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Cave Explorer Level III

Prerequisites

1. Must be 21 years old and above.
2. Must be ISE Cave Explorer Level 2 and ISE Exploration Diver Level 2 qualified.
3. Must be proficient in scooter diving, or be qualified through ISE Scooter Workshop.
4. Must have at least 500 logged dives, with at least 100 dives in double cylinder configuration, 100 of these must be cave dives; with 50 of these dives beyond ISE Cave Explorer Level 2 training.
5. Must be able to perform the following: 

1000 meters swimming in less than 25 min. & free dive a distance of 35 meters
or alternatively
Snorkel 800 meters (with fins) in less than 14 min. & free dive a distance of 50 meters
or alternatively
Run 1000 Meters in less than 3:30 min.
additionally
12 pushups & 8 pull-ups & 30 sit-ups in 40 sec

Purpose

The ISE Cave Explorer Level 3 is the last in a series of three courses designed to establish cave diving excellence. It teaches divers the techniques necessary to perform long range cave dives. Training emphasis is placed on advance cave diving strategies, advance gas management, efficient manipulation of multiple penetration stage cylinders, cave survey techniques, and scooter diving.

Participants must be experience cave divers who are dedicated in mastering the art of cave diving.

Duration

This class will be conducted over a duration of 10 days, and involves at least 12 dives. (6 critical skills dives and 6 experience dives)

Limits

1. Student to instructor ratio will not exceed 2:1 in all in-water and surface sessions.
2. Gas consumption of maximum 1/3 of gas supply for cave penetration.
3. No training dives are to exceed an equivalent narcotic depth of 30 meters, and the actual depth of 99 meters.
4. Certification expires after 3 years. Students have to re-qualify. (An evaluation dive)

Price

Tuition of 1500 € per student + instructor's travel and diving expenses. (to be shared equally amongst all students)

Academic Topics

• ISE organization
• Limits of training and course completion requirements
• Conservation
• Logistical planning, project support, and operational planning
• Advance diving techniques including scooter diving, use of multiple stage/deco cylinders, navigation, extended penetration, advance gas management, and decompression strategy.

Land Drills

• Spool, reel and guideline use in standard operating procedures
• Team order and protocols
• Spool, reel and guideline use in emergency procedures, including touch contact and gas sharing techniques
• Lost diver procedures
• Lost guideline procedures
• Basic navigation skills including: gaps,jumps, circuits and traverses
• Visual referencing skills

Equipment Recommendations

All students must have the following equipment for the course. Please email the instructor should you have further enquiries.

• Tank/s: Students are required to use double tanks. Double tanks setup requires a dual outlet isolator manifold, which allows for the use of two first-stages. All dives must start with a minimum of 2250 volume liters of gas. Divers must also have access to four stage cylinders marked appropriately. The stages should include one marked with 20 feet/6 meters, one marked with 70 feet/21 meters, one marked with 120 feet/36 meters, and one marked with 190 feet/57 meters. One appropriate drysuit cylinder.
• Regulators: For double tank setup, one first stage must provide a second stage on a 2 meter hose and inflation for buoyancy compensator. The other must provide a second stage on a hose not exceeding 60 cm, attached with a shock cord on the mouth piece. It must also provide a pressure gauge on a hose not exceeding 60 cm, and inflation for dry suit. (where applicable) Four first stage must provide a second stage on a 100 cm hose and also a pressure gauge. One drysuit inflation system.
• Backplate: A rigid and flat platform, of metal construction held to the diver by one continuous piece of nylon webbing. This webbing should be adjustable through the plate with triglides to hold positions, and a buckle to secure the system at the waist. A crotch strap attached to the lower end of the plate and has a loop to pass the waist band through to secure the system. A knife sheath should be attached at the waist and will be adjusted beside the crotch strap when ready. This webbing should support five D-rings; 1 on the left, and 1 on right shoulder strap, both approximately the collar bone level. 2 on the crotch strap with one at the front and one at the buttocks. The shoulder straps should have small rubber bands to hold the back-up lights. The system should have no unnecessary components.
• Buoyancy Compensator Device: The buoyancy compensator device should be back-mounted and streamlined with only one inflator. There should be no bungee cords of any sort on the buoyancy cell. The lift should not exceed 25 kg for doubles. Wing size and shape should be appropriate to the cylinders used during training.
• Lighting Systems: The primary light that should be of a canister with light cord connecting to the light head design. The battery should be inside the canister and a slot to position it on the right hip location on the waist strap. The light head should have a goodman handle with a bolt snap attached, and a loop at the bottom of the light head. The primary light should be at least a 10 watts HID or equivalent.
  At least two back-up lights that are of a twist on and off bezel design. It should be an in-line battery design that do not overdrive the bulb. There should be no on/off switch for the back-up lights. The back-up lights will have bolt snaps attached to the back of it for stowage to the system.
• Diver Propulsion Vehicle: The DPV should be of a design whereby the diver will be towed behind during operation. The DPV will be connected to the diver via a tow cord weaved through a 1" bolt snap. It should very importantly have the ability to be neutral buoyant, have speed adjustments and also of a clutch design. There should also be a leash on the top of the DPV.
• At least six line markers, of which at least three should be line arrows and three cookies.
• At least one depth measuring device.
• At least one time keeping device.
• At least one knife as line cutting device.
• At least one low volume mask.
• One survey compass
• One survey slate
• One pair of non split, rigid fins.
• One underwater notepad.
• One surface marker.
• One spool of at least 30 meters of line per diver.
• One primary reel of at least 90 meters of line per diver.
• One drysuit that is appropriate for the training environment and water temperature.
• Decompression tables