Tag Archives: Dive Course

Dive Course – Playa del carmen – Tulum – Yucatan – Mexico

Is cave diving for me?

December 31, 2017Dive trainingCave Diving, Cave Diving Training, Dive CourseDeep Dark Diving

You can think of cave diving as very demanding and more dangerous than reef diving, but when executed properly, cave dives are safe and extremely rewarding. After completing your cave diver training, you will travel to amazing places such as Bahamas islands and the Cenotes of Yucatan in Mexico, discover places only few people have ever seen and get a sense of exploration.

To become a cave diver you will have to go through rigourous training. The steps and levels can slightly differ from one training agency to the other, but your training will strongly depend on the instructors experience in cave diving and teaching. So make sure you get the right instructor for yourself.

Here are a few thoughts…

Can I become a cave diver?

First of all you need the right motivation: an interest for cave and for cave diving. If you’re a thrill seeker: pass your way!

TDI Cave diving course

Any Open water diver with sufficient experience and habilities can start a cave diving training program. You should be confident diving in low-light and low visibility conditions. You should be qualified or comfortable learning in a two-tanks system, either in sidemount or backmount configuration.

Cave diving demands a serious and confident approach, and discipline to meticulously conduct every dive, every time.

What will I learn during my cave diver training?

Air Sharing in Touch Contact

Anti silting swimming techniques
Use a line and reel
Stress management
Dealing with problems safely and calmly
Become an aware and safe cave diver
Geology, cave formations and conservation
a lot more…

What equipment will I need?

Two tanks configuration: sidemount or backmount
Three torches (Primary light source and two backups)
Line cutters
Reels and spools
Personal markers

Make sure to talk to your instructor before purchasing any item, to ensure that you’re getting the right gear.

Where can I learn to cavern dive?

Cenote Kukulkan, cavern dive in the winter morning light

First step of the full cave diver training, you should do your training in a cave diving area, to get real experience, and inspire you to continue your training to cave diver. The Cenotes of Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula offer amazing training and diving sites, and remain one of the most popular cave diving destination in the world.

Where can I learn to cave dive?

The cave diver training is a two step course. During the first part, the introductory course you will learn to complete simple cave dives following a single continuous guideline.

The final part of cave training is mainly about adding complexity to navigation inside the cave. For that last part of the training we highly recommend the caves of Mexico. These very complex systems offer a large quantity of dive sites and scenarios possibility for training. The warm water and shallow caves will enable you to stay longer underwater, practice and focus on cave related skills.

Where can I cave dive after my cave diver training?

All around the world 🙂

Among popular places to go cave diving for pleasure is Florida, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, France, and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Do you feel ready to become a cave diver?

We might or might not be the right instructors for you, but if you have any doubts or questions don’t hesitate in contacting us.

Most of all, if you are ready, welcome to the amazing world of cave divers.

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Diving Training

Cave and Tech Diving course, Dive trainingAdvanced Nitrox, Cave Diving, Cave Diving Training, Deco Procedures, Deep Diving Playa del Carmen, Dive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Nitrox, Razor Side Mount, side mount, Side Mount Diving, sidemount cave diving, technical diving, Yucatan

Deep Dark Diving dive training Philosophy

We offer high quality training in technical diving and cave diving in Playa del Carmen, all the Riviera Maya and in Yucatan, Mexico.

We strive to provide the best learning experience. The objective is to achieve the highest level and learn from each moment. Then by using what you learn you will improve your performance and the safety of your diving.

There is a minimum days required by standards for technical and cave diving training, but be aware that you will personnaly need to meet the diving standards.

All training is based on skills mastering. We do our best to share our experience and knowledge with you and ensure the efficiency of your training but technical or cave diving certification is not garanteed.

Bienvenue

Cave and Tech Diving course, Cave Diving, Guided Dives, Technical DivingCave Diving, Cave Diving Training, Cenotes Tulum, Dive Course

Plongée dans le Yucatan, Mexique – Cours de plongée et Plongées guidées

Deep Dark Diving offre un service personnalisé pour vos plongées dans la Riviera Maya et le Yucatan au Mexique

Dévoués à la sécurité et à la conservation, nous sommes spécialisés dans la plongée Cenote et la plongée souterraine. Nous offrons des plongées guidées ainsi que des formations en plongée souterraine et plongée technique pour plongeurs débutants et confirmés.

Nous avons une passion pour la plongée, une passion pour les grottes, une passion pour la plongée souterraine que nous aimons partager avec vous afin de vous faire profiter au mieux de votre expérience de plongée sous-marine dans le Yucatan.

PLONGÉES GUIDÉES

COURS DE PLONGÉE SOUTERRAINE

INTRO TO CAVE DIVER

Voilà! C’est parti dans l’obscurité totale et vous pourrez réaliser des plongées simples au-dela de la zone de lumière naturelle

PLONGEUR SOUTERRAIN

Les réseaux souterrains peuvent être très complexes, surtout au Mexique. Vous pourrez maintenant combiner tout ce que vous avez appris avec des navigations complexes et plus encore

INTRO TO TEC & SIDE MOUNT

INTRO TO TECH

Bases de la plongée technique – Plannification – nouvelle configuration et meilleur hydrodynamisme – Améliorer flottabilité et techniques de palmage. Etablir une base solide.

SIDE MOUNT

Premiers pas en configuration Sidemount. Pour plongeurs tec souhaitant transposer leurs aptitudes à la configuration Sidemount. Ou pour débutants ayant choisi la configuration Sidemount.

RAZOR SIDE MOUNT

Un cours de Side Mount plus approfondi. Il couvre les bases necessaires à la plongée technique et la plongée souterraine et constitue une base solide. De plus votre harnais Razor vous suivra à tous les niveaux de plongée technique.

COURS DE PLONGÉE TECHNIQUE

NITROX

Premier pas vers l’utilisation de mélanges. Pour plongeur Nitrox certifié c’est l’occasion de revoir les bases théoriques, la physique et les lois fondamentales en profondeur avant d’aller plus loin.

ADVANCED NITROX

Physique et physiologie de la plongée aux mélanges contenant plus de 40 % d’oxygène. Rallonger votre temps de plongée sans entrer en décompression

DECO PROCEDURES

Plannifier et réaliser des plongées a décompression . Choix des gas et exécution de plan d’urgence.

ENCORE PLUS PROFOND

EXTENDED RANGE

Des plongées superbes à 55m/180ft mais pas d’helium disponible? Vous apprendrez comment plonger en sécurité en utilisant de l’air et des gaz de décompression.

TRIMIX

Rajoutez l’hélium à vos plongées. Allez plus profond, respirez mieux et réduisez la narcose. Ca rend vos plongées beaucoup sûres et offre de nombreuses possibilités jusqu’à 60m/200ft.

TRIMIX AVANCÉ

Félicitations! Vous avez atteint le plus haut niveau de plongée en circuit ouvert. Utilisez des mélanges avec moins de 17% O2 et à des profondeurs de 100m/330ft. Et faites partie de l’élite de la plongée.

Intro to Tech Diving

Cave and Tech Diving course, Dive training, Technical DivingDive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, scuba diving, technical diving, Yucatan

Valve shutdown in backmount configuration

The Intro to Tech Course extends recreational training by improving dive planning methods, in-water skills, and streamlining existing gear configurations.

After following this class you will become a more proficient diver and expand your diver skills and knowledge.

Objectives

expand diver knowledge
start technical training
refresher for certified technical diver

Prerequisites

Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
Minimum certification: Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
25 logged dives

Duration

What you will learn

In-depth dive planning,
advanced buoyancy control
finning techniques
gas management,
situational awareness,
proper trim,
gear configuration

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Decompression Procedures Diver

Cave and Tech Diving course, Technical DivingAdvanced Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Deep Diving Playa del Carmen, Dive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Mexico, riviera maya, TDI, technical diving, Yucatan

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The decompression procedures course is an exciting step further into your dive career.

Decompression Procedures You can train in your properly configured recreational gear with just an extra stage for the deco gas. You will only need and extra regulator and stage rig and you can still join regular dive operation which is a great advantage.

If you already are an Intro to tech or Sidemount diver you can use this configuration with an extra deco tank.

You will get the best out of this training if you already are an Advanced Nitrox diver or if you combine Decompression Procedures and Advanced Nitrox.

These courses will be the foundation of all other technical courses.

Objectives of the Decompression Procedures Course

Extend your bottom time
Safely execute decompression dives
Dive deeper
Look deeper into the decompression theory
Extend your diving techniques

Duration

3 days minimum
Dives: 4 dives minimum (including 2 below 30 metres / 100 feet)
Adv. Nitrox + Deco Procedures: 6 dives minimum

Limits

Depth: 45 metres/150 feet.

Course prerequisites

Minimum age 18
Minimum certification of SDI Advanced Adventure Diver, Advanced Diver, or equivalent
25 logged open water dives

Equipement

Primary cylinder(s), Independent or isolated back-mounted
Decompression mix cylinder(s) (with submersible pressure gauge and Labeled)
Depth gauge and bottom timer and / or dive computer
Regulator(s)
Buoyancy compensator device(s) (BCD) adequate for equipment configuration
Line cutting device
Ascent reel with lift bag /surface marker buoy
Oxygen (O2) analyzer; may be supplied by the instructor
Exposure suit adequate for the open water environment
Underwater slate

What will you learn?

Choosing the Decompression gas
The use of dive Tables and personal dive computers
How to set Emergency and contingency plans (in order to face equipment failure, omitted decompression, etc.)
Decompression diving procedures
Choosing the equipment and configuration
Pre-dive checks and drills
Stress analysis and mitigation
Following a decompression schedule
Gas switching
Team awareness and communication
SMB/lift bag deployment
Proper trim, buoyancy and finning techniques
Emergency procedures (in case of equipment failures, catastrophic gas loss, omitted decompression, navigational errors, etc.)
Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures

What’s next?

Nitrox Advanced Nitrox Extended Range Trimix

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Nitrox Course

Cave and Tech Diving course, Dive training, Technical DivingDive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Nitrox, scuba diving, technical diving

The Nitrox Course is an entry level to start utilizing enriched air nitrox as a breathing gas.

Scuba diving nitrox gives you more no decompression time, meaning more time underwater especially on repetitive dives.

This simple one-day course can be done in a matter of hours, and it is in fact “dry course”. You can technically complete the course without going underwater even though, you probably don’t want to miss the fun part?!

Double benefit : More time underwater, where you like and shorter surface intervals !

Objectives of the Nitrox course?

Learn more about nitrox mixtures
Extend your bottom time
Less surface interval
Do repetitive dives
Move forward with technical diving education

Course prerequisites:

Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
Minimum certification of open water diver or current enrollment in an open water diver course

What you will learn:

Techniques for getting more dive time by using enriched air nitrox
The benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for using nitrox mixes from 22 through 40 percent oxygen content
Enriched air considerations, including managing oxygen exposure
Enriched air scuba diving equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures
Manage oxygen exposure.
Analyzing oxygen content in your scuba tank.
Set your dive computer for diving with enriched air nitrox.

Structure of the Nitrox Diver Course:

There are two options for this Course:
Option one: Standard Course
Option two: Course with 2 Cenotes Nitrox dives

What gear will you use?

Your Instructor will help choose and let you know if your gear meets the requirements.

Regular modern scuba equipment
Dive computers
Scuba tanks must meet oxygen service standards and be dedicated for use with enriched air.
Oxygen analyzers
Special cylinder decals.

Next Step

Now that you earned your certification and will extend your dive time, you might consider moving to the next level

Advanced Nitrox Diver course
Decompression Procedures
Specialty courses (Deep, Cavern, Sidemount, PPB, DPV…)

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Cenote Entrance Fees for Cavern & Cave Diving

Cave Diving, Dive training, Guided DivesCave Diving, Cave Diving Training, Cavern Diving, Cenote Diving, Dive Course, Mexico, scuba diving, sidemount cave diving, Yucatan

Here is the list of the entrance fees to the Cenote for Cavern Diving and Cave Diving in the most comon dive sites and training sites in the Riviera Maya – Mexico All prices are given in $ Mexican Pesos We do our best to keep the list up to date, but there might change on the last minute due to landowner decision.

Cenote Entrance fees

Chac Mool/Kukulkan (2 dives): 250$

Chikin Ha (2 dives): 250$

El Eden-(PondeRosa): 300$

Taj Ma Ha: 250$

Dos Ojos Barbie Line & Bat Cave: 380$

El Pit: 570$

Dos Ojos/Pit combined: 760$

Dreams’ Gate: 300$

Calavera (Temple of Doom): 300$

Gran Cenote

Carwash (Actun Ha): 250$

Angelita: 300$

Zapote: 300$

Kin Ha: 200$

Pet Cemetery (Sac Actun): Closed for divers 🙁 but snorkeling is still worth a go!!

might be accessible to cavern divers on special request, entrance fee: 600$

More about Cavern Diving and Cave Diving in the beautiful Cenotes of Mexico. Or get Cave diver Certified or Technical diver Certified

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Prices

Dive training, Guided DivesAdvanced Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Deep Diving Playa del Carmen, Dive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, sidemount training, technical diving

Deep dark Diving likes to be flexible and take you on the dives that are best for you, so just let us know what you have in mind and we will do our best to arrange it!

We do personalized and private guiding and teaching.

Contact us for group packages for 4 or more divers. We will also be happy to help you out with transport, and hotel as well.

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Cavern Diving Prices

Price for 2 Dives (Entrance fees not included)*:

2 dives one location –> 130 $USD
2 dives on different locations –> 140 $USD
2 dives Angelita, Zapote or El Pit + one other location –> 150 $USD
Group prices upon demand (4 divers per guide maximum)

*minimum 2 divers, + 25 USD if one diver

A regular Cavern Diving Tour includes minimum two dives per day. You can combine the dive sites as you like, or ask us for suggestions. Check out the safety rules: Safety Rules for Cavern diving in the Cenotes

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Cave Diving Prices

Price for 2 cave dives or 1 Stage dive (Entrance fees not included)*:

Private guiding 1 diver: 200 $USD/day
2 divers: 180 $USD/diver/ day
3 divers: 160 $USD/Diver/ day
Group prices upon demand

3 divers per guide maximum
2 sets of Tanks (twinset or Side Mount) or 1 set + 1 stage
2 dives/day or 1 Stage dive – backmount or side mount
Use of reels and spools
Use of toolbox

Guided dives Package:

5 days of diving: 5% discount
10 days of diving: 10% discount
Group prices and packages on demands

Prices includes:

Private guiding
Professional, Certified and Experienced Guide and Instructor
Bilingual (Spanish & English) local guides (other languages available too)
Oxygen & First Aid kit
Transportation from Playa del Carmen
Tanks and Weights
Gear storage
Drinking Water in refillable bottles

Not Included:

Entrance fees to the cenotes, check it here: Entrance fees ($ Mexican Pesos):
Certification fees
Technical Gear (available for rental)
Pick up
Food and Drinks
Gases and instructor’s gases for Deep Diving (Trimix, Nitrox and Oxygen)

Cave & Technical Diving Training Prices

Teaching prices per day

Private teaching 1 diver: 250 $USD
2 Students: 230 $USD/person
3 Students: 210 $USD/person

Included:

Certified and experienced local Instructor
Tanks

Not Included:

Entrance fees to the cenotes
Certification fees
Technical Gear
Pick up
Food and Drinks
Gases and instructor gases for Deep Diving (Trimix, Nitrox and Oxygen)

Combined Courses Prices

Intro to Tech (2 days) 500$ USD

Advanced Nitrox (3 days) 750$ USD

Side Mount + Advanced Nitrox (6 days) 1500$ USD
Advanced Nitrox + Decompression Procedures (5 days) 1250$ USD
Advanced Nitrox + Intro to Tech (5 days) 1250$ USD
Intro to Tech + Advanced Nitrox + Deco Procedures (6 days) 1500$ USD

Decompression Procedures (3 days) 750 USD

Side Mount + Deco Procedure (6 days) 1500$ USD
Advanced Nitrox + Decompression Procedures (5 days) 1250$ USD
Intro to Tech + Deco Procedure (5 days) 1250$ USD
Intro to Tech + Advanced Nitrox + Deco Procedures (6 days) 1500$ USD
Side Mount + Advanced Nitrox + Deco Procedures (7 days) 1750$ USD

Cavern (3 days) 750USD

Intro to Tech + Cavern (5 days) 1250 USD
Side Mount + Cavern (6 days) 1500 USD

Intro to Cave (3 days) 750USD

Cavern + Intro to cave (5 days) 1250 USD
Intro to Tech + Intro to Cave (5 days) 1250 USD
Intro to Tech + Cavern + Intro to Tech (7 days) 1750 USD
Side Mount + Cavern + Intro to Cave (8 days) 2000 USD

Full Cave (4 days) 1000 USD

Intro to Cave + Full Cave (6 days) 1500 USD
Cavern + Intro to Cave + Full Cave (8 days) 2000 USD
Intro to Tech + Cavern + Intro to Cave + Full Cave (10 days) 2500 USD
Side Mount + Cavern + Intro to Cave + Full Cave (11 days) 2750 USD

CONTACT

Rental equipment:

Regulator: 5 USD/day
Wetsuit: 5 USD/day
BCD: 5 USD/day
Razor Side Mount Harness: 15 USD/day
Primary light: 28 USD/day

We can provide you with rental gear depending on the course you wish to take. However we recommend to have your own basic gears or consider buying one through us. Make sure you consult us before any purchase. Part of technical diving training deals with equipment configuration therefore you will get the best of your training with your own equipment. Also keep in mind that technical rental gear will not always be available during your travel. For Sidemount we recommend the Razor system and will be happy to offer a package Equipment purchase + training.

Contact

Dive InstructorAdvanced Nitrox, Cave Diving, Cave Diving Training, Cavern Diving, Cenote Diving, Deco Procedures, Deep Diving Playa del Carmen, Dive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Extended Range, Mexico, Nitrox, Razor Side Mount, riviera maya, Side Mount Diving, sidemount cave diving, sidemount training, Technical dive gear, technical diving, Yucatan

Contact Deep Dark Diving

Scuba Diving in Yucatan, Mexico – Personalized Guiding and Training

Group packages available

Mail: info@deepdarkdiving.com
WhatsApp: +52 1 984 135 7062
Location: Playa del Carmen & Mérida, Mexico
Facebook: Deep Dark Diving

We are passionate instructors offering guided dives and training for Reef diving, Cavern diving, Cave diving, Deep diving

I spend a lot of time underwater and far into the jungle, out of phone signal and internet reach. In fact I am probably underwater somewhere in one of the amazing caves of Yucatan. I really do my best to give the best service possible and assure that we can offer the best dive experience. You probably come a long way for a very special holliday and we’ll garantee a very special experience. I personnaly answer all emails and deal with the organization… so please be patient, it’s worth it 🙂

Thank you, back to you as soon as possible,
Géraldine

Intro to Cave Diver Course

Cave and Tech Diving courseCave Diving, Cave Diving Training, Cenote Diving, Cenotes Tulum, Dive Course, Dive Shop Playa del Carmen, Intro to Cave, Mexico, riviera maya, scuba diving, sidemount cave diving, TDI, technical diving, Yucatan

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Intro to Cave Diver Course — Deploying a guideline

After enjoying your cavern diving course and discovering diving in overhead environment it is now time to move on to the Intro to cave diver course.

Not only you will tune up your skills further into the cave but you will adopt additional techniques and procedures required for simple cave dives.

Of course, upon satisfying with the intro to Cave course requirements you may enroll to the Full Cave Diving Course.

Prerequisites

Cavern Diver certification or equivalent
Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent

Qualifications

“Rule of thirds,” OR 1/6th if using doubles
Maximum depth of 40 metres/130 feet.
Proper cave diving equipment must be used
Maintain a continuous guideline
Progress on to the next level: Full Cave Diver course!

Gears

double cylinders or dual valve manifold
Two independent first and second stage regulators; one regulator equipped with a long hose (2 metres / 7 feet)
Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) with power inflator
Exposure suit adequate for diving environment
Line cutting device
Three battery powered lights; 1 primary and 2 back-ups
Safety reel/spool
One primary reel
Computer, watch or bottom timer and depth gauge
Slate or wet notes with a pencil
Submersible dive tables or backup dive computer
Directional and non directional line markers

Duration

Minimum 3 days
Open water training
minimum 4 cave dives
Theory: minimum 4 hours

What you will learn

Policy for cave diving
Gas management
Psychological considerations of cave diving
Equipment choice and configuration
Communication (light and hand signals, touch contact)
Swimming techniques
- Body posture/trim
- Buoyancy control
- Line following
Physiology
- Breathing techniques
- Stress management
Cave environment
Cave conservation
Problem solving
- Emergency procedures
- Equipment failure
- Silting conditions
Accident analysis
Cave diving etiquette

CAVERN FULL CAVE

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