National Association for Cave Diving

Introduction to Cave Diver Course and Requirements

The purpose of the NACD Introduction to Cave Diving course is to develop basic cave diving skills with limited penetrations in the cave environment. This is the second level of the progression to the full cave diver certification. It is a recreational cave diving course. The course develops and establishes minimum skills, knowledge, dive planning abilities, problem solving procedures and the basic abilities necessary to safely cave dive to limited penetrations, using single tanks (Instructor discretion for use of double cylinders).

 

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 Cave Dives

PRE-REQUISITES:

  1. NACD Cavern Diver or Equivalent
  2. Minimum of 25 logged dives
  3. Minimum age 18, 16 with signed parental consent

LECTURE TOPICS:

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

LAND DRILLS:

  1. Lost Line Drills
  2. Lost Diver Drills
  3. Proper use of guidelines and reels
  4. Techniques in following guide lines
  5. Touch contact procedures
  6. Use of Line Markers

CAVE SKILLS/EXERCISES:

  1. Dive Planning
  2. Proper propulsion and Buoyancy Control
  3. Use of guide reel and line
  4. Underwater Communications with Lights and Hands
  5. Touch contact drill while following guideline
  6. Share air while exiting cave zone
  7. Lost Line Drill
  8. Lost Buddy Drill
  9. Loss of Visibility
  10. Air/ gas valve management. Diver practices turning own valves on/ off, simulate various regulator/ valve failures.

LIMITATIONS OF CAVE COURSE:

  1. No cave penetration limits – Gas Volume is limiting factor
  2. No decompression diving
  3. Minor restrictions permitted (A minor restriction is when divers are prevented from traveling side by side, forces them into single file travel). No major restrictions.
  4. Maximum depth - 100 feet
  5. Minimum visibility - 30 feet
  6. Minimum starting pressure - 2000 psi or 58 cubic feet
  7. 1/3 air rule on singles, 1/6 on doubles

MINIMUM EQUIPMENT:

  1. Minimum 72 cubic feet gas with dual outlet valve (H or Y valve typically)
  2. Mask, low volume type recommended.
  3. Power fins, with straps taped together, if applicable.
  4. Suitable tank harness.
  5. Two single hose regulators, one with five (seven foot strongly recommended) foot hose, one with submersible pressure gauge attached. 
  6. Exposure suit, suitable for diving conditions.
  7. Buoyancy compensator with auto inflator.  Back mount BC is highly recommended, but not required.
  8. Submersible dive tables or computer must be used.
  9. Slate and pencil.
  10. Knife, preferable small and sharp, or line cutter acceptable to instructor.
  11. Watch or bottom timer and depth gauge. A dive computer may be used in place of these.
  12. Three lights per diver.  A primary light with an illumination and burn time sufficient for the dive being undertaken.  Two backup lights. The backup lights should have a suitable burn time for the dive being planned
  13. One primary guide reel per team
  14. Two safety reels per diver
  15. (3) Line arrows and (1) line clip

COURSE COSTS:

  1. Deposit of $150.00 is required to secure dates
  2. Class fees $175.00 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)

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Perform all skills listed
  2. Perform the minimum number of dives specified
  3. Maintain an appropriate awareness of safety and safety procedures, as well as demonstrate appropriate respect for the cave environment. A reckless or cavalier attitude may constitute grounds for denying certification, regardless of technical ability
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of pertinent information by passing a written Intro to Cave examination with a minimum grade of 80% on exam
  5. Submit all appropriate records as required
  6. Payment of all appropriate fees
Recommendation by Cave Instructor

 

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