Stalactites, stalagmites, massive columns, and soda straws decorate massive cavern and cave systems all over the world. Some of these caves still have remnants of fire pits, pottery, and even prehistoric human remains. Cave diving is one of the most challenging and demanding activities you can undertake, but if you have the determination to meet these challenges and the discipline and dedication to continually practice and perfect your skills, then cave diving can also be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences you will ever have.

 

Your journey into the earth begins with cavern diving. Diving in a cavern means that you will be in a fully overhead environment, but still within the light zone. During your cavern diving course you will learn specialized procedures and communication techniques for diving in the cavern environment, appropriate propulsion techniques, buoyancy skills, and problem solving skills. You will conduct drills on land and in open water, and a minimum of four cavern dives. We conduct our cavern diving courses on trips to Northern Florida’s “Cave Country,” or on annual trips to Akumal, Mexico, home to over 82 different cave systems and over 300 miles of underwater passageways. The cavern course is a prerequisite for Intro to Cave and Full Cave training.

Course fee: $550

Additional equipment requirements: reel, one primary light, and two backup lights

Minimum age: 18

Prerequisites: Advanced Open Water (or equivalent)

 

In order to proceed beyond the light zone into these elaborate and extensive caves, you must take the Intro to Cave Diving course, followed by the Full Cave course. At Professional Scuba Instruction, we have a relationship with a very experienced cave diving instructor from the National Association of Cave Diving (NACD). Our cave instructor is based out of Akumal, Mexico – home to thousands of cenotes (sinkholes), the entranceways to intricate and beautiful cave systems. You will perfect your propulsion techniques and buoyancy skills as you learn skills required for limited cave penetration.

Course fee: $550

Minimum age: 18

Prerequisites: NACD cavern diver (or equivalent) and a minimum of 25 logged non-training dives

 

The full cave course is one of the most demanding courses you can take. You will conduct a minimum of eight cave dives over at least four days. Emphasis is placed on equipment configuration, complex navigation including jumps, circuits, and traverses. You will perform “dry runs” of your dive via detailed land drills and thorough pre-dive briefings. During your Full Cave course, you will learn how to navigate cave systems, perform jumps, tie line, communicate with your team, and perform emergency procedures such as lost line and lost buddy. You will perfect your propulsion techniques and buoyancy skills. Emphasis is placed on safety, exercising good judgment, and utilizing techniques that help ensure the best possible outcome under the worst possible conditions.

 

You will explore magnificent cave systems that extend for miles below ground. Some cave systems that you may dive are well mapped, while exploration of others has only just begun. How many other cave systems in the world have yet to be discovered and dived for the very first time?

Course fee: $900

Minimum age: 18

Prerequisites: NACD Intro to Cave (or equivalent)

 

If you are a fully trained and experienced cave diver looking to expand your cave diving skills, take a specialty cave course. Specialty courses include advanced decompression theory, exploration/survey techniques, stage diving, side mount diving, diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) techniques, cave photography, and videography. In such a demanding environment that allows little room for mistakes, it is best to learn these advanced skills under the supervision of a qualified specialty cave diving instructor.

Course fee: varies by specialty

Minimum age: 18

Prerequisites: NACD Full Cave Diver (or equivalent) plus 25 or 50 non-training dives depending on the specialty