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BEFORE THE COURSE

What to Expect & How to Prepare
Training Philosophy
Preparation & Expectations

This page explains how CDT Mexico approaches training, what we expect from students before arriving, and how to prepare for a technical or cave diving course.
 

If anything remains unclear, we’re always available to answer questions directly.

Training Philosophy

All technical and cave courses are performance-based.
 

Certification is not tied to a fixed number of dives or days, but to the student’s ability to demonstrate consistent, repeatable performance in real dive conditions.
 

The objective is simple:
 

By the end of the course, divers must be able to plan and execute dives autonomously with a teammate, without supervision, using sound judgment and conservative decision-making.
 

Train hard – dive easy.
Performance-Based Training

Students are evaluated on their ability to consistently demonstrate:

  • Control of fundamental skills

  • Consistency

  • Proper dive planning and execution

  • Equipment configuration and familiarity

  • Problem-solving under task load

  • Self, team, global, and situational awareness

  • Sound judgment and conservatism

  • Respect for protocols and the environment
     

Performing a skill once is not sufficient.
Skills must be stable, repeatable, and integrated into real dives.
 

Evaluation is necessarily subjective and reflects the instructor’s professional judgment.
Standards are high, but instruction is supportive and focused on helping motivated students reach those standards efficiently and safely.

Fundamental vs Non-Fundamental Courses
Fundamental Courses

Examples include:

  • Intro to Tech

  • Sidemount
     

These courses are designed to teach and build fundamentals.
For these programs:

  • Buoyancy, trim, propulsion, and awareness are learning objectives

  • Students are not expected to arrive with mastery

  • Time is allocated to develop skills progressively
     

All Other Courses

For non-fundamental courses:

  • Core skills are considered prerequisites, not course content

  • Training focuses on refinement, complexity, and stress management
     

Fundamentals are taught in fundamental courses.
Fundamentals are required for higher-level courses.
Training is performance-based, not time-based.
The goal is autonomous, competent, and conservative divers.

Skill Areas Evaluated During Training

Students are evaluated across multiple, interrelated domains:

Fundamental Skills

  • Breathing control

  • Buoyancy and depth stability

  • Trim and body position/posture

  • Efficient propulsion techniques

  • Problem-solving

Dive Planning & Execution

  • Map reading and route planning

  • Gas planning and limitations

  • Conservatism and margins

  • Environmental awareness

Awareness

  • Self-awareness

  • Team awareness

  • Global and situational awareness

Team Diving

  • Communication (active and passive)

  • Positioning and spacing

  • Pacing and role management

Mindset

  • Non-egoic attitude

  • Etiquette

  • Risk assessment

  • Respect for the environment and protocols

Stress Recognition & Management

  • Ability to remain rational

  • Appropriate task prioritization under stress

Equipment Readiness

Proper equipment preparation is essential for efficient and safe training.
 

Technical and cave divers are expected to arrive with functional, appropriate, and well-maintained equipment, and to be fully comfortable using it.
 

Key expectations:

  • Divers should own their primary equipment whenever possible

  • Equipment must be correctly configured and familiar

  • Students must be able to manage equipment independently
     

Sidemount Equipment

Owning a sidemount system is strongly recommended, as it is highly personalized.
Renting a sidemount system typically requires up to half a day for setup and adjustment.
Sidemount systems can be purchased through CDT Mexico.
 

Rental Equipment

  • Regulators

  • Primary and backup lights

  • Backmount wings and backplates

Not available for rent:

  • Dive computers

  • Fins

  • Exposure suits
     

Course-specific equipment lists are available on the website and should be reviewed before arrival.
→  Equipment Lists

Health & Medical Fitness

Divers are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to dive.

  • A medical questionnaire can be provided if needed

  • A physician’s clearance may be required based on medical history
     

Training environments are physically and mentally demanding.
Fatigue, stress, and task loading are part of the learning process.

Accommodation & Transportation

Choosing suitable accommodation is an important part of preparation.
 

Recommendations:

  • Staying close to the training area reduces fatigue and commuting stress

  • Please review the map to understand our location
     

Transportation:

  • Pickup and drop-off are provided between Puerto Aventuras and the Akumal / Tulum area

  • Pickup outside this area is not available

  • Taxi transportation can be arranged at the diver’s expense
     

Stay & Dive Packages are available for streamlined logistics.

Practical Preparation Tips

To get the most out of your training:

  • Arrive rested and hydrated

  • Avoid scheduling flights immediately after training

  • Plan buffer days when possible

  • Review previous course materials and procedures

  • Ensure all equipment is serviced and familiar

Prepared students progress faster and enjoy the training more.

Important Confirmation

By booking a course, students confirm they have read and understood:

  • Course descriptions

  • Pre-course preparation requirements

  • The performance-based training model
     

Pricing, deposits, and cancellation policies are detailed on the Course Prices & Policies page.

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