Who this course is for:

• The certified TDI Introductory Cave Diver (or equivalent), who has interest in moving forward with overhead environment diving and expanding their diving techniques, capabilities, range, and more!

Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18
• Minimum certification of TDI Introductory Cave Diver, or equivalent
• If decompression dives are to be conducted in training, the student must be TDI Decompression Procedures certified or equivalent, or this training may be conducted concurrently. If courses are taught concurrently, ALL requirements for both courses must be met and registrations processed upon completion.

What you can expect to learn:

The TDI Full Cave Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more.

• Standard cave diving policies
• Gas management procedures and management to include dissimilar volumes
• Psychological considerations of cave diving
• Equipment considerations including:
  • Cylinder options
  • Regulator options
  • Buoyancy compensator/harness options
  • Proper weighting
  • Reel options
  • Equipment configurations
• Communication (light and hand signals)
• Swimming techniques
  • Body posture/trim
  • Buoyancy control
  • Line following
  • Propulsion (finning) techniques
• Physiology
  • Breathing techniques
  • Stress management
  • Decompression theory and its application to cave diving
• Cave environment
• Conservation
• Problem solving
  • Emergency procedures
  • Equipment failure
  • Silting conditions
• Accident analysis
• Cave diving etiquette

Required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Properly deploy a guideline
• Properly use directional and non-directional line markers
• Properly follow a guideline with eyes open and closed (simulating loss of visibility)
• Air share with a buddy with eyes open, following a guideline
• Air share with a buddy with lights off and eyes closed, using touch contact while following the guideline
• Remove and replace mask while in contact with the guideline
• Demonstrate conservation, awareness, and back referencing techniques
• Demonstrate light/hand signals and touch contact
• Demonstrate anti-silting techniques
• Simulate a primary light failure and use back up light to exit the cave
• Demonstrate lost line and lost diver drills
• Demonstrate use of reels to perform jumps and gaps required in circuits and traverses to maintain a continuous guideline to open water
• Demonstrate buoyancy control, proper trim, and propulsion techniques
• Demonstrate proper stress analysis (detection and management)
• Demonstrate specialized propulsion techniques in varying types of flow
• Equipment check and matching
• Demonstrate adequate predive planning

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in cave diving activities without direct supervision so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• Planned dives do not exceed diver’s current certification level
• Penetration is limited to the “rule of thirds,” to a maximum depth of 40 metres/130 feet
• Diver must maintain a continuous guideline
• Proper cave diving equipment must be used
• Safety and decompression stops as appropriate or necessary (if trained as TDI Decompression Diver or equivalent)

TDI Full Cave Diver minimum requirements:

• Satisfactorily complete the TDI Cave Diver course written examination with a 80% passing grade, followed by 100% remediation by the Instructor
• Perform all land drills and cave dive requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution
• Maintain an appropriate level of awareness and respect for the environment
• Log all training dives

Frequently Asked Questions about Cave Diving

What will I learn in Cave Diving?

Continue your cave-diving progression with TDI Full Cave training through Stuart Scuba. Confirm prerequisites, location and schedule with an instructor.

Who is this course for?

This course is for certified divers who want to develop cave diving skills and meet the agency prerequisites.

What are the prerequisites?

Bring your current certification card and dive log if you have them. We’ll review the course’s age, certification, experience, and agency requirements with you before you enroll.

Which training agency issues this course?

This course follows TDI training standards. If you have prior training from another agency, we’ll review your records against the course requirements.

What skills will I practice?

You’ll build on introductory cave training with cave dive planning, guideline work, gas management, navigation, and emergency procedures.

How many dives or sessions are required?

Your instructor will confirm the academic, practical, and in-water sessions for your course date. The exact plan depends on agency standards, conditions, and your progress.

How long should I plan for?

We’ll give you a schedule before enrollment. Completion time depends on the course format, required sessions, conditions, and your progress.

Where does training take place?

We’re based at 3317 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34997. Pool, shore, and boat training may take place at a separate site; we’ll confirm the exact meeting locations for your dates.

What equipment should I bring?

The complete SCUBA setup for courses that require it includes a BCD, tanks, weights, wetsuit, regulator with gauges, and compass. Tank rental and weights are included where the course requires them. Open Water students bring their own dive-quality mask, snorkel, and fins; these personal-fit items are not included in class rental gear. Our store carries a selection designed for different divers’ needs. Check the equipment requirements for this course before class.

Are tanks and weights included?

Tank rental and weights are included where required by this course. Availability and fees for other rental gear vary, so contact us before booking. Personal mask, snorkel, and fins are not included with Open Water class rental gear.

Is eLearning included?

Yes. eLearning is included with every Stuart Scuba class. We’ll send you access instructions after enrollment.

What does the course cost?

Current course tuition is $1,300 per student. Contact us to confirm any boat, gas, rental, travel, or additional training costs before booking.

What is included in the tuition?

Every class includes eLearning. Before you book, we’ll confirm what this course includes, along with any boat, gas, rental, or site costs.

Do I receive a certification card?

Yes. After you successfully complete the course requirements, we issue an electronic certification card (eCard). You can request a physical card for $20.

Can I use certification from another agency?

Bring your certification card and training records. We’ll review your background and confirm whether it meets this course’s agency requirements before you enroll.

What medical paperwork do I need?

Every student completes the medical questionnaire electronically through the course or on paper. A medical professional’s evaluation and signature are required only if your answers indicate that medical clearance is needed; complete it before any pool, shore, or boat diving activity. Download Form HERE.

Can I request private training?

Tell us if you prefer one-to-one or private training. We’ll check instructor availability and let you know whether it’s offered for this course and what it costs.

What if weather or water conditions change?

Your instructor or captain may adjust the site or schedule when weather, sea state, visibility, or current affects safe training. We’ll share the updated plan with you.

How should I prepare?

Complete your eLearning before class, review the prerequisites, and bring your certification card, logbook, and required equipment. Call us if you want to confirm your gear before you travel.

How do I check dates or enroll?

Choose an available date on this page or call Stuart Scuba at (772) 600-8288. We’ll help you review prerequisites, schedule, tuition, and what to bring.