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Cavern & Cave Diving Course Descriptions - for informational purposes only!

Cavern/Overhead Environment Diver

This popular two-day course will introduce the cavern student to the beautiful clear spring caverns of Mexico and the specialized skills needed to dive them safely. All dives will be conducted within the sight of daylight including one open water dive and four cavern dives. Emphasis will be placed on anti-silting fin technique, use of guideline reel and fine tuning of buoyancy control.

This course will add to the students overall diving skills and knowledge. It is a must in order to safely enjoy the cavern environment.

• Purpose: develop minimum skills needed for safe cavern diving including: planning environment, hazards, techniques and emergency procedures.
• Duration: Approximately two days.(minimum): 1 open water evaluation and four cavern dives (sunlit zone of the cave) no decompression.
• Prerequisites: Open Water Certification, Advanced Open Water preferred.
• Minimum Age: 16
• Equipment: Open water scuba with watch, depth gauge, compass, two lights, line reel (one per team). Submersible dive tables.

Introduction to Cave Diving

An excellent course to learn the techniques necessary to safely penetrate caves using a single tank. The beauty, excitement and challenge that is cave diving will be revealed over 2 1/2 - 3 days of comprehensive training involving three hours of lecture and four cave dives. Fundamental principles of dive planning, techniques, evaluation, stress management and emergency procedures will be covered in lectures and practiced underwater. The student will be expected to demonstrate all skills and knowledge necessary to be a competent and safe cave diver for simple single tank penetrations.

• Purpose: To develop minimum skills needed for safe cave diving with a single backmounted tank.
• Course Duration: Approximately 2 1/2 - 3 days
• Dives [Minimum]: One open water evaluation, four cave dives.
• Prerequisite: Cavern Diver, Apprentice or IANTD Over Head Environment Diver
• Minimum Age: Eighteen
• Equipment: Open water SCUBA with redundant regulator incorporating a seven foot long alternate air source hose, one primary light, two back-up lights, two line reels and submersible decompression dive tables.

Full Cave Diver

This is an in depth course spanning six to seven days with 12 hours of lecture and a minimum of 15 cave dives using double tanks. The student will dive a wide variety of cave systems featuring different passageway configurations, variable flow, silt and visibility. Proper techniques for these more complex diving scenarios will be taught in a progressive and safe way. Topics covered will include: emergency procedures, off shoot passageways, circuits and traverses, restrictions and decompression procedures. The use of oxygen, Nitrox and computers will also be discussed.

There is no open water program available that can prepare divers for the cave environment. The skills learned in this course can be applied to all aspects of sport and technical diving and are a absolute must for the cave environment. In addition, an attitude of continual learning, self evaluation and mature judgment will be instilled in the student.

• Purpose: To develop minimum skills needed for safe cave diving with twin backmounted tanks. Course Duration: Approximately seven days.
• Dives [Minimum]: One open water evaluation, fifteen cave dives. Prerequisite: Advanced diver with fifty logged dives.
• Minimum Age: Eighteen
• Equipment List: Equipment does not replace training, nor does training replace proper equipment; both are required for safe cave diving. Take only what you need but take all you need. Keep it simple. You personal preference with guidance from the instructor will determine your personal equipment configuration.
• The student is expected to supply personal ocean diving equipment (minus BCD) and at least one flashlight.
• Mask Power fins Exposure suit (full coverage with hood and boots recommended)(water temp. 77-79F) No snorkel Depth gauge Timing device Small sharp knife Computer (optional) Submersible Decompression Tables Slate and pencil BCD wings Back plate with harness 2 regulators (one with 7 foot long hose) Safety reel Gap reel Cave diving primary light (25 watt minimum) Two small back up lights.