TDI Cavern Diver Course
In the quiet light of the morning, a new adventure begins.
Your first step into the world of overhead diving
In the quiet light of the morning, a new adventure begins.
The TDI Cavern Diver course is for divers who love underwater adventure and quiet places. This course introduces you to overhead diving while staying in areas where natural light is always visible.
At Blue Water Ascent, we train divers to become safe, calm and confident cavern divers. We focus on control, awareness, teamwork and safety. This course helps you move beyond open water diving and prepares you for more advanced technical diving in the future.
Cavern diving is not cave diving. It is a safe and controlled step between recreational diving and technical diving. You stay in a lit area and follow strict safety rules.
Why Choose the TDI Cavern Diver Course ?
Caves are beautiful and peaceful. Sunlight penetrates the water. Rock formations are formed slowly over hundreds of years. These places feel quiet and untouched.
But cave diving also has real dangers. There are risks of confined space, hanging over rocks, and poor visibility. This course teaches you how to recognize hazards, manage stress, and dive safely in this environment.
This training improves :
- Buoyancy and trim
- Body position and fin control
- Underwater communication
- Stress management and calm thinking
- Team diving skills
After this course, every dive you take in the future will be better.
Who This Course Is For ?
This course is for certified divers who want to :
- Start overhead-environment diving
- Improve underwater control and discipline
- Learn to use safety lines and guides
- Build strong communication skills
- Increase confidence in challenging dives
- Be prepared for future cave diving training
Course Prerequisites
Before starting this course, you must :
- Be 18 years old (or 15 years old with parental consent)
- Have an SDI Open Water Diver certificate or equivalent
- Have at least 25 logged open water dives
What You Will Learn ?
This course teaches both knowledge and practical skills for safe cave diving.
Core Knowledge and Dive Planning
You will learn about :
- Cave diving rules and safety policies
- Gas management and the rule of thirds
- Using different tank volumes
- Stress management and mental preparation
- Hazard identification and emergency planning
- Basic cave geology and speleology
- Environmental protection and conservation
- Accident awareness and problem solving
- Proper dive planning and teamwork
Equipment Knowledge and Setup
You learn how to use and select :
- Side-mount or double cylinders
- Regulators and backup regulators
- Harnesses and buoyancy systems
- Proper weight and balance
- Primary and backup dive lights
- Reels, spools and guides
- Clean, safe and easy equipment setup
Skills and Techniques in the Water
You will practice and demonstrate :
- Proper guide alignment
- Following a guide with eyes open
- Following a guide with eyes closed
- Air distribution while holding a guide
- Air distribution with lights off using tactile contact
- Mask removal and replacement on the line
- Anti-silting finning techniques
- Bounce and trim control
- Body posture and spatial awareness
- Communication using hand, light and touch signals
- Primary light failure and use of backup light
- Stress management during simulated problems
- Environmental protection and no-touch techniques
What’s in It for You ?
After certification, you can dive without direct supervision under these limitations:
- Stay in an area with natural light
- Maximum depth 40 meters / 130 feet
- Maximum entry 61 meters / 200 feet
- Follow the rule of thirds (or 1/6 for doubles)
- Use proper cave diving equipment
- Maintain consistent guidelines
- No tight or restricted spaces
- Enough space for two divers side-by-side
- Stop for safety when needed
This course builds a strong foundation for future training such as:
- Introduction to TDI Caving
- TDI Complete Cave Diver
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cave diving safe?
Yes. With the right training, rules and equipment, cave diving is safe. This course teaches you how to avoid hazards and stay in control.
Do I need any special equipment?
Yes. You will need primary and backup lights, a reel or spool, and proper cave-ready equipment. Blue Water Ascent can guide or assist with this.
Is this the same as cave diving?
No. Cave diving is limited to lighted areas. Cave diving goes beyond lighted areas and requires more advanced training.
How long does the course take?
Typically 2 to 3 days, depending on your comfort level and conditions.
Does this help with future cave training?
Yes. All TDI cave courses build on the skills learned in this course.
Ready to enter the world above?
- Experience peace.
- Create control.
- Dive with confidence.
- The caves await.
- Start your Cavern Diver e-learning
- Train with Blue Water Ascent
- Begin your journey to cave diving excellence
- Get started now
