Diving caves of Florida

You have 3 options for Cave Diver Training all of which will get you to the same place but in different ways:

Route 1 is to undertake Cavern, Intro and Full Cave Training here in the UK over 3 separate training modules using side mounted cylinders in very often less than ideal conditions. Whilst the training standards can be met there is no doubt that the quality of diving is less than taking the training in venues such as Florida, France and Mexico. However the plus points of this style and route of training are that the diver can progress at their own pace and actually gain valuable experience in between training courses.

Equipment loaded on a Florida dive charter taking divers to far reach caves

Also the cost of training is much less as all the training is done here in the UK so no need for expensive flights abroad and the training course modules are between 3 and 4 days. With this type of training we can supply all the gear you will need for the course for a reasonable rental fee as you will be using side mounted 12 litre cylinders (2) with a specialist harness to configure these cylinders. Some of the training will take place in flooded mines which are no where near as beautiful and inspiring as diving in Caves, but never the less offer a challenging environment. Route 1 Costs are £400 for the 3 day Cavern Module, £400 for the 3 day Intro Cave Diver Module and £500 for the 4 day Full Cave Diver Module.

Route 2 is to undertake Cavern / OHE and Intro Cave Training in France over 4 days followed by Full Cave Diver training in either France, Florida or Mexico on another separate second week. This is by far the best way but naturally the most expensive and time consuming. However you must consider that by the time you reach Full Cave Diver Certification you will have experienced a mass of different sites, entries and caves and will have completed at least 20 Cave Dives in real caves, not flooded mines.

Route 2 costs are £500 for the Cavern and Intro Cave Training week and £750 for the Full Cave Diver Training week.

Route 3 is to undertake the Cavern / OHE Course here in the UK over a weekend and then take the Intro Cave and Full Cave together in either France, Florida or Mexico. This route is naturally less expensive than route 2 and offers better quality diving than Route 1 but in some ways is more committing than Route’s 1+2 as there is no gentle introduction to Cave Diving, it’s straight in there and get stuck in!

This route is unique in that we start the training with a weekend in Plymouth. Here we get the theory and line drills completed and then we make 3 wreck dives to practise swim techniques, buoyancy control, line laying skills and lots of reel work. The reel is your best friend and we have to learn to use it properly. The weekend can be done anytime but we recommend keeping it as close to the cave course as possible to retain skills. By completing the weekend we can get 6 days solid cave diving in allowing at least 14 dives and adding valuable time in the cave environment onto your course. The weekend is mandatory as we have found it makes a huge difference to the quality and success rate of the course

Explore inviting Sea Caves

The cave training takes place over a week and when we arrive we can get stuck straight into cave diving without having to waste valuable time practising drills and completing theory. This gives much more time in the evenings to reflect on the day's diving and debrief the activities and skills practised. Our course covers all the necessary skill requirements listed in standards plus our own input valuable to both cave and wreck divers. This 'extra' training is the product of several years cave and deep wreck exploration making our course very comprehensive and enjoyable. Route 3 costs are £300 for the OHE weekend in Plymouth which includes boat fees plus £750 for the Intro and Full Cave Diver week abroad. Please note that all the above costs are for training and certification only and do not include and travel or accommodation costs. Once you have decided which route you wish to take we will inform you of the travel fees etc.

Deep Blue Equipment Rental Costs.

Manifolded twinsets are £10 per day
Stage Cylinders are £6 per day
10 Watt HID Canister Torch’s are £10 per day
Stainless Steel Backplate and Harness are £6 per day
Single Bladder Dive Rite Wing £6 per day
Side Mount Harness System £6 per day

Please note that some of these items may be price differently if rented from other dive centres

For Cave Training dates in Florida during 2008 please look under the course dates section on this website

If you have specific dates that you need please drop me a line and I'll see if I can organise it for you.

All Cave Diver Training Course takes place in manifolded doubles or side mounted cylinders as this is the only safe way to penetrate an overhead environment whether it’s a wreck, mine or cave. If you have a single cylinder and have a first stage or second stage failure then you need to ask yourself the question ‘how will I get out?’ Taking a pony cylinder is not the answer and the only true safe way is to have an independent first / second stage regulator on either a manifolded twinset or independent side mounted cylinders of equal capacity.