The BEST Tec Training Agencies?

[shellbackdiver1]

The best agency will always be the one you choose.

 

[Meister481]

When it comes to tech instruction, it's 100% the quality of the instructor. Choose your instructor carefully, the agency they teach through will be decided for you at that point. Many Tech instructors teach through several agencies and can accommodate your need to expand your card collection.

There are nuances between agencies, but they are similar as far as limitations and equipment requirements. Your instructor will get you ready and show you what you need to have/do.

 

[mania]

Ditto to those whos tressed the fact that it's instructor that matters, not the agency.
Some time ago Walter published a list of questions to the instructor, but I'm completly hopeless with SB search engine. it was few years ago - still very valid post.

 

[AndyNZ]

PADI is to diving (publishing), what Dell is to computers (manufacturing). Certainly not innovators, or the best quality. Just the best at squeezing the almighty dollar out of the pipeline and your pocket.

Got any actual data to back that up? Or is it just the same old drivel that actually has no grounding in fact?

 

[Jim Ernst]

PADI is to diving (publishing), what Dell is to computers (manufacturing). Certainly not innovators, or the best quality. Just the best at squeezing the almighty dollar out of the pipeline and your pocket.


Here we go again,Netmage, Can you you back that up with any facts..??

It is not the Agency, It is all on the Instructor!!

 

[Colliam7]

I'm a recreational diver considering my future training for Tec Diving. Thus far all training has been with PADI (with instructors who are DSAT/TDI technical diving instructors also)and now MSD/DM. PADI are about to launch their TecRec programme and my instructors rec I do not use TDI for future training.

Three points:
1. As several have mentioned, PADI is not at all new to technical dive training. They have offered a DSAT TecRec program for a number of years. I have taken the Tec Level 1, Tec Deep, and Tec Trimix courses, and found them to be excellent! I also believe the particular instructor made a BIG difference in the quality of my course. And, he even acknowledged that the particular PADI Tec Instructor he originally learned from was TERRIBLE. So, even a good program can be compromised by a poor instructor, and not all instructors are the same, even if they are certified by the same agency (unfortunately).
2. There ARE differences between agencies in tec training, both in terms of the actual content and the sequence in which you are introduced to content. In some cases, you will need to complete several courses to get everything you want, and in others it may be available in one course. That is neither good nor bad, just a suggestion to compare the content and sequence of whatever programs you consider.
3. The new evolution of the PADI technical training program attempts to address 3 issues. a) It makes the training more 'bite sized'. Instead of two longer courses (Level 1 and Deep), it divides the material into 3 course segments (Tec 40, Tec 45 and Tec 50), which might make it easier to complete. Yes, the cynics will say it also increases the fees charged, but that was not the primary purpose. Rather, PADI recognized that the potential time commitment of two longer courses was a negative incentive for some potential students; b) PADI realized that the 'PADI' brand had broader awareness and more appeal than the 'DSAT' brand, and elected to bring their technical training under the PADI brand going forward; c) PADI has made a conscientious effort to respond to comments, indeed criticisms, leveled at their program in the past, and address some of them in the new configuration. For example, in the DSAT Tec Deep course (still available through the first half of 2010), trimix was not allowed for either student OR instructor, which caused concern about dives to as deep as 165 feet, on air. In the new program, trimix is allowed on the last, deepest dive.

I would not necessarily agree that PADI is not innovative. But, by their own admission, they generally do not attempt to be the 'first' agency to move into a new area. Rather, they take a more conservative 'wait and see' approach before developing training opportunities in an emerging area of diving, particularly where they do not believe they have the in-house expertise required to develop a quality program. However, even in that case, they may still support individual instructors in the development of distinctive specialities (e.g. most recently, sidemount instruction).

Some time ago Walter published a list of questions to the instructor, but I'm completly hopeless with SB search engine. it was few years ago - still very valid post.

Here is a link to the questions in Walter's post that I think you are referring to - this is a Sticky under the 'New Divers and Those Considering Diving' forum. They are generally oriented toward OW training, and may not be as directly applicable here - but are excellent, nonetheless. How to find an excellent SCUBA class

 

[elan]

PADI is to diving (publishing), what Dell is to computers (manufacturing). Certainly not innovators, or the best quality. Just the best at squeezing the almighty dollar out of the pipeline and your pocket.

Joking aside, unlike all "innovators" like Toshiba, Compaq, Sony my DELL has been working for 4 years now w/o single hardware problem.

Compaq had few failures over 1.5 years after which the motherboard has died completely. 3 of 4 Sony comps has developed major problems within 3-8 months. 2 Toshiba were constantly having overheating problems.

My wife's old DELL is running as a Solaris home server 24/7 for 4 month now.

 

[mikemill]

PADI is to diving (publishing), what Dell is to computers (manufacturing). Certainly not innovators, or the best quality. Just the best at squeezing the almighty dollar out of the pipeline and your pocket.

Actually that does highlight a good point. Dells aren't the best or most powerful computers. But they produce an affordable computer that is good quality for the price. Most dives are the same way. They don't need or want to be the best diver in the world. They just want to enjoy diving. Just like most people don't need an uber computer, they just want to be able to surf the web (aka look at porn).

 

[netmage]

Got any actual data to back that up? Or is it just the same old drivel that actually has no grounding in fact?

Here we go again,Netmage, Can you you back that up with any facts..??

Why was PADI so late with a Technical Program....?
Why does PADI now find itself compelled to offer a Cave curriculum...?

The answer is simple - to sell more training materials...

 

[DCBC]

The best agency will always be the one you choose.

Unfortunately this is too often the case; unless the individual gains experience outside any one organization, stands back and opens their perspective. Time and experience is a strong defense against smoke and mirrors.