TDI CAVE SURVEYING DIVER COURSE
DURATION
4 days
IN A NUTSHELL
The TDI Cave Survey Diver Course equips you with the essential skills to accurately map and document underwater cave systems. Effective surveying is crucial for exploration, safety, and conservation, providing divers with reliable navigation references and contributing to scientific and cartographic projects.
This course teaches various surveying techniques, from simple line measurements to advanced data recording and map creation. You’ll develop precision in gathering and interpreting data while maintaining buoyancy, trim, and awareness in an overhead environment.
By completing the TDI Cave Survey Diver Course, you will enhance your ability to plan and execute accurate surveys, improving your understanding of cave systems and contributing valuable information to the diving community.
PRE-REQUISITES
Students must be 18 years old, and:
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certified as a TDI Nitrox Diver (or equivalent)
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certified as a TDI Full Cave Diver (or equivalent)
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have a minimum of 25 logged cave dives
SUBJECT AREAS
During our TDI Cave Surveying Diver Course, we will focus on the following aspects (on top of reviewing everything else from previous levels): Underwater - surveying techniques for cave exploration - use of compass, slate, and digital tools for data collection - line survey methods: azimuth, depth, and distance recording - maintaining precision in buoyancy and trim while surveying - communication and teamwork during survey dives - navigating and marking reference points effectively On land: Land drills and simulations of procedures - surveying tools setup and calibration - on land practice - data interpretation and plotting techniques - sketching and creating cave maps based on collected data Briefings and debriefings - Reviewing collected data and refining surveying techniques Whiteboard presentations and discussions - the importance of cave mapping for safety, exploration, and conservation - planning and executing a structured cave survey - data accuracy, error mitigation, and best practices - psychological and physiological factors affecting survey efficiency - cave conservation ethics and responsible mapping - specific gas management for cave surveying
MEET NEW CHALLENGES
Surveying a cave is more than just collecting data—it’s about understanding the environment and ensuring safe exploration for future divers. Accurate maps improve navigation, support conservation efforts, and contribute to scientific research. However, performing surveys in an overhead environment requires advanced multitasking, situational awareness, and precision. Maintaining buoyancy while gathering data, managing tools, and coordinating with a team can be challenging. Errors in measurements or misinterpretation of data can lead to navigation issues or misinformation. This course will teach you to overcome these challenges, refine your skills, and contribute valuable information to the cave diving community. The TDI Cave Survey Diver Course develops your ability to document underwater caves with precision, improving your navigation skills and deepening your understanding of cave systems. This is a key step for those looking to engage in exploration, research, or conservation efforts.
COURSE DURATION
The TDI Cave Surveying Diver Course has a duration of 4 days. Divers who have not trained with CDT Mexico at previous levels must complete a day of review for a skills assessment. This also applies if: - You have not dived the previous level in over 3 months. - Your previous course with us was more than 12 months ago.
DURATION OF THE COURSES
PRICE OF TRAINING
MEANING OF "PERFORMANCE-BASED TRAINING"
BEFORE STARTING THE COURSE / BOOKING
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A COURSE