Course Overview

The NAUI Introduction to Technical Diving course at Scuba Connection is designed for experienced recreational divers who are ready to take the next step toward technical diving. This is not a decompression certification course—it is a performance-based program that develops the mindset, equipment proficiency, and underwater skills required to begin technical diver training safely. The course is intended to build confidence while remaining within no-decompression limits using streamlined equipment configurations and disciplined team diving procedures. These objectives align with the NAUI Introduction to Technical Diving standards.

Throughout the program you will learn the principles that distinguish technical diving from recreational diving, including advanced gas management, precision buoyancy, horizontal trim, propulsion techniques, equipment configuration, dive planning, emergency procedures, and team awareness. Every skill is taught with an emphasis on consistency, efficiency, and repeatable performance rather than simply completing a checklist.

Whether your long-term goal is Technical Decompression Diver, Helitrox, Cave, Wreck, DPV, or Trimix training, this course establishes the foundation needed to safely progress into more advanced technical diving disciplines.

Course Format

Scuba Connection's hybrid learning format combines live online instruction with extensive hands-on training to maximize learning while minimizing classroom travel.

Phase 1 – Course Orientation (Zoom)

Approximately 1 Hour

Your instructor will introduce the course, review prerequisites, discuss required equipment, explain course expectations, and outline the complete training schedule. Students will also receive guidance on preparing their equipment and completing any required pre-course assignments.

Phase 2 – Academic Development (Zoom)

Three Live Zoom Sessions
Monday & Wednesday Evenings
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Instructor-led academic sessions cover the core concepts of technical diving including:

• Technical diving philosophy
• Risk management
• Technical equipment systems
• Backplate and wing configuration
• Redundant life-support systems
• Gas management
• Minimum gas and reserve planning
• Dive planning
• Team communication
• Technical procedures
• Situational awareness
• Human factors
• Emergency procedures
• Introduction to decompression theory
• Technical diver mindset

Students actively participate in discussions, planning exercises, and instructor demonstrations rather than simply viewing presentations.

Phase 3 – Equipment Configuration Workshop

Saturday
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

This hands-on session ensures every diver arrives for in-water training with equipment configured correctly.

Topics include:

• Proper equipment sizing
• Backplate and harness adjustment
• Wing selection
• Regulator routing
• Hose length configuration
• Cylinder setup
• Stage bottle familiarization
• Accessory placement
• Streamlining
• Equipment inspection
• Pre-dive equipment checks
• Team equipment standardization

Students leave with equipment configured to promote efficiency, safety, and consistency underwater.

Phase 4 – Confined Water Skills Development

Saturday
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

The confined water session develops the precision skills that form the foundation of technical diving.

Skills include:

• Advanced buoyancy control
• Horizontal trim
• Frog kick
• Modified frog kick
• Back kick
• Helicopter turns
• Valve manipulation
• Regulator exchanges
• Team positioning
• Gas sharing
• Controlled ascents
• SMB deployment practice
• Equipment problem management
• Basic emergency procedures
• Team communication drills

Training emphasizes repetition until movements become controlled, efficient, and repeatable.

Phase 5 – Open Water Technical Skills Weekend

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Students apply everything learned throughout the course during multiple instructor-supervised open water dives.

Training includes:

• Technical dive planning
• Equipment checks
• Team diving procedures
• Precision buoyancy throughout the dive
• Trim maintenance
• Advanced propulsion techniques
• Gas management
• Situational awareness
• Simulated failures
• Team problem solving
• Emergency drills
• Post-dive analysis and debriefing

Each dive builds upon previous skills with increasing task loading while remaining within the course limits established by NAUI standards.

What You'll Learn

Upon successful completion, students will have developed proficiency in:

• Technical diving fundamentals
• Technical equipment configuration
• Streamlined equipment management
• Precision buoyancy
• Advanced trim control
• Efficient propulsion techniques
• Technical gas management
• Team diving procedures
• Dive planning methodology
• Situational awareness
• Emergency procedures
• Equipment failure management
• Technical communication
• Building confidence through disciplined diving

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for divers who:

• Want to improve their overall diving performance
• Are interested in backplate and wing systems
• Wish to refine buoyancy and trim
• Plan to pursue technical diving certifications
• Want to become more efficient, safer divers
• Are preparing for Technical Decompression, Helitrox, Cave, Wreck, or DPV training

Prerequisites

Students must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum age of 15 years
• NAUI Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent)
• NAUI Nitrox Diver (EANx) or equivalent
• Minimum 25 logged dives, including 10 dives using Nitrox
• Demonstrate the diving proficiency necessary for advanced skills training prior to beginning open water training.

Why Train with Scuba Connection?

At Scuba Connection, technical diver education is built around mastery, not minimum performance. We teach the same disciplined procedures, standardized equipment philosophy, and team-oriented mindset used by experienced technical divers. Our small class sizes allow instructors to provide individualized coaching, ensuring every student develops the confidence and precision needed to safely continue their technical diving journey.

This course is the ideal bridge between recreational diving and the world of technical diving—providing the skills, confidence, and foundation to continue advancing through the NAUI Technical Diving curriculum.

Train with Purpose | Dive with Confidence