Tec 45 – Intermediate Technical Diver Course
Delivered by Ed Bosworth (Professional Diver Training) in partnership with Go2Similan Diving, Khao Lak
TEC 45 Course Overview
The PADI Tec 45 course is the second stage of the PADI TecRec technical diving pathway, designed for divers progressing beyond Tec 40 into deeper, more demanding decompression dives.
Tec 45 increases your maximum operating depth to 45 metres and significantly expands your decompression obligations, gas planning requirements, and emergency management skills. You will also be trained to use high-percentage oxygen (up to 100%) for accelerated decompression.
Training is conducted by Ed Bosworth, supported by the experienced technical diving team at Go2Similan Diving in Khao Lak. The course combines theory, land drills, confined-water skills and open-water training dives to build confidence, precision, and control in real technical diving environments.
*Source: PADI Tec 45 Course Overview
What You Will Learn
Emergency Scenario Management
Tec 45 prepares you for realistic technical diving emergencies, including:
- Regulator failures
- Gas-loss and out-of-gas scenarios
- Managing an unresponsive diver
- Handling problems during decompression stops where immediate surfacing is not possible
Training emphasises calm decision-making, teamwork, and controlled problem resolution.
Dive Planning & Equipment Configuration
Training may be completed in backmount double cylinders or sidemount, depending on your preference and future Tec goals.
You will dive with three cylinders (bottom gas plus decompression gas) using appropriate gas mixes for the planned depth and decompression profile. Dive planning includes both manual tools and decompression software, gas logistics, oxygen exposure management, and contingency planning.
Decompression Theory, Gas Planning & Equipment
The Tec 45 course places strong emphasis on decompression theory, gas planning, and the practical management of decompression gas in real-world technical diving scenarios.
During training, you will work with:
- Decompression models and decompression strategies used in technical diving
- Manual dive planning tools alongside decompression planning software
- Nitrox mixes and oxygen exposure limits
- Decompression gas cylinders, including stage cylinder handling
- Gas logistics, gas switch procedures, and contingency planning
Training dives reinforce the relationship between depth, time, gas mixes, and decompression obligations, helping you understand how small planning errors can escalate during multi-stop decompression dives.
Course Schedule & Training Dives
The Tec 45 course includes:
- 1 confined-water session
- 3 open-water training dives
- 1 planned decompression dive, often on a deep wreck such as the Unicorn or an equivalent site
- Maximum depth: 45 metres
- Use of up to 100% oxygen for decompression
Duration: 4 days (consecutive or split, depending on conditions and schedule)
*Source: PADI Tec 45 Course Structure
Price
Tec 45 Course – 24,000 THB
Included
- All technical training with Ed Bosworth
- Boat fees and logistics with Go2Similan Diving
- Cylinders, gas fills (including high-percentage O₂ for decompression) and weights
- Certification processing
- Use of training materials and slates
- Small group ratios for safety and personalised instruction
Not Included
- Accommodation in Khao Lak
- Dive computer capable of multi-gas decompression (rental available)
- Personal dive insurance
Prerequisites
To enrol in the Tec 45 course, you must have:
- PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent)
- PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
- PADI Tec 40 Diver (or equivalent)
- Minimum 50 logged dives
- Minimum age 18 years
- A current diver medical form if required
Prerequisites are assessed against current PADI Standards.
*Source: PADI Tec 45 Prerequisites
Frequently Asked Questions about Tec 45
What is the PADI Tec 45 course?
Tec 45 is the second level of the PADI TecRec program. It expands the skills learned in Tec 40 with deeper dives, longer decompression, advanced gas planning, and realistic emergency management using technical diving equipment.
How is Tec 45 different from Tec 40?
Tec 40 introduces limited decompression. Tec 45 increases depth to 45 metres, adds longer and more complex decompression, greater task loading, and more realistic equipment failures and rescue scenarios. This is where divers move fully into technical decompression diving.
How long does the Tec 45 course take?
Tec 45 typically runs over 3–4 days, depending on experience, conditions, and individual progress. Training includes theory, land drills, shallow skills dives, and progressively deeper decompression dives.
What kind of dives will I do?
You will complete a series of decompression training dives, building up to planned decompression dives to 45 metres, focusing on gas planning, ascent control, gas switches, team procedures, and emergency handling.
What equipment do I need?
You will dive using backmount or sidemount with a single decompression cylinder, redundant regulators, long-hose configuration, backup buoyancy, and appropriate dive computers or timing devices. Equipment rental and configuration guidance can be arranged.
Where does the training take place?
Tec 45 training is conducted in Khao Lak, Thailand, using classroom facilities for theory and dive planning and local dive sites suitable for safe, progressive technical training dives.
Technical Diving Equipment & Configuration
Tec 45 training uses full open-circuit technical diving equipment, configured for redundancy and reliability.
Depending on your chosen setup, you will dive using:
- Backmounted double cylinders or sidemount configuration
- A single decompression cylinder
- Long-hose primary regulator and backup regulators
- Redundant buoyancy systems
- Multi-gas dive computers or depth gauge and timing devices
- Dive lights, oxygen analyzers, and appropriate exposure protection
You will practise valve drills, gas switches, and controlled responses to equipment failures, including regulator failures and gas-loss situations.
Equipment configuration is tailored to support future progression through the PADI Tec Diver program.
*Source: PADI Tec Equipment & Configuration
TecRec Training Pathway After Tec 45
Tec 45 is a key step within the PADI TecRec course pathway.
After certification, divers typically progress to:
- Tec 50, extending depth limits and decompression complexity
- Tec Trimix 65, where trimix gas is formally introduced
- Tec Trimix 90, for full normoxic trimix technical diving
This structured progression ensures divers build experience safely while expanding depth, range, and gas management capability.
*Source: PADI TecRec Course Pathway
Why Train with Ed Bosworth & Go2Similan Diving?
- Highly personalised coaching
- Small group ratios
- Flexible backmount or sidemount training
- Access to ideal deep-water training sites
- Professional boat support and logistics
- A clear pathway toward Tec 50 and Tec Trimix 65
Book Your Tec 45 Course
Places are limited to maintain safety and training quality.
Contact Professional Diver Training to check upcoming dates, availability, and equipment requirements.