The Program |
The Basic Cave Diver Program is the amalgamation of skills and knowledge necessary to safely dive in Cavern and Sinkhole rated sites. Training covers areas that may have zero visibility and the potential for unlimited visibility. Basic Cave training consists of the equivalent of five full days of theory and diving. |
Cavern Site |
Defined as body of water which has a maximum depth of 20 metres, slight overhangs, near vertical ascents and where daylight is always visible (eg limestone caverns, dams, flooded quarries, lakes etc). The maximum linear penetration allowed is 40 metres from the surface. |
Sinkhole Site |
Defined as a body of fresh water which can have large passages (no restrictions too small for two divers to swim adjacent to each other) and which exceeds 20 metres in depth. The maximum linear penetration into overhead areas allowed is 40 metres. The CDAA recommends a maximum depth of 40m on air. |
Prerequisites |
Before commencement of a CDAA Basic Cave diver training program the candidate must:
REBREATHER: Must hold a Rebreather dive certification for the unit intended to be used during the training. Must have logged a minimum of 30 post course rebreather dives totalling a minimum of 30 hours. |
Theory |
To include CDAA history, cave geology, equipment considerations, predive checks and safety drills, buoyancy and anti-silting, communications, reel and guideline use, gas management and calculation, physiological considerations, access procedures, dive planning, emergency procedures, hazards, accident analysis. |
Equipment |
Minimum requirements include:
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Skill Sessions |
To include reel use, line placement techniques, reel locking and abandonment, blackout line following, air sharing while following a line, buoyancy and anti-silting techniques, communications, emergency management, S drills, flow checks, full valve shutdowns. |
Supervised Dives |
A total of 7 dives. One confined water dive in pool or cavern 2-3 hours. |