CDAA Basic Cave Diver Course
Start a ConversationYour Foundation for Australian Cavern and Sinkhole Diving
CDAA Basic Cave is the entry-level Cave Divers Association of Australia qualification for diving in appropriately rated Cavern and Sinkhole sites. It develops the planning, buoyancy, guideline, communication and emergency skills required for responsible overhead-environment diving in Australian conditions.
The programme combines theory, land-based practice, confined-water development and supervised site dives. Progress is based on demonstrated competence, not simply attendance.
Course at a Glance
- Entry-level CDAA qualification for Cavern and Sinkhole-rated sites
- Minimum five days face-to-face, or four days where theory uses e-learning, with seven in-water sessions
- Structured theory, confined-water development and training at suitable CDAA-rated sites
Who This Course Is For
This course is for experienced recreational divers who want a structured pathway into Australian cavern and sinkhole diving. It suits divers who value precise buoyancy, disciplined planning, reliable team procedures and a strong understanding of site access and conservation responsibilities.
Applicants should arrive with recent diving experience and a willingness to refine foundational skills before entering an overhead environment.
Prerequisites and Readiness
- Minimum age 18
- Advanced Open Water certification or an accepted equivalent
- At least 50 logged dives after Open Water certification, totalling at least 25 hours
- At least two night dives and five dives deeper than 20 metres
- A current diving medical statement, with a full medical assessment where indicated
Rebreather participants must be certified on the unit they intend to use and have at least 30 post-course rebreather dives and 30 hours on that unit. Final eligibility is confirmed against current CDAA requirements.
How the Training Works
Face-to-face training is conducted over a minimum of five days. Where theory is delivered using e-learning, the programme may be reduced to a minimum of four days. The course includes at least eight hours of structured theory, with up to five hours credited through e-learning.
A minimum of seven in-water sessions is required: three controlled-water training sessions, one skills-assessment session and three supervised site dives. Supervised dives are completed at a minimum of two suitable Basic Cave sites and provide at least 90 minutes of accumulated underwater time.
Training is adapted to site conditions and individual development needs while maintaining current CDAA performance requirements.
Skills You Will Develop
- Equipment configuration and systematic pre-dive checks
- Buoyancy, trim and anti-silting propulsion
- Guideline and reel procedures
- Gas planning and team gas management
- Light, hand and touch communication
- Gas-sharing, lost-line and other emergency procedures
- Site access, conservation and responsible dive planning
- Hazard recognition and accident-analysis principles
Certification Scope and Limits
Basic Cave certification applies to suitable CDAA Cavern and Sinkhole-rated sites. Cavern diving remains within natural light, to a maximum depth of 20 metres and a maximum linear overhead penetration of 40 metres.
Sinkhole sites may exceed 20 metres but feature large passages without restrictions too small for two divers to swim side by side. Maximum linear overhead penetration is 40 metres. All dives remain within personal certification, site access conditions, gas limits and current CDAA standards.
Recognition and Related Training
Where appropriate, TDI Cavern training may be completed alongside the programme only through separate enrolment and completion of the applicable standards. Existing overhead certifications and crossover options are assessed under current CDAA policy.
Your proposed equipment configuration—including open circuit or rebreather—is confirmed during the readiness review.
Continue Your Cave Development
After certification, consolidate experience in suitable Cavern and Sinkhole-rated sites. When skills, judgement and recent experience are consistently strong, CDAA Cave is the next formal development step.
A Competence-Led Approach
- Understanding before memorisation
- Skill mastery rather than minimum performance
- Coaching shaped around the individual diver
Start a Conversation
Tell us about your certifications, recent diving, logged experience, equipment configuration and cave-training goals. We will help you confirm eligibility and build an appropriate preparation plan.
