After years as a PADI and TDI technical diver (open-circuit and CCR), I completed my PADI Tec Deep Instructor and Tec Sidemount Instructor programs with Randy Tay/Thinking Divers in June of this year and strongly recommend you contact him to pursue your own PADI technical diver or instructor training.
Randy came highly recommended and did not disappoint. First, he met and interviewed me before agreeing to take me on for training, which impressed me. He made sure I had a solid background of training, working knowledge and experience, and did not just take my word for it that I was prepared for the next step. He checked where and with whom I had been tec trained, what methods I practiced and what my goals were moving forward into the tec instructor realm.
I will admit that in the several years since being tec certified I had allowed myself to grow complacent in a few skills, which were quickly and brutally (I say that in jest) caught on day 1 in the pool. Randy highlighted skill deficiencies and honed our techniques, pulling tips and tricks from numerous training agencies and methodologies including his own extensive experience in the cave exploration community. I picked up several new, much more efficient ways of conducting certain skills and tasks from him.
At all times, Randy was forthright and firm while still supportive and encouraging. At the halfway point of the class, he took the time to sit with each of us candidates and give us a tailored progress report highlighting what still concerned him most and needed to be perfected in order to successfully complete the class. Although some days were tough, at all times I felt Randy wanted me to succeed and was in my corner - even during some of our "tough-love" post-dive debriefs.
Most of all, Randy was flexible with schedule changes (my classmates were two law enforcement officers in leadership roles, with dynamic schedules). I realize this should go without saying, but these days it can be unusual to find an instructor trainer who is as patient and unhurried in conducting a course. Randy did not let schedule shifts or a looming "end date" for our availability hurry the process along or distract from his or our focus.
Randy Tay is the real deal. From the outside, I would not have guessed our program was a PADI one; it was the most challenging training I've gone through since my Navy aircrew pipeline. He is a wealth of knowledge, a great mentor and advocate, and I strongly recommend you have a discussion with him if you are considering furthering your tec diving career. read more