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TDI – Introductory Cave Diver Course |
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Introduction
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of cave diving utilizing a single cylinder. Introductory cave diving is the second level in the development of safe techniques for cave diving, directly building upon the cavern diver course. This introduction to cave diving is not intended to train divers for all facets of cave diving. The objective of this course is the perfection of skills taught in the cavern diving program, in addition to the adoption of additional techniques and procedures required for elementary cave dives. Qualifications of Graduates Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in single cylinder cave diving activities without direct supervision so long as the following limits are adhered to: 1. Penetration is limited to one-third (1/3) of a single diving cylinder. 2. Penetrations are limited to simple linear swims only. No complex dive plans. 3. Forty (40) msw / one hundred thirty (130) fsw maximum depth. 4. Ten (10) meter / thirty (30) feet visibility (minimum). 5. No decompression diving. 6. No restrictions (no areas must be too small for two (2) divers to pass side-by-side). Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are qualified to enroll in: 1. TDI Cave Course. Who May Teach Who may teach this course: 1. Any active TDI Introductory Cave Instructor may teach this course. Student – Instructor Ratio Academic: 1. Unlimited, so long as adequate facility, supplies and time are provided to insure comprehensive and complete training. Confined Water (Swimming pool-like conditions): 1. N/A. Open Water (Ocean, lake, quarry, spring, river or estuary): 1. A maximum of three (3) students per active TDI Instructor are allowed. 2. The ratio should be reduced as required due to environmental or operational constraints. Student Pre-Requisites The student must: 1. Be a minimum age of eighteen (18) or fifteen (15) with parental consent. 2. Show proof of a minimum certification of TDI Cavern Diver, or equivalent (i.e. IANTD, NACD, NSS-CDS, CDAA and CDG). Course Structure and Duration Open Water Execution: 1. Four (4) limited penetration with a total bottom time of eighty (80) minutes conducted at two (2) different sites. Course Structure: 1. TDI allows instructors to structure courses according to the number of students participating and their skill level. Duration: 1. The minimum number of classroom and briefing hours is four (4). Administrative Requirements The following is the administrative tasks: 1. Collect the course fees from all the students. 2. Ensure that the students have the required equipment. 3. Communicate the training schedule to the students. 4. Have the students complete the Liability Release and Medical history forms. 5. The Instructor should review the Liability Release and Medical Forms before starting on the course. Upon successful completion of the course the Instructor must: 1. Complete the Student Registration Form and send the Registration Form to TDI HQ. 2. Award card and certificate. Required Equipment The following are required for this course: 1. TDI Cavern and Cave Manual. The following equipment is required for the Instructor: 1. Instructor must use (at least) full cave diving equipment during all water exercises. The following equipment is required for each student: 1. Primary cylinder - volume appropriate for planned dive and student gas consumption. 2. Dual-orifice ‘V’ or ‘H’ valve. 3. One first stage regulator equipped with pressure gauge and air source. 4. A second first stage regulator equipped with a second-stage on a recommended minimum one-point-five (1.5) meter / five (5) feet hose. 5. Buoyancy Compensator with power inflator. 6. Exposure suit adequate for cave environment. 7. Mask and fins, taped as required - NO snorkel. 8. Line cutting device. 9. Three (3) battery powered lights – one (1) primary and two (2) back-ups, each with a with burn time suitable for the planned dive time. 10. Safety reel with a minimum of thirty (30) meter / one hundred (100) feet of guideline. 11. One (1) primary cave-diving reel with approximately one hundred seven (107) meter / three hundred fifty (350) feet per team. 12. Computer or watch (bottom timer) and depth gauge. 13. Slate, pencil and submersible dive tables. 14. Line markers (clothes pins or plastic line markers) - minimum of three (3). Required Subject Areas The TDI Cave Diver Manual is mandatory. The NSS-CDS - Basic Cave Diving: A Blueprint for Survival, NSS-CDS - Communications for Cave Diving, NACD - Art of Safe Cave Diving, or the CDAA - Cave Diver Manual are the recommended texts. 1. Policy for Cave Diving. 2. Environment. 3. Accident Analysis. 4. Psychological Considerations. 5. Equipment Considerations 6. Body and buoyancy control. 7. Swimming techniques. 8. Introduction to basic guideline configurations. 9. Problem Solving 10. Local access requirements. Required Skill Performance And Graduation Requirements The following land drills must be covered during this course 1. Use of safety reel in lost diver procedures. The student must complete the following in-water skills during cave dives. The maximum depth for this course is forty (40) msw / one hundred thirty (130) fsw. 1. Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning. 2. Safety drill and air sharing. 3. Demonstrate specialized techniques for achieving buoyancy, proper trim and efficient conservation-minded propulsion. 4. Demonstrate guideline and line reel use. 5. Demonstrate understanding of light signals. 6. Lost diver drill - diver must use safety reel to search away from the main line. 7. Follow line (eyes closed) using touch-contact method of communication. 8. Follow line (eyes closed) in an air sharing simulated out-of-air scenario during exit from cave. In order to complete this course, students must: 1. Satisfactorily complete the TDI Introductory Cave Diver written examination. 2. Complete all land drill and cave dive requirements safely and efficiently. 3. Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution. |
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Updated 9 May 2003
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