CAVE TRAINING

DIVING'S UNDERGROUND

Caves are often described as the last frontier of human exploration on our planet. They provide an exciting playground for curious divers who seek to explore this hidden and fragile environment - an ever-changing world of hidden natural wonders, maze-like tunnels full of geological formations.

Naturally, there are certain risks associated with diving in an overhead environment. Special training is required to learn the necessary skills and procedures to manage those risks and make cave diving an exciting and joyful experience.

CAVERN/INTRO TO CAVE

This course builds on a solid foundation and begins to incorporate skillsets required to conduct limited penetration dives in the cave environment. Taught over a minimum of 5 days, divers will learn how to properly plan and execute simple cave dives utilizing 1/6th of their starting gas supply.

Prerequisites include:

GUE Fundamentals (or equivalent skill set)

Comfort and experience in back mount doubles or side mount

FULL CAVE

Building on the knowledge and skills developed in cavern/intro to cave training the full cave diver course introduces more advanced cave diving knowledge and skills. Over a minimum of 5 days, divers will learn to plan and execute cave dives utilizing a maximum of 1/3rd of their starting gas supply while making navigational decisions such as jumps, Ts, circuit and traverses.

Prerequisites include:

GUE Fundamentals training (or equivalent skill set)

Intro to Cave Diver Certification

25 non-training intro to cave dives

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STAGE CAVE

The Stage Cave Diver Course is designed to teach trained cave divers how to extend bottom times and/or penetration distance through the use of stage cylinders. Over a minimum of 3 days, divers will learn to plan dives that may incorporate longer bottom times, complex dive planning, and multiple methods of gas management. With respect to depth, gas mixes, and required decompression, course dives will not exceed the student’s current level of certification and experience level.

Prerequisites include:

GUE Fundamentals training (or equivalent skill set)

Decompression diver certification

Full Cave Diver Certification

25 non-training full cave dives

DPV

This course is designed to teach experienced stage cave divers how to utilize Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) in the cave environment. Over a minimum of 4 days, divers will learn about safe DPV use, DPV components, and care and maintenance. Students will learn to plan dives that may incorporate extended penetration, longer bottom times, complex dive planning, and proper methods of gas management.

Prerequisites include:

GUE Fundamentals training (or equivalent skill set)

Full Cave/Stage Cave Diver Certification

100 cave dives, 25 utilizing stage cylinders

CCR CAVE

For the experienced caver diver looking to extend their range beyond realistic open circuit limits, the CCR Cave course will develop skills and knowledge to plan and execute long range cave dives utilizing closed circuit rebreathers. I offer CCR Cave training on all current makes and models of rebreathers. Course duration varies depending on student's current level of experience.

Prerequisites include:

GUE Fundamentals training (or equivalent skill set)

50 hours on CCR

50 cave dives