I’m proud to be able to offer cavern and cave certifications through both of the dedicated non-profit cave diving agencies, the NACD (National Association for Cave Diving) and the NSS-CDS (National Speleological Society – Cave Diving Section). All traditional style cave certifications up to and including DPV Cave Diver are also available through TDI (Technical Diving International) and cavern certifications can be issued through PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors). For those seeking a different approach to cave training, I’m excited to announce that I’m now able to offer cave instruction through NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors). If you’d like more details on individual courses simply click on a link below…
Please be aware that Cavern and cave diving courses are probably the most demanding form of scuba instruction vailable, especially if you enter the programs without any technical training. The cave environment is very unforgiving and it is for this reason that I specialize in small and private classes. I will never have more than two students in a cave diving class, unless training is specifically requested by a team of three. Since all cavern and cave diving involves an overhead environment and possible decompression, you’re required to have at least DAN’s Master Plan dive insurance or it’s equivalent before starting training.
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Cavern |
| Known to the cave diving community as “the daylight zone”, these spectacular entrances into the Floridian aquifer have been the subject of many photographic backdrops. It is here that the journey begins into the timeless realm of the caves and where you’ll gain an elementary understanding… |
| Two Days |
More Details |
$400 or $600 for a private class |
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Basic Cave / Intro To Cave |
| Learning to fly in the underground labyrinths of Florida can be an awe inspiring experience. Floating effortlessly through the dark confines of the cave environment can take a lifetime to master, and a good solid grounding in the basics is the foundation for a safe… |
| Two Days |
More Details |
$400 or $600 for a private class |
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Apprentice Cave |
| The Apprentice Cave Program is the third level of the cave diver’s learning progression. While traditionally the Full Cave certification has been done over four days, the need was realized for an intermediate level where the newer cave diver has a chance to practice the basic, fundamental skills of cave…. |
| Two Days |
More Details |
$400 or $600 for a private class |
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Full Cave |
| This is the fourth in the array of cave diver development courses. The foundation of this course is exposure to more sophisticated dives within the cave environment where complex navigation techniques are planned, organized and executed. These procedures will include circuits (dives start… |
| Two Days |
More Details |
$400 or $600 for a private class |
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NAUI Cave 1 |
| The NAUI Cave 1 class is intended for divers who have superior buoyancy control, have gained experience in the NTEC doubles configuration and wish to learn how to safely explore caves. Prerequisites include an advanced open water, nitrox and an Intro to Tech (or equivalent) rating, be a minimum…. |
| Five Days |
More Details |
$1000 or $1500 for a private class |
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NAUI Cave 2 |
| The NAUI Cave 2 class is for the cave diver that has mastered the Cave 1 or the Apprentice Cave requirements and gained some experience in the overhead. Prerequisites include a minimum of one hundred logged dives, at least twenty dives at the Cave 1 or Apprentice level, advanced nitrox… |
| Two Days |
More Details |
$1000 or $1500 for a private class |
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DPV Specialty |
| A DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) is an advanced tool that can be used to extend and enhance your cave diving. If considering this course, you should have a strong background in cave diving, experience in different types of overhead environments and be able to operate a scooter in open… |
| Two Days |
More Details |
$400 or $600 for a private class |
All private classes include free rental equipment!
Please feel free to contact me with any special requests, scheduling and any other considerations via email, generally I will respond back to you within twenty-four hours. Please note that the Instructor fee does not include any rental gear, site fees, gas fills, student workbooks, texts or certification fees. A non-refundable deposit of at least $100 is due within seven days of scheduling training in order to hold those days for you. Deposits may be paid by cash, money order or Paypal to rich@divecaves.com
