The Dive Shop

DSAT TecRec Courses:

DSAT TecRec courses provide the techniques and procedures necessary for diving beyond recreational dive limits. These are some of the most intensive, yet exhilarating, courses you'll find.

Technical diving isn't for everyone but if this type of diving appeals to you and you're willing to accept the risks, responsibilities and obligations, you'll find it one of the most rewarding dive experiences you'll ever have.

Following is a list of DSAT Courses with their descriptions and requirements. These courses are held on demand - please contact The Dive Shop directly via telephone(403.243.4616) or Contact us to book a course. Please note that these course build upon the PADI program, and must be taken in successio
_________________________________________________________________________________

Discover Tec DSAT Apprentice Diver DSAT Tec Deep DSAT Tec Trimix DSAT Gas Blender

DSAT Tec Deep Instructor DSAT Tec Trimix Instructor DSAT Gas Blender Instructor
_________________________________________________________________________________

Discover Tec:
If you are thinking about technical diving but aren't sure, DSAT Discover Tec lets you try technical diving equipment and procedures. Discover Tec experiences can also credit towards the DSAT Apprentice Tec Diver or Tec Deep Diver courses.

What do I need to start?

PADI Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
Have a minimum of 10 logged dives
Minimum age: 18 years old

How much does it cost? $69 CAD plus tax

DSAT Apprentice Diver:
If you're interested in technical diving, but haven't yet met the prerequisites for the DSAT Tec Deep Diver course, you can consider enrolling in the DSAT Apprentice Tec Diver course. It is also a subcourse of the full DSAT Tec Deep Diver course.

What do I need to start?

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
PADI Enriched Air Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
PADI Deep Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
Have a minimum of 50 logged dives, of which at least 10 must be enriched air dives, 12 must be deeper than 18 meters/60 feet and at least six must be deeper than 30 meters/100 feet
Minimum age: 18 years old

What will I do?
You'll learn to make gas switch, extended no-decompression dives using air and enriched air to 40 meters/130 feet. You'll also prepare for and respond to foreseeable technical diving emergencies. Since it's part of the Tec Deep Diver course, you DSAT Apprentice Tec Dive course training credits toward the DSAT Tec Deep Diver course. You'll need the Tec Deep Student Crew-Pak, which includes student manual, planning slate and checklist slate

How much does it cost? $300 CAD

DSAT Tec Deep Diver:
The DSAT Tec Deep Diver course takes you past recreational diving and immerses you in the world of technical diving.

What do I need to start?

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
PADI Rescue Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
PADI Enriched Air Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
PADI Deep Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
Have a minimum of 100 logged dives of which 20 must be enriched air dives, 25 dives must be deeper than 18 meters/60 feet and at least 15 dives must be deeper than 30 meters/100 feet
Minimum age: 18 years old

What will I do?
After successful completion of the DSAT Tec Deep Diver course you'll be able to conduct gas-switch extended no-decompression dives, decompression dives and accelerated decompression dives using air and enriched air to a depth of 50 meters/165 feet. You'll also understand the hazards and risks involved in technical diving, as well as how to prepare for and handle reasonable foreseeable technical diving emergencies.

You will need the Tec Deep Student Crew-Pak, which includes student manual, planning slate and checklist slate.

How much does it cost? $350 CAD

DSAT Tec Deep Diver Instructor:
For those serious about becoming a technical instructor and joining the ranks of DSAT technical instructors, the Tec Deep Diver Instructor course is an obvious choice. The DSAT Tec Deep Diver Instructor course incorporates instructional philosophies and course goals that directly address the demanding and challenging nature of technical diving.

What will I do?

Conduct the Discover Tec experience
Teach the DSAT Apprentice Tec Diver course Teach the DSAT Tec Deep Diver course

What do I need to start?*

At least PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification
PADI Enriched Air Diver certification or qualifying certification from another certification organization
PADI Enriched Air Diver Instructor certification or qualifying certification from another certification organization
PADI Deep Diver Specialty Course Instructor certification or qualifying certification from another certification organization
DSAT Tec Deep Diver certification or qualifying certification from another certification organization
Have a minimum of 100 logged dives with at least 20 enriched air nitrox dives, at least 25 dives deeper than 18 meters/60 feet and at least 15 dives deeper than 30 meters/100 feet

What will can a DSAT Tec Deep Diver Instructor do?
The DSAT Tec Deep Instructor course prepares candidates to conduct the Tec Deep Diver course and addresses the philosophy, organization, practical considerations, promotion and other aspects of teaching the Tec Deep Diver course.

How long does it take?
The DSAT Tec Deep Diver Instructor course can take from one week to three months.
*There are additional exit requirements.

How much does it cost? Please phone for further information

DSAT Tec Trimix Diver:
For the extreme diver ready to further explore the world of technical deep diving, the gas of choice is trimix. The DSAT Tec Trimix Diver course takes you to the outer edges of technical deep diving, opening the door to pristine dive sites few divers – if any – ever see.

What do I need to start?

Certified as a PADI Rescue Diver or have a qualifying certification in diver rescue and accident management from another organization *. Students who meet this through a qualifying non-PADI certification need to provide proof of CPR and first aid training within the previous two years.
Certified as a DSAT Tec Deep Diver or have a qualifying certification in deep decompression diving using air/enriched air from another organization *. Students who qualify through a qualifying certification other than DSAT Tec Deep Diver must read the entire DSAT Tec Deep Diver Manual and complete the Knowledge Reviews prior to beginning the Tec Trimix Diver course.
Equipment Requirements:
Double cylinders (minimum 12 l/70 cf each, with larger preferred) with isolator manifold
Primary and secondary regulators, one with two meter/seven foot hose (approx.) for gas sharing, and one with SPG
Stage/decompression cylinders with regulator, SPG, mounting hardware and proper labeling/markings. Two per diver will be required
Backup decompression cylinders as appropriate and required for the environment
BCD and harness – redundant buoyancy control is required (double bladder BCD or dry suit if suitable for weight of equipment worn)
Depth gauge/computer and backup depth gauge/computer
Timing device and backup timing device
Trimix decompression information (tables/trimix computer) and backup decompression information
Exposure suit appropriate for environment and dive duration. (If students will use dry suits, they should be trained/experienced with their use in recreational and technical diving prior to using them for trimix training or diving.) Argon dry suit inflation or other inflation system as needed (students should not inflate dry suit with trimix)
Weight system (if needed)
Jon line (if needed for current diving environments)
Inflatable signal tube
Reel
Lift bag (bright yellow or per local community practice preferred)
Knife/cutting device and backup
Slate
Backup mask (optional)
Compass
Lights (optional)
Drift kit (if drift decompressing)

What will I do?
The DSAT Tec Trimix Diver course is intended to extend the depth range available to technical divers trained and qualified to use air, enriched air and oxygen for technical decompression dives beyond 50 meters/165 feet in open water. The DSAT Tec Trimix Diver course is intended for technical divers certified as DSAT Tec Deep Divers (or qualifying certification from another training organization). The course extends their depth range capabilities by training them in the use of trimix (helium, oxygen and nitrogen). You will need the Tec Trimix Student Manual and the Tec Deep Diver Manual
(*Contact your PADI Office or Instructor for information about qualifying certifications.)

How much does it cost? $695 CAD

DSAT Tec Trimix Instructor:
Tec Deep Instructors provide the most comprehensive technical instruction available. Tec Trimix divers explore the outer edges of technical deep diving. If you are both a Tec Deep Instructor and Tec Trimix Diver then the DSAT Tec Trimix Instructor trainer course is for you. The DSAT Trimix Diver Instructor course incorporates instructional philosophies and course goals that directly address the demanding and challenging nature of technical diving with helium gas mixes.

What can I do as a DSAT Trimix Instructor?
As a Tec Trimix Instructor you'll be one of the elite who can teach the Tec Trimix Diver course. During the course you'll learn how to teach diving at the cutting edge down to a depth of 75 meters/240 feet.

What do I need to start?

Have a minimum of 200 logged dives with at least 20 technical decompression dives requiring at least one stage/deco cylinder. Of these, at least 10 must have been made deeper than 40 meters/130 feet using trimix.
Be a DSAT Tec Deep Instructor, or have successfully completed the DSAT Tec Deep Instructor Training course including the instructor examinations
Be a renewed PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer or higher level PADI Instructor.
Be certified as a DSAT Trimix Diver or have a qualifying full trimix certification
Upon successful completion the candidate must meet the following criteria:
Have a minimum of 350 logged dives, with at least 50 decompression dives, 30 deeper than 40metres/130feet using trimix as the bottom gas, also at least 10 of these deeper than 50metres/165feet using trimix with less than 21 percent Oxygen.
Have assisted with at least one DSAT Trimix course.
Have successfully completed the Tec Trimix Instructor Standards Exam and Tec Trimix Instructor Theory and Practical Application Exam.
Be 21 years old

How long will it take?
The duration of the course depends on your previous experience, if you're already a Tec Trimix Diver, Trimix Instructor from another organization, or Trimix Diver from another organization. So it could last from a few days to a few weeks.

Equipment Requirements:

Double cylinders (minimum 12 l/70 cf each, with larger preferred) with isolator manifold
Primary and secondary regulators, one with two meter/seven foot hose (approx.) for gas sharing, and one with SPG
Stage/decompression cylinders with regulator, SPG, mounting hardware and proper labeling/markings. Two per diver will be required
Backup decompression cylinders as appropriate and required for the environment
BCD and harness – redundant buoyancy control is required (double bladder BCD or dry suit if suitable for weight of equipment worn)
Depth gauge/computer and backup depth gauge/computer
Timing device and backup timing device
Trimix decompression information (tables/trimix computer) and backup decompression information
Exposure suit appropriate for environment and dive duration. (If students will use dry suits, they should be trained/experienced with their use in recreational and technical diving prior to using them for trimix training or diving.)
Argon dry suit inflation or other inflation system as needed (students should not inflate dry suit with trimix)
Weight system (if needed)
Jon line (if needed for current diving environments)
Inflatable signal tube
Reel
Lift bag (bright yellow or per local community practice preferred)
Knife/cutting device and backup
Slate
Backup mask (optional)
Compass
Lights (optional)
Drift kit (if drift decompressing)
Required Course Materials
Tec Trimix Diver Manual
Tec Deep Diver Manual
TecRec Dive Planning Slate
TecRec Dive Planning Checklist Slates
TecRec Deep Stop Calculation Table Slate
Tec Trimix Diver Instructor Guide
Tec Trimix Instructor Cue Cards
Tec Trimix Dive Examinations
TecRec Equipment Setup and Skills video
PADI Enriched Air Diver Manual
PADI Enriched Air Diving video
DSAT Tec Trimix Diver Lesson Guides
Enriched Air cylinder decal
Contents stickers
Enriched air fill log sheets
DSAT Tec Trimix Instructor Theory and Practical Application Exams and answer sheets
DSAT Tec Trimix Instructor Standards Exam and answer sheets
Tec Trimix Diver Statement of Understanding and Learning Agreement
PADI Diver Protection Program enrollment forms

How much does it cost? Please phone for further information.

DSAT Gas Blender:
More people are diving with enriched air and this means the demand for enriched air fills is also increasing. However, there needs to be someone qualified to administer these fills to meet this demand. This is where the DSAT Gas Blender course comes in. It can result in one of two certifications: DSAT Gas Blender or DSAT Trimix Blender.

What do I need to start?

PADI Enriched Air Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
Minimum age: 18 years old

What will I do?

The DSAT Gas Blender course will train you as a qualified gas blender, allowing you to provide gas mixes to appropriately certified consumers. You'll learn the physical properties of oxygen, its associated hazards, handling requirements and what cleaning equipment is necessary. Finally, you will learn the five methods of obtaining the desired enriched air nitrox mix and the various methods used to obtain proper helium mixes.

What will I need?

DSAT Gas Blender Manual
Gas Mix Calculator

How much does it cost? $149 CAD

DSAT Gas Blender Instructor:
Teach the DSAT Gas Blender Course. You might be certified to blend gas, but do you want to teach others to provide gas mixtures? If so, the DSAT Gas Blender Instructor course might be just what you’re looking for. The DSAT Gas Blender Instructor course is one of the most informative and comprehensive programs available, incorporating instructional philosophies and course goals that directly address the demanding nature of gas blending.

What do I need to start?

At least PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification
PADI Enriched Air Instructor certification
A DSAT Gas Blender certification or qualifying gas blender certification from another certification organization.

What will I do?
You’ll learn the principles and procedures for oxygen cleaning, oxygen service and oxygen compatible air. You’ll also learn how to conduct the DSAT Gas Blender course.

How long will it take?
The DSAT Gas Blender Instructor course can take from three days to three weeks.

How much does it cost? Please phone for further information.