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courses and pricing

Cave Diving

Cave diving is truly a pinnacle of Technical Diving. There is no other diving activity that requires as much discipline, training and determination to succeed.

We are proud to offer training and certification through the oldest cave training agency - National Association for Cave Diving.

Our Training Philosophy

Strong emphasis on proper technique and avoiding planting seeds of failure, "training for failure". Emergency procedures will be taught but they will not be the main focus. After learning emergency procedures main focus will be on diving technique, learning anticipating and avoiding the problems that may be encountered in a cavern or a cave. We will be concentrating on developing muscle memory in following correct procedures. Practice will be in the water as well as on dry land.

Course structure

North Florida is rich in springs and provide excellent location for training due to the diversity and accessibility of caves. We conduct training right in the heart of the Cave Country - High Springs, FL. We offer training packages that include lodging, cylinder rental, nitrox fills. Please take a look at our Florida Cave Diving page.

For Utah residents, a more convenient and less expensive option is to complete all Academics and confined or open water training in Utah and then finish the check out dives in Florida.

Courses may be taken individually or combined together.

TDI certification card can be issued at an additional cost after successful completion of the course if student requests so prior to the beginning of the training, with the exception of Apprentice Cave Diver level that is not available through TDI.

We have regularly scheduled cavern and cave diving courses in July, November and January and additional dates may be added per your request. Each course is limited to three students or less. Contact us for scheduling information.

Courses

Cavern / Overhead Environment

Cavern

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 it outlines specific hazards associated with cave diving.

The objective of this course is to train divers in the proper planning, procedures, techniques and hazards of cavern diving. The Cavern Diver Course is not intended to provide instruction for cave diving environments.

This course can be taken using open water gear after certain modifications and addition of required items as described in the Exceptions section of the Cave Diving Equipment Checklist.

Topics covered:

  • Equipment configuration and preparation
  • Body posture and trim
  • Propulsion techniques
  • Cavern conservation
  • Proper guideline procedures

Certification limits:

  • Daylight Zone
  • Maximum 200 feet penetration distance
  • No decompression
  • No restrictions
  • Maximum depth - 100 feet
  • 1/3 gas rule when diving single cylinder, 1/6 when diving doubles

$350, prerequisites: OW, Nitrox (recommended), minimum age 16 w/ parental consent.

Course structure and duration: 4 hours of academics, 1 open water or confined water dive, 4 cavern dives; course must be conducted over a minimum of 2 days.

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Introduction To Cave Diving

Intro To Cave

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of cave diving utilizing a single primary guideline. Introduction to Cave Diving is the second level in the development of safe techniques for cave diving, directly building upon the Cavern Diver course.

The Intro to Cave is not intended to train divers for all facets of cave diving. The objective of this course is the perfection of skills taught in the cavern diving program, in addition to the adoption of additional techniques and procedures required for elementary cave dives.

Topics covered:

  • Cave Diving policies
  • Gas Matching
  • Equipment considerations
  • Problem Solving and Emergency Procedures
  • Communication

Certification limits:

  • Penetration on main line only - no complex navigation (jumps or gaps)
  • No decompression
  • Minor restrictions
  • Maximum depth - 100 feet
  • 1/3 gas rule when diving single cylinder, 1/6 when diving doubles

$350, prerequisites: Cavern Diver, Nitrox (recommended), 25 non-training logged dives, minimum age 16 w/ parental consent.

Course structure and duration: 8 hours of academics, 4 cave dives, course must be conducted over a minimum of 2 days. If combined with Cavern course, both courses take 3 days total.

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Apprentice Cave Diver

Apprentice Cave

The purpose of this course is to accommodate students unable to take part in a four day Cave Diver course. It allows the training to be split into two two-day courses and for additional practice time before student chooses to continue onto the Cave Diver course.

The Apprentice Cave Diver is considered a training level only and upon successful completion of all requirements shall result in the issuance of a time-limited certification card. Such temporary card shall expire of its own force and effect one year from the date of issuance. Upon expiration, the diver will be required to repeat the Apprentice Cave Diver program in full to subsequently dive at that level.

Topics covered:

  • Equipment configuration and preparation
  • Body posture and trim
  • Propulsion techniques
  • Cave conservation
  • Proper guideline procedures
  • Lost line drills
  • Emergency buddy procedures
  • Safety drills
  • Communication

Certification limits:

  • No stage diving (decompression and safety cylinders are permitted)
  • Limited decompression only
  • No DPV use
  • No traverses or circuits - simple jumps and gaps only
  • No major restrictions
  • Maximum depth - 130 feet
  • 1/3 gas rule

$450, prerequisites: Intro To Cave, Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures are strongly recommended, minimum age 18.

Course structure and duration: all of the academics and confined / open water dives as required for a four day Cave Course, 4 dives over 2 days.

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Cave Diver

Open Water Divers Prohibited

Advanced cave dive planning, the practical execution of different types of cave systems and scenarios divers encounter are presented. This cave diving course is not intended to prepare divers for evaluating all facets of cave diving. The objective of this course is to expand and critique previous skills accomplished in the Cavern and Introductory Cave Diving programs. Emphasis is placed upon dive planning and skill perfection through actual cave penetration.

Topics covered:

  • Equipment configuration and preparation
  • Body posture and trim
  • Propulsion techniques
  • Cave conservation
  • Proper guideline procedures
  • Lost line drills
  • Emergency buddy procedures
  • Safety drills
  • Communication

Certification limits:

  • No major restrictions
  • Maximum depth - 130 feet
  • 1/3 gas rule

$450, prerequisites: Intro To Cave, Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures are strongly recommended, minimum age 18.

Course structure and duration: 6 hours of classroom, 1 confined or open water session, minimum 8 cave dives over a minimum of 4 days.

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Course fees listed above don't include training materials, equipment, rentals, gas fills, site access/boat fees or travel costs. Processing of the certification and printing the certification card by successful completion of the course - $35 per card.

Please contact us if you are interested in specialty cave diving courses such as Stage, Sidemount, DPV, etc.

You are welcome to print and review the Cave Diving Equipment Checklist.

Announcement

Next scheduled course

This course is offered as a combined course but certified Cavern divers may sign up for the Introduction to Cave Diving portion only