Learn the Skills for Safe Cavern Diving and Overhead Environments

The IANTD Cavern Diver course is designed to train divers to safely perform cavern dives, focusing on developing awareness, personal responsibility, and risk management in overhead environments. This course is essential for anyone who wants to explore caves and obstructed underwater environments, always within the limits of light zones and without losing sight of an exit.

The course can be conducted using air or Nitrox mixtures (Nitrox only for divers holding an IANTD EANx Diver certification or equivalent). Divers certified as Recreational Trimix Divers may also use hyperoxic blends when provided.

Course Overview

The IANTD Cavern Diver course develops essential skills for diving in basic overhead environments where natural light from the exit is still visible.

You will learn how to:

  • Dive in obstructed environments with care and precision
  • Develop self-control, buoyancy, and finning techniques to avoid disturbing sediments
  • Use the Ariadne’s thread (guideline) to ensure safe orientation and avoid losing the way to the exit
  • Manage stress and awareness in confined spaces

Through a structured and progressive learning approach, you will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to dive in caverns and overhead environments within the limits of your training and always in full safety.

Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the IANTD Cavern Diver certification, issued by the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD).

Course Prerequisites

To enrol in the IANTD Cavern Diver course, you must:

  • Hold an IANTD Advanced Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent qualification from a recognised agency
  • IANTD EANx Diver certification or equivalent is highly recommended
  • Have at least 20 logged dives
  • Be at least 15 years old with parental or tutor authorisation

Divers already certified with a technical or Sidemount certification may be certified directly as IANTD Advanced Cavern Diver (ADV CAVERN).

Course Materials

During the course, the use of official IANTD materials is mandatory:

  • IANTD Cavern Diver manual or IANTD Overhead Environment Diver manual

All dives must be properly logged and signed by the instructor.

Course Duration and Structure

Theory Lessons:

  • As outlined in the IANTD manual

Confined Water Training:

  • At least one confined water session (in an open and unobstructed environment, not in a cave)
  • Maximum depth: 10 metres

Open Water Training Dives:

  • Minimum 100 minutes of bottom time, completed over at least two (2) cavern dives
  • Maximum depth: 40 metres, no decompression

All training is focused on developing real, practical skills to ensure safety and confidence when diving in overhead environments.

Get Certified — Learn Cavern Diving Safely

For more information or to enrol in the IANTD Cavern Diver course contact us at: cecilia@dgportofino.com

Explore safely. Dive with confidence — with Diving Group Portofino and IANTD!