Full Cave Diving Course

The certified Introductory Cave Diver (or equivalent), who has interest in moving forward with overhead environment diving. Those looking to expanding their diving techniques, capabilities, range, and more!

• Minimum age 18
• Each candidate must have the following qualifications:
• Minimum certification of Introductory Cave Diver, or equivalent
• Highly recommended TDI Intro to Tech, GUE Fundamentals, PSAI ABC certificate or equivalent
• Twinset or Sidemount certificate
• The student must be Advanced Nitrox diver if we need to perform decompression dives, (decompression) certified or equivalent
• Logged 50 dives.
• To participate in the course you will need to complete a medical questionnaire and registration form

The Full Cave Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more.

• Standard cave diving policies
• Gas management procedures and management to include dissimilar volumes
• Psychological considerations of cave diving
• Equipment considerations including:
  • Cylinder options
  • Regulator options
  • Buoyancy compensator/harness options
  • Proper weighting
  • Reel options
  • Equipment configurations
• Communication (light and hand signals)
• Swimming techniques
  • Body posture/trim
  • Buoyancy control
  • Line following
  • Propulsion (finning) techniques
• Physiology
  • Breathing techniques
  • Stress management
  • Decompression theory and its application to cave diving
• Cave environment
• Conservation
• Problem solving
  • Emergency procedures
  • Equipment failure
  • Silting conditions
• Accident analysis
• Cave diving etiquette

Upon successful completion of the Full Cave Diver Course, participants will have a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge. These will greatly benefit their cave diving capabilities. These benefits include the ability to:

• Properly deploy a guideline, ensuring safe passage and navigation within cave systems.
• Use directional and non-directional line markers to provide clear and accurate directional cues.
• Follow a guideline with eyes open and closed, simulating loss of visibility and enhancing navigation skills in challenging conditions.
• Air share with a buddy while following a guideline. Both with eyes open and with lights off and eyes closed. Using touch contact for communication, ensuring safety and effective communication in low-visibility environments.
• Remove and replace a mask while in contact with the guideline. Demonstrating comfort and confidence in maintaining orientation and composure while underwater.
• Demonstrate conservation, awareness, and back referencing techniques to enhance safety and environmental consciousness during cave dives.
• Utilize light/hand signals and touch contact for communication, ensuring clear understanding and coordination between diving partners.
• Employ anti-silting techniques to maintain visibility and environmental stability within the cave environment.
• Simulate a primary light failure and use a backup light to exit the cave. Demonstrating adaptability and preparedness for unexpected situations.
• Perform lost line and lost diver drills, ensuring swift and effective response to critical scenarios.
• Utilize reels to perform jumps and gaps required in circuits and traverses. Maintaining a continuous guideline to open water and ensuring safe navigation.
• Demonstrate buoyancy control, proper trim, and propulsion techniques, enhancing overall diving proficiency and safety.
• Implement proper stress analysis techniques for the detection and management of potential stressors during cave dives.
• Utilize specialized propulsion techniques in varying types of flow, ensuring adaptability and confidence in challenging underwater conditions.
• Perform thorough equipment checks and matching, ensuring reliability and safety of diving gear.
• Engage in adequate predive planning, ensuring comprehensive preparation and awareness of the diving environment.

These skills and competencies obtained through the Full Cave Diver Course. Allowing divers to approach cave diving with confidence, preparedness, and a heightened awareness of safety and environmental considerations.