TecRec ExpansionPADI Tec courses have been revised and reconfigured. TecRec is now made up of 5 diver licensing levels - Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50, Tec Trimix 65 and Tec Trimix Diver. The changes, which mainly affect the Tec Deep Diver course, provide a series of more compact steps of progression, with the diver acquiring new capabilities at each stage. The new course levels reflect the depth to which the diver can reach on the course: Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50 and Tec Trimix 65. Each of the first 3 levels of the Tec Diver course require four dives/water sessions and the Tec Trimix 65 requires five dives/water sessions. The Tec Trimix Diver course remains unchanged.
In addition, there are three Instructor levels. The newest level is called Tec Instructor and allows you to teach the first level of technical diving, Tec 40.
The sidemounted gear: a new way to diveThe "sidemounted" BCD is becoming increasingly popular: Its side mounting configuration allows the tanks to be placed on each side of the body instead of the back ("backmounted” configuration). This type of gear has long been preferred for cave diving as one diver can reach tighter space. Today it has become a standard in recreational diving: One has a greater supply of air with 2 tanks. Its structure provides incomparable ease in water, a sensation of lightness and freedom that is not available with a traditional configuration. It also gives a new approach to the buoyancy control because of a more hydrodynamic profile. The "sidemounted" gear is also very comfortable because it is fully adjustable to each individual.
One can attach the tanks directly to the jacket, which allows a much easier entry and exit since it can be done in the water.
The "Sidemount" distinctive specialty course, available right after the Open Water certification, is already an approach to technical diving. PADI already includes the "sidemounted" gear in its cave diving courses and technical diving courses (DSAT).
We already offer "Sidemount" specialty course (see the pictures of the course). Thank you to contact us for more information. Site to visit on “Sidemount” diving: Jeff Loflin.
Next IDC in September 2010The enrolment is open for the next PADI Instructor Development Course which will take place in September 2010 in Eilat. The course will be from August 24th until September 3rd and the instructor exam will be held from September 4th until September 5th. To participate: you will need to be a Divemaster and able to prove a minimum of 60 logged dives. 100 logged dives are required for the Instructor Exam. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
E-LearningThe PADI Open water course is now online in French. The Nitrox specialty course in English is also available through E-Learning.
PADI Pro NewsNew Dive Computer Option for the Open Water
In response to PADI Member requests and technological growth in the dive community, there is a new training option for the PADI Open Water Diver course that allows diving instructors to teach dive computer use instead of (or in addition to) Recreational Dive Planner use.
In August, instructors will have three choices for teaching dive planning to their student divers – RDP Tables, eRDPMLT or the dive computer option.
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Nitrox Course now dive computer-based
The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is now based on the use of a dive computer, with use of the tables optional. Instead of planning dives using the RDP, the DSAT Equivalent Air Depth and Oxygen Exposure Tables and Enriched Air RDPs, divers taking the revised specialty course learn how to properly set an enriched air capable dive computer and use it to plan their dives.
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The new PADI Instructor Manual easy to use
You’ll receive the new PADI Instructor Manual digital version in early 2010 as a benefit of
renewing the PADI membership. You’ll find several changes designed to make this manual more streamlined and easier to use. In essence, the Instructor Manual is the complete book of required standards in an easy-to-use format. Its companion reference, PADI’s Guide to Teaching, includes the teaching techniques, philosophies and recommendations for PADI courses and programs.
The new SEA-DOO in U-Dive!U-Dive has acquired 4 new underwater scooters Explorer Sea-Doo ®, which are already at your disposal through the DPV course (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) or rental for certified divers DPV / Sea-Doo. The scooter is a really pleasant way to do underwater excursions and explorations, to go further and faster, to swim around without effort, and take pictures or videos. The Explorer delivers three levels of thrust for a speed of up to 3.3mph/5.3km/h, goes down to a depth of 160ft./50m, and has a battery life of 1.5 hours under normal use. The Sea-Doo Explorer has one of the best engines available on the market, making it lightweight (32lbs/14.5KG including battery) and effective. It offers lots of new safety equipments and has adjustable buoyancy (saltwater / freshwater). Contact us for more details on the DPV course (690 NIS) and scooter rental. Video here.
Scubapro days in Red SeaThis year Scubapro and PADI have organized a seminar for PADI instructors and industry professionals in Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt), hosted by Marco Maestri, Sales Director of SCUBAPRO and PADI Regional Manager Terry Johnson.
U-Dive was present for this 3-day event, which allowed us to meet the PADI International (UK) and PADI Europe teams, to participate in unique professional training and technical seminars, and to test dive the newly launched 2010 SCUBAPRO gear, including their new range of technical diving equipments.
Two PADI seminars conducted by Terry Johnson enabled instructors to apply for the PADI Enriched Air Diver and Equipment Speciality Instructor ratings. Terry Johnson also presented and explained the changes to PADI’s TecRec programs, which included details of how instructors with similar qualifications can cross over to PADI Tec Instructors.
On the Scubapro side, all experts of the branch were there, including Gilbert de Coriolis (Scubapro technical director) who organized a very interesting panel on regulators technology. He also gave a detailed presentation on the newly launch SCUBAPRO Tec product range, which caters to many types of equipment configurations including PADI TecRec. DIR. Marco Maestri of SCUBAPRO then followed these seminars with a presentation on the new product range.
U-dive had the opportunity to try out all the new Scubapro products: We dove with the regulator A700, the palm Seawing Nova, the Galileo Luna and BCD Equator. You can also come and try these new products at U-Dive!
