Most cave divers agree that the reasons they enjoy exploring natural overhead environments are difficult to verbalize. These reasons do, however, include:

• Underwater caves are extremely beautiful. They offer clear water and unique geological formations that divers cannot see or enjoy elsewhere.
• Caves offer diving that is free from wind, waves and surge. Seasickness is never a consideration when diving inland caverns and caves. Additionally, visibility in many freshwater caves measures hundreds of feet — clearer than any ocean water you are likely to find at even the best dive resorts.
• Cave diving are among the most exciting of all diving activities. There are no dull cave dives.
• Cave diving provide a unique insight on how the earth formed and on how life on earth evolved.
• Cave divers seem to share both a powerful curiosity and an appreciation of the technical aspects of overhead-environment diving.

Among the most satisfying aspects cave diving is the understanding that this is not a suitable activity for the average diver. In fact, some estimate that less than one percent of the general diving population possess the knowledge, skills, experience, attitude and judgement necessary to learn to cave dive as safely as possible. Thus, the ability to meet the high standards required for Cave Diver certification is something of which any person can be justifiably proud.

Course Schedule:

Day 1 and 2

A) Theory (12 hours minimum). Thorough emphasis on access requirements for each site as members’ knowledge of this is often lacking leading to problems with landowners. Attention given to Indemnities and permits.

Day 3

• Gear critique
• Practical Skill session – Land Drills
• Controlled water training session (pool/cavern) (2 hrs min)
• Exam and review

Day 4

a. Cavern training session one

b. Climbing session

c. Cavern training session two

Day 5

a. Sinkhole training session one

b. Skill assessment dive

Day 6

a. Sinkhole training session two

b. Sinkhole training session three

Cavern Site Definition

A Cavern site is defined as body of water which has a maximum depth of 20 metres, slight overhangs, near vertical ascents and where daylight is always visible (eg limestone caverns, dams, flooded quarries, lakes etc). The maximum penetration allowed is 40 metres from the surface.

Sinkhole Site Definition

A Sinkhole site is defined as a body of fresh water which can have large passages (no restrictions too small for two divers to swim adjacent to each other) and which exceeds 20 metres in depth. The maximum linear penetration allowed is 60 metres from the surface. The CDAA recommends a maximum depth of 40m on air.

Deep Cavern Course

The Deep Cavern Course is the amalgamation of skills and knowledge necessary to safely dive in Cavern and Sinkhole rated sites. Training covers areas that may have zero visibility and the potential for unlimited visibility. A maximum depth of 40m on air is recommended.

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to develop the minimum skills and knowledge for deep cavern diving including the planning, organising and the procedures, techniques and problem solving required in a variety of cavern and sinkhole diving situations.

This training program may be conducted by CDAA teaching status Deep Cavern Instructors.

Pre requisites

Before commencement of a CDAA Deep Cavern diver training program the candidate must:

• Hold an Advanced Open Water level recreational SCUBA diver award (or equivalent certification that covers a deep dive, night dive and navigation) and been qualified as a Open Water diver for a minimum of 12 months. The deep, night or navigation dives may have been gained post course in some cases where a training agency does not have an equivalent AOW and it is up to the Instructor to evaluate if a students logged dives meet the criteria.
• Have logged a minimum of 25 dives (post Advanced Open Water level recreational SCUBA diver award or equivalent) totaling a minimum of 20 hours, including at least two night dives and five dives deeper than 25 metres
• Be a minimum of 18 years old.
• Complete a diving medical statement and a liability release and assumption of risk form or equivalent. If a negative answer is on the medical statement a complete diving medical is required.

Student Requirements: Minimum equipment requirements include:   Suitable exposure suit. Mask and fins. Small sharp line cutting device. Watch or bottom timer or computer. Depth gauge if not using a computer. Buoyancy Control Device (must be in addition to the exposure suit). Twin cylinders minimum capacity 2200 litres. Two regulator first stages each with one second stage attached, one of which has a hose that is at least 1.5 metres in length (recommended length 2m). One primary and two back up lights, each capable of lasting the duration of the dive. Submersible decompression tables available for dive planning if not using a dive computer. Pencil and slate (or wet notes). Two submersible pressure gauges (SPG) if using an independent system. (Only 1 required if using an isolation manifold.) Primary cave reel with a minimum of 100m of line* Spool or small jump reel recommended for lost line searches – not mandatory.   *Instructors may provide reels and guideline as well as orientation line(s) and tether clips, or request that candidates supply their own.

Note: Students will be responsible for their own air fills, pool entry fees and transport.

To secure your place on the course please complete the attached

• "CDAA Membership Application Form” CICK HERE for form
• "Dive Experience Summary” CLICK HERE for form
• Plus a non-refundable deposit of $155.00 per person.

On the first night you will need to bring the following items and the balance of $540.00.

• Copy of Current Diving Medical
• Copy of Open Water certification card (Both Sides)
• Copy of Advanced Open Water or Deep Diver certification (Both Sides)