TDI or IANTD Intro To Cave Diver Course in Phuket, Thailand

3 DAYS - 30000 THB

The Intro to Cave Diving course is an exhilarating yet demanding program designed for experienced divers who are ready to explore the captivating world of cave diving. This course serves as an introduction to the techniques, equipment, and mindset required for safe cave exploration, offering a blend of theory and practical skills to prepare divers for the unique challenges of diving in an overhead environment.

Unlike open water diving, cave diving presents a whole new set of challenges and risks. The Introductory Cave course begins by focusing on essential theoretical concepts, such as cave formations, gas management, communication, and emergency procedures. Understanding these fundamentals is crucial for maintaining safety and composure while navigating the intricate passages of an underwater cave system.

Our students can choose between TDI Intro To Cave or IANTD Introductory Cave course. This course we conduct in the Song Hong cave (Nakon Si province) and Sra Keow cave (Krabi province). If you are already certified Cavern Diver it would be a very good idea to combine this course with TDI Full Cave Diver training.

Intro To Cave diver in Song Honag Cave, Thailand

What you will learn during Intro To Cave Diver Course

During your study with ACDC Diving, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of cave diving principles, techniques, and safety procedures. Here’s an overview of what you can expect to learn:

Cave Environment and Hazards. You will study the unique characteristics of underwater cave systems, including geological formations, water flow dynamics, and potential hazards such as silt deposits, low visibility, and overhead obstructions.

Equipment Configuration. You’ll learn how to configure your diving equipment specifically for cave diving, ensuring streamlined and redundant gear setups for maximum safety and efficiency. This may include specialized lights, reels, cutting devices, spare equipment etc.

Buoyancy and Trim. Mastering buoyancy control and maintaining proper trim is crucial in cave diving to avoid disturbing sediment and fragile formations. You’ll practice precise buoyancy adjustments and body positioning techniques to minimize your impact on the cave environment. You will continue to master cave specific propulsion techniques such as modified and backwords kicks, hand pulling and pull and glide methods.

Line Handling and Navigation. You’ll become proficient in handling guide lines and running the reel in the cave. Techniques for following the main line in zero viz situations, sharing gas etc.

Communication. Effective communication with dive buddies and team members is essential in the often confined and low-visibility conditions of caves. You’ll learn cave specific light and hand signals to convey important information and maintain situational awareness during dives.

Emergency Procedures. You’ll be trained to recognize and respond to potential emergencies such as equipment malfunctions, gas supply failures, and loss of visibility. Emergency protocols for gas sharing, lost line scenarios, and diver separation will be drilled to ensure a prompt and coordinated response.

Dive Planning and Risk Management. Proper dive planning is critical for safe cave exploration. You’ll learn how to calculate gas consumption rates, how to calculate the use of dissimilar volume tanks and tp plan for no deco dive profiles.

Psychological Preparedness. Cave diving can be mentally challenging, requiring focus, discipline, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. You’ll develop strategies for managing stress, maintaining situational awareness, and making sound decisions in high-stress situations.

Overall, the TDI Intro to Cave course provides a comprehensive foundation for safe and responsible cave diving. By mastering these essential skills and techniques, you’ll gain the confidence and competence to explore the captivating underwater world of caves while prioritizing safety at all times.

By the end of Introductory Cave course, you'll have the confidence and competence to safely explore simple caves with a qualified buddy with some limitations:

Penetration is limited to 1 / 3 of a single diving cylinder or 1 / 6th if using double cylinders.
Max depth 40 Metres / 130 Feet
No decompression diving.
No restrictions (areas too small for 2 divers to pass side-by-side)
Maintain a continuous guideline.
Proper cave diving equipment is used.
No removal of scuba gear permitted within the overhead environment.

Lost Line Drill during Intro To Cave course with ACDC Diving

Intro To Cave Diver Course Student Prerequisites

Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent.
Provide proof of certification as TDI Cavern Diver or equivalent (PADI or SSI Recreational Cavern is not enough).

If you are already certified as a TDI Cavern Diver but did the course using single tank configuration we recommend to start with TDI Sidemount or TDI Intro To Tech before engaging into Intro To Cave course.