This course is the third (3rd) stage of training in the series of TDI’s cave diver development programs.
Advanced cave dive planning, the practical execution of different types of cave systems and scenarios divers encounter are presented. This cave diving course is not intended to prepare divers for evaluating all facets of cave diving. The objective of this course is to expand and critique previous skills accomplished in the Cavern and
Introductory Cave diving programs. Emphasis is placed upon dive planning and skill perfection through actual cave penetration.

Course Structure and Duration

Open Water Execution:

1. Eight (8) cave dives are required with a minimum accumulated bottom time of two hundred forty (240) at three different sites.
2. At least one (1) of these sites should be a location not utilized in training during the Cavern or Introductory Cave Courses
3. For divers entering the cave program without Cavern / Introductory Cave Diving certification, sixteen (16) cave dives with four hundred twenty (420) minutes of total bottom, (not including decompression time are required).

Course Structure:

1. The number of classroom and briefing hours is six (6).
2. Course must be taught in no less than four (4) days.
3. If combined with Cavern and Intro to Cave diving, course must be 7 days long.

During The Course You will learn the following:

1. How to properly deploy a guideline.
2. How to properly follow a guideline.
3. Use of safety reel in lost diver procedures.
4. Use of safety reel in lost line drill.

The student must perform the following S-drill and skills during all dives:

1. Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning.
2. Equipment check and gear matching.
3. Bubble check.
4. Demonstrate specialized propulsion techniques in varying types of flow.
5. Demonstrate proper buoyancy control.
6. Demonstrate proper body posture.
7. Demonstrate proper stress analysis (detection and management).

The student must perform the following in-water skills during cave dives:

1. Properly deploy a guideline.
2. Properly use directional and non directional line markers.
3. Properly follow a guideline with eyes open and closed (simulating loss of visibility).
4. Air share with a buddy with eyes open , following the guideline.
5. Air share with a buddy with lights off and eyes closed and use touch contact, following the guideline.
6. Remove and replace mask while in contact with guideline.
7. Demonstrate light / hand -signals and touch contact.
8. Conservation and awareness techniques.
9. Referencing as back-up navigation.
10. Demonstrate adequate anti-silting techniques.
11. Simulate a primary light failure, and use back light to exit the cave.
12. Demonstrate lost line and lost diver drills.
13. Demonstrate to use of reels to perform jumps and gaps required in circuits and traverses to maintain a continuous guideline to open water.

Required equipment:

The following equipment is required for each student:
1. Dual cylinders, volume appropriate for planned dive, student gas consumption.
2. Two independent first and second stage regulators. One regulator equipped with a long hose at a recommended minimum length of two (2) meters / seven (7) feet.
3. Submersible pressure gauge.
4. Buoyancy Compensator with power inflator.
5. Exposure suit adequate for diving environment.
6. Mask and fins - NO snorkel.
7. Two (2) line cutting devices.
7. Three (3) battery powered lights – one (1) primary and two (2) back-ups, each with a with burn time suitable for the planned dive time.
8. Safety reel with a minimum of thirty seven (37) meters / one hundred twenty five (125) feet of guideline.
9. One (1) primary cave-diving reel with length appropriate for intended dive.
10. Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge.
11. Slate or wet notes with a pencil
12. Submersible dive tables or back up dive computer.
13. Three (3) directional line arrows.
14. One (1) non- directional line marker.
15. Gap reel with fifteen (15) meter / fifty (50) feet of guideline.

Student Prerequisites:

• Be a minimum age of eighteen (18)
• Have a minimum certification of Introductory Cave Diver or equivalent with a minimum of fifty (50) dives
• This course is run over four days