TDI FULL CAVE DIVER COURSE
DURATION
4 days
IN A NUTSHELL
The TDI Full Cave Diver Course is the final step in the core cave diving curriculum, following the Cavern and Introductory Cave Diver courses. It builds skills for advanced dives, including longer penetrations, complex navigation, and navigating restrictions.
Certified divers gain precision, awareness, and problem-solving skills for challenging environments. This certification allows using the gas management rule of thirds instead of sixths, safely extending penetration limits. It also opens pathways to advanced training, like stage diving, DPV use, and cave decompression.
The course refines prior skills for demanding scenarios. Divers explore new physiological and psychological factors as distances from open water increase, pushing closer to stress thresholds.
Ultimately, the TDI Full Cave Diver Course equips divers with advanced skills to navigate complex cave environments safely, preparing them for deeper exploration and specialized training.
PRE-REQUISITES
Students must be 18 years old, and:
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certified as a TDI Intro to Tech diver (or equivalent or proven experience), if training in a backmount configuration
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certified as a TDI Sidemount diver (or equivalent or proven experience), if training in a sidemount configuration
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certified as a TDI Nitrox diver (or equivalent), as we use Nitrox32 as a standard breathing gas
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certified as a TDI Intro to Cave diver (or equivalent)
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have a minimum of 100 logged dives
SKILLS & CHALLENGES AHEAD
The Full Cave Diver Course takes everything you’ve learned so far and develops it further, preparing you for longer penetrations, more complex navigation, and higher-stress environments.
In-water training includes:
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Refining fundamental cave diving skills.
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Advanced propulsion techniques, including pull-and-glide.
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Communication and problem-solving in low or zero visibility.
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Passing restrictions safely and efficiently.
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Simulating emergencies such as valve failures, leaks, and line repairs.
Land-based training covers:
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Complex navigation (intersections, jumps, gaps, circuits, and traverses).
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Lost line and lost diver scenarios.
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Line cut and repair drills.
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Thorough briefings and debriefings to reinforce every exercise.
Academic presentations and discussions explore:
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Gas management strategies (rule of thirds, conservatism).
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Psychological and physiological considerations for extended penetrations.
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Stress recognition, management, and maintaining control under pressure.
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Cave conservation and responsible exploration.
The challenge of Full Cave diving:
You’ll face longer distances, complex navigation, and tighter restrictions that demand heightened awareness, precise technique, and clear decision-making. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and mindset to handle advanced cave environments with confidence and responsibility.
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TDI Full Cave Diver = 4 days
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TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 7 days
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TDI Cavern + TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 10 days
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TDI Intro to Tech + TDI Cavern + TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 13 days
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TDI Sidemount + TDI Cavern + TDI Intro to Cave + TDI Full Cave Diver = 14 days
