TDI Intro to Cave Diver – Begin True Cave Exploration

The TDI Intro to Cave Diver Course introduces divers to the fundamental techniques required for safe cave diving. This program builds on the skills learned in the cavern diver course and prepares divers to move beyond the cavern zone into the cave environment.

Cave diving is considered one of the most demanding forms of scuba diving. Divers must maintain precise buoyancy, strong situational awareness, and disciplined team procedures while navigating overhead environments.

During this course, divers learn how to follow and manage a continuous guideline, maintain excellent trim and propulsion control, and safely conduct limited cave penetrations. The training focuses heavily on safety procedures, communication, gas planning, and emergency protocols.

The course emphasizes strong fundamental skills and prepares divers for more advanced cave diving programs such as TDI Full Cave Diver.

Course Price

$1000 per student

Included

• Academic theory training

• Cave diving equipment configuration workshops

• Guideline navigation training

• Cave environment safety procedures

• Open water cave training dives

• Professional technical diving instructor guidance

Not Included

• TDI eLearning materials: $140

• Entry fees for cave dive sites

• Gas fills and equipment rental

Course Schedule

Typical course duration: 3–4 days

Training includes:

• Classroom / theory sessions

• Land drills and guideline practice

• Cave navigation training

• Minimum 4 cave training dives

Students must complete multiple cave dives using a single continuous guideline with controlled penetration limits. 

Training Standards

Minimum Age

18 years old (15 with parental consent)

Maximum Training Depth

40 meters / 130 feet

Prerequisites

• TDI Cavern Diver certification or equivalent

• Minimum 25 logged dives

Divers must already have experience in overhead environments before entering the cave training level. 

What You Will Learn

During this course you will learn:

• Cave diving planning and risk management

• Proper guideline deployment and navigation

• Line markers and cave navigation techniques

• Advanced buoyancy and trim control

• Gas management for overhead environments

• Lost diver and lost line emergency procedures

• Anti-silting techniques and cave awareness

Students will practice scenarios such as guideline navigation, zero-visibility drills, and emergency problem solving inside the cave environment. 

Certification

After successfully completing the course, students will receive the TDI Intro to Cave Diver certification.

Graduates may conduct cave dives within the limits of their training, including:

• Use of a single continuous guideline

• Limited penetration distance

• Maximum depth 40 m / 130 ft

Graduates may continue training with:

• TDI Full Cave Diver

Begin Your Cave Diving Journey

Ready to explore deeper cave systems and expand your overhead diving skills?

Join our TDI Intro to Cave Diver Course and take the next step in technical diving exploration.

Reserve your spot today.