Dive to 40 metres
Plan and conduct limited decompression dives no deeper than 40 metres/130 feet after certification.
Tec 40
The first step of the full PADI Tec Deep Diver course
If you're interested in technical diving, but haven't yet met the prerequisites for the PADI Tec 50 Diver course or PADI Tec 45 course, you can consider enrolling in the PADI Tec 40 course. It is the first subdivision of the full PADI Tec Deep Diver course and consists of the first four dives. Because you can do one of these dives in confined water (such as a swimming pool), many divers start the Tec 40 courses in the winter months, ready to continue in open water when spring arrives.
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Open-circuit PADI TecRec training • Sydney
PADI Tec 40 Course
Make the transition from recreational no-stop diving to entry-level technical decompression training. Develop disciplined dive planning, gas management, team procedures and problem-solving skills across four PADI training dives.
$745 course price Currently advertised
Maximum 40 metres Limited decompression scope
Four training dives Plus knowledge and practical work
Minimum age 18 Experience requirements apply
The bridge to technical diving
Move beyond no-stop limits with a disciplined plan
PADI Tec 40 introduces the mindset, planning and equipment procedures needed for limited technical decompression diving. You will learn to plan the dive as a team, manage available gas, carry and use a decompression cylinder and respond methodically when the plan changes.
This is a substantial step beyond recreational diving. A decompression obligation removes the option of making a direct ascent to the surface, so preparation, redundancy, buoyancy control, communication and reliable execution matter throughout every dive.
Certification scope
What PADI Tec 40 prepares you to do
Qualify for limited decompression diving within clearly defined depth, time and gas boundaries.
Limited decompression
Use current decompression-planning software and suitable multigas computers to plan and conduct limited decompression within the Tec 40 standards.
One decompression gas
Carry and use one decompression cylinder containing up to 50 percent oxygen, within the analysed gas and planned operating limits.
Continue your TecRec training
Build the foundation used when progressing to PADI Tec 45 and Tec 50 training.
Course limit: Tec 40 does not qualify a diver for depths beyond 40 metres, unrestricted or extended decompression, multiple decompression gases, decompression gas above 50 percent oxygen, trimix use or overhead-environment penetration. Separate training is required.
Knowledge and in-water application
What you’ll learn
Develop the planning habits, teamwork and equipment skills that technical dives demand.
Decompression planning
Use approved planning tools to build depth, runtime, ascent, decompression and contingency schedules.
Gas planning and limits
Calculate usable gas, reserve requirements and team contingencies while accounting for depth, workload and the planned decompression obligation.
Equipment configuration
Configure redundant life-support equipment for accessibility, streamlined hose routing, stable trim and effective team response.
Stage-cylinder procedures
Analyse, label, carry and operate a decompression cylinder while controlling buoyancy, trim and task loading.
Team diving and communication
Use standardised briefings, checks, positioning, signals and shared awareness before, during and after the dive.
Problem and emergency management
Practise responses to free-flow, gas-loss and other foreseeable problems without abandoning buoyancy, the team or the decompression plan.
Course structure
Study, practical application and four training dives
PADI specifies seven knowledge-development sections, four practical-application sessions and four training dives. Complete all assigned preparation before attending, then follow the dates, times and session sequence in your selected course listing and joining instructions.
Knowledge development
Work through the current PADI Tec 40 learning materials and complete the assigned planning, knowledge reviews and preparation before the practical sessions.
Practical application
Set up, inspect and plan with the technical equipment and team procedures you will use in the water.
Four training dives
Develop core skills progressively. One dive may be conducted in confined water; later dives apply the planning, ascent and decompression procedures in open water.
Allow for flexibility: technical training is mastery-based. Weather, site conditions, preparation, equipment issues or the need for additional skill development may change the planned timetable or require extra sessions.
Before you enrol
Certification and experience prerequisites
Bring proof of certification and logged experience. Qualifying certifications from other recognised training organisations may be accepted after review by the Tec 40 Instructor.
Minimum age 18
You must be at least 18 years old when starting PADI Tec 40 training.
Advanced Open Water Diver
Hold PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or a qualifying equivalent certification.
Enriched Air Diver
Hold PADI Enriched Air Diver or a qualifying equivalent certification.
Deep-diving experience
Hold PADI Deep Diver, or provide proof of at least 10 dives to 30 metres/100 feet or deeper.
Logged dives
Have at least 30 logged dives. Abyss currently also lists at least 10 dives using enriched air nitrox deeper than 18 metres as a local entry requirement.
Rescue Diver recommended
PADI recommends Rescue Diver-level training before Tec 40, although it is not listed as a universal enrolment prerequisite for this level.
Physician-signed dive medical required
Provide the required PADI Diver Medical Form signed by a physician within the previous 12 months. Complete this early: training cannot begin without acceptable documentation, and a new medical review may be required if your health or medication changes.
Technical configuration
Equipment you will need
Your instructor must approve the complete configuration before training. Contact Abyss before hiring or buying anything so every component is compatible with the selected backmount, sidemount or single-cylinder pathway.
Life-support configuration
- Instructor-approved base configuration: revised Tec 40 back-mounted single-cylinder route, technical sidemount, or manifolded twin cylinders, with configuration-appropriate redundant gas supply and bailout
- Configuration-specific regulators and an appropriate long-hose regulator for gas sharing
- Decompression cylinder, valve, regulator and pressure gauge maintained in oxygen-compatible service for the intended gas and filling method
- Two suitable multigas decompression dive computers
- Adequate buoyancy and backup buoyancy appropriate to the configuration
Exposure and safety equipment
- Exposure protection suitable for the site, depth, decompression time and season
- DSMB or lift bag with a suitable reel, plus surface signalling devices
- Compass, slate or wetnotes and required planning information
- Primary and backup cutting devices positioned for access
- Jon line when required for the local environment or planned platform
Confirm rental and gas arrangements before booking
Some cylinders, sidemount equipment and computers may be available for hire, while personal accessories may need to be owned or purchased. Standard recreational gear hire is not automatically a complete Tec 40 configuration. Your instructor will define every cylinder’s role, gas and breathable range; do not assemble a technical system from this summary alone.
Call (02) 9583 9662Know the complete cost
Confirm these details with the dive team
The course is currently advertised at $745. Technical equipment, gas and logistics vary by configuration, so verify exactly what your selected date includes before paying.
Learning materials
Confirm whether the current PADI Tec 40 course materials and certification processing are included in the displayed price.
Cylinders and gas fills
Confirm primary cylinders, decompression cylinder, air or EANx fills, required oxygen-compatible servicing and any gas-analysis charges.
Dive and equipment costs
Confirm equipment rental, boat or site fees, transport and any additional training required to meet the performance standards.
A deliberate approach
Technical diving demands more preparation
Tec 40 training manages risk through suitable experience, medical fitness, redundant equipment, gas analysis, written planning, team checks and disciplined execution. It does not remove the risks of decompression illness, oxygen toxicity, gas loss, equipment failure, narcosis or environmental exposure.
Analyse and label every gas
Personally verify cylinder contents, labels and maximum operating depth, enter the analysed gases correctly and switch only at the planned, appropriate depth.
Stay with the plan and team
Do not exceed trained limits, improvise gas switches or separate from the team to continue a dive.
Training is instructor supervised
Use technical equipment, gases and decompression procedures only within your current certification and under the required supervision while training.
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
Will Tec 40 certify me to dive to 40 metres with decompression?
After successfully meeting all course requirements, Tec 40 qualifies you for limited decompression dives to a maximum of 40 metres/130 feet, within the course’s decompression and gas limits. It does not require every training dive to reach 40 metres.
How long does the course take?
Tec 40 includes knowledge development, practical applications and four training dives. The live event selector and older description currently show different timetable formats, so follow the dates in your selected listing and ask Abyss to confirm the full theory and diving schedule before booking.
Do I need my own technical-diving equipment?
You need a complete instructor-approved configuration. Some cylinders, sidemount equipment and computers may be available for hire, but not every required accessory is guaranteed to be available or included. Contact Abyss before booking.
Is a dive medical mandatory?
Yes. PADI currently requires a Diver Medical Form signed by a physician within the previous 12 months for Tec 40 enrolment.
Can I take Tec 40 in sidemount?
A technical sidemount configuration may be used when you have the necessary sidemount training, the instructor approves the configuration and the equipment meets the course requirements. Ask Abyss whether integrated Tec Sidemount training is appropriate.
What happens if conditions or my performance prevent completion?
Your instructor may modify, postpone or stop a dive and may require additional training before certification. Ask about the costs and booking terms that apply to rescheduling or extra sessions before enrolling.
Tec course booking terms
Cancellation and transfer policy
Tec 40 and Tec 45 run with very small groups and require substantial advance commitments for instructors, equipment, gases, boats and course resources. Short-notice changes are therefore costly and the following course-specific policy applies.
All cancellations
A $25 administration fee applies to every cancellation. Where a time-based cancellation fee also applies, it is charged in addition to this administration fee.
8–21 days before theory
Cancelling or transferring between 8 and 21 days before the scheduled theory session incurs a $210 fee.
7 days or fewer before theory
Cancelling or transferring seven days or fewer before the scheduled theory session incurs a $525 fee. This replaces the 8–21-day fee; the two time-based fees are not combined.
Changing to another date
Any applicable transfer fee and any increase in the new course price must be paid. If the new course costs less, no credit or refund is provided for the difference.
Preparation, attendance and changes after commencement
- Homework and prerequisites: If required theory work is incomplete, or certification, logged-dive or medical prerequisites have not been met before the scheduled theory session, you cannot begin the course. Your booking must be transferred and a $210 transfer fee applies.
- Changes after the course starts: If you request to move any remaining course session to different dates after commencing, your booking must be transferred and a $210 transfer fee applies.
- Late arrival: Arriving more than 20 minutes after the stated start time may prevent you from participating. If your booking must be moved to another course date, a $210 transfer fee applies.
Notice periods are measured from the start of the scheduled theory session. Please also review the complete Abyss terms and conditions before booking.
Configuration pathway
Interested in technical sidemount?
Sidemount training may support a future technical configuration. Confirm the appropriate training sequence with your Tec instructor before combining courses or buying equipment.
PADI Sidemount Diver
Learn to assemble, fit and control a recreational sidemount system before discussing how the configuration may integrate with technical training.
Explore SidemountReady to begin technical-diving training?
Check your certifications, logged dives, medical and equipment needs with the Abyss technical team, then choose an available course date.
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