Why cave diving training
First, I expect you to convince me that a cave diving course is what you want. The commitment necessary to exit a cave following an emergency, by far overmatches the motivation to enter one! The biggest risk in technical and cave diving is the psychological factor, not the environment. As a result, most of the training its’ about emergencies management!
The top reasons to approach cave diving are the inner challenge and the need to explore new places. I am very interested in the motivations of my students, because it helps me to give them what they need.
Definition of cave diving
Adopt special equipment and procedures, to safely navigate and manage emergencies in an overhead environment! Similarly to cave diving, other overhead specialties include wreck diving , mine diving and ice diving. They are all based on very similar standard procedures, such as following a guideline and dealing with zero or limited visibility.
A common structure of all cave courses
Any cavern or cave course is based on these thee steps:
- Technical equipment configuration: As you learned in your previous courses, familiarize with the equipment is always the first step! I recommend the use of sidemount configuration. We can integrate the sidemount course with the overhead one, so you can get both certifications!
- Emergencies management: You have to learn how not to die or cause your team’s death. Otherwise, there is no way you can start navigate or hope to come back safely!
- Navigation drills: Depending on which overhead course you take, the navigation can be less or more complex. You must learn how to lay and follow a guideline. Once certified, it will represent most of your task load!
IANTD Overhead courses
I teach IANTD courses because I firmly agree with the philosophy of my agency. A good attitude is the most important aspect of any diver. this applies to both students and instructors! Be motivated and disciplined, in order to perform effectively and efficiently. Only if you are realistic and fair to your teammates, you can take critical decisions. Your actions must be beneficial for the whole team!
Cave diving is divided in these three courses:
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CAVERN DIVER
Learn how to lay your own line to explore a cavern. Dive within the limits of daylight and no-decompression time. This training is perfect for divers with intermediate experience, who might not be ready for the complete cave course. It usually takes four to five days to complete it, depending on the familiarity with the technical equipment.
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INTRODUCTORY TO CAVE DIVER
Adopt advanced emergency procedures, especially for gas sharing. Follow one single line in a cave, beyond the natural light. Dive within your no-decompression limit. This course requires four to five days for certified cavern divers. Expert divers can complete both Cavern and intro To Cave in six to seven days.
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CAVE DIVER & TECHNICAL CAVE DIVER
Practice emergency procedures for complex navigation! Follow different lines in a cave, using your jump reels. Dive within the decompression limits of your previous certification. If you are already a technical diver, you can learn how to perform decompression in a cave! You can complete this course in three to four days, if you are already intro to cave certified. Expert divers can jump right into it and be done with all the three modules in eight to nine days. It’s a very tough course, so take it seriously!
As you can see, you can combine the courses into one or more modules. It all depends on your experience, performance and preferences. Most students decide to integrate also the Open Water Sidemount course into their overhead training, therefore obtaining both certifications!
IANTD courses are performance-based, so there is no guarantee of getting certified. If necessary, we can schedule extra training days. We can continue until the course requirements are met or you realize that you should stop. It can happen that students need some time, to reconsider their priorities. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and a in good physical condition. there might be no more than three students per class. Pauses and days off are welcome if scheduled.
Tell me why you want to become a cave diver and I’ll show you how. Sounds fair enough?
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