Technical divers use a harness and wing system that allows for more flexible configuration of the kit than a traditional BCD.  The harness consists of webbing shoulder straps and waist strap and metal D-rings that equipment like stage tanks can be attached to. The harness is attached to either a steel or aluminum back plate.

Wings consist of the inflator and bladder used for buoyancy control underwater and/or supporting the diver on the surface.  Depending on the number of cylinders being used on the dive, the technical diver selects a wing with the appropriate amount of lift to support the equipment.  Typically the minimum lift for a doubles configuration is 45 lbs.

Technical divers always have two regulators attached to their primary cylinder(s). One regulator is used as the primary and the other is used as both a backup and alternate air source. In the typical configuration, the primary regulator has a 7 foot hose. When sharing air, the diver passes this regulator to the out-of-air diver and shifts to the backup. The seven foot hose makes it easier for the out-of-air diver to maneuver with their gear in place or swim behind when exiting a cave or wreck. The primary regulator also has a low pressure inflator hose that attaches to the primary inflator.

The second or backup regulator is on a short hose and attaches to a necklace around the diver’s neck. In an emergency, the diver can easily replace the primary with the backup. The SPG is also typically attached to the backup regulator, as is the backup inflator hose. If the diver is using a dry suit, the backup inflator hose attaches to the dry suit. 

Technical diving requires precise planning and execution.  Written tables generated using a decompression software application are always used in planning a technical dive and calculating gas requirements, they are only used for primary plan on the dive.  Technical divers follow their dive plan using a computer or bottom timer for the primary instrument.  

In recreational diving, dive computers are helpful tools used to extend bottom times and simplify dive planning. In technical diving, dive computers are required. A good multigas computer allows the technical diver to make all necessary stops based on the exact dive profile dived. A multigas computer allows the diver to switch gases and still continue to track nitrogen absorption and oxygen exposure.  Most commonly this is the secondary device.

Technical divers may also carry an analog compass for navigation although some newer dive computers have digital compasses built in.

Because of the extended bottom times, technical diving usually involves bringing significantly more breathing gas on a dive. To do this, technical divers use single high capacity cylinders with H or Y valves or double cylinders with a manifold and isolator valve.  

The preference in technical diving is  doubles with a manifold and isolator valve or 2 independant tanks when doing side mount diving.  Tanks can be steel or aluminum, high or low pressure.

Like with recreational scuba diving, Technical divers are affected by many different forces of nature like the sun, the wind, the cold, and the water. These elements can impact technical divers more so because of prolonged dive times and surface intervals.

Technical divers need to ensure that they are comfortable when diving a range of water temperatures while in some cases remaining almost motionless during decompression stops.  Depending upon where you are diving in the world this can be wearing exposure protection in the form of drysuit or a wetsuit.

Depending on where you are diving, a primary light with 3-4 hours of burn time is recommended.  Most technical divers use a canister light with a battery pack that attaches to the harness and an umbilical attaching the light head.  The light head is typically on a goodman handle that allows for hands free use.

Technical divers also carry a minimum of 2 backups lights connected by snap bolts to the harness.

The right dive knife can be your best friend in an emergency situation. Technical divers carry a wide variety of cutting devices from line cutters to shears.  Most technical divers carry at least 2 cutting devices.  One on their harness and one attached to the goodman handle of their light.  Some carry an additional backup in a pocket. 

SMB and lift bags are used in the event that a technical diver must make a mid-water ascent without a reference.  The technical diver attaches a lift bag to the reel and inflates the bag. Once the bag is at the surface, the technical diver then follows the line up, using it for reference and support at each decompression stop.

Like recreational divers, technical divers carry reels for penetrating wrecks and caves.

They also carry a reel or finger spool (along with a lift bag) for redundancy. In the event that a technical diver cannot relocate a descent line and must make an ascent without a line, the technical diver attaches a lift bag to the wreck reel and inflates the bag.

Generally, a reel with 150' of line and a 100' fingerspool are the minimum needed.

Other accessories are needed for technical diving such as a wetnotes or wrist slates, spare masks, extra stainless steel clips, marking tape, etc.  Your instructor will help you build out a spare parts and rigging kit through out your technical training journey.