Cavern Diver
Introduction
This is an advanced open water diver on cave diving entry level with the required knowledge and skills for using and applying the appropriate equipment and procedures to safely plan and execute dives in a cavern or in the cavern zone (daylight zone) of a cave.
The diving perimeter is restricted to the cavern area in any case.
Requirements at start of course
• minimum 16 years old
• DES Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent
• 50 logged open water dives
• 10 logged open water night dives
• all participants must be able to swim at least 300 yards (270 meters) in 14 minutes
• all participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 50′ (12m) on a breath hold
Minimum course duration
• 3 days
Course Limits
• in open water, confined area: max. 4 students per 1 instructor
• in cavern zone: max. 3 students per 1 instructor
• unobstructed exit / surface light must be always visible
• maximum 1/3 gas rule for penetration
• maximum depth 100 feet / 30 meters
• minimum 40 feet / 12 meters of visibility to enter a cavern zone
• no restrictions, no planned decompression, no photo/video dives, no stage cylinders, no SOLO diving
Equipment Recommendation
• backplate BC System SS or Aluminum Back plate w/ one piece web harness and hardware
• back inflate style wing
• depth gauge or dive computer
• primary and spare mask
• fins: non-split variety
• at least one cutting device
• wetnotes w/ uw pencil
• one primary reel with at least 400′ / 120m of line
• one safety reel with at least 150′ / 45m of line
• two lights
• exposure suit appropriate for the environment with at least one pocket
• regulator(s) and Hogarthian Hose Configuration 5-7ft. (1,5-2m) primary hose
• 22-24” (51-56cm) Necklace Regulator Hose
• 24-25” (56-61cm) SPG hose
Suggested Accessories (optional)
• BC mounted canister dive light w/ Goodman handle
Introductory Cave Diver
Introduction
This is a more experienced cave diver with the knowledge on the correct usage of the required equipment and the skills to safely plan and organize cave dives and to execute them in the company of other certified cave divers of same or higher level.
Requirements at start of course
• minimum 18 years old
• DES Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent
• 75 logged open water dives
• 25 logged dives w/ double tanks
• 10 logged open water night dives
• DES Cavern Diver or equivalent
• all participants must be able to swim at least 300 yards (270 meters) in 14 minutes
• all participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 50′ (12m) on a breath hold
Minimum course duration
• 3,5 days
Course Limits
• in open water, confined area: max. 4 students per 1 instructor
• in cavern and cave zone: max. 3 students per 1 instructor
• 1/6 of double tanks for cave penetration
• maximum depth 100 feet / 30 meters
• minimum 30 feet / 9 meters of visibility to enter a cave
• no jumps/gaps unless in open water, one intersection per team is allowed
• no restrictions, no complex navigation (traverses, circuits), no planned decompression, no scooter or rebreather diving, no exploration, no photo/video dives, no stage cylinders, no SOLO diving
Equipment Specifications
• backplate BC System SS or Aluminum Back plate w/ one piece web harness and hardware
• back inflate style wing
• depth gauge or dive computer
• compass
• primary and spare mask
• fins: non-split variety
• at least one cutting device
• wetnotes w/ uw pencil
• one primary reel with at least 400′ / 120m of line per team
• one safety reel with at least 150′ / 45m of line per diver
• one spool with 100′ / 30m of line per diver
• one primary light: BC mounted canister dive light w/ Goodman handle
• two backup lights
• exposure suit appropriate for the environment with two pockets, hood
• two regulators and Hogarthian Hose Configuration 7ft. (2m) primary hose
• 22-24” (51-56cm) Necklace Regulator Hose
• 24-25” (56-61cm) SPG hose
• at least six line markers, of which at least three should be directional (line arrows) and three non-directional (cookies)
Cave Diver
Introduction
This is very experienced open water and cave diver on the highest competence level with the knowledge and the skills for the correct use of all required materials and equipment in order to plan, prepare and organize cave dives in full cave zone and to safely execute such dives in the company of other certified cave divers of the same level.
Requirements at start of course
• minimum 18 years old
• DES Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent
• 100 logged open water dives
• 50 logged dives w/ double tanks
• 10 logged open water night dives
• DES Introductory Cave Diver or equivalent
• all participants must be able to swim at least 300 yards (270 meters) in 14 minutes
• all participants must be able to swim a distance of at least 50′ (12m) on a breath hold
Minimum course duration
• 4 days
Course Limits
• in open water, confined area: max. 4 students per 1 instructor
• in cavern and cave zone: max. 3 students per 1 instructor
• 1/3 of double tanks for cave penetration
• maximum depth 100 feet / 30 meters
• minimum 20 feet / 6 meters of visibility to enter a cave
• complex navigation (jumps/gaps, traverses, circuits) and restrictions are allowed
• stage cylinders and planned decompression may be used
• no scooter or rebreather diving, no exploration, no photo/video dives, no SOLO diving
Equipment Specifications
• backplate BC System SS or Aluminum Back plate w/ one piece web harness and hardware
• back inflate style wing
• depth gauge or dive computer
• compass
• primary and spare mask
• fins: non-split variety
• at least one cutting device
• wetnotes w/ uw pencil
• one primary reel with at least 400′ / 120m of line per team
• one safety reel with at least 150′ / 45m of line per diver
• two spools with 100′ / 30m of line per diver
• one primary light: BC mounted canister dive light w/ Goodman handle
• two backup lights
• exposure suit appropriate for the environment with two pockets, hood
• two regulators and Hogarthian Hose Configuration 7ft. (2m) primary hose
• 22-24” (51-56cm) Necklace Regulator Hose
• 24-25” (56-61cm) SPG hose
• at least ten line markers, of which at least five should be directional (line arrows) and five non-directional (cookies)
