If you ever wondered what it takes to become a cave diver, this podcast reveals your next steps. Before considering cave diver training, you will need to complete some prerequisites. Agencies vary in their requirements but most require Rescue qualification, Nitrox and depending on the class, Decompression Basics. You will need to be extremely comfortable in the technical gear configuration that you are using for class and should have excellent buoyancy skills.
When you are skilled and prepared before class, you will get the most out of the intense underwater practice time that will include skills such as: Running and retrieving guidelines including procedures for primary tie offs, secondary tie offs, placements, anchors/belays, and avoiding line traps. You will learn about the roles of dive team members, inspecting and fixing lost placements, maintaining tension for reel recovery, following guideline both visually and by feel. You will practice touch contact procedures, using line markers, lost line procedures, lost diver procedures, entanglement procedures and patching a broken guideline.
You will have ample opportunities to rehearse out of air drills both with and without visibility, running reels and managing simulated emergencies such as gas supply failures, buddy separation, and loss of lights or other equipment.
Finally, you will learn the procedural rules for complex navigation and have a chance to complete traverse or circuit dives that test your planning and execution skills as well as risk management.
When you decide to take a cave diving class of any level, I suggest seeking out an instructor with ample experience in both teaching and general cave diving or exploration. These important skills and attitude can save your life when embarking in one of the most dangerous activities in scuba.
Jill’s Youtube Channel with Cave Diving Videos
