This course is designed to develop the minimum skills and knowledge
for cavern and overhead
environment diving within the limits of light penetration; in addition
outlines specific hazards associated with cave diving. The Cavern
Diver Course in not intended to provide instruction for cave diving
environments. The objective of this course is to train divers in the
proper planning, procedures, techniques and hazards of cavern diving.
Course Structure and Duration
Water Execution:
Four (4) Cavern dives with a total bottom time of eighty (80) minutes conducted at two (2) different sites.
1. The minimum number of classroom and briefing hours is six (6).
2. Course must be conducted over a minimum of 2 days.
During The Course You will learn the following:
1. How to properly deploy a guideline.
2. How to properly follow a guideline.
3. How to touch contact communicate
4. How to correctly deploy directional markers
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.
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 cavern dives:
1. Properly deploy a guideline.
2. Properly follow a guideline with eyes open and closed (simulating loss of visibility).
3. Air share with a buddy with eyes open, following the guideline.
4. Air share with a buddy with eyes closed and use touch contact, following the guideline.
5. Remove and replace mask while in contact with guideline.
6. Demonstrate light / hand -signals and touch contact.
7. Explore cavern.
8. Referencing as back-up navigation.
9. Anti-silting techniques.
10. Simulate a primary light failure, and deploy back up light and follow guideline
11. If diver uses a duel valve system, air/gas valve management
Required equipment – Info
Primary cylinder - volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption. Students are permitted to use double cylinders, but would be limited to the 1/6 air rule.
2. Regulator with pressure gauge and alternate air source. Although not required, it is suggested one regulator be mounted on a hose approximately two (2) meters / seven (7) feet of length.
3. Buoyancy Compensator with power inflator.
4. Exposure suit adequate for cavern environment.
5. Mask and fins - NO snorkel.
6. Line cutting device.
7. Safety reel with a minimum of thirty (37) meters / one hundred twenty five (125) feet of guideline.
8. One (1) primary cavern-diving reel with length appropriate for intended dive.
9. Two (2) battery powered lights, each with burn time suitable for the planned dive time.
10. Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge.
11. Slate or wet notes and pencil.
12. Submersible dive tables or backup dive computer (recommended)
13. three (3) directional line arrows
14. Weight system
Student Prerequisites:
- Be at least age eighteen (18) or fifteen (15) with parental consent
- Show proof of a minimum certification as a certified diver with a minimum of twenty five (25) dives
- This course is run over three days if taught stand alone (could be combined with the Intro Cave Diver course)
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