Deep Planet Tech is a technical scuba diving school based on Koh Lanta and Koh Tao, Thailand. Created to cater to the expanding market of technical scuba diving, we make use of training on two of Thailands most beautiful islands (consisting of Koh Lanta Yai, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Tao), and some of Thailands best scuba diving and freediving. You have the opportunity to do technical scuba diving with some of Thailands most spectacular marine life - mantas and whale sharks. We dont believe that technical scuba diving should always be done on the sand! On a technical scuba diving course with Deep Planet Tech we guarantee technical scuba diving at some of Thailands best diving spots - Hin Muang / Hin Daeng and Koh Haa, for no additional cost. you could also become certified at Thailands top diving destination - the Similan Islands. As well as reasonably priced DSAT and TDI technical scuba diving courses at Deep Planet Tech you can take advantage of Thailands cheap food and accomodation on one of Thailands most beautiful and unspoilt islands. during your technical scuba diving course you can survive in basic accomodation for as little as 200 baht per day, right on some of Thailands most stunning beaches. Thailand is the perfect place to learn technical scuba diving, particularly the island of Koh Lanta, located in South West Thailand, home to the best scuba diving and freediving Thailand has to offer. If you choose a technical scuba diving course with Deep Planet Tech, you can currently choose from DSAT and TDI technical scuba diving courses. Whats the difference? Basically not much - both certification agencies certify you as in technical scuba diving, the only difference is that the courses vary very slightly in skills performed and knowledge given. TDI have been around for many years (its the oldest technical diving agency there is), providing quality courses in technical scuba diving. TDIs diving courses are very flexible, and allow the instructor to throw in as many diving skills as he wishes (as well as the core diving skills required), to ensure that the diving skills of the student are of a high enough standard. The theory portion of the TDI technical scuba diving courses are also very flexible, with classroom presentations required to be given by the instructor. The TDI course book gives vital information, but most will come from the instructor. TDI technical scuba diving courses are very well tried and tested over the years and have proved to be some of the best technical scuba diving courses around. If you choose a DSAT technical scuba diving course you will have a manual that follows PADIs excellent past record in quality training materials. the DSAT tech deep diver manual is extremely comprehensive - so much so that if you choose, you can self study the entire theory portion of the course. If your knowledge reviews are suitable then the only part of the course you need to spend in the classroom is the exams - leaving you more time for diving! Both DSAT tec deep exams are very intensive, and leave you with a wealth of knowledge about technical scuba diving. The diving part of the course again follows PADIs track record, providing a rigid and well structured diving course. TDI technical scuba diving courses: TDI ADVANCED NITROX TDI DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURES TDI EXTENDED RANGE TDI TRIMIX DSAT technical scuba diving COURSES: DSAT TEC DEEP LEVEL1 DSAT TEC DEEP LEVEL2 We also provide guided technical scuba diving for deep air and trimix divers at Thailands premier divespots - Hin Daeng / hin Muang / Koh Haa and the Similans - private charters available on request.

What is Freediving (Apnea)?

Freediving is simple and fun. A freediver will rely on one breath of air for underwater exploration. A freediver can move gracefully without wasting any energy, spend several minutes underwater and experience the ocean as any other marine mammal does. Without the need for cumbersome equipment, a freediver can sneak up on marine life without disturbing it with the sound of scuba bubbles.

To start, all you need is a basic knowledge of freediving safety, freediving buddy, mask, fins and a few tips on technique. There are freediving courses, from beginner level to instructor, through A.I.D.A. - the largest and most recognized international freediving organization. Making freedives on Koh Lanta's dive sites is an incredible experience not to be missed!

The key to being a good freediver is learning how to relax underwater.

Recreational freediving can be anything from snorkeling in shallow water, to making deeper dives where you can see things beyond the range of scuba diving. However, the motivations and activities for recreational freediving are much the same as for recreational scuba.

There are several advantages to exploring the underwater world without tanks:

- Using less equipment (mask and fins) means the diver can get to more locations
- No bubbles scaring away the marine life
- No noise coming from a scuba regulator enables the diver to hear fish, boats and other sounds
- Movement along the bottom is almost effortless due to reduced drag
- Freediving is like visiting another dimension where you can move around as freely as you like and become one with the sea

Along with the exploration of the underwater world comes the inner exploration of sensations and personal limits. Many people enjoy freediving for the feeling of sinking into the depths and floating back to the surface.

Others enjoy the sensation as their heart slows down and the diving reflex takes hold, or enjoy freediving as a challenge; competing in different freediving disciplines.

Freediver *
This is an introductory course for complete beginners who wish to learn how to freedive, and discover its pleasures.

By training your body and mind and learning the proper breathing techniques you will feel comfortable and safe in this calm and silent environment.

Length: 2 days
Max depth: 20m

Each training session starts with a warm up yoga session, with a focus on relaxation and breathing techniques.

AIDA freediver * course includes optional sled dives, to a maximum depth of 10 m. After passing the course, sled dives can be made between 10 and 20 m deep.

Freediver **
This is the next level of freediving. Its designed for students who are already fairly confident and happy in the water. The main aim of this course is to help the student develop the skills and knowledge necessary to enjoy freediving safely.

Length: 3 days
Max depth: 30m

Each training session starts with a warm up yoga session, with a focus on relaxation and breathing techniques..

AIDA Freediver ** course includes optional sled dives, to a maximum depth of 20 m. After passing the course, sled dives can be made between 20 and 30 m deep.

Freediver ***
This is an advanced freediving course and is designed to continue a freediver's training beyond the level of the previous course (2 star). The aim of this course is to help the student further develop their skills and knowledge of freediving. They will learn to independently plan and participate in freediving activities with similarly experienced freedive buddies.

Technical skills are polished and all theoretical aspects of freediving are studied in depth. There is a strong emphasis on breathing and swimming techniques and necessary rescue skills.

Length: 3 days
Max depth: 35m

Each training session starts with a warm up yoga session, with a focus on relaxation and breathing techniques.

AIDA freediver *** course includes optional sled dives, in both variable and no limits, to a maximum depth of 25 m. After passing the course, sled dives can be made between 25 and 35 m deep.

What are the differences between the two types of freediving - "recreational freediving" and "competitive freediving"?

Recreational Freediving can be described as...
Depths of 0-30 metres.
Divers make many repetitive dives between 30 sec to 2 minutes.
Freedivers normally stay within their own limits
Freedivers rely on themselves and their buddy for safety.
Freedivers can interact with marine life, explore wrecks and structures, and explore terrain.

Competitive Freediving can be described as...
Competitive freedivers test their limits for time, depth and distance underwater.
Performances are more than double recreational time, depth and distance.
Extensive safety logistics are considered, including safety divers

AIDA define the disciplines of Apnea as follows:

A. Static Apnea (STA)
This discipline consists of holding your breath for as long as possible without moving. It sets high demands for the competitor's ability to focus and concentrate.

B. Dynamic Apnea without Fins (DNF)
A variation of Static Apnea, where the longest possible distance is achieved by swimming but without the use of fins.

C. Dynamic Apnea with Fins (DYF)
This consists of the athlete making use of their fins to swim the longest possible distance under water.

D. Free Immersion Apnea (FIM)
This discipline is where the competitor pulls along the rope to his/her maximum depth and back again.

E. Constant Weight Apnea (CWA)
This discipline is considered by some to be the original freediving discipline. Here the athlete is making use of traditional ABC-equipment to reach his/her depth. Constant Weight Apnea sets the highest demands to the freediver's mental power, and also their physique and technique.

F. Constant Weight Apnea without Fins (CWAF)
This discipline consists of swimming down and up along the rope as in classic constant weight, but no use of fins - instead the freediver uses breast strokes. This discipline is sometimes called 'the true human aquatic potential'.

G. Variable Weight Apnea (VWT)
In this discipline the diver makes use of a specially designed sled running along the measuring rope to achieve his/her depth. Historically, the sled has evolved from a simple weight attached to a noose, till today's highly sophisticated, hydrodynamic sled that leads the diver downward with high speed. The freediver normally pulls back to the surface using the rope.

H. No-Limits Apnea (NLT)
This has traditionally been the discipline to reach the deepest depths of all the disciplines listed here. It is a further development of variable weight, where the athlete uses the sled to get down and then uses of an inflatable balloon to get back to the surface.