Introduction – Gas Planning Is the Real Technical Skill

Malta has some of the world’s most accessible deep wrecks: HMS Stubborn (~55 m), Southwold bow & stern (68–73 m), Schnellboot, ORP Kujawiak, and several 90–100+ m sites for expedition-level CCR diving.

The difference between a safe dive and a stressful one is almost always gas planning

This guide breaks down high-level gas planning principles for deep Malta wrecks — not a full maths class, but a practical framework you can apply immediately.

1. Why Gas Planning Is Different in Malta

Malta’s deeper wrecks create a unique environment:

✔ Consistent depth ranges

Most major wrecks sit at clean, flat depth bands (55 m, 70 m, 90–110 m).
This makes gas planning predictable — if you know the profile.

✔ Blue-water ascents

Many wrecks require DSMB ascents with mid-water deco.
Gas planning must allow for imperfect line work or current.

✔ Long runtimes

A “short” 70 m dive can still involve 45–70 minutes of deco.
OC gas adds up fast.

✔ Perfect for CCR

Deep, square profiles are exactly where CCR shines — but bailout planning must be realistic.

2. Trimix Basics for Malta – Simple Rules That Work

Trimix gas planning isn’t about chasing perfect numbers. It’s about:

• Function
• Safety
• Cognitive clarity
• Logistics

A simple way to think about deep wreck mixes in Malta:

For 45–55 m wrecks (Stubborn / Polynesien deeper routes)

Typical back gas:
Trimix 21/35 or 18/45

Why:

• Good END
• Low narcosis
• Moderate helium cost

For 60–70+ m wrecks (Southwold, Schnellboot)

Typical back gas:
Trimix 15/55 or 12/60

Why:

• Keeps END sensible (25–30 m range)
• Enough helium to avoid dense gas issues
• More stable physiology during long bottom times

For 90–100+ m dives (Kujawiak / deeper project dives)

Typical back gas:
Trimix 10/70, 8/80 or expedition mixes depending on PO₂ ceiling

Why:

• Very low nitrogen
• Very low gas density
• Narcosis management becomes critical

These aren’t rules — they’re starting points.
Exact mixes depend on:

• Workload
• Diver experience
• Unit (OC vs CCR)
• Thermocline
• Dive objective

3. Choosing Deco Gases – Keep It Simple, Keep It Useful

New technical divers often over-complicate deco gas choices.

For typical Malta profiles, these cover 90% of use cases:

✔ Nitrox 50 (50% O₂)

Used from ~21 m
Excellent “workhorse” gas for 45–60 m dives.

✔ 80% O₂ or 100% O₂

Used from 6 m
Pure O₂ is great when conditions allow stable holds.

✔ Trimix Deco (rarely needed)

For extremely deep or cold dives.
Most Malta divers won’t need it until 90+ m projects.

For OC:

• 1 deco gas → Tec40
• 2 deco gases → Tec45 / Tec50 / Trimix
• More only for extreme runtimes

For CCR:

Deco gases are bailout gases first, deco gases second.

4. OC vs CCR Gas Planning – The Real Differences

Most recreational or early-tec divers think CCR is “just more bottom time”.
The real difference is deeper:

Open Circuit Trimix – Gas Planning Realities

1. High gas consumption at depth

A 70 m dive on OC burns through:

• Back gas rapidly
• Deco gas rapidly
• And doubles or triples costs

2. Heavy bailout dependence

Your entire plan must assume OC bailout as your exit strategy.

3. Deco gas logistics matter more

If you lose one deco gas, what’s your plan?
OC divers need redundancy at multiple levels.

4. Depth/time trade-offs

Want more time?
Prepare for more helium cost and more deco.

CCR – Gas Planning Realities

CCR fundamentally changes the profile:

1. One-third to one-tenth the gas cost

Your helium lasts many dives, even at 70–90 m.

2. Deco becomes more efficient

Constant optimal PO₂ reduces decompression.

3. Predominant risk = bailout planning

Your loop gives efficiency.
Your bailout plan gives safety.

4. Bottom time flexibility

You can extend the dive safely — but tasks & thermal load still matter.

5. CCR Bailout Planning – The Critical Skill

Many new CCR divers fail at the realistic part of bailout planning:

They plan bailout for calm, perfect conditions – not real ones.

A good CCR bailout plan assumes:

• Stress SAC, not CCR SAC
• Delay before ascent
• Potential current
• Possible deeper start point
• Gas switch issues
• Team separation
• DSMB ascent, not a shot line

For a typical 70 m Malta wreck, bailout might include:

• Deep bailout (e.g., 15/55 or 12/60)
• Nitrox 50
• Oxygen
• BOV access
• Clear switch protocols

6. Example Planning Differences – 70 m Wreck Dive

Not a dive plan — just a comparison.

Open Circuit Example (Southwold Stern, 73 m)

Bottom gas: Trimix 12/60
Deco gases: 50% and 100%
Bottom time: 20–25 min
Total gas carried: 3–4 cylinders
Typical deco: 60–90 min
Primary concern: Gas volume and gas density

CCR Example (Prism2, same wreck)

Diluent: Trimix (e.g., 10/70 or similar)
Setpoints: 1.2–1.3 at depth / 1.4–1.5 ascending
Bottom time: Often 30–40+ min
Bailout: 1–3 cylinders depending on training & team
Deco: Shorter, more controlled
Primary concern: Bailout management & loop discipline

Both are valid.
CCR simply opens more time and reduces cost.

7. Safety Margins – The Most Important Aspect

Gas planning isn’t about minimums.
It’s about margins.

A solid plan includes:

• Accurate SAC
• Realistic stress response
• Failure scenarios
• Lost gas contingency
• Team resources
• Ascent strategy
• DSMB plan
• Thermal/physiological load

This is what separates a deep technical dive from a deep number-chasing dive.

Final Thoughts – Gas Planning Is a Skill, Not an Equation

Technical diving isn’t about chasing the perfect mix.
It’s about making decisions that keep you safe, efficient and focused on the wreck — not your SPG.

Whether you choose OC trimix or CCR, the principles remain:

• Plan with honesty
• Leave margin
• Prepare bailout properly
• Avoid task overload
• Don’t rush depth progression

Malta offers the ideal environment to train these skills — predictable depths, real wrecks, and clean progression from 40 m to 100+ m.

Introduction – Why the Hollis Prism2?

The Hollis Prism2 rebreather has become one of the most respected closed-circuit systems for technical divers looking to progress safely into deeper, longer and more efficient dives. Whether you’re moving beyond Tec40/Tec45 or looking at your first CCR, the Prism2 offers a stable, predictable platform for real technical progression.

1. What Exactly Is the Hollis Prism2?

The Hollis Prism2 (often written as Prism 2 or P2) is a rear-mounted closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) built for serious technical diving. It’s widely used for:

• Deep wreck diving
• Trimix exploration
• Long-range project dives
• Progressive CCR training

Key features that matter to new divers:

• Back-mounted counterlungs → familiar balance for divers coming from twinsets
• Solid, predictable control system → excellent for newer CCR divers
• Modular design → easy travel, simple servicing, clean layout
• Stable work-of-breathing → important at depth, especially 60–100 m
• Wide training support through PADI, TDI, RAID and instructors worldwide

The Prism2 is not a gimmick or a trendy unit – it’s a workhorse. That’s why so many technical divers choose it as their first CCR.

2. Who Is the Prism2 Ideal For?

While anyone with the right prerequisites can train on it, the Prism2 is especially well suited for:

✔ Technical divers already using twinsets

The balance and trim feel familiar.

✔ Divers planning 50–100 m progression

The unit handles serious depth very well.

✔ Wreck divers

Rear-mounted lungs keep the chest area clear for valve access and stage management.

✔ Divers who value stability and predictability

The Prism2 focuses on reliability, not endless configuration options.

✔ Divers who want a long-term platform

It’s not something you “outgrow”. It scales from CCR40 all the way to CCR100 and expedition profiles.

If your long-term goals include deep wrecks in Malta, 100 m class dives, or eventually projects like Britannic, the Prism2 is a smart choice.

3. How Does Prism2 Training Work? (Clear Overview)

Prism2 training follows a structured, modular path. Most divers progress through the following:

CCR40 – First Step Onto the Unit (30 m)

Learn:

• Loop management
• Basic failures
• Bailout
• Buoyancy & trim with a CCR
• Setpoints, oxygen control, scrubber management

Perfect for divers transitioning from OC Tec40/45.

CCR60 – Moving Into Real Technical Depth (up to ~60 m)

You’ll learn:

• Deep CCR procedures
• Decompression strategy
• Advanced bailout planning
• Team protocols on CCR

This is where CCR “clicks” for most divers.

CCR100 – Full Technical Depth Capability (100 m+)

Serious training for serious dives.

Skills include:

• Hypoxic trimix
• Complex bailout
• Long decompression profiles
• Realistic failure management
• Deep wreck task loading

Jason completed Tec CCR 100 on the Prism2 in Malta at 27, giving you an instructor who has actually taken the unit to those depths.

4. Why Malta Is an Ideal Place to Learn the Prism2

Malta offers one of the best CCR training environments in the world:

Perfect depth progression:

• 5–20 m → drills
• 30 m → CCR40
• 40–60 m → CCR60
• 70–100+ m → CCR100

Stable conditions:

Predictable viz, minimal currents, ideal for multi-day courses.

Real wrecks at every level:

• Le Polynesien (OC/CCR 40–55 m)
• HMS Stubborn (~55 m)
• Southwold bow & stern (68–73 m)
• Deeper 90–110 m wrecks for post-cert progression

CCR divers need repetition without weather disruption – Malta delivers.

5. Common Questions New Divers Ask About the Prism2

“Is the Prism2 safe for beginners?”

Yes. It’s one of the most stable units on the market. Safety depends far more on discipline than what unit you choose.

“How hard is the transition from open circuit?”

Most divers say the first 5–8 hours feel strange.
After 2–3 days, buoyancy begins to feel natural.
By the end of CCR40, you will feel in control.

“Is maintenance difficult?”

You will learn:

• Pre-dive checks
• Packing the scrubber
• Cell management
• Loop testing
• Basic O-ring care

The Prism2 is logical and clean, not fiddly.

“Do I need a lot of bailout cylinders?”

Depends on depth.
For CCR40/60, usually one stage + optional pony.
For CCR100 and deeper wrecks, you’ll carry multiple.

Bailout planning is a core part of Jason’s training.

“Is CCR cheaper than OC?”

Upfront = more expensive.
Long-term = dramatically cheaper on helium and logistics.

Most divers moving to 60–100 m save a fortune.

6. Why I Specialise in the Hollis Prism2

I’ve trained, logged and taught on multiple systems, but the Prism2 is my primary platform because it offers:

• Stability at depth
• Predictability when problem-solving
• Rear-mounted counterlungs ideal for wreck diving
• Clean, logical maintenance
• Strong global support network
• A training pathway that scales to serious expedition diving

I’ve logged 500+ hours on the Prism2 and achieved Tec CCR 100 on this unit here in Malta. My training is built on the exact progression I used myself.

My focus is simple:

Give divers a safe, realistic and enjoyable path into real-world CCR diving — not just a card.

7. Is the Hollis Prism2 Right for You? (Quick Checklist)

You’re a strong candidate if you:

• Are comfortable with twinset/DIR-style skills
• Want to dive below 50–60 m
• Want more bottom time, less helium cost
• Enjoy the discipline of technical diving
• Are interested in deep wreck exploration
• Want one platform for the next decade of diving

If that sounds like your long-term path, the Prism2 is an excellent choice.

Introduction – Learning CCR the Right Way

Switching from open circuit to a rebreather is one of the biggest steps in a diver’s journey. Technology changes, planning changes, mindset changes — and that adjustment period can create predictable mistakes for new CCR divers.

These are real issues I’ve coached divers through, especially those on the Hollis Prism2, but they apply across all units and training agencies.

1. Complacency With Pre-Dive Checks

The mistake:
New CCR divers sometimes rush or skip parts of their checklist once they’ve done a few dives.
“I packed it yesterday, it’ll be fine.”
“We only changed a small thing; let’s just go.”

Why it matters:
A skipped checklist is the root cause behind a huge percentage of CCR accidents.
Cells, sensors, O-rings, scrubber packing — one oversight can snowball.

How to avoid it:

• Use a written checklist every time (physical or digital).
• Slow down. CCR diving rewards patience.
• Treat the BOV/OC bailout test as non-negotiable.
• Pack and test without distractions.

2. Poor Loop Volume Management

The mistake:
New divers either run the loop too full (bubble-like buoyancy) or too empty (work-of-breathing struggle).

Why it matters:
Loop volume affects:

• Buoyancy
• Trim
• Breathing effort
• Workload on ascent/descent
• CO₂ retention risk

How to avoid it:

• Practice “loop neutral” at different depths.
• Use small, deliberate additions — not big breaths.
• Learn the feel of optimal loop tension early.

On the Hollis Prism2, balanced counterlungs make this easier, but only if your trim is solid.

3. Task Loading Too Early

The mistake:
Trying to run cameras, scooters, extra stages or long routes before core CCR skills are instinctive.

Why it matters:
CCR has a cognitive load:

• Monitoring PO₂
• Loop management
• Setpoint handling
• BOV usage
• HUD awareness
• Bailout readiness

Task loading too early leads to missed warnings, slow response times, and poor buoyancy.

How to avoid it:

• First 10–20 hours: keep dives simple.
• Build camera or scooter skills after buoyancy mastery.
• If you feel behind the unit, slow down, simplify, reset.

4. Overreliance on Automation

The mistake:
New divers trust the computer to “handle everything” — especially on electronically controlled units.

Why it matters:
Automation helps, but you are the life support system.

If you don’t understand:

• What your solenoid is doing
• Why your PO₂ is drifting
• How your sensors are behaving
• What manual mode feels like
  …then you’re not ready to handle failures.

How to avoid it:

• Practice manual PO₂ control regularly.
• Dive different setpoints deliberately.
• Switch modes during training (with instructor).
• Watch trend behaviour, not just numbers.

On the Prism2, the manual mode is intuitive — use it often to build confidence.

5. Forgetting That Skills Fade Quickly

The mistake:
Three months off the unit, two missed dives, and suddenly:

• buoyancy is sloppy
• setpoint awareness is poor
• bailout drills feel alien

Why it matters:
CCR skills are high-consequence.
If you don’t dive regularly, you lose muscle memory fast.

How to avoid it:

• Don’t return to the unit “cold”.
• Book a 1–2 dive CCR tune-up when returning after a break.
• Start again in shallow, controlled conditions.
• Re-do bailout, dil flush, loop checks, OC ascents.

6. Being Unprepared for Bailout

The mistake:
New CCR divers underestimate bailout gas, planning and mental readiness.

Typical issues:

• “I’ll never need this much gas.”
• Incorrect gas choice
• Unrealistic SAC assumptions
• Poor bailout ascent strategy

Why it matters:
Bailout is the ultimate rescue — for you.

If you’re not prepared:

• A minor failure becomes a major problem.
• You may not have the gas needed to get out alive.

How to avoid it:

• Train bailout as if it’s guaranteed, not unlikely.
• Use realistic SAC rates (OC stress rates, not calm CCR rates).
• Run bailout drills at least once every few dives.
• Use a BOV or quick OC access if your unit supports it.

On Wreck & 60–100 m CCR training in Malta, bailout realism is central to every dive plan.

7. Neglecting Unit Maintenance & Servicing

The mistake:
New divers sometimes treat CCR maintenance casually:

• “The scrubber is fine; I didn’t dive long.”
• “O-rings look OK.”
• “I’ll service it next season.”

Why it matters:
Neglect leads to:

• Loop leaks
• Floods
• Sensor issues
• Oxygen spikes or drops
• Reduced reliability

How to avoid it:

• Follow strict scrubber rules
• Replace O-rings proactively
• Service valves and cylinders regularly
• Change sensors on schedule
• Keep the unit dry, clean and correctly stored

Bonus: The Mindset That Prevents 95% of CCR Mistakes

A CCR diver needs to be:

• Calm
• Conservative
• Curious
• Methodical
• Honest about their limits

Not a superhero.
Not a number-chaser.
Just someone who takes the time to do things properly.

This mindset is what keeps CCR safe — and enjoyable — for decades.

Introduction – The Big Fork in the Road

Once you’ve completed PADI Tec40 or Tec45, you’re standing at the same crossroads every technical diver eventually faces:

Do I continue on open circuit and go trimix?
Or should I move onto a rebreather (CCR) now?

Most divers don’t know which path fits their long-term goals. This guide breaks it down based on real experience in Malta’s wreck environment.

Why This Question Matters

Both trimix and CCR are incredible tools – but they serve different purposes.

The right choice depends on:

• Your goals
• Your budget
• How often you plan to dive
• Whether you want to build towards 100 m+ wreck dives
• How much you enjoy equipment and planning

Let’s break it down into the realities, not the marketing.

Option 1 – Go Trimix First (Open Circuit)

What It Is

Trimix training continues your OC journey into deeper and safer profiles by replacing nitrogen with helium.

Typical depth ranges:

• Tec50 Trimix: ~50–60 m
• Full Trimix: 70–100 m+

Why Choose Trimix First

1. You build problem-solving discipline

Open-circuit trimix forces you to:

• Track multiple gases
• Plan bailout precisely
• Handle failures with increasing decompression
• Maintain rock-solid buoyancy under narcosis reduction

It builds strong mental discipline for later CCR work.

2. Zero new life-support systems to learn

You stay with what you know:

• Twinset
• Stages
• Gas switches
• Existing protocols

This removes cognitive load compared to jumping straight into a rebreather.

3. Ideal if you dive only a few big trips a year

Trimix is straightforward for:

• Malta holidays
• Red Sea trips
• Occasional deep wreck missions

You don’t lose currency like you might on CCR if you take long breaks.

4. Cheaper upfront

No unit purchase, no electronics. Just:

• Twinset + regs
• Two stage cylinders
• Trimix training

Much lower barrier to entry.

Limitations of Trimix

• Gas costs add up, especially 60–90 m
• You’re carrying a lot of cylinders
• Short bottom times compared to CCR
• Logistics are heavy for multiple deep dives in a week

Trimix is amazing, but at some point you hit its practical ceiling.

Option 2 – Go Rebreather (CCR) First

What It Is

A rebreather recycles your gas, optimises PO₂ and dramatically improves efficiency.

You’re specifically training on the Hollis Prism 2 CCR.

Why Choose CCR First

1. Much longer bottom times

On a 70–90 m wreck, you can spend:

• Twice as long (and often more)
• With manageable deco
• Without mountains of OC gas

This is the biggest reason divers move to CCR early.

2. Huge gas savings

You’re not burning trimix every minute – you’re recycling it.
This makes deep diving far more affordable long-term.

3. Reduced narcosis

Running a consistent high PO₂ means you stay sharper at depth.
Less low-viz “fog”, better awareness.

4. Real progression to expedition-level diving

If you ultimately want to dive:

• HMS Southwold (70–73 m)
• HMS Stubborn (~55 m)
• Schnellboot (~65+ m)
• ORP Kujawiak / HMS Oakley (~100 m class)
• Or eventually Brittanic (120 m)

…CCR is the platform.

5. Modern training is safer and more structured

The Prism 2 is one of the most stable, predictable units for new CCR divers.

Training focuses on:

• Loop failures
• Bailout
• Realistic problem-solving
• Team behaviour

Not on “unit tricks” or shortcuts.

Limitations of CCR

• Higher upfront cost
• Electronics require discipline
• You must stay current
• More time spent maintaining the unit
• Bailout needs to be taken seriously

CCR requires a mindset shift – but for many divers it becomes their main tool for life.

Trimix vs CCR – Which Path Fits Your Goals?

Here is the straightforward comparison:

If your goals are 40–55 m wrecks, a few trips per year → Trimix first

You’ll benefit from:

• Simple logistics
• Strong OC skill refinement
• Lower initial investment

Perfect if you’re still exploring the idea of tech.

If your goals are 60–100 m wrecks → CCR first

You’ll benefit from:

• Longer bottom times
• Lower helium costs
• Greater capability and stability
• A platform you can grow with for years

If you know you want deep wreck experience, go CCR early.

If you’re not sure yet → Do Tec40/Tec45, then decide

Tec40 + Tec45 give you:

• Full foundations
• True deco experience
• Team protocols
• Gas switch discipline

You’ll know after Tec45 whether OC trimix or CCR excites you more.

What I Recommend as an Instructor (Realistically)

After 500+ hours on the Hollis Prism 2 and thousands of OC dives:

Best progression for most divers aiming beyond 60 m:

1. Twinset + Intro to Tec
2. Tec40 + Tec45
3. Move to CCR (Prism 2)
4. CCR 40 → CCR 60 → CCR 100
5. Optional: OC trimix as a cross-training tool

This gives you:

• Strong OC discipline
• Early CCR experience
• A safe path to serious wreck diving
• The ability to do long deep dives properly

This is the pathway I used myself.

Training in Malta – Why It Works for Both Paths

Malta delivers perfect environments for both:

Trimix training

• 45–60 m wrecks from shore
• Clear drills on the Cirkewwa platforms
• Smooth transitions from Tec45 to Tec50

CCR training

• Controlled shallows for loop work
• Deep walls and wrecks for 60–100 m progression
• Stable conditions for multi-day courses
• Minimal currents, predictable weather

Few places in the world offer such clean progression.

Final Decision Guide – Quick Answers

Go Trimix First If…

• You want to improve OC skills
• You dive occasionally
• You prefer a lower upfront cost
• You want to take it slow and steady

Go CCR First If…

• You want 60–100 m wreck capability
• You want longer bottom times
• You’re tired of helium bills
• You want a long-term deep diving platform

Unsure? Start with Tec40/45.

You will know exactly which path feels right.

Introduction – The Step Beyond 30 Metres

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably felt the limits of recreational diving:

• You’ve hit 30–40 m and wanted more time.
• You want to explore deeper wrecks.
• You’re curious about twinsets, deco gases or even rebreathers.
• You’ve realised that “more depth” isn’t about adrenaline – it’s about more possibilities.

That’s where technical diving begins.

What Is Technical Diving? (Clear, No-Nonsense Definition)

Technical diving is simply planned diving beyond recreational limits, with:

• Mandatory decompression
• Multiple cylinders or a rebreather
• Redundant systems
• More detailed planning
• More responsibility

It’s not about being extreme or “pushing limits”. It’s about gaining the training and equipment to dive longer, deeper and safer on the sites you actually want to explore.

Signs You’re Ready for Technical Diving

Most people don’t wake up one morning ready for Tec. But these are the real signs:

1. You want more time on deeper sites

You’ve hit 30 m and thought: “This can’t be all there is.”
Wrecks like the Hellespont, Le Polynesien, HMS Stubborn and deeper reefs demand technical profiles.

2. You enjoy the planning side of diving

Gas planning, decompression, equipment configuration – you enjoy thinking it through.

3. You value mastery and precision

You’re the diver who checks kit twice, stays in trim and wants to improve skills.

4. You like structured progression

Tec isn’t a quick fix. It’s a sequence: twinset → Tec40 → Tec45 → Tec50 → trimix → (maybe CCR).
If that excites you, you’re exactly the right candidate.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting Tec40

You don’t need to be elite.

You need:

• PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent)
• PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent)
• 50 logged dives minimum
• Solid buoyancy, trim and situational awareness

If you’re not sure about your skill level, Jason can assess this on a single dive or tune-up session.

Tip: Many divers think they’re not good enough for Tec yet, when in reality they’re already close.

Your Pathway: From AOW to Tec Diver in Malta

Malta is uniquely suited for a clean, structured progression. You can do each step on local sites perfectly matched to the level.

Step 1 – Twinset / Intro to Tec

Learn:

• Twinset setup
• Shutdowns
• Trim & buoyancy
• Basic gas management

This is the foundation of everything.

Step 2 – PADI Tec40 (first real technical level)

Depth: 40 m
Gas: Single deco gas (up to 50%)
Skills:

• Decompression stops
• Gas switches
• Longer dive planning

This is the level where it “clicks” – you become a technical diver.

PADI Tec40 course in Malta

Step 3 – PADI Tec45 (deeper & longer)

Depth: 45 m
Gas: One deco gas (up to 100% O₂)
Skills:

• Longer decompression
• Failures & rescue on technical profiles
• More complex planning
• More bailout responsibility

By the end of Tec45, you’re a capable, self-sufficient technical diver.

PADI Tec45 and Tec50 programmes in Malta

Step 4 – Optional: Tec50 / Trimix / Prism 2 CCR

Depending on your goals:

• Stay on open circuit and go deeper with trimix
• OR go rebreather early (many do)

If you have long-term goals like 60–100 m wreck dives, CCR is the smart choice.

Hollis Prism 2 CCR training in Malta

Why Malta Is the Ideal Place to Become a Technical Diver

Malta is a unique training environment because it offers progression in one place:

1. Perfect depth ranges

• 5–20 m (skills training)
• 30–40 m (Tec40-level wrecks)
• 45–60 m (Tec45/Tec50 wrecks)
• 70–100+ m (trimix & CCR projects)

No flights, no big logistics jumps – you can grow step by step.

2. Controlled shore entries for training days

You can do shutdowns, gas switches and deco drills without worrying about boat cost or offshore conditions.

3. Real wrecks at real depths

No swimming over sand – actual historical wrecks with structure and purpose.

4. Predictable conditions

Much more reliable than the UK or northern Europe, especially for sequential training days.

5. One instructor through your whole journey

Instead of switching schools every course, you can build consistency, trust and realistic development with Jason.

What Technical Diving Is Not

Let’s address the myths:

• ❌ It is not about being reckless
• ❌ It is not about depth for bragging rights
• ❌ It is not for people who rush training
• ❌ It does not require you to be super fit or superhuman

Good technical divers are calm, conservative, and methodical.

If that sounds like you, you’ll do well.

What Technical Diving Is

• ✔ Safer and more controlled than recreational deep diving
• ✔ A path to real wreck exploration
• ✔ A skillset that lasts your whole diving life
• ✔ A progression you can take at your own pace
• ✔ A gateway to rebreathers, trimix and expedition-style diving

Costs and Time: A Realistic Overview

Costs vary by equipment and gas, but here’s the simple version:

• Twinset setup: €600–€1200 depending on what you buy
• Tec40: 3–4 days
• Tec45: 3–4 days
• Complete path (twinset → Tec45): 2–4 weeks depending on schedule
• CCR later: The Hollis Prism2 is the logical next step

Why Train With Jason in Malta?

If you choose a Tec instructor, you’re choosing:

• Their experience
• Their biases
• Their safety margins
• Their approach to problem-solving
• Their attitude toward discipline and bailout

Jason brings:

• 500+ hours on the Hollis Prism2
• PADI Tec CCR 100 achieved at 27
• Thousands of dives from UK quarries to 100 m+
• A methodical, calm teaching style
• Focused progression towards wreck diving
• Small groups only (1–2 students max)

You’re not buying a course.
You’re buying a pathway.

Ready to Start Your Tec Journey in Malta?

Whether you’re:

• An AOW diver wondering if Tec is for you
• A Rescue diver ready for the next step
• A future CCR diver exploring options
• Or someone dreaming of deep wrecks

…your technical journey can start right here in Malta.