PADI Tec 45 Course in Tioman Island, MalaysiaDeeper. Longer. Bolder.
Take your decompression diving past 40 metres with the PADI Tec 45 course in Tioman. Learn extended-range procedures, accelerated decompression with 100% oxygen, and the gas-management discipline that defines a true technical diver — at Malaysia's premier PADI 5 Star IDC.
What is the PADI Tec 45 course? The PADI Tec 45 is the second course in the PADI Technical Diving (TecRec) progression, qualifying divers for full multi-stop decompression dives to a maximum depth of 45 metres using one decompression gas up to 100% pure oxygen. The course runs over 4 days with 4 open water training dives at Tioman Dive Buddy. Prerequisites include PADI Tec 40 certification, 50 logged dives, and current tec skills.
What Is PADI Tec 45 and How Does It Build on Tec 40?
The PADI Tec 45 course is where technical diving gets serious. Building directly on Tec 40 fundamentals, you'll extend your maximum depth to 45 metres, conduct full multi-stop decompression dives with no time limits, and learn to use 100% oxygen as a decompression gas — the most efficient deco accelerator available to technical divers.
This course refines and extends every skill from Tec 40, plus introduces critical new procedures: oxygen handling protocols, accelerated decompression theory, surface decompression options, and the dive planning rigour required for true overhead-equivalent environments. It's the bridge between entry-level tec and full technical diver status.
Tioman Island's marine park hosts several technical sites in the 40–50 metre range — perfect for Tec 45 training profiles. Tioman Dive Buddy in Kampung Genting maintains the only oxygen-clean fill station and certified TecRec instructor team in the area.
What you'll be qualified to do after Tec 45
- Maximum depth: 45 metres on twin tanks (air or EAN bottom gas)
- Decompression: Multiple stops, no time limit, using one deco gas up to 100% O₂
- New skills: Oxygen handling, NOTOX checks for high-O₂, accelerated deco profiles
- Equipment: O₂-clean stage cylinder, dedicated O₂ regulator with SPG
- Foundation: Direct prerequisite for Tec 50 and all higher technical certifications
PADI Tec 45 Prerequisites: What You Need First
Tec 45 builds directly on Tec 40 fundamentals. You must have completed Tec 40 (or its equivalent from another agency) before enrolling at Tioman Dive Buddy.
Or qualifying technical diver certification from another recognised agency.
*If meeting this with a qualifying certification, provide proof of CPR/First Aid training within the previous two years.
Documented proof of deep-water experience required before enrollment.
A strong diving history demonstrating experience across varied conditions.
Adult-only certification path — no exceptions.
PADI Tec 45 Course Schedule: Day-by-Day Breakdown
The course runs over 4 days / 3 nights with 4 training dives — progressing from no-stop skills refinement to full multi-stop decompression at 45 metres with 100% O₂.
Day 1 — Check-in, Theory & O₂ Handling
Check-in and gear setup. Advanced decompression theory, oxygen toxicity (CNS and pulmonary limits), 100% O₂ handling protocols, NOTOX checks, and gas-matching for accelerated deco profiles. No diving on Day 1.
Day 2 — Confined Water + Dives 1 & 2 (Shore)
Confined water: O₂ gas switch drills, buoyancy review, and S-drills under task loading. Dive 1 (Shore, max 10m) — no stop, refining tec configuration and team awareness. Dive 2 (Shore, 15–30m) — no stop with simulated decompression. Theory session in the evening.
Day 3 — Boat Dives 3 & 4 + Theory
Gas planning for multi-stop decompression, lost-gas drills, and DSMB deployment. Dive 3 (Boat, 24–45m) — simulated or actual decompression dive. Dive 4 (Boat, 30–45m) — full decompression dive with 100% O₂ deco stop. Final theory debrief.
Day 4 — Final Assessment & Certification
Final knowledge review, skills assessment debrief, and dive log review. PADI Tec 45 certification card issued upon successful completion of all performance requirements. Checkout and departure.
Equipment Required for the PADI Tec 45 Course
Tec 45 introduces 100% oxygen as a decompression gas — meaning you'll need oxygen-clean equipment for your deco stage. Tioman Dive Buddy maintains a certified O₂-clean fill station and provides the full Tec 45 configuration as part of the course.
Twin Cylinder Set
Manifolded twins with fully-redundant first stages on each post.
O₂-Clean Deco Stage
Dedicated S40 cylinder for 100% O₂ — must be oxygen-clean and oxygen-service rated.
Tec Wing & Backplate
Single bladder ≥30kg lift, redundant or wing-failure backup recommended.
Tec Dive Computer
Multi-gas computer with O₂ tracking (Shearwater Petrel/Perdix or equivalent).
DSMB & Reel
Closed-circuit DSMB with 50m+ line on a finger spool or small reel.
Primary + Backup Lights
Tec-grade primary canister or torch + 2 backup lights for emergency redundancy.
PADI Tec 45 Course Price in Tioman
4-day intensive at TDB on Tioman Island. We typically schedule Tec 45 directly after Tec 40 for skill continuity.
* Price is in Malaysian Ringgit. Excludes meals and accommodation. Includes all course fees, gear, gas fills, and PADI certification.
- PADI Tec 45 manual & e-Learning access
- Twin tank set + O₂-clean deco stage rental
- 4 training dives (confined + shore + boat)
- Air, EAN, and 100% O₂ gas fills
- Full tec gear rental for course duration
- PADI certification fee
🎯 Bundle Deal: Complete all three Tec courses (Tec 40 + 45 + 50) in one trip — RM 6,500 for 7D6N. MIDE special price: RM 6,000.
Reserve Your Spot →PADI Tec 45 — Frequently Asked Questions
How is PADI Tec 45 different from PADI Tec 40?
Three major differences: depth (45m vs 40m), decompression (multi-stop with no time limit instead of single stop ≤10 minutes), and deco gas (up to pure 100% oxygen instead of EAN50 maximum). Tec 45 is the first course where you experience true long-decompression diving.
Can I take Tec 40 and Tec 45 back-to-back?
Yes. Many divers book the full 9-day combo (5 days Tec 40 + 4 days Tec 45) at Tioman Dive Buddy. It's the most efficient way to achieve full Tec 45 certification, and we offer combo pricing for divers who commit to both courses upfront.
Why use 100% oxygen instead of EAN50 for decompression?
Pure oxygen accelerates decompression dramatically — you can shorten deco stops by up to 50% on appropriate dives. However, it's only safe at depths shallower than 6 metres and requires oxygen-clean equipment, which is why Tec 45 specifically teaches its handling protocols.
How long does the PADI Tec 45 course take?
The PADI Tec 45 course typically takes 4 days when conducted at Tioman Dive Buddy. This includes 2 knowledge development sessions, 2 practical applications, and 4 open water training dives culminating in a qualifying dive to 45 metres.
Is PADI Tec 45 enough, or should I continue to Tec 50?
That depends on your diving goals. Tec 45 is sufficient for most extended-range wreck and reef diving down to 45 metres in Tioman and beyond. If you want to dive deeper, into trimix territory, or into overhead environments — continue to Tec 50 (and the Trimix add-on).
Where can I take the PADI Tec 45 course in Malaysia?
Tioman Dive Buddy in Kampung Genting, Tioman Island is the only PADI 5 Star IDC in Malaysia offering Tec 45 with on-site oxygen-clean fill capability. Multiple suitable training sites within 15-minute boat ride.
Take it deeper.
Already Tec 40 certified? Reach out for next-available Tec 45 dates and combo pricing with Tec 50.
Talk to a TecRec Instructor →