This cave diving course develops basic cave diving skills with limited penetrations of the cave environment and is the second level of progression to the full cave diver certificate.  It is a recreational cave diving course. The course develops and establishes minimum skills, knowledge, dive planning and preparation, problem solving procedures, swimming techniques, emergency procedures and the basic abilities necessary to safely cave dive within limited penetrations, using  SINGLE TANKS. Mastering buoyancy control, working with a reel, a light, and awareness in the cave is necessary to safely enjoy another dimension in cave diving.   (Double cylinders are not to be used unless the student is planning to enroll in the Apprentice/Full Cave Diver training program).  

Take a look below at the 3-day Combo Cavern and Introduction to Cave Diving Course.

Where Our Training Takes Place:  The Suwannee River Valley is the world's leading cave diving playground.  It is where most of the world's cave diving training takes place and where most of the divers return regularly.  The sites below are centrally located right here in our backyard, only to be explored by you. We take the students to different site to expose them to the widest possible array of conditions, including high and low flow, large and small passageways, silt and silt-free bottoms with an instructor who is the Best in the business.  No one site can offer this!   Let us guide you and train you properly and safely to appreciate the overhead environment:

• This is a two day course including lectures and a minimum of four Cave Dives
• Prerequisite: Equivalent Cavern Diver Certification
• Certification:  NACD/IANTD/NSS-CDS/TDI

Fee for Introduction to Cave Course: $275.00 for two students or more; $375.00 for private class plus certification fee; add Nitrox course for an additional $150.00. Course fees are paid directly to the instructor, in cash, at the beginning of each course

Registration:  To register for this course, a deposit of $100.00 is required.   Enrollment in an NSS-CDS, NACD, IANTD or TDI course, at any level, does not assure certification.  Due to the risks involved in diving an overhead environment, only those students who meet specific performance criteria will earn their certification.  As the diver progresses from Cavern Diver to the cave environment, of key importance is above-average buoyancy control, a high degree of comfort in the water, and a continuing  developing awareness of the cave environment.   Water skills will include a low light exit, air-share exit drill, no-lights exit drill, no lights and air-share exit, lost diver drill, and lost buddy drill

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR INTRO-TO-CAVE COURSE:

• Mask & Fins with straps taped
• Tank (minimum of 71.2 cu.ft or greater
• Dual Orifice (Y) Valve or (H) Valve
• Two first stages and two second stage regulators.
• 7' Octopus hose
• Double cylinders with dual valve manifold are OK if approved in advance
• 3 line arrows per diver
• Exposure Suit (wet or dry)
• (3) battery powered diving lights, one with at least 30-50 watt power
• Safety reel with min. of 75' of line
• Watch (bottom timer), depth gauge
• Slate & pencil
• Submersible dive tables
• One primary cave diving reel with approximately 350' line

Mandatory Text:  Cavern/Cave Diver Workbook  
          Basic Cave Diving:  A Blueprint for Survival by Sheck Exley
          

COMBO- Cavern and Introduction to Cave Diver Course       

This Course covers safety limits of cavern and cave diving, cave environment and hazards, accident analysis, equipment modification, communication, planning and preparation, swimming techniques, guideline handling and navigation, cave diving techniques, diver behavior and stress, emergency procedures, within limited penetrations using SINGLE TANKS. The necessary equipment and books are listed below. This is a 3 day course. 

 Fee for 3-Day Combo Course: $550.00 for two or more students; Private Course $750.00 plus certification fee; add Nitrox Course for an additional $150.00. Course fees are paid directly to the instructor, in cash, at the beginning of each course

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR COMBO COURSE:

• Mask & Fins with straps taped
• Tank (minimum of 71.2 cu.ft or greater
• Dual Orifice (Y) Valve or (H) Valve
• Two first stages and two second stage regulators.
• 7' Octopus hose
• Double cylinders with dual valve manifold are OK if approved in advance
• 3 line arrows per diver
• Exposure Suit (wet or dry)
• (3) battery powered diving lights, one with at least 30-50 watt power
• Safety reel with min. of 75' of line
• Watch (bottom timer), depth gauge
• Slate & pencil
• Submersible dive tables
• One primary cave diving reel with approximately 350' line

Mandatory Text: Cavern/Cave Diver Workbook  
          Basic Cave Diving:  A Blueprint for Survival by Sheck Exley
            

Registration:  To register for this course, a deposit of $100.00 is required.   Enrollment in an NSS-CDS, NACD, IANTD or TDI course, at any level, does not assure certification.  Due to the risks involved in diving an overhead environment, only those students who meet specific performance criteria will earn their certification.  As the diver progresses from Cavern Diver to the cave environment, of key importance is above-average buoyancy control, a high degree of comfort in the water, and a continuing  developing awareness of the cave environment.   Water skills will include a low light exit, air-share exit drill, no-lights exit drill, no lights and air-share exit, lost diver drill, and lost buddy drill

Register Early and get the dates you requested... Don't be caught with your pants down...

Rental of equipment is available.  Inquire for prices.

Note:  Certifications, Air fills and Park entrance Fees are a separate charge....

Below is a list directing you to various other cave diving certifications and pertinent information:
Cave Diving Courses:
Cavern , Intro-to-Cave, or Apprentice Cave , Full Cave,  Stage Diving, Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV's).
Technical Diving Courses:
Cave Diving, and Scuba Diving with Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox, Technical Nitrox, Trimix.
Scuba Diving Courses:
Open water Scuba Diving, Advanced Open water, and Specialty Certifications such as Dive Master.
Guided Tours:
Guided cave tours in North Central Florida.
Mexico Cave Diving Trips:
Cave diving the Yucatan (Cozumel, Akumal)
About Us in Lake City Florida
Resources for the cave diver, scuba diver including information, about us, proper training, techniques equipment, lodging, Dive Sites and conditions, frequently asked questions, as well as weather, tips, links, picture gallery, and contact information.

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