Cave Training | Dive Shop Services

Overhead environments are my DREAM dive!

Diving in overhead environments is just like any other diving, except.... its dark, silty, usually feels like a three-dimensional maze, and there is solid rock(or metal) between you and fresh air. Besides all that, your dive equipment, team structure, communication, and planning is just the same. Or at least it should be. If you are not already planning every dive like a cave diver, then you probably will be after this course. Most agencies and thus most instructors train divers with just enough skills that have just enough precision so that you can survive another dive at that level. Our philosophy is to not train you until you get it 'right', but to train you until you no longer get it 'wrong'. To accomplish this, each training course is built off agency standards but actually starts with a conversation with each diver on how to connect the dots between the divers current experience and what they realistically need to achieve their dream dive. This path is then broken up into chunks with a specific focus. Imagine applying to a university and asking just to take one course... in reality most people attend a university to get a comprehensive training of a specific subject. They start with the end goal, then develop a plan of study. This plan includes many formal courses(ie. Chemistery 101), work experience outside of class(internships), networking with peers, a list of specific tools, software, supplies that are specific to the subject(equipment), and most importantly mentors(advisors, professors, peers) to keep them on track and inspire them to keep learning and exploring. Then after a few years the individual has the tools, skills, confidence, experience, and peers to accomplish their goals. This model works perfect for dive education as well. Stop buying individual classes directly from individual professors and step back to make a plan of study to achieve your dream dive!

Anatomy of a "cave class"

Disclaimer: Diving is a social activity... at least it is for most. So our training experiences typically involve more than just a briefing, dive, debriefing, log books, exam, cert cards.... If that is what you are looking for, then now is a good time to search for a different instructor group.

Pre-learning - Understanding certain fundamentals and learning new concepts is sometimes more easily accomplished in the comfort of your own environment and at the conveince of your own schedule. Typically about 4 weeks before your training sessions, we will send out the required agency materials, recommended materials, site/location specific information, supplemental training courses(IE Human Factors), and then start a continuous flow of short articles and dialogs to get you engaged in the subject. All of this is to be completed before meeting up. It will all be incorporated, reviewed, and expanded upon during in-person discussions.

Pre-requisite training, experience, and comfort - Each couse level has a benchmark entrance level of prior formal training, expected skill level performance, and general comfort with specific environments, team dynamics and task loading expected during the dives.

Equipment - Appropriate types, qualities, and configurations of equipment is an extension of your body that is our life support underwater. Higher quality and specific types/configurations are required in more extreme environments. Each level has specific minimum equipment lists. While most of this should be personally owned by the student, some equipment can be rented during the training or new brands/types/configurations may be tested during the course. Be sure to service all equipment in advance of all dives... especially training dives. As much as possible, equipment should be set up and ready to dive before the course.

Typical Daily Agenda - Flexibility is key, below is a typical schedule, however each class, each day, each moment is evaluated to maximize to constantly add value to the learning experience.

0700 - Breakfast and daily breifing
0800 - Final equipment prep and transport to site
0900 - 1700 In-water/land based/classroom training with lunch
1700 - Dive center for gas fills or equipment modification
1800 - Daily debrief and review of training/dives/tasks for next day
1900 - Dinner with inspiring discussions on peers dream dives and past experiences

Did I pass? - We will document each days diving, skills completed, and evaluate how the training is going on a daily basis. The training course ends when you 'pass yourself'... seriously. Once you pay tuition for a certain level, you are welcome to come back at any time and dive with us at that level. This can be as a student in the course again, just tag along for an open water refresher, or even assist with teching the course. All for FREE. No charge for refresher courses. So this takes away the incentive to rush through training. Our goal is to make sure that you are ready to actively dive at this level. Once you have met all the training agency standard minimums and you are comfortable with all the skills, dive planning, and other parts of the course, then you are finished. If you want to work more... on anything, then just come back to the next training session.

Followup - After the course, we are always available to discuss course content, refresh your skills, and will try to keep you engaged and active with articles, sharing dive plans and dive reports, and be available for any continued education courses and mentoring that you need.

Community - Years of feedback has suggested that the hardest part of keeping up your skills and comfort with higher levels of diving is the lack of actually using the skills, commonly due to the lack of dive buddies to share the experience. Not just any dive buddies, but ones who share the same passion and demand the same high levels of performance with the a similar dive philosophy. Creating a community of divers is what sets some agencies(IE GUE), geographic regions, and demographics apart. You are ultimately responsible for choosing and cultivating the group of people that you enjoy or have access to dive with. We are happy to assist with this process in anyway possible.

Training Sessions

Each trip is an opportunity to progress towards you ultimate dream dive. Formal training to learn new skills and then time to practice and refine these skills allow students to have the right balance of being challenged with new topics, executing plans to a higher level of precision, and having a more comprehensive team awareness if the training series of courses is broken into the appropriate chunks. For some these are weekend classes, others a 4 to 6 day class is best. However 10+ day "Zero to Hero" are rarely the best for anyone. Please review the classic delineations below, but keep in mind that you are paying for training, not a certification course. So depending on your goals and previous experience, your specific plan of study may require more prep work so you can focus on the course specific skills.

Cavern

Primary light is the sun, if you can't see natural light, you are in the cave, not the cavern.

Intro Cave

Stay on the main line and don't penetrate more than 1/6 of your gas supply.

Full Cave

With experience, planning, and the correct eqiupment this card will get you in anywhere.

Cave Instructor

Share your passion for wet rocks. Gain the insight and confidence to teach.

What equipment do I need?

Everyone entering an overhead environment should have at least two indepdent life support systems. Below is a list of the components to make those systems as well as the standard accessories needed enter these environments. Click on the specific category for more details and recommendations(coming soon). Note: Cavern divers may use a slightly different gear configuration, however we prefer to teach all levels using the same configuration as a full cave diver. Contact instructor to confirm any questions.

These courses can all be taken in closed circuit rebreathers with at least two bailout cylinders. Current units include: XCCR, SubGravity Defender, KISS Sidewinder and KISS Sidekick. If you are diving a different unit, please contact us for most up to date unit list.

Cylinders

Two independent or isolated cylinders in either sidemount or backmount with appropriate volume for planned dive time, depth and consumption rate

Regulators

Two independent first and second stages; one set equipped with a long hose(2m/7ft) and clip, one with a necklace.

Buoyancy Compensator

BC jacket with adequate lift that is streamlined and appropriate power inflator. Dual bladder required if appropriate.

Submersible Pressure Gauges(SPGs)

Single SPG on left in backmounted configuration. Indpendent SPGs if sidemounted. Approved wireless setup to dive computer acceptable.

Mask

Properly fitting mask with minimal entanglement points and a backup stowed in a pocket.

Line Cutter

At least two small and accessible cutting devices that are properly stowed.

Fins

Strong blades with minimal entanglement points with proper buoyancy matched with exposure protection for a balanced setup.

Exposure Protection

Drysuit or wetsuit depending on temperature and duration of planned dive. Be familiar with use before training. Ensure proper fit and function.

Slates

Wet notes stowed in pocket or hands free storage method such as wrist slates for dive planning, notes, and communication.

Lights

Primary light with spot beam and backup lights with proper storage that all have battery life for 1.5 times the dive

Line Markers

Directional Arrows, non-directional cookies appropriate for dive plan usually 3 or more. All with personalized visual and tactile markings.

Lines

Primary reel 150ft to 800ft, safety spool/reel with 100+ft with backup spool, various jump, gap, and others appropriate for dive plan.

Backups

Save-a-dive kits are essential in remote areas. Backups of everything for you and all team mates is not overkill. Spare parts for everything.

Computer

Dive computer, backup dive computer AND/OR bottom timer and tables that can handle the planned gasses.

Packing List in PDF (coming soon)

Cavern Diver

Overview

This fundamental course illustrates the proper appreciation for diving in Cavern and Cave environments. You will learn primary line skills, communication, conservation, dive planning, and emergency procedures.

Required Materials

Training agency specific manual

Gareth Lock - Human Factors Mini Course

Blueprint for Survival

Various articles assigned by instructor

Limits

Natural light zone of cavern

100ft max depth

No solo diving

No physical restrictions for team

Pre-requisites

18 year old

Open Water Diver certification

25 dives

Intro to Tech / Sidemount / other fundamentals course

Co-requisites

None.

Costs

Tution: $500

Extra for: Gas fills, rental equipment, transportation, lodging, site entrance fees