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Technical Diving Courses

Proper Training
 
Reason for Proper Training:  Because of the inherent risks associated with cavern and cave diving, development of safe techniques and skills is essential for diving in an overhead environment.  Our courses focus on divers becoming  proficient in the fundamental  principles of diving.  Cavern diving instruction includes, but is not limited to, the diving environment, body positioning, buoyancy control, emergency procedures, line following, propulsion techniques, accident analysis, silting, entanglement, and equipment modification.  Our cave diving courses expand upon the skills acquired in the cavern diving program.  Emphasis is on cave diving planning and execution, with exposure to various cave diving scenarios, and cave dives entail penetrations that allow divers to progress at a comfortable pace.  Our courses involve extensive pre-dive preparation and post-dive critiques and analysis in order to  provide students with the proper foundation for future safe diving.   
Just keep in mind that all the equipment in the world will not make you a safe cave diver if you do not obtain the proper training with a top notch instructor.  There are no short cuts in my courses.  I am the best of the best, and  one of  the most experienced cave instructors out there.  My reputation as a cave instructor speaks for itself.  There are no short cuts in my courses.  I believe in extensive training in order for the student to prepare themselves for any occurrence and to be able to enjoy the beauty of the overhead environment.  This is a very physical and taxing sport.
 

The  picture to the left presents the different equipment utilized by open water divers.  You want to wind up looking something like the picture on the right...There are major differences between recreational diving equipment and cave diving equipment. The thing that immediately distinguishes recreational divers from cave divers is their equipment. Bear in mind, it takes a lot more than just highly specialized equipment to be a cave diver. Nevertheless, equipment is a significant part of what we do.

 

 

 

 

"Naturally like any explorer, I have been asked what I intended to find, and whether it made sense to take avoidable risks...I did not expect to find pirates gold in brass bound boxes, it's more the feeling of adventure, the great feeling of putting your foot where no other has been before."

George Benjamin

 

Body positioning and buoyancy control are of utmost importance. Cave divers must be able to pass within inches of the bottom without their equipment stirring up silt or becoming entangled in guidelines.

 This is another reason a "trim" clean line is very important when wearing gear, making sure there are  no dangles, or hunting knives that are strapped to the open water diver's leg.  Leave the snorkels and fish tank masks home.  Low volume masks are acceptable.

Adjustable fins which are simple.  They can have spring heels straps.  No split fins as they can cause problems.

 

Multi-gas Nitrox or Trimix computer are the general rule since they function accurately giving a precise account for the multi-level nature of most cave dives.  Some cave divers, however, prefer to rely on custom-generated dive tables which require only the use of a depth gauge and timer.  You should carry some form of a dive table as a back up.

Lights make all the difference in the underwater world.  Lights are much smaller today then their monstrous predecessors.  Innovations with Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and HID Bulb (high intensity bulb), encased in a waterproof, test-tube-style lens, surrounded by a compact, focusable reflector are  popular because of they are  smaller and more compact.   A modern 10-watt HID bulb can  last up to four hours.

 

Double Steel 95's  and 104s are commonly used among cave divers in north-central Florida, where caves are deeper, and gas consumption rates higher.  This is sufficient weight to take down the Titanic.  Please leave those weight belts home.

 

A Primary regulator, consisting of a first and second stage connected by a seven-foot-low pressure hose. And Yes, you should have your very own.  This is part of personal equipment.  This facilitates single file gas sharing through narrow passageway. 

The primary first stage will also generally have a short, low-pressure inflator hose that connects to the diver's BC air cell.  A secondary regulator, consisting of a first and second stage connected to a 22-28 inched low pressure hose.  This second stage will have a neck strap made from lightweight bungee cord in order to keep the second stage close to the diver's mouth.  The secondary regulator first stage will also typically have a low-pressure inflator hose for the diver's dry suit, and a submersible pressure gauge on a short, 22 inch high pressure hose.

A dual orifice, isolation manifold which permits the use of separate first stages for each second stage.  This is important should a free flow occur, the gas flow to the affected regulator can be shut off without affecting the flow to the remaining regulator  Additionally, should manifold damage occur, the isolation valve allows the system to be divided into what are, essentially, two separate cylinders.  The use of DIN fittings helps ensure a stronger connection and avoids the damage that could be caused by yoke screws impacting the cave ceilings.

 

 
For More Information on equipment - go to equipment

 

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