Description

The UTD Cave 2 course is a continuation of the Cave 1 course and is required to achieve Cave Diver certification. The course is designed as a second step in the process of learning and improving the skills needed to respect the environment during cave diving. This is achieved through an intensive teaching program that acquaints course participants with the most important cave conservation practices and the hidden dangers that are often associated with obstructed diving. This course covers advanced cave diving topics, and therefore refines the skills required of the diver to penetrate and navigate the underwater cave environment. The training includes and focuses especially on mindfulness, cave dive planning, the peculiarities of underwater caves, stress management, navigation and then T, Jump, Gap, environmental protection, procedures standard and emergency, on troubleshooting techniques and the risks of cave diving. At the end of the Cave 2 course, divers will acquire the full qualification of Cave Diver; their qualification will not expire and they will be able to penetrate and navigate the caves safely, not only by following the guideline, but also by exploring the side passages and tunnels that make up a real labyrinth. However, they will have to respect the “1/3” rule regarding the gas intended for penetration. UTD does not believe that cave training is within everyone’s reach—this type of dive should only be considered by highly experienced divers with substantial aquatic skills.

Note: The entire Cave Diver program (parts 1 and 2) can be combined into a 5 or 6 day program.

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 21 years
• Minimum of 75 logged non-course dives after Open Water certification
• UTD Essentials of Overhead patent or Technical extension or equivalent
• UTD Cave 1 certification or equivalent less than 24 months old
• Knowing how to swim at least 275 meters in less than 12 minutes without stopping.
• Know how to swim for at least 18 meters in apnea.

Course Limitations

• Gas management: for penetration, maximum of 1/3 of the usable gas. The minimum outlet reserve is equal to 2/3 of the volume of usable gas. To obtain the usable volume, the Rock Bottom value must be subtracted from the initial volume.
• Maximum depth 30 meters, or 39 meters if qualified at UTD Technical Diver level 1 or equivalent.
• Minimum visibility: 3 meters at the cave entrance
• At least 2800 liters of gas available at the entrance to the cave
• No steps where divers are forced to remove or otherwise manipulate their equipment
• Any decision regarding navigation is permitted
• No decompression obligation
• The use of scooters or rebreathers is excluded
• New explorations or the movement of guide lines or markers already placed are excluded
• The use of stage cylinders is not permitted

Course content and duration

The UTD Cave 2 course is normally carried out in three or four days and includes, between theory and dives, a minimum of 24 hours of lessons (theory and practice in water) aimed at showing and making students understand the dangers and challenges posed by cave diving, but also their beauty. Particular attention is also paid to the implications produced by penetration into obstructed environments and to the identification, management and resolution of problems that can endanger the survival of the diver.

The course includes nine (9) hours of theory lessons and eight (8) dives to be performed in at least two different environments. If environmental conditions permit, one of the experience dives must be performed in a different environment.