what the students have to say
I feel it is always important to get recommendations about the diving Instructor you will put your faith into to help you achieve your goals, ultimately you will never know if it will be the best method of training for you until you have tried it but it does help if you can obtain a little feedback from past students and customers so here is a few I seem to have made happy.
Hallvard Opheim - Norway Northsea Explorers
Coming from years of deep technical diving in cold waters on shipwrecks in the Norwegian fjords, the logistics and risk assessment of our deepest dives on open circuit pushed us towards considering CCR for the dives we want to do. As divers who deeply believe, and are trained, in the GUE approach to team diving, standardized procedures and regards for safety - it was important to find an instructor able to appreciate where we came from, being able to add that little extra to our course. After a long period of evaluation and discussion, we ended up choosing Protech Dive College and Mathew Partridge, and soon found ourselves on our way to Thailand.
This turned out to be a very good choice. We followed a standardized manufacturer course (JJ / IART) in order to learn diving the JJ-CCR unit, but also had the pleasure of added value through Mathews experience and thoughts on team diving and safety protocols in the world of CCR. A lot of the content was clearly influenced by the GUE philosophy, bringing much of the same thoughts on standard gases, standard decompression models and focus on safety and rescue techniques to the table. We ended up with a lot more hours in the water and more hours in the classroom than the standards demand, and it was obvious Mathew enjoyed teaching demanding students with clear thoughts on their diving.
The diving part of the course started out in the pool, with the anticipated challenges on buoyancy control which is one of the biggest "changes" from our normal diving. Of course we chose the hard way and brought our drysuits even though the climate clearly didn't require this. But seeing as we do all our dives in drysuits
back home, it made sense to get that in from day 1, even with the added difficulty. Following the manufacturers guidelines we went through all our skills in the 2m deep pool, and started to feel more confident after the first couple of hours. Clearly our experience with stagebottles gave us an advantage when it came to the bailoutdrills, but I'm not going to lie and say that everything was easy :) After a day in the pool, we started with the ocean dives, repeating the same skills and drills, gradually increasing the depth and required level of proficiency.
In-depth discussions in the classroom was practiced in the water, flying the unit manually, mastering minimum loop volume and running simulated decompression stops to practice mid-water buoyancy control. After finishing the official course material, Mathew also took the time to add his own thoughts, skills and added value theory. Exactly what we were hoping to achieve.
Knowing that Mathew also chooses the JJ-CCR for his own diving brings credibility to his teaching, and reassured us that the unit would be up to the task of our own diving. The unit is a delight in its simplicity, yet robust and absolutely suited for more demanding dives.
We very much enjoyed the class, and we absolutely recommend Mathew as a CCR instructor for advanced divers who wants that extra value in their class. His operation in Chalong, Thailand has a terrific level of professionalism, and the logistics make it a very relaxing and enjoyable place to take the course.
Henrik Dimke, PhD Aarhus, Denmark
I recently attended the TDI cavern, intro to cave and full cave courses with Mathew Partridge as my instructor. I was pleased with the very well arranged logistics that secured us great diving at the caves in Krabi and Khao Sok national park. I found Mat a competent instructor, with good solutions to the many problems one may face in the cave environment, while still applying a standardized DIR approach. Mat has a strict, but also an extremely efficient teaching style, which left few questions unanswered by the end of the program. Thanks to Mat, I greatly enjoyed the course and feel better prepared to enter the world of cave diving now.
Sandy Smith & Hiro Yoshida -Dive base leaders Maldives
There was no doubt I would train with Pro Tech for some of my first technical dive training – the finer details were all in place from the very start. A clear, comprehensive and logical website, lightning-quick responses to my emails and extensive help with preparation for both the diving and lodging part of our trip. In fact, I was already recommending Pro Tech to other divers before I even stepped foot in the place. I was that sure that Mat, Davine, and the rest of team knew this trade inside and out.
My partner and I set out to learn advanced nitrox and decompression theory, and crossover to the Megalodon rebreather. The rest would be determined on site depending on our performance and instructor likeability. I can certainly say we liked Mat, our instructor, a lot. The two of us developed a small addiction to being around him and the shop, hoping to become better divers through simple osmosis. Our technique in the water needed definite improvement, but we found a coach that could help.
Between classroom sessions and dive application in the pool or sea, we began to understand even the basics of diving in a whole different light. We received the most thorough explanations in dive physics, planning, and physiology that I haven't found in any textbook before. Critical feedback on in-water positioning, style and technique pushed us to focus on the finer details that distinguish real divers from novices. As an end result, although we need lots more practice, we have a sturdy foundation of skills and information planted in us that we can continue to work and improve upon.
So we stayed for intro to cave diving and had a first taste of the most unique diving out there. With this small teaser into yet another world submerged underwater, we have found a new and exciting avenue to explore and keep us learning. There was certainly a lot more to it than just torches and reels.
My partner and I have benefited immensely from our training with Pro Tech and better yet, we have the chance to share this knowledge with the recreational divers we teach. Both of us approach teaching in much a more thorough and professional way that mimics what we received from Mat. Our passion for diving has always been there, but it certainly had a major boost thanks to the Pro Tech team!
We'll be back and we're sending others!
Claire Greathead- England/Egypt
Having just qualified as Mod 1 Megelodon Rebreather divers,
we only have good words to say about Matt and his team!
The customer service, the course, facilities, equipment and the training was world class and far out-shone any other training centre we had seen in the past. Davine was excellent right from the first email; very fast response, help with travel and hotels, and very accommodating all our requests. Our instructor Mat was friendly, down to earth, but above all incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the technical diving world making it very easy to learn as his enthusiasm was soon passed on to us!
The course included everything that we expected to learn plus more; the 'need to knows' and the 'nice to knows' as well which boosted our knowledge of technical diving, equipment, and techniques, giving a considerable added value to the course.
We are certainly coming back soon to progress further into
cave diving, and of course to buy a rebreather so we can keep our new skills sharp!
We would certainly recommend Mat any diver regardless of what certification you are aiming for; In all an extremely professional set-up, that really can offer you everything when it comes to the underwater world!
Thanks Mat, Davine and all the team, see you soon!
Alex Boulton - Educational Consultant PADI Asia Pacific Sydney , Australia
"When the student is ready the Master will appear" - I reckon I put a lot of faith in this belief and it was with this thought running through my mind that I boarded a plane bound for Phuket, Thailand. As a Dive Instructor with 10 years of teaching under my belt you often wonder what else there is out there that can challenge and test you as a diver. That's one of my reasons for heading to Pro Tech Dive College to train with Mat Partridge. The other was the incredibly informative and helpful emails sent by Mat's wife, Davine who provided endless explanations of courses, times, dates, transport and accommodation for this would be Tec diver.
On Tec programs every student does their homework on the Instructor. If you want to go deep and come back safely you need to know that your teacher will deliver sound training and always demand the highest standards. So it was with interest that I sat back in my first class at Pro Tech: eyes and ears open, mouth shut ready to absorb the wisdom of the Master. Well as far as my approach I couldn't have been more wrong. After the introductions had passed, which were stunning enough with Mat's substantial experience and numerous technical qualifications, that's when the questions started - and I don't mean me asking the Instructor it was Mat quizzing me: What do you know about Oxygen? What's the PPO2 of this mix at that depth? Tell me about perfusion and diffusion?!!
Wow. Well I must have done ok because I was back the next day for more of the same. It was so refreshing. Instead of regurgitated knowledge Pro Tech's whole teaching philosophy rests upon the student's good understanding, smooth application and total proficiency. And if you can't or won't then it's just "unlucky" because you ain't gonna pass!
I think that for many Dive Instructors once they've mastered their subject matter then the topic is no longer challenging for them to teach and this can make their teaching dry or dull but Mat takes the facts and their significance and creates a living breathing diving reality. At Pro Tech the knowledge you earn is coherent and apply-able and that's by no means limited to the classroom.
Next we were off for a confined water orientation to equipment, equipment assembly and stage deco rigging. All at Kata Big Rock's sun-drenched hillside pool. In between dives we ate gorgeous Thai food while Mat ran us through the briefing for the next sequence of our training.
And the pressure just kept building. Soon we were heading off on huge Liveaboards from Chalong pier to start our ocean training. Beautiful blue warm water that's ideal for skill acquisition and polishing. S-Drills, SMB deployment, extended bottom times, NOTOX gas switches and accelerated deco. And between all of this back to the pristine and executive Pro Tech dive facility for desktop deco planning and gas selection. Oh, and exams.
Not surprisingly Mat's teaching style guarantees retention and the exams were the least of my worries. I am very glad of this as I wouldn't like to have explained myself if I'd failed. However if I wasn't up to scratch I wouldn't be the first but that's what you pay for - quality and professionalism. Oh and if I didn't say it before, it was also fun. Enjoyment and satisfaction that comes from effort and focus. And when it was all over I was immediately nostalgic like a kid at the end of summer - wanting to do it all again. And in a way I did.
Because of the energy and enthusiasm of Mat and Davine I continued to dive with Pro Tech and finally decided to do the DSAT Instructors Course with them because, like I said, when the student is ready the Master will appear!
Meril Darees - France
Dear Matt
I just wanted to say a few words of appreciation for the training I received while training with you this year.
As you know I began my tech training with you at protech. I really enjoyed the TDI deco procedures and advanced nitrox training; it was all brand new to me then. I only really understood how good the training was when I took the extended range course a few months later in Cyprus as the course appeared to be pretty straight forward as you had covered pretty much all the material and skill set in our initial classes.
So I just wanted to say a big thanks to you and the team for the training, for your help in Phuket and your effort. Hope to come again and dive with you soon.
Doug - Netherlands
A first-rate operation - Matt has excellent facilities and great instruction.
It's fair to say that Matt and the team deconstructed and rebuilt me as a diver – they both combine high standards with the patience to practice any skill or exercise until it's right. If cheap & easy is what you're looking for, go somewhere else, but if you want the confidence to handle any situation within your training and beyond, you've come to the right place.
Rodney E. Gibbs – Australia
After months of electronic communication detailing every conceivable question you could possibly imagine about
diving and diving services that could be provided, the decision was made. Pro-tech Dive College would be the facility where I would train to dive the Megalodon ECCR.
I had been a technical diving instructor for many years and have technically dived open circuit at the Advanced TriMix level. I had dived all over the world and explored many wrecks but all my training and courses where completed at home in Australia.
Arriving in Phuket, I didn't quite know what to expect. I had heard and been on the receiving end of many 'Oh yer off to Thailand to buy your cert' jokes but I knew that this was not my motivation or intention. I was undertaking a course, to use a piece of diving equipment, a serious piece of diving equipment, a piece of diving equipment that needed to be respected, understood and even a little feared.
All that I had heard and seen in my research suggested that I was stepping well outside my comfort zone moving into the Meg ECCR and if I was determined to wrestle this beast , I was going to make dammed sure I had the best instructor available to me.
So to me the process was simple. Do your research. Speak to divers. Ask the hard questions and find the people or person that could provide the best knowledge and experience in the field. I was also looking for an instructor that would inspire me, who had an obvious passion for what they are teaching and a person who dives the Megalodon ECCR as their personal choice, not just as an income source. My research took a good 18 months and lead me to the door of Pro-tech and Mathew Partridge.
A balmy afternoon's ride from the Phuket airport to my hotel in Patong saw me checking in, dropping bags, taxi. Next stop the dive shop. I could hardly wait to meet the people I had been speaking too for these past months. Walking through the door of Pro-tech for the first time, I must say, it wasn't quite what I had expected nor pictured in my mind's eye but I quickly came to the realization that this was a serious training facility. Not your typical dive shop cluttered with retail stock and hire equipment. This was made apparent to me with a 'straight to work' attitude, with me being shuffled off into a class room shortly after introductions, placed in front of a mountain of liability forms and course files to be completed before morning tea.
Mathew Partridge....well....! How does one best describe this bloke....? He's a 'Thing'. A dive thing. His obvious knowledge and mastery of the topics he teaches is mind blowing to say the least. He never seems to stop talking but you find yourself never wanting to stop listening.
I have found myself in many classrooms, on many courses, listening to many lectures and within minutes that mind numbing feeling grips me followed by the mandatory heavy eye lids. I don't do classrooms very well. If you have any interest in Technical diving, I can guarantee you this...! When it's Mathew Partridge doing the talking you're compelled to listen.
Matt has a revisit the past, before moving forward teaching style. A style that I have now adopted. Going back over skills, theory and practical knowledge from previous courses that should be considered second nature, for whatever diver level you are. Most often this expected knowledge and skill set is a little more than rusty.
In the Pool and open water the knowledge keeps coming, with Matt's level of experience being more than obvious. A very patient teaching style, combined with years of experience, gives the diver in training a bullet proof confidence. A strong belief that they can and will master whatever skill or task they are being asked to complete as they move through their higher level course.
Pro-tech run very structured courses from point of first contact to course completion. You always know what to expect. The cost, the time frames, nothing is held back. All is given, above and beyond your expectations when first walking through the door.
A note to the wise.... Technical diving offers a diver the opportunity to visit places and stay well past their welcome. Without proper training and well drilled skills, a diver will find themselves in a very unforgiving situation with limited options. Choice of instructor and quality of training becomes of paramount importance to survival.
Since the Meg course I have gone on to successfully complete several other high level technical diving courses under the watchful eye and guiding hand of Pro-tech and Mathew Partridge. I would highly recommend the Pro-tech team of Instructors to anyone looking to undertake a diving course that is offered within the Pro-tech portfolio. I have found the entire Pro-tech experience to be an absolute eye opening pleasure from beginning to end. Matt his family and the staff from Pro-tech not only receive you as a paying customer, a passer through or even equal, but invite you into their lives.
What more could you ask for...?
Keng Chung- Malaysia
Hi Matt, I've made it back to KL with serious O2 withdrawal symptoms, so when I have time, it's surfing for the next dive holiday! Thank you very much for the Megalodon Deco course. I am happy to have gained new knowledge and experiences and of course attending an excellent course! I also praise the facilities of your dive shop, especially the generous space you have planned for washing up and storing our valuable equipment.
Thanks again
Safe Diving
Jon Bryan Tasmania - Australia
"Mat has a wide range of deep and challenging CCR diving experiences and is a fine dive instructor. He is someone who has really done the dives and has a mass of real world experience that he is able to pass on to his students. I appreciated the way we were encouraged to ask questions and push beyond the basics to get a greater understanding of CCR diving and develop a thoughtful and flexible approach to using this technology".
Ben Jackson - Thailand
Being my first rebreather course and even after doing lots of reading I still was not really sure what to expect. I have only been diving OC for a few years before so still very new to the whole diving game. I was not disappointed, the diving was a completely different experience and thoroughly enjoyable. The course was a completely different experience as well, it was intense and I learnt a lot, but that's what I paid for so 5 stars for that, and Matts own teaching style is the best SCUBA diving training I have received, not the common rote learning style that you get accustomed to but a real understanding of the subject matter had to be acquired. I asked LOTS of questions and got LOTS of answers AND some, I think that's where Mats teaching style really comes into his own, and Matt is not afraid to tell you what he thinks, at the end of the day your life depends upon it. I came away on the first day with a head full of information, ideas and a slight headache but after sleeping on it and dreaming rebreathers, the information digestion process had been kicked started into action. I think the course was definitely over-taught but I was not complaining, at this stage I was absorbing all I could. Matt and Davine run a great setup and will becoming back again to carry on my training when I want to get to next level in my diving career. And don't bother asking for a discount as you wont get one, but then at this standard he doesn't have to, its worth the money.
 Andrew Ma - Hong Kong
I attended three courses with Mathew within two weeks; The Drager Dophin SCR course; the AP Inspiration CCR air diluent course and the TDI O/C trimix course. Despite being a diver since 1990, I did have a hard time but enjoyed it because these courses were a new thing to me. I earned the SCR and the CCR license and the trimix course. I am planning to come back to finish the trimix course and take some new courses this winter. These courses were all well organized, the equipment and the facility are in excellent condition and the training is to an exceptional standard. Diving with rebreathers is fun and completely silent. The fishes come close within a few cm in front of your mask. May be one shall have more chance to encounter big and shy creature - the whale shark or the devil ray when flying with these rebreather.
Tony K - England
Dear all, Just a short line to say how impressed I was with the level of instruction I received at your place. Mat, you are no picnic. When you said that you only qualify people who deserve qualifying you weren't kidding. I had to work extremely hard to maintain the level of commitment that you required from me. However, I feel now that I can dive safely on the unit and just need now to build up the hours. Thank you so much for an exhilarating course, it was amazing. I felt completely safe in your hands. Keep up the standards!!!
Tim Baskcomb - England
Matt has a very professionally presented and run office/shop/classroom facility to the rental equipment which was the best I have ever used. Immaculately maintained and presented, to the logistics of morning and evening movements between accommodation, but, the one thing that really stood out for me was the quality of the instruction. The standard of the instruction and subsequent required standard of students is where all Instructors and dive centres should be. In my two weeks I undertook Advanced Nitrox, Deco procedures and the Extended Range courses, not only am I now a more confident and able diver, I am much safer and far more aware than before. When I'm ready to take my Tech diving to the next level, I will be back.
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