Full Cave Diver Course Outline
Location: Playa del Carmen & Tulum, Mexico
Duration: 8 Days (minimum)
Prerequisites:
Rescue Diver certification (or equivalent)
Minimum of 100 logged dives
Cavern Diver certification (if applicable, can be included in this course progression)
Good buoyancy control and propulsion skills in a Sidemount setting (Ideally Razor Sidemount)
Good technical diving knowledge, i.e., Advanced Nitrox certified
Medical clearance for diving
Course Goals: By the end of the 8-day course, students will:
Transition from Cavern Diver to Intro-to-Cave Diver to Full Cave Diver certification.
Learn advanced cave diving techniques, protocols, team formation, and emergency management.
Gain confidence in navigating and planning dives in complex cave systems, especially in Mexico cave systems.
Understand environmental awareness and conservation practices for fragile cave systems.
Example Schedule from Cavern Diving training to Intro-to-Cave to Full Cave certification
Day 1: Cavern Diving Fundamentals
Morning:
Orientation & Course Overview
Equipment configuration and setup for cave diving (sidemount setting, long hose, redundancy, etc.)
Review of cavern diving limits and rules (natural light zone, no decompression, etc.)
Afternoon:
Training dives in a cavern environment:
Focus on proper buoyancy, trim, and propulsion techniques.
Line handling and reel deployment.
Emergency procedures: out-of-air drills, air-sharing, regulator free-flow scenario and valve shut-down procedures
Day 2: Cavern Diver Skills Refinement
Morning:
Briefing on cave environment conservation (fragile formations, silting risks).
Navigation techniques and line-following drills.
Afternoon:
Cavern dives:
Practice navigation techniques, team formation and communications, proper use of light signals in a cave environment
Simulated emergencies (zero-visibility line-following techniques, touch-contact exit, air depletion scenarios).
Debrief and skill critique.
Day 3: Intro-to-Cave Diving Begins
Morning:
Introduction to cave diving rules and guidelines (e.g., Rule of Thirds, proper gas planning).
Advanced line-handling techniques (gap reels, spools).
Afternoon:
Two cave dives:
First penetration beyond the natural light zone (limited depth and complexity).
Emphasis on team communication and situational awareness.
Surface debrief and Q&A session.
Day 4: Emergency Procedures & Navigation
Morning:
Advanced emergency management drills:
Lost line recovery.
Air-sharing in a single file.
Simulating zero visibility conditions.
Afternoon:
Two cave dives:
Navigation with jumps and gaps.
Practice black-out mask drills.
Day 5: Full Cave Diving Concepts
Morning:
Gas management for complex navigational dives (cylinder switching, advanced gas planning).
Complex navigation (T-junctions, jumps)
Lecture: Psychological considerations for cave diving.
Afternoon:
Two progressive dives into more complex sections of the cave:
Introduction to circuit and traverse dives.
Emphasis on maintaining team formation and precise navigation.
Post-dive discussion on performance and lessons learned.
Day 6: Advanced Techniques & Problem Solving
Morning:
Simulated emergencies:
Entanglement and line cutting.
Handling equipment failures (e.g., valve or regulator issues).
Dive planning session for complex dives.
Afternoon:
Two challenging cave dives:
Incorporating jumps, T's, and navigational complexity.
Realistic emergency scenario management.
Debrief with focus on teamwork and decision-making.
Day 7: Certification-Level Dives
Morning:
Review of cave maps and dive planning for certification dives.
Emphasis on teamwork, leadership, and dive objectives.
Afternoon:
Two certification-level dives:
Long penetrations with multiple navigation challenges.
Students demonstrate the ability to conduct dive planning with all essential parameters in place.
Students demonstrate mastery of all skills, protocols, and problem-solving abilities.
Students being able to execute the planned dive comfortably with all important considerations in mind including conservatism, safety and situational awareness.
Surface interval with instructor feedback.
Day 8: Final Evaluation & Graduation
Morning:
Final two dives:
Simulated "real-world" cave dives designed to test all skills under realistic conditions.
Focus on maintaining composure and adherence to protocols.
Afternoon:
Post-dive evaluation and detailed debrief.
Written and oral exam covering theory, procedures, and dive planning.
Presentation of Full Cave Diver certification.
Discussion of future cave diving opportunities and ongoing skills development.
Equipment Requirements:
Full technical diving setup (sidemount, long hose configuration, redundant regulators, etc.)
Primary and backup dive lights (minimum of three lights total)
Line reels, spools, directional markers
Exposure protection suitable for Mexican cenote water temperatures (24-26°C/75-78°F) - wetsuit, semi-dry suit or dry suit
Dive computer, helmet with light mount, etc.
Key Points of Evaluation for Student Certification:
Buoyancy Control and Trim:
Maintain proper buoyancy to avoid silting or damaging the cave environment.
Demonstrate a horizontal trim throughout all dives.
Propulsion Techniques:
Efficiently use frog kick, modified flutter kick, and back kick without disturbing the environment.
Line Handling Skills:
Properly deploy and retrieve reels/spools.
Accurately follow guidelines and manage jumps, gaps, and T intersections.
Team Communication:
Effective use of hand signals and light signals.
Maintain awareness of team positioning and proximity.
Emergency Management:
Competently handle air-sharing drills, lost line scenarios, and equipment failures.
Manage zero visibility and simulated entanglement situations.
Gas Management:
Plan dives adhering to the Rule of Thirds or other appropriate gas planning rules.
Monitor gas consumption regularly and communicate gas status to teammates.
Situational Awareness:
Demonstrate awareness of surroundings, including line placement, team positioning, and environmental conditions.
Anticipate potential hazards and respond proactively.
Navigation and Problem Solving:
Successfully navigate complex routes, including circuits and traverses.
Resolve navigational challenges calmly and efficiently.
Environmental Awareness:
Avoid contact with fragile cave formations and practice proper conservation techniques.
Minimize disturbance to silt and aquatic life.
Overall Composure:
Maintain calm and control under stress.
Exhibit confidence and competence in all aspects of cave diving.
Related Courses: Advanced Nitrox, Razor Sidemount