PADI Tec 50 Technical Diving Course
Advanced Decompression Diving & Full Technical Certification
Khao Lak, Thailand
Delivered by Ed Bosworth, Professional Diver Training, in partnership with Go2Similan Diving, a leading technical dive center in Khao Lak.
Course Overview – PADI Tec 50 Diver
The PADI Tec 50 course is the final level of the core PADI TecRec program and represents your first full technical diving certification.
As a Tec 50 Diver, you will learn to independently plan and execute decompression dives to 50 metres, using multiple decompression gases, advanced gas planning, and full technical dive equipment. This course builds directly on Tec 45 and is designed for experienced Tec 40 & 45 divers ready to move beyond limited decompression into fully developed decompression diving.
Training focuses on real-world technical scenarios, situational awareness, and disciplined decision-making under task load.
Source: PADI – Tec 50 Course Overview
Position in the PADI TecRec Program
The TecRec pathway progresses through:
- PADI Tec Basics
- PADI Tec 40
- PADI Tec 45
- PADI Tec 50
- Trimix training (e.g. Tec Trimix 65)
Tec 50 is the final non-trimix certification and the gateway to Trimix dives, Tec Diver Trimix Instructor Course, and professional technical diving roles.
Source: PADI – TecRec Program Overview
What You Will Learn
Advanced Decompression Diving Skills
Building on Tec 45, Tec 50 trains you to manage:
Multi-stop decompression dives
- Extended decompression times
- Advanced accelerated decompression strategies
- Use of 100% oxygen for decompression
- Precise decompression stops and ascent control
- Complex decompression gas switching procedures
Gas planning is calculated using both technical dive software and manual tools to ensure redundancy and accuracy.
Source: PADI – Decompression Diving Fundamentals
Gas Planning & Decompression Gases
Tec 50 places heavy emphasis on gas management and decompression strategy, including:
- Bottom gas selection
- Decompression gases up to 100% oxygen
- Oxygen exposure management
- Contingency gas planning
- Loss-of-gas scenarios
- Multi-gas dive computer usage
You will plan dives assuming failures, not best-case outcomes.
Technical Equipment & Configuration
Training is conducted using full technical dive equipment, including:
- Double tanks (backmount) or sidemount configuration
- Decompression cylinders
- Redundant regulators and long-hose systems
- Multi-gas dive computer and backup depth/timing devices
- DSMBs, cutting tools, and surface signalling equipment
- Offboard bailout systems concepts and gas redundancy
Equipment configuration prioritises streamlining, accessibility, and team awareness.
Emergency Management & Dive Safety
Tec 50 develops muscle memory for emergency response during decompression diving, including:
- Gas loss and regulator failures
- Decompression gas loss
- Mask and buoyancy failures
- Lost decompression plans
- Unresponsive diver management
- Multiple simultaneous failures at depth
Training reflects real technical diving where surfacing is not an option.
Emergency protocols align with Emergency First Response principles and modern dive safety standards, including awareness of surface support equipment such as Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs).
Course Schedule & Training Dives
Duration: 4 days (consecutive or split)
Includes:
- Knowledge development sessions
- Dive planning workshops
- Intermediate-depth training dives
- Accelerated decompression dives
- Use of up to four cylinders
- Up to three different gas mixes
- Maximum depth: 50 metres
Training dives are conducted from professional dive boats operated by Go2Similan Diving, one of Khao Lak’s most experienced technical dive centers.
Prerequisites
To enrol in the PADI Tec 50 Diver course, you must hold:
- PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent)
- Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
- PADI Tec 45 Diver (or equivalent)
- Minimum 100 logged dives
- Minimum age 18
- Current diver medical statement (if required)
Recreational prerequisites such as Advanced Open Water and Deep Diver are assumed foundations within the TecRec program.
Price
Tec 50 Course – 30,000 THB
Included
- All training with Ed Bosworth, experienced technical dive instructor
- Boat support and logistics with Go2Similan Diving
- Gas fills including high-percentage oxygen
- Cylinders, stage equipment, and weights
- Certification processing
- Training materials and slates
- Small instructor-to-student ratios
Not Included
- Accommodation in Khao Lak
- Multi-gas dive computer (rental available)
- Personal technical diving insurance
Certification & Progression
Upon certification as a PADI Tec 50 Diver, you are qualified to:
- Conduct technical decompression dives to 50 metres
- Use multiple decompression gases including 100% oxygen
- Plan and execute full technical dive profiles
- Dive as part of a competent technical team
Tec 50 prepares you for Trimix gas theory, Trimix dives, and advanced instructor-level training such as Tec 50 Instructor and Tec Diver Trimix Instructor Course.
Source: PADI – TecRec Course Pathway
Frequently Asked Questions – Tec 50
Is Tec 50 a Trimix course?
No. Tec 50 uses air or enriched air nitrox only. Trimix training begins after Tec 50.
How is Tec 50 different from Tec 45?
Tec 45 introduces decompression diving. Tec 50 develops full technical independence with longer decompression times, more complex gas planning, and deeper dives to 50 metres.
Who is Tec 50 designed for?
Experienced Tec 40 and Tec 45 divers who want to move beyond recreational limits into full technical diving.
Where is the training conducted?
Tec 50 training takes place in Khao Lak, Thailand, using deep reefs and wrecks supported by Go2Similan Diving.
Book Your Tec 50 Course below
Tec 50 requires focus, commitment, and strong foundational skills.
👉 Contact Professional Diver Training to confirm availability, prerequisites, and equipment options.