TDI Intro to Tech Diving

Learn the foundational skills and discipline needed to move into technical diving

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Intro to Technical Diving in Nanaimo

Build the foundation for deeper, more complex, and more rewarding diving.

Technical diving opens the door to environments and experiences beyond the scope of recreational limits. The TDI Intro to Tech course is your starting point if you’re curious about advanced skills, better buoyancy, more capable configurations, or simply becoming a stronger, safer diver.

Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters gives you hands-on experience in our cold-water environment around Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island, where precise trim, controlled movement, and thoughtful planning matter on every dive. This course is your first step toward more advanced pathways such as decompression diving, mixed gas, sidemount, rebreathers, wreck penetration, and more.

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Who this foundational tech training is designed for

The Intro to Tech course is designed for certified divers who want to:

    • Build a stronger foundation of buoyancy, trim, and propulsion
    • Learn more refined gas planning and situational awareness
    • Try technical-style equipment such as backplates, wings, long hoses, and redundant gas setups
    • Prepare for future courses like Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures
    • Refresh existing technical diving skills before returning to advanced training

Minimum age for participation is 18, or 15 with parental consent. Students must already hold an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver certification or equivalent, and must show proof of 25 logged dives before starting the course.

Inside your Intro to Tech training experience

Training includes a mix of structured classroom learning and detailed in-water skill development, focused on building a stable foundation for future technical training.

A typical schedule includes:

    • Classroom session covering gas planning, configuration, and dive strategy
    • Dry land gear setup and equipment configuration workshop
    • Confined-water skills session for trim, buoyancy, propulsion, and emergency drills
    • Open water dives applying technical-style procedures without entering decompression

This format gives you the time and coaching needed to sharpen your core diving abilities while learning the mindset that technical diving requires.

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What the Intro to Tech course teaches you

The Intro to Tech course has three main phases.

#1. Knowledge development

You’ll cover essential topics such as:

    • Gas management strategies and rock-bottom calculations
    • Dive planning and gas matching
    • Technical diving equipment options and configuration choices
    • Situational awareness, team communication, and emergency readiness
    • Principles of advanced buoyancy, trim, and propulsion

#2. In-water skill development

In controlled water sessions, you will practice:

    • Static and dynamic buoyancy control
    • Horizontal trim and propulsion techniques
    • Long hose deployment and gas sharing
    • Team positioning and situational awareness
    • S-drills, valve checks, and pre-dive protocols
    • Problem-solving and stress-management techniques

#3. Open-water training dives

You’ll apply everything in open water conditions typical of Vancouver Island:

    • Precise buoyancy and neutral stops
    • Maintaining trim during skills and gas sharing
    • Gas monitoring and team communication
    • Demonstrating stability during simulated failures
    • Executing a structured dive plan without exceeding NDLs

Each dive focuses on developing smooth, controlled movement, hallmarks of an emerging technical diver.

Equipment required for your Intro to Tech training

Gear is available for rent through Nanaimo Dive Outfitters. You’ll use:

    • Mask, snorkel, and fins
    • Backplate and wing BCD
    • Long hose primary regulator and backup regulator
    • Cylinder and weight system
    • Drysuit and thermal undergarments
    • Technical accessories such as reels, spools, and backup lights

All training is completed in a drysuit, which provides the stability, warmth, and buoyancy control necessary for technical-style diving in our local conditions.

Foundational skills for your tech diving path

Learning foundational technical skills in British Columbia sets you up for success anywhere. Cold water, heavier gear, and demanding conditions make you more deliberate, precise, and confident. Once you can manage trim, buoyancy, gas planning, and equipment protocols in local conditions. Warm water environments feel easy, and you’ll be ready for pathways like Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Sidemount, and CCR.

What’s included

    • TDI Intro to Tech training materials
    • All required confined-water and open-water sessions
    • Use of technical diving accessories
    • Small class sizes for focused coaching

Student perks: Receive discounts on gear purchases and join our regular club dives to keep building your skills after certification.

Coming from out of town?

If you’ve already started your Intro to Tech training elsewhere, we can finish your certification through a multi-agency referral.

Divers from across Canada visit Nanaimo for our cold-water technical training environment, which is ideal for developing buoyancy, trim, and equipment management skills. Whether you're here for work, vacation, or planning a training-focused weekend, we can help you complete your course with flexible scheduling. Contact us for availability and referral options.

Intro to Tech Course FAQ

Ready to become a certified diver?

Scuba diving opens the door to new experiences, travel, and friendships. Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters gives you confidence in one of the richest cold-water ecosystems in the world.

Start your SDI eLearning today or contact us to reserve your spot in an upcoming class.

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Are you ready to start your journey to becoming a scuba diver?