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FULL CAVE DIVER

Final step in the core cave training
In a Nutshell

The TDI Full Cave Diver Course is the final step in the core cave diving curriculum, following Cavern and Intro to Cave. It prepares divers for longer penetrations, complex navigation, and the management of restrictions.
 

Certified divers develop greater precision, awareness, and problem-solving skills in demanding environments. This certification allows the use of the rule of thirds instead of sixths, extending penetration limits and opening pathways to advanced training such as stage cave, DPV, and cave decompression.
 

As distances from open water increase, divers are progressively exposed to new physiological and psychological stressors. Training focuses on managing these factors while maintaining control, discipline, and sound decision-making.
 

Ultimately, the Full Cave course prepares divers to plan and execute complex cave dives safely and responsibly.

Minimum course duration: 4 days.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for certified Intro to Cave divers who already have solid cave fundamentals and are ready to move beyond conservative limits.
 

You should already be comfortable with:

  • Intro to Cave skills and procedures

  • Guideline work

  • Team dynamics and situational awareness

  • Gas planning

  • Emergency procedures
     

This course will push and refine everything you already know.

Prerequisites

  • Minimum age: 18

  • TDI Intro to Cave (or equivalent)

  • TDI Nitrox (Nitrox 32 used as standard gas)

  • Appropriate configuration certification (Backmount or Sidemount)

  • Minimum 100 logged dives

Skills & Challenges Ahead

Greater distances demand a higher level of self-awareness from divers, as both physical and psychological challenges intensify.


Full Cave divers are able to pass intersections and install temporary lines to perform jumps, gaps, circuits, and traverses. Complex navigation requires refined diving techniques and advanced referencing methods to prevent disorientation.
 

As divers enter smaller passages, the risks of becoming stuck or entangled increase exponentially. The course equips you with simple, efficient protocols and helps you develop a clear mindset combined with sound judgment in stressful situations.

Training Content (overview)

In-water training includes:

  • Refining fundamental cave diving skills

  • Complex navigation

  • Advanced propulsion techniques, including pull-and-glide

  • Communication and problem-solving in low or zero visibility

  • Passing restrictions safely and efficiently

Land-based training covers:

  • Complex navigation (intersections, jumps, gaps, circuits, and traverses)

  • Line cut and repair drills; lost line, lost diver, and missed intersection scenarios
    (reviewed and expanded from Intro to Cave)

  • Thorough briefings and debriefings to reinforce every exercise

Academic presentations explore:

  • Complex navigation

  • Restrictions

  • Gas management strategies (rule of thirds, conservatism)

  • Psychological and physiological factors

  • Stress recognition and control

  • Cave conservation

Course Combinations
 

Minimum durations shown

Full Cave

4 days

Intro + Full Cave

7 days

Cavern + Intro + Full Cave

10 days

Intro to Tech + Cavern + Intro + Full Cave

13 days

Sidemount + Cavern + Intro + Full Cave

14 days

Divers who have not trained with CDT Mexico previously, or who have been inactive beyond defined timeframes, may require a 1-day skills assessment.

Get Ready

Training is not about collecting a card.
It’s about earning real autonomy, safety, and confidence.
The objective: divers who can plan and execute dives independently.

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