Stage Cave

The TDI Stage Cave Diver Course is designed to teach trained cave divers how to extend bottom times and/or penetration distance through the use of stage cylinders. Divers will learn to plan dives that may incorporate longer bottom times, complex dive planning, and multiple methods of gas management. With respect to depth, gas mixes, and required decompression, course dives will not exceed the student’s current level of certification and experience level.

What you can expect to learn

The following topics must be covered during this course:

• Motivations for extended time and penetration
• Equipment considerations
  • Cylinder sizes
  • Rigging
  • Streamlining
• Gas planning and gas management techniques
• Dive planning including decompression obligations
• Stage Diving techniques suitable for the cave environment
  • Dropping and retrieving of stage cylinders
  • Drop-off stations

Course Equipment Requirements

The following equipment is required for each student:

• Dual cylinders, volume appropriate for planned dive, student gas consumption
• Two independent first and second stage regulators; one regulator equipped with a long hose at a recommended minimum length, 2 meters/ 7 feet
• Submersible pressure gauge
• Stage cylinder(s), volume appropriate for planned dive, student gas consumption
• Stage regulator(s) including first and second stage and submersible pressure gauge
• Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) with power inflator
• Exposure suit adequate for diving environment
• Mask and fins, NO snorkel
• Two line cutting devices

Course Prerequisites

• Minimum age 18
• Certified as a TDI Full Cave Diver, or equivalent