Cave diving training is split into three basic levels, followed by various specialties to further your training with particular techniques.
The courses can be done with a backmount configuration (double tanks) or with a Sidemount configuration. With no prior Sidemount training, a two day “basic Sidemount” course is added to the total duration of the training.
— Cavern:
.Pre-requisites: 18 years old; AOW or equivalent; minimum of 10 dives beyond training.
.Duration: 3 – 4 days
.Content: Simple advanced techniques for overhead environments, use of the guide line, and specific procedures.
— Intro to Cave:
.Pre-requisites: 18 years old; Cavern Diver or equivalent; 25 dives beyond training.
.Duration: 3 – 4 days
.Content: Planning and further development in confined environments, mastering of specific safety techniques and use of the guide line.
— Cave:
.Pre-requisites: 18 years old; Intro to Cave Diver or equivalent; 50 dives beyond training (100 dives if by equivalency).
.Duration: 4 – 5 days
.Content: Perfecting specific techniques; complex underground navigation; limited decompression; dealing with minor restrictions…
Combined Courses:
— Cavern + Intro to Cave
. Duration: 5 – 6 days
— Cavern + Intro to Cave + Cave (“Full Cave course”)
. Duration: 8/10 days
— Basic Sidemount + other courses/combination of courses
. Duration: 2/3 days + …
Specialties:
— Sidemount Cave:
.Pre-requisites: Cave Diver or equivalent
.Duration: 4 days
.Content: Sidemount configuration management, SM-specific procedures and safety techniques, adaptation and techniques for cave diving.
— Advanced Sidemount Cave – No mount:
.Pre-requisites: Sidemount Cave Diver or equivalent; 50 cave dives with Sidemount configuration
.Duration: 4 days
.Content: Planning and management of narrow underground passages, procedures and problem solving in tight spaces.
— Technical Cave:
.Pre-requisites: If Adv. Nitrox or Trimix diver: Intro to Cave or equivalent + 50 accelerated decompression dives; if Cave Diver: Nitrox or equivalent; or a minimum of 100 technical dives if by equivalency.
.Duration: 3 – 5 days
.Content: Planning and execution of dives requiring accelerated decompression in an underground environment, specific procedures and corresponding techniques.
— Stage Multi-stage:
.Pre-requisites: : Cave diver or equivalent; 25 cave dives.
.Duration: 4 days
.Content: Planning and management of multiple tanks useful in penetration of underground environments; procedures and techniques necessary for the mastery of gas management.
Others:
Being part of a large community of divers and instructors specialized in cave diving, allows me to help you find the training best suited to your needs! If you are a CCR diver and wish to take CCR Cave training, do not hesitate to contact me!
IMPORTANT: Training does not guarantee certification! A course is a transmission of techniques, procedures, and attitude. I guarantee you the highest level of training and thorough preparation, where hours are not counted, in order to achieve the mastery required for the corresponding course. The certification, therefore, hinges only on you!