National Association for Cave Diving

Cavern Diver Course and Requirements

The purpose of the NACD cavern course is to teach the safe exploration of the cavern environment within specified limits. This course is designed to be an extension of your recreational diving training and intended for the use of single tanks (Instructor discretion for use of double cylinders). The course develops and establishes minimum skills, knowledge, dive planning abilities, problem solving procedures and the basic abilities to safely dive in the cavern zone of the cave.

COURSE DURATION:

1.      This course may be taught over a period of two days (Instruction discretion as additional days maybe required to meet the minimum skills).

2.      Minimum of 4 Cavern Dives

PRE-REQUISITES:

  1. Open water certification.
  2. Minimum of 25 logged dives
  3. Minimum age 18, 16 with signed parental consent

LECTURES:

  1. Definition and purpose of safe cavern diving
  2. Review of medical aspects of diving
  3. Review of dive tables & dive computers
  4. The cavern environment
  5. Buoyancy control and body/attitude positioning
  6. Cavern diving techniques
  7. Communications
  8. Accident Analysis
  9. Psychological aspects of cavern diving (stress, attitude, awareness, reaction to stress in self/others, building tolerance, etc.)
  10. Equipment and equipment configurations
  11. Lines and line technique
  12. Diver planning and air management
  13. History and philosophy of NACD
  14. Emergency prevention and procedures

LAND DRILLS:

  1. Proper use of guidelines and reels
  2. Techniques in following guide lines
  3. Touch contact procedures

CAVERN SKILLS/EXERCISES – to be performed in the overhead (cavern) environment:

  1. Use of guide reel and line
  2. Touch contact drill while following guideline
  3. Share air while exiting cavern zone

LIMITATIONS OF CAVERN COURSE:

  1. Natural sunlight
  2. Maximum 200 feet penetration distance
  3. No decompression diving
  4. No cave restrictions
  5. Maximum depth - 100 feet
  6. Minimum visibility - 30 feet
  7. Minimum starting pressure - 2000 psi or 58 cubic feet
  8. 1/3 air rule on singles, 1/6 on doubles

MINIMUM EQUIPMENT:

  1. Mask, low volume type recommended
  2. Power fins-straps taped together, if applicable
  3. 72 cubic foot or greater single cylinder. Recommended: single cylinder with dual valve orifice
  4. Single hose regulator with an octopus as the alternate air source and submersible pressure gauge
  5. Exposure suit, suitable for diving location
  6. Buoyancy compensator with auto inflator
  7. Submersible dive tables or computer must be used
  8. Knife, preferable small and sharp, or line cutter acceptable to instructor
  9. Slate and pencil
  10. Watch or bottom timer and depth gauge. A dive computer may be used in place of these
  11. Weight belt or other instructor approved weights
  12. Battery powered dive lights, at least two per diver. These lights should a suitable burn time for the dive being planned
  13. Minimum of two safety reels per diver

COURSE COSTS:

  1. Deposit of $150.00 is required to secure dates
  2. Class fees $150.00 per day.  MOST classes are completed in 2 days.  Additional days MAYBE required at the discretion of the instructor. 
  3. $25.00 NACD certification card fee
  4. Private classes are available

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN COUSE FEES:

  1. Required Manuals
    1. NACD Cavern / Cave Diver Workbook
    2. NACD Hand Signals for Scuba Diving
  2. Entrance Fees to Dive Sites
  3. Transportation and any travel fees associated with training (meals, lodging, etc…)
  4. Air Fills
  5. Equipment listed in the ‘Minimum Equipment’ section
  6. Equipment Rental (if necessary)
 

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