TDI FULL CAVE DIVER COURSE
DURATION
4 days
IN A NUTSHELL
The TDI Full Cave Diver Course is the final step in the core cave diving curriculum, following the Cavern and Intro to Cave Diver courses. This course enhances skills for more advanced dives, including longer penetration, complex navigation, and restrictions.
Divers excel in precision, awareness, and problem-solving in challenging environments. With this certification, divers can utilize the gas management rule of thirds rather than sixths, safely extending their penetration limits. This certification also paves the way for advanced training, such as stage diving, DPV, cave decompression, etc.
We will enhance previously learned skills to fit new and more challenging situations. You’ll learn to consider new physiological and psychological aspects as distances from the open water increase. Also, you’ll be pushed closer to your stress limits.
In essence, the TDI Full Cave Diver Course equips divers with advanced skills and knowledge to navigate complex cave environments safely and confidently, preparing them for deeper exploration and advanced training.
PRE-REQUISITES
Students must be 18 years old, and:
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certified as a TDI Intro to Tech diver (or equivalent or proven experience), if training in a backmount configuration
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certified as a TDI Sidemount diver (or equivalent or proven experience), if training in a sidemount configuration
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certified as a TDI Nitrox diver (or equivalent), as we use Nitrox32 as a standard breathing gas
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certified as a TDI Intro to Cave diver (or equivalent)
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have a minimum of 100 logged dives
SUBJECT AREAS
During our TDI Full Cave Diver Course, we will focus on the following aspects. Underwater: - refining fundamentals skills - advanced and modified propulsion techniques - advanced touch contact communication in low/no visibility - bump-and-go procedure in low/no visibility - passing restrictions - pull-and-glide propulsion technique - problem-solving in low/no visibility (leakages, valve failures, etc) - cutting and repairing the guideline in low visibility On land: Land drills and simulations - complex navigation (permanent intersections, jumps, and gaps) - lost line in zero-visibility - line cut and repair in low-visibility - team separation during a complex navigation dive / lost diver Briefings and de-briefings - all aspects and skills will be briefed and de-briefed Academic presentations and discussions - rule of 1/3 and conservatism - specific dangers and consideration for longer penetration distances and confined spaces - psychological and physiological considerations - mind-control and stress recognition and management - impact and cave conservation
MEET NEW CHALLENGES
Longer penetration distances demand heightened self-awareness, as both physical and psychological challenges intensify. Full Cave Divers must navigate intersections and deploy temporary guidelines to execute jumps, gaps, circuits, and traverses. Complex navigation requires advanced diving techniques and precise referencing methods to prevent disorientation. As divers explore tighter passages, the risks of entanglement and restriction increase significantly. The TDI Full Cave Diver course equips you with streamlined, effective protocols and fosters a clear, focused mindset, enabling sound judgment in high-stress situations.
COMBINED COURSES
The TDI Full Cave Diver Course has a duration of 4 days (and a minimum of 8 cave dives). You are Intro to Cave + Sidemount and/or Intro to Tech Diver from a recognized agency: TDI Full Cave Diver = 4 days You are Cavern + Sidemount and/or Intro to Tech Diver from a recognized agency: TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 7 days You are Sidemount and/or Intro to Tech Diver from a recognized agency: TDI Cavern + TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 10 days You start from scratch, and wish to train in Backmount configuration: TDI Intro to Tech + TDI Cavern + TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 13 days You start from scratch, and wish to train in Sidemount configuration: TDI Sidemount + TDI Cavern + TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 14 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