Technical scuba diving classes Maryland, VA, DC

Technical Diving Courses

Technical diving is not something to be taken lightly. Many divers that only dive occasionally think that they are ready to undertake technical dive training. This may not always be the case. Before divers consider beginning any technical dive training, a thorough self-evaluation of one’s in-water skills, a strong knowledge of diving principles and practices, and a dedication to continual education is paramount. Anyone considering technical dive training should possess superior personal diving skills and proper frame of mind to ensure success. Technical diving is physically demanding, therefore any diver considering this type of scuba training should have the necessary fitness levels to deal with the added stress that technical diving presents.

Our instructors at Submerged believe that technical diving is about team diving and functioning within that team environment to meet some mission objective set by the team. The purpose of technical dive training is the perfection of dive skills so that each team member could function independently from the team if separated, but remembering that the team is paramount. No one individual or mission goal is more important than the integrity of the team. If one person’s ego or goal takes precedent, team unity is compromised and could lead to devastating results for the team. Technical diving courses at Submerged go beyond just teaching the rote protocols. We teaching team skills and develope thinking divers that analyze new problems and apply the proper protocol. Every instructor strives to push each student to their highest potental.

The training programs at Submerged take a fresh approach to technical diver training. While our instructors can issue certifications from UTD (Unified Team Diving), TDI (Technical Diving International) and PADI our classes are not cookie cutter. We support the programs established by Unified Team Diving as the primary certifying agency because they have the highest standards in the industry. Expect to be challenged and expect to learn a great deal of information. Our teaching style, approach, and philosophy is rooted in the DIR (Doing it Right) philosophies. The staff members at Submerged are progressive DIR instructors having adapted to new techniques, which will allow you to grow as a diver, no matter what your goals are. The DIR philosophy has a proven track record in safety and efficiency which is why all of our instructors follow the DIR way. Our instructors make technical diving fun and enjoyable. The course flow structure that the experienced staff of Submerged uses also has a proven track record. Our teaching style and philosophy will help you grow and develop the necessary skills you need to excel as a technical diver. We are always growing as divers and instructors, therefore our classes should also grow as well. Scuba diving as well as scuba instruction is not stagnant, we are constantly update methods and developing new ways to approach problems. This is why divers come to Submerged for their technical diving and technical instruction.

Numerous dive shops offer technical dive training, but the difference between the other shops and Submerged is clear. At Submerged, each training segment is designed to push the student to their personal limits requiring the highest degree of understanding, skill, and most importantly decision making. All training segments require students to formulate solutions and then implement them appropriately. Throughout training, students will be given numerous scenarios that require complex skill responses that must be taken to a natural conclusion or terminus. We do not just give problems and "cut" the skills, the student must make a decision on how to solve the problem and then turn the dive. Only then is the skill ended.

If you think you are up to the challenge of becoming a technical diver continue on...

The Why and the How

Not all techncial diving instructors are created equal. More importantly not all technical diving instructors teach the same material or the same way. You only want the best therefore you need to demand rigorous training. Rest assured, the technical instructors at Submerged have the industry's leading training philosophy and equipment. We belive that practice and repetition is the only way to develop the proper techniques and skills to be a safe and competent technical diver. All of our instructors utilize unique training tools to allow our students to get more form their training sessions. Students of Submerged are some of the best prepared technical divers, ready to take on any dive within their training experience.

Before any student begins a training segment they will undergo an evaluation by our staff to ensure they have the necessary skills to progress to the next level of training. All new technical diving students, who do not have previous experience will begin their journey with an "Essentials of Tech" course specifically desinged for them by the experienced technical diving staff of Submerged and backed by UTD. This course covers all of the basic skills a diver will need to execute dives safely and to progress further in his or her technical diving adventure.

Once a diver possesses the required skills and experience to continue to the next level, they have some choices as to where the adventure will take them. Whether they will explore wrecks, plunge into the depths of the underworld by exploring caverns and caves, or continue to push the depths of the ocean the possibilities are endless. After an "Essentials of Tech" course, the world of technical diving has truly just begun for students. The "Technical Level" course programs are designed for students looking to gain further knowledge, skills, and experience for executing dives that exceed the recreational limits. The Technical programs will slowly push depth limits allowing the student dver to acclimate to new skills and depths as they progress with their training. The courses are designed to challenge but also provide a strong foundation on which the diver will grow. After the "Technical Level" courses, students push even further with Trimix 1 & 2. A full description of each course can be found under "explore course options" to the right.

Students are required to have logged dives outside of training in order to progress to the next level of training. Our belief is that training provides a solid platform on which it is the student's responsibility to dive and gain experience before proceeding to further training. Training is used to develop the motor skills and muscle memory necessary to conduct a given dive safely, but diving is the only way to gain true experience. We do not rubber stamp divers and you cannot pay for certification. Only through hard work and a true commitment to training will divers earn their certifications. Many shops claim this, but Submerged backs this up. Learn technical diving from only the best, choose us and start on your pathway to becoming a safe, proficient, and experienced diver.

Pathways to Success

Explore Course Options

technical diver on the Spiegel Grove wreck

Everette Goins heading to the mooring line on the Spiegel Grove, Key Largo, Fl - 01/16/2011, Photo by Tanya Kuck