PSAI Intro to Cave Diver
Required Prerequisite Certifications
Open Water Diver
Suggested Certifications
Additional Required Prerequisite Certifications
PSAI Advanced Open Water Diver
PSAI Advanced Buoyancy Control (ABC)
PSAI Deep Sport Diver
PSAI Basic Underwater Navigation
Suggested Certifications
How long does it take?
Intro to Cave Diver course follows the Cavern Diver course and the cave dive are usually done on the same trip.
Before entering the course you must have successfully completed the PSAI Advanced Buoyancy Control and other pre-course work. the actual dives in Cavern Diver and Intro to Cave Diver courses can be completed in 4-5 days.
Where?
All overhead programs start with getting your skills - especially buoyancy control - up to the levels required from divers in overhead environments with the PSAI Advanced Buoyancy Control course. The ABC is done in Hong Kong (or sometimes in Guangzhou).
There are no caves suitable for diving in Hong Kong. All cave dives are conducted abroad. Cave diving trips for training you can join are arranged to caves in China, Philippines, Florida and Mexico several times a year.
How much does it all cost?
We quote the courses as 'Tuition Only', you will then pay for the dives and travel as you go.
Equipment Requirements for PSAI Cave Diver Programs
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Twin tank configuration
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Two regulators, one with a long hose minimum length 1.5 meters (5 feet) connected to primary second stage, SPG
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LP hoses for BCD inflation and dry suit if used
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BCD with sufficient lift to adequately support the required dive equipment and tow a fellow diver in an emergency
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A redundant inflation device in the form of a double bladder wing
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Back plate and harness or other type BCD
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Thermal protection suitable for dive environment
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Three dive lights:
1. One primary light.
2. Two backup lights -
Dive computer plus redundant timing and depth device(s). Computer must be suitable for course i.e. multi gas, and if a computer is not used then backup slates and tables must be carried.
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Mask plus redundant mask
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Three reels
- Primary reel
- Safety reel
- Jump / gap reel -
Two Cutting Devices
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Fins
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2 Slates and pencils
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Three (3) line arrows
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Non-directional line markers
A diver that successfully completes PSAI Intro to Cave Diver program will be qualified to:
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Plan and conduct limited penetration on the main line in environments and conditions similar to their training. Plan cave dives (no jumps, gaps, traverses, or circuits are allowed nor are negotiating any restrictions), with the gases they are previously qualified to use. Penetration shall be limited by a minimum of the 1/3 Gas Management Rule if using a single cylinder; or if the diver is using doubles, penetration is limited by the 1/6 Gas Management Rule.
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Determine the risks and hazards of a proposed cave environment.
Prerequisites
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Minimum age 18
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Certifications: internationally recognized Cavern Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver and PSAI Advanced Buoyancy Control Diver
PSAI Narcosis Management® Level II recommended -
minimum of 25 logged dives
Course Contents
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Approximately 8 classroom and practical demonstration hours. Four (4) hours from the PSAI Cavern Diver course may be credited
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Minimum one confined water (pool) session
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Land drills for line handling, wraps, tie-offs, line placement, black-out drills
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Four (4) cave dives
Materials
PSAI Cave Diver Manual.
Intro to Cave Diver course is designed for divers who wish to make limited penetrations into the cave overhead environment where vertical access is not possible. This includes a variety of underwater cave zones found throughout the world in both fresh and salt water environments.
Intro to Cave course takes the diver beyond the “daylight zone” of the cave overhead environment. The course instructs the diver in basic cave diving skills and procedures.
Click the image to see photos of cave dive training in action.