Equipment Resources for Cave diving

Equipment

Please understand that I have no direct interest in where you purchase your dive gear — only that you have the correct dive gear for this very unique and challenging diving.

Proper Training Page

About Technical Diving

Proper equipment is required for proper training. However, all the equipment in the world does not make you a cave diver. Importance is placed on the instructor, your training and your ability to perform the necessary skills to safely cavern, cave or technically dive the overhead environment.

About Nitrox

Basic Nitrox

Advanced Nitrox

Technical Diver

Normoxic Diver

Trimix (IANTD)

Decompression Procedures

Extended Range

Stage Course

Entry Level Trimix

Equipment modification is an important part of cave diving. It allows the diver to penetrate the overhead environment. Not all open water equipment is suitable for diving in the overhead environment. The equipment to dive the overhead cavern/caves is highly specialized and distinguishes the recreational diver from the cavern/cave diver. Observe some of my equipment. I am very streamlined and there are nothing dangling. Very important!

We encourage you to consult with us first prior to purchasing any equipment. Your choice of equipment is totally personal. However, to ensure you have the proper apparatus allow us to assist you in making decisions based on our experience. There is a wide range of selection in each area with a wide range in pricing. More is not necessarily better.

Renting equipment is another option. Since Equipment is constantly changing and you may find that the equipment you purchased was not the best choice, causing you stress and wasted dollars.

Please check with us. We will be more than happy to give you free consultation and help from experience. .

Cave divers are required to carry 3 lights, a primary which is a waist-mounted battery canister connected by a power cord to a separate, compact light head; and two backups light. Nigh batteries and 10-watt or larger HID bulbs enable cave diving lights to be substantially smaller and lighter than predecessor. Burn time will vary from two to four hours.

In our cavern diving courses, training focuses on modifying open-water equipment for use in both the overhead environment and greater functionality in open water. The cavern diving course will make you a more proficient all around diver in any environment. An example, would be these use of a wrist mounted computer preferred over the bulky, line-ensnaring consoles that are common to open water diving.

For Single Tanks: H-values, as shown in the picture, have an advantage when compared to Y-values, as they allow for the use of DIN, having easier-to-operate values and may be upgraded to manifolds for later use.

For Double Tanks: the use of a manifold allows the diver to breathe from two tanks at the same time. An isolator value in the center allows the diver to interrupt the flow of air between tanks. In case of a gas failure, the diver can shut down one regulator without losing access to the other tank.

The importance of a reel can't be over emphasized. Without the proper use of a guideline, even the most experienced cave divers would eventually become lost and ultimately, another fatality. Learning to use a reel and guideline is not a do-it-yourself proposition; it requires as much instruction and practice as learning to master buoyancy control - if not more so. A significant portion of Cavern-Cave Diving training should be devoted to the use of proper handling a guideline and reel. My students run guidelines continuously, allowing them to practice the use of a reel. We can show you the difference between a good reel and a superior one. The use of good reel can save your life!

High and intermediate pressure hose lengths should be shorter than those used in open water to aid in streamlining the diver and reducing the possibility of problems.

Some back-mounted BC's may be too bulky, have unnecessary quick releases, or not have enough lift capacity.

Water temperature is 72 degree all year round. However, the air temperature differs considerably during the different seasons of the year. It is a rare diver who can be truly be comfortable in anything less than a 7mm, farmer-john style wetsuit with a hood. No gloves are needed. The 3mm wetsuit is not adequate.

Cave divers need substantially more exposure protection since they go deeper and remain far longer than the recreational diver. Where the typical recreational dive seldom lasts longer than 30 to 40 minutes, cave dives can last up to 90 minutes or more -- plus decompression. If you are experienced in using a dry suit, then by all means do so.