Cavern Diver Course

Introduction:
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.

Qualifications of Graduates
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in cavern diving activities without direct supervision provided the graduates adhere to the following limits:
1. Daylight zone, i.e. within natural light of the cavern entrance
2. Penetration is limited to 1/3 of a single diving cylinder or 1/6th if using double cylinders
3. 61 linear metres / 200 linear feet from the surface
4. 40 metres / 130 feet maximum depth
5. No decompression diving
6. No restrictions; no areas too small for 2 divers to pass side-by-side
7. Safety stops as appropriate or necessary
8. Maintain a continuous guideline
9. Proper cavern diving equipment is used
10. No removal of life support equipment shall be permitted within the overhead environment
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are qualified to enroll in:
1. TDI Introductory Cave course

Student Prerequisites
1. Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
2. Provide proof of an SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
3. Provide proof of a minimum of 25 dives

Equipment Requirements
1. Standard Open Water Scuba Equipment (Mask, Fins, Exposure Protection, BCD, Regulator "first stage, one second stage regulator, low pressure inflator, and pressure guage)
2. One Primary Light (larger style, bright as you can afford)
3. One secondary light (small easy to clip off or fit in pocket)
4. One cavern or cave reel with a minimum of 250 feet of line.
5. One extra regulator setup including, first stage, one second stage regulator and pressure guage.
6. (optional) 30 cuft pony cylinder or larger

Equipment Provided
1. Standard Aluminum 80 cuft cylinders with H-Valve
2. Assortment of cave and cavern reels

TDI Overhead (Cavern and Cave) Manual

The Overhead (Cavern and Cave) Manual is the text-book literary assistant to the TDI Overhead (Cavern and Cave) certification course. This manual will serve as your reference tool as you proceed through the various levels of TDI cave training. The TDI cave diving programs have been carefully crafted to teach cave diving specific practices and procedures. Dives incorporating decompression stops, rebreathers, or gases other than air require additional training.