Understanding technical diving
Technical diving develops the planning, equipment knowledge and practical skills needed for dives beyond conventional recreational limits. Depending on the dive, this can involve staged decompression, additional breathing gases and equipment redundancy.
It takes preparation and a willingness to practise. Good technical diving also depends on teamwork, clear communication and the judgement to change a plan when conditions or diver readiness require it.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, TDI training and guided technical dives are organised through Oceans 5 Dive Tech .
Starting with control, equipment and teamwork
A first step into technical training can focus on foundations within your existing diving limits. You can work on holding a stable position, moving efficiently and managing equipment before adding more demanding dive objectives.
The TDI Intro to Tech course introduces technical equipment configurations, buoyancy, trim, propulsion and team procedures. It does not qualify a diver for staged decompression.
For recreational divers, focused buoyancy training can also help develop underwater control before considering further training.
Sidemount and pool training
Sidemount places cylinders at the diver’s sides. Learning this configuration involves individual equipment adjustment, cylinder handling and gas-management procedures.
The TDI Sidemount course includes confined-water preparation and open-water practice. Sidemount is used in both recreational and technical diving; the configuration alone does not qualify you for deeper diving, decompression or overhead environments.
Pool sessions give divers time to identify equipment adjustments and practise procedures before applying them in ocean conditions.
TDI courses at Oceans 5
Each course has its own prerequisites and certification limits. The course pages explain the intended progression and required experience.
TDI Nitrox
Learn enriched-air theory, gas analysis and nitrox dive planning. Oceans 5 offers this as a dry course, without dives.
Nitrox course informationTDI Intro to Tech
Develop foundations in equipment configuration, underwater control and working as a team.
Intro to Tech informationTDI Sidemount
Practise setup, cylinder handling, trim and gas management with cylinders carried at your sides.
Sidemount course informationTDI Advanced Nitrox
Study higher-oxygen mixtures, oxygen management and gas planning. The standalone qualification does not authorise staged decompression.
Advanced Nitrox informationTDI Decompression Procedures
Develop the planning and practical procedures required for staged decompression dives.
Decompression Procedures informationTDI Extended Range
Continue technical development with deeper dive planning, gas management and decompression procedures.
Extended Range informationTDI Gas Blender
Learn the theory and practical procedures involved in preparing nitrox mixtures.
Gas Blender informationCombined programmes
Courses can be combined where the training objectives and entry requirements align.
Guided technical dives around the Gili Islands
Already qualified technical divers can discuss guided dives with Oceans 5 Dive Tech. Planning takes account of certification, recent experience, equipment, required gases and the day’s conditions.
Deeper reefs and underwater terrain offer different perspectives on the area. Site selection and planned depth follow the team’s qualifications and readiness; the depth of a reef does not determine how deep a particular dive should go.
Read about guided technical diving . Divers looking for recreational trips can find information on our Gili Islands fun dives page .
Environmental awareness at every depth
More equipment creates more items to manage around a reef. Controlled buoyancy, careful positioning and secured equipment help divers maintain space from coral and marine life.
We apply a no-touching approach and give animals room to move naturally. Technical training and environmental responsibility belong together.
Read our marine conservation guide or explore research, community activities and ecology education on Gili Conservation Dive .
Further learning across Oceans 5
Technical diving and professional dive leadership are different training pathways. Divemaster or recreational instructor qualifications do not replace the technical certifications required for a planned dive.