will be conducting mini-workshops throughout the week including dive skill refreshers, dive planning refreshers, kit setup and so on.
SHORE BASED
With several locations across the Red Sea, your shore based holiday could be a perfect platform to do some technical dives.
Please contact our expert team for more information >>>
HIGHLIGHTS
Watch this space as we will keep adding some highlights and possible new sites as they arise.
Rosalie Moller
This wreck offers a natural multilevel dive profile both inside and outside and the slightly greenish water creates a mystical ambiance rarely found on other Red Sea wrecks. With the main deck on 35m and the propeller and rudder at 45m this is the perfect wreck for technical divers. Accessible through the workshop and easy to penetrate, the engine room reaches a maximum depth of 38m and the superstructure can be explored up to 30m before you start your ascent.
Numidia
Encrusted by hard and soft coral this wreck has become completely integrated with the reef of Big Brother. Clinging on to the wall at a mindboggling angle she starts just a few metres under the surface while her propeller rests nearly 100m below making this site the perfect deco dive. Inside you can explore the engine room, cargo holds and superstructure. On the outside you can keep an eye out into the blue for sharks, tuna and even manta while the wreck itself is packed with macro life.
Ras Mohammed - Shark & Yolanda Reefs
One of the most famous reefs in the Red Sea is the southernmost tip if the Sinai Peninsula within Egypt's first National Park, Ras Mohammed. With sometimes strong currents this can be a challenging dive though greatly rewarding. Large schools of trevallies, snappers, barracudas, and batfish attract pelagic predators which can be seen patrolling up and down the walls. The depth of the dive can vary depending on your taste and gas mix but the bottom is not to be found before 1000m. The wreck of Yolanda, discovered in 2005 lies between 145 and 200m.
The Arch - Elphinstone
This is an absolutely legendary dive: the southern plateau of Elphinstone Reef is resting over an arch and is one of those dives not to be missed. With a depth of 65m and a spectacular large and spacious overhead environment, this dive takes some preparing and is fantastic when executed the right way. Around the reef you often find large predators and even the illusive oceanic whitetip shark may entertain you on the last deco stops. This is a truly exciting dive with grandiose corals and the chance to encounter extraordinary marine life.
Shabrouhr Um Gammar: This oval shaped reef has gorgeous almost vertical coral walls and as if this wasn't enough, three wrecks scattered along the east side. Perfectly distributed on different depths they can fit any dive plan; the Gulf Fleet 31 is first at 85 to 100 metres, then Colona VI resting at 60 to 70 metres and lastly the remains of a patrol boat at 30 to 45 metres. After the Crown of Thorn outbreak in 1998 the reef has now recovered and is teeming with life.
Panorama: One of the best known dive sites in the Safaga area with steep walls and beautiful Plateaus to the north and south. This oval shaped reef has earned a well-deserved reputation as the number one dive in the area with sheer drop-offs plunging hundreds of metres into the abyss. Chosen as the location for several world records both for Rebreather- and Open Circuit Divers. Visited by whitetip reef shark, grey reef shark, longimanus and even tiger shark this reef should not be underestimated.
Little Brother Island: Little Brother is the slightly smaller of the two Brother Islands, hence a smaller surrounding reef but with marine life more spectacular and beautiful than many other places. Here you will drift along walls of colourful soft corals and delicate gorgonian forests, particularly on the south east wall. On the west side in the shallow part of the reef you will find overhangs, small caves and swim-throuhgs to explore which provide excellent photo opportunities. Most famous though, the north plateau with a cleaning station at 40 metres often patrolled by grey reef sharks, thresher sharks and hammerheads.
Aida: Aida was a supply ship for the Egyptian lighthouse authorities and she sank in 1957 when delivering supplies to the lighthouse crew in rough weather. She is now clinging on to the steep wall at a mind-boggling angle with her rudder and propeller at 65 metres and the top of the wreck at 30 metres. Penetration is easy and safe and the deco stops are made along the gorgeous main reef with good chance of shark encounters. The perfect Tech Dive.
Watch this space for our latest highlights!!
KIT HIRE
blue o two offers a wide range of equipment hire to save you the extra cost of luggage allowance. Let us know what you need by filing out one of our two forms and we will take care of it for you.
Our equipment is serviced on a regular basis to ensure we comply with the harshest regulations.
GASES
Whatever gas mix you need, we can almost certainly prepare it for you, providing advanced warning. Our dive guides are all basic gas blenders and a few of them are advanced gas blenders. During your stay, they will prepare your mixes as you wish. With a portable mini booster pump and a large transportable blending panel, every location can provide your requested mix.
What better way to enjoy a dive if the only task you have is to plan it and dive it! Leave the logistics to us and enjoy your holiday!
Back to top >>>
COURSES:
SPECIAL RedTec OFFER -10% OFF courses booked on RedTec trips in 2013!
TEC 40 course: £300
The price of the course includes the kit hire and gases for the duration of the course
Tec 45 course: £300
The price of the course includes the kit hire and gases for the duration of the course
Tec 50 course: £400
The price of the course includes the kit hire and gases for the duration of the course
MANUAL & CERTIFICATION FEES:
Manual: £ 70
The same manual is used for all the above courses and each participant is required to have his/her own manual.
Certification fees (per course): £ 30*
*When purchased together with the manual you will receive a £5 discount.
TECHNICAL DIVING:
OC or CCR guided technical dives - 6 days liveaboard: £ 256
*This charge is mandatory if you do not have a buddy doing technical dives with you.
KIT & CYLINDERS:
REBREATHER SYSTEMS - CYLINDER & SCRUB HIRE (PER WEEK)
2LTR BUDDY EVOLUTION CYLINDERS (2 in set) - M26 or M25 valves - £60.00
3LTR BUDDY INSPIRATION CYLINDERS (2 in set) - M26 or M25 valves - £60.00
3LTR MEGALODON CYLINDERS (2 in set) - £60.00
SOFNA LIME - £12 per KG
SOFNO DIVE - 2x PRE PACKED CARTRIDGES - £70.00
CYLINDERS (PER WEEK)
3LTR STEEL Pony Cylinder - £30.00
6 LTR ALUMINIUM side slung- include a stage carry strap & carabiner - £35.00
10 LTR ALUMINIUM Side Slung - include a stage carry strap & carabiner - £35.00
12 LTR ALUMINIUM Side Slung - include a stage carry strap & carabine - £35
EXTRA 12 LTR ALUMINIUM TANK - £20.00
12 LTR ALUMINIUM TWINS - MANIFOLDED - £70.00
15LTR STEEL or ALUMINIUM Cylinder - £35.00
18LTR ALUMINIUM Cylinder - £45.00
TWIN BANDS - £15.00
EQUIPMENT HIRE (PER WEEK / PER DAY)
Full technical equipment hire (includes 1 set of back gas regulators, 2 stage regulators, 1 arm slate, 2 bottom timers, 1 SMB & Reel, 1 mask & snorkel, 1 pair of boots & fins, 1 full 5mm wetsuit and 1 wing & harness) - £180.00 / £40.00
O2 cleaned deco regulator - £35.00 / -
Back Gas regulators set (2 in one set) - £90.00 / -
Wing & Harness - £70.00 / -
Bottom Timer - £15.00 / -
Arm Slate - £5.00 / -
SMB & Reel - £15.00 / -
GASES:
NITROX (MEMBRANE COMPRESSOR - UP TO 32%) PER FILL / PER WEEK
SINGLE TANK (12LTR/15LTR) - £4.50 / -
3 LTR PONY - £3.00 / -
TWIN TANKS (12LTR/15LTR) - £9.00 / -
UNLIMITED USE PACKAGE (12LTR/15LTR) - - / £60.00
UNLIMITED USE PACKAGE TWINS (12LTR/15LTR) - - / £90.00
GAS MIXES & FILLS - ONBOARD BLUE O TWO VESSELS
All cylinders will be filled to approx. 200 bar & it will include the use of the blending panel/booster pumps/analysers
HELIUM GAS (PER 1 LITRE - INCLUDES THE OXYGEN MIX) - £0.07
2 LTR EVOLUTION - PER O2 FILL - £10.00
3 LTR INSPIRATION - PER O2 FILL - £10.00
5 LTR DRAGER - PER O2 FILL - £10.00
UNLIMITED O2 FILL REBREATHER PACKAGE (INCL. 100% O2 FILL + AIR) - £50.00
12 LT /10LT/6LT CYLINDER - NITROX 40 to 80% - PER FILL - £12.00
TOP OFFS OVER 125 BAR FOR REBREATHER CYLINDERS - £7.00
Back to top >>>
Please click to download the relevant form, fill in and return to us. This will ensure we have all of your kit and gases ready for you when you arrive. This form needs to be returned to us at least 12 weeks prior to the start date of your trip to ensure availability.
You will need the most up to date version of Adobe Reader in order to fill out these forms. To download the latest version click here >>>
TECHNICAL DIVER (OPEN CIRCUIT) REQUIREMENTS FORM >>>
(If you get a message saying that 'Please fill out the following form. You cannot save data typed into this form', please click 'SIGN' (top right hand corner) then 'Save a copy' to your desktop. This will then allow you to complete the form electronically.)
REBREATHER DIVER REQUIREMENTS FORM >>>
(If you get a message saying that 'Please fill out the following form. You cannot save data typed into this form', please click 'SIGN' (top right hand corner) then 'Save a copy' to your desktop. This will then allow you to complete the form electronically.)
Thanks to (Dray Van Beeck) and (Dan Burton) for providing the underwater images featured.