Recently in Technical Diving Category

After a week of intensive training, Tekstreme is pleased to announce that all BSAC students and instructors passed their courses with flying colors.

From the Open Circuit side of technical diving, under the close supervision and direction of BSAC Technical instructors Ray McKee and Brian Smith, the week of training ran very smoothly. The students enjoyed dives on reefs such as Tower Reef and Woodhouse Canyon with the weather proving to be fantastic for most part of the week with crystal clear warm waters that remained calm and flat.

From the Closed Circuit side of technical diving, BSAC's Mike Rowley provided his expertise, tuition and knowledge to help the divers achieve their CCR advanced mixed gas instructor certificates.

 

Congratulations to BSAC divers on completion of:
Peter Moody - OC Advanced Mixed Gas Diver
Peter Huntley - OC Advanced Mixed Gas Diver
Steve Capes - OC Advanced Mixed Gas Diver
Tony Smyth - OC Advanced Mixed Gas Diver
Charlie Leeson - CCR Advanced Mixed Gas Instructor

Congratulations also to Tekstreme technical instructors on completion of:
Cat Parfitt - OC Advanced Mixed Gas Instructor
Sarah Woodford - OC Advanced Mixed Gas Instructor & CCR Advanced Mixed Gas Instructor
Chris Armstrong - OC Advanced Mixed Gas Instructor & CCR Advanced Mixed Gas Instructor
Shaun Lambert - OC Explorer Mixed Gas Instructor
Steve Hinton - OC Sports Mixed Gas Instructor

Said Tekstreme Manager, Cat Parfitt, "Personally I would like that to pay special thanks to Mike Rowley for giving us his time, experience and guidance in all aspects of the week. His in depth explanations, historical insights and general diving knowledge reflects his position and respect within the technical diving community.

 
Tekstreme is working very hard alongside BSAC to promote and provide technical training to offer UK divers a warm-water experience. Our BSAC Technical training centre can provide a base for instructors to teach their students. We can provide the support and local knowledge to make instruction easier.

Find out more at www.tekstremediving.com or email  info@tekstremediving.com

 

Emperor Divers and Tekstreme are giving adventurous divers the chance to join the platinum liveaboard, Elite, on its exploratory trip to the Red Sea's Deep South on 16 - 23 April.

Sailing from Hamata port to destination unknown, we will be exploring some of the reef systems and Habilis further south of St John's where normal safari boats don't venture.

Technical divers are welcome on the trip to help explore, map and discover new dive sites in the most southern area of the Red Sea.

Cost is 1300 Euros per person, which includes cabin, 7 nights on board (last night either on board or in a hotel), 6 days diving (min 3 dives/day, last day 2 dives), local transfers, guide, weights, full board & soft drinks, wine with dinner, environmental tax, Marine Park fees and port departure fees. Not included: Flight/visa, diving equipment, alcohol.  

Email tekstreme@emperordivers.com for more information.

Save 30% - equal to 240 Euros

Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures combined course

5-day course
Hurghada only

Special price: just 448 Euros -

save 240 Euros

Course must be taken by December 31, 2009
Includes: all tanks, equipment & gas
Extras: certification & manuals

More course information here

2009 has proved to be a year of changes for Emperor Divers and their technical arm, Tekstreme Diving. Long has Emperor been able to boast one of the most well-established professional Technical diving operations, with much credit going to the expertise and experience from the Manager at the time, Aaron Bruce.  Aaron was with the operation for nine years, training the team to extremely high standards resulting in Tekstreme Diving having such a first-class reputation.

Aaron, along with fellow Instructor Chris Berry, has now branched out to create their own Technical centre, which has a large emphasis on the world of Rebreathers. So what does that mean for Tekstreme Diving? It means the "Next Generation".
What Aaron leaves is a team of Technical Instructors that will lead the way and maintain and grow the excellent character and service of Emperor's Technical department.

The team now falls under the watchful eye of Cat Parfitt (pictured left and below). Cat has been with Emperor Divers for eight years working as a safari guide and Instructor. She began her diving career many years ago by doing a try dive with Emperor Divers. Since that point she has completed all courses under the Emperor umbrella with her Technical Instructor courses under Aaron. Cat's main drive and focus over the last five years has been to establish herself within the Tekstreme Team and with a mentor such as Aaron she could not have wished for any better guidance.
Tekstreme Diving will continue to offer technical courses, technical guiding and safaris in all Emperor's centres. "We welcome new and existing friends and guests to dive with our team, which is bursting with enthusiastic, professional instructors who have a strong commitment and passion for what they do," explains Cat.

You can keep up to date with recent events and special offers by checking out the web site www.tekstremediving.com. Or join the Tekstreme Diving Facebook group with postings on the most recent diving courses with a variety of on-land and underwater photos. Your input is welcomed so that the Team can provide an extensive information source for the diving community. 

"Take care to all, happy diving and we hope to see you soon with us here at Tekstreme Diving."

Cat Parfitt and the Tekstreme Team

At last returning Marsa Alam guest, Neil Ball, finally went over to the dark side! After many visits to MA he finally had a Rebreather Try Dive to dispel all those questions and preconceptions. After a few 'chipmunk cheek' moments (try one and you will understand) he got the hang of it and loved the experience and gained a new respect for divers that use them. So the next time you're planning a trip to one of our centres and fancy trying something completely different just let us know before you arrive and we will explain all.

by Daniele Zanoni

Nowadays there are quite a few divers using "Nitrox", and the numbers are increasing all the time. Some of them dive on a regular basis and have therefore mastered the technique used to analyse the blend correctly. Others do not dive very often and tend to forget some critical steps that will give the correct reading without damaging the oxygen analyser. So, let's revisit what you should do before you dive with Enriched Air Nitrox.

They're becoming increasingly popular!

More and more requests are being made for Tek safaris from individuals as well as groups. Of course, we have listened and are offering dedicated Tek safaris this year.

For more details contact Stephie at info.safaris@emperordivers.com or aaron@emperordivers.com

Gary Ball, Dive Centre Manger, reports...

"Since Emperor Marsa Alam became a fully operational Tekstreme facility the 100m dive has always been in the planning. Last month a staff team consisting of Chris Berry, Aaron (Pina Colada) Bruce, Nick Hough and Gary Ball (me) finally made the dive! With the help and hard work of Captain Ashraf and his crew of Isa the dive was made one very calm morning just after sunrise. A big thank you goes out to all the ground team for humping the tanks for the four training days before and to everyone who helped with a historical dive at the centre. Great team, great dive!"

By Scott Foster

Last month my girlfriend Susi and I finally took the step from recreational diving to technical diving. As Emperor Diver Instructors we obviously did this through Tekstreme (the technical wing of Emperor). The courses we were to be doing were TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures.

These courses increase your Nitrox knowledge and teach you how to use Decompression Procedures - for these purposes you learn to dive in a wing, back plate and twinsets. Then just as you think you're almost getting to grips with that lot, they throw a sling at you just to help you with your 'Dolphiness' dive style. You spend the first couple of days finding your way around the equipment, which involves trying to make the correct hand do the correct thing at the correct time! Trust me, it sounds easy, it even makes sense, but could I get it to work under the water?

Marsa Alam just keeps adding things to do for all levels of diver! The Centre is now a fully operational Tekstreme centre offering all courses and guiding for the Tek diver. With the help of Chris Berry, MA's Tek instructor, the team has been finding that most of their wonderful sites just keep going and going and... They recently made an early morning dive with a boat journey of only 10 minutes where they could drop into deep 75m+ waters for a fantastic wall dive at 55m along with a HUGE grouper and two turtles getting...friendly, shall we say! With the addition of some speed boats - coming soon - it will give you the chance to get a nice 55m dive in before breakfast!