Decompression Procedures
Planning and executing dives with a mandatory decompression obligation.
Recreational dives are generally planned to allow direct ascent without mandatory staged decompression. Technical decompression intentionally creates an obligation.
That changes the emergency model completely. Gas planning becomes critical because direct ascent may no longer be the planned response to every problem — the diver must have enough gas to complete the decompression regardless of what goes wrong.
The course covers decompression theory, planning software and tables, staged ascents with gas switches, and the contingency planning that makes the obligation manageable.
The emergency model changes
In recreational diving, the answer to almost any problem is to end the dive and ascend. Once a decompression obligation exists, that option is gone.
Every failure has to be resolvable at depth or during a controlled ascent, which is why redundancy in gas, buoyancy and instrumentation stops being optional.
Buoyancy stops being cosmetic
Holding a stop at 6 metres for twenty minutes in swell, with a stage cylinder and changing buoyancy as gas is consumed, is a genuine skill.
Poor buoyancy becomes increasingly consequential when mandatory decompression or overhead environments are involved — which is why technical training front-loads trim and control work.
Before you sign up
Are you ready?
- The diver must be able to hold depth precisely without a visual reference and deploy an SMB while maintaining the planned stop.
- A redundant configuration should already feel normal before failure drills are added.
Comparing programmes
- TDI separates Decompression Procedures as a recognisable course, while PADI TecRec and SSI Extended Range build decompression capability through depth- and pathway-based levels.
- Compare maximum depth, maximum decompression obligation, number of gases, equipment configuration and whether helium is introduced.
What you come out with
- Graduates should be able to plan gas, execute stops and respond to lost gas, delayed ascent and team separation within the qualification limits.
- A computer displaying stops is not the same as being trained to plan and manage them.
Questions to ask the centre
- Which planning software and backup method are taught?
- How are minimum gas and team reserves calculated?
- What are the certification limits?
Sources: PADI — Technical Diving Education · SSI — Extended Range training · TDI — current diver standards
Dive sites where Decompression Procedures matters
Sites whose recommended minimum is Technical (decompression), plus sites where the skills are directly useful.
Dive centres that teach at this level
Centres whose training capability covers this course. Availability, schedules and the exact agency programme vary; confirm with the centre.
Perth Scuba
ProfiledCanning Vale · Perth · WA
One of the most fully documented operations in Western Australia, covering recreational, professional, technical and freediving training alongside substantial equipment facilities.
perthscuba.com · (08) 9455 4448
Abyss Scuba Diving
ProfiledRamsgate · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.
abyss.com.au · +61 2 9583 9662
Dolphin Scuba Diving
ProfiledWelshpool · Perth · WA
A Perth business providing training, equipment and service support.
dolphinscuba.com.au · (08) 9353 2488
Dive Darwin
ProfiledDarwin · Darwin Harbour · NT
The main verified dive operation in the Northern Territory, offering recreational training through professional level alongside technical diving and a large specialty range.
divedarwin.com.au · +61 401 751 651
Frog Dive Sydney
ProfiledGladesville · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Willoughby PADI 5 Star IDC founded in 1985, teaching recreational through Trimix and rebreather courses with PADI, SDI and TDI, and testing cylinders in-store.
frogdive.com.au · (02) 9958 5699
Dive Centre Manly
ProfiledManly · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.
divesydney.com.au · (02) 9977 4355
Dive Centre Bondi
ProfiledBondi · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
An Eastern Suburbs PADI 5 Star IDC on Bondi Road teaching through Instructor and technical levels, with air, Nitrox and Trimix fills and manufacturer-approved servicing.
divebondi.com.au · +61 2 9369 3855
Grey Nurse Charters
ProfiledNelson Bay · Port Stephens · NSW
A PADI-registered dive boat running charters around Port Stephens, Newcastle and Swansea, with PADI courses to Divemaster and TecRec.
greynurse.com.au · 0408 633 793
Feet First Dive
ProfiledNelson Bay · Port Stephens · NSW
A Nelson Bay SSI centre running Broughton Island boat dives and Port Stephens shore dives, with rebreather and Extended Range training.
feetfirstdive.com.au · (02) 4984 2092
Dive Experience
ProfiledMount Gambier · Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves · SA
A Mount Gambier business serving the region's cave and sinkhole diving community, including equipment and gas support.
dive-experience.com.au · 0478 693 760
Scuba Haven Port Macquarie
ProfiledPort Macquarie · Port Macquarie & Camden Haven · NSW
A Port Macquarie SSI centre offering air and Nitrox, equipment servicing, and boat, shore and river dives around Port Macquarie and Laurieton.
scubahaven.com.au · 0407 457 542
Shellharbour Scuba
ProfiledShellharbour · Wollongong & Kiama · NSW
A Shellharbour Village dive shop giving access to Bass Point and Bushrangers Bay, teaching SDI and TDI courses from beginner to technical levels.
shellharbourscuba.com.au · +61 2 4296 4266
Decompression Procedures: frequently asked questions
Is decompression diving dangerous?
It carries risks that recreational diving is specifically designed to avoid. Managed with proper training, redundancy and conservative planning, it is undertaken safely by many divers.
Can my recreational computer handle decompression?
Many modern computers display decompression obligations, but technical diving generally uses computers with technical algorithms, gas switching support and a backup device or tables.