Trimix Cave Diver

Course Description

Diving beyond the safe operating limits of your gas mixture is part of the five Rules of Accident Analysis. It’s why the depth limit for entry-level Cave Diver training is 40 m/130 ft. But what if you have a legitimate need to go deeper? This is where the Trimix Cave Diver course comes in.

On deeper cave dives, using helium-based gas mixtures is essential. There is more to Trimix cave diving, however, than simply taking an open-water Trimix course and trusting it will apply equally to caves. It won’t.

There are aspects of Trimix use which are unique to cave diving. They include the need for more precise dive planning and gas management. Decompressing from a Trimix cave dive may need to begin long before you reach the exit. Are you prepared for this?

Even if you already possess Trimix Diver certification, taking the Trimix Cave Diver course is essential. And, if you are an active cave diver looking to go deeper, this may be the best way to acquire your Trimix training and certification.

Course Equipment Requirements

In addition to all equipment required as a Cave Diver, the following:

• Properly rigged and labeled decompression cylinder(s) of a minimum rated volume of 11 L/80 ft3.

• Properly rigged and cleaned oxygen cylinder(s) of a minimum rated volume of 5.5 L/40 ft3.

• Trimix computer and backup bottom timer/depth gauge and backup tables appropriate for the planned dive or two bottom timer/depth gauges and tables appropriate for the planned dive.

• Spare mask.

• Oxygen and helium gas analyzers (may be provided by instructor).

• Text as prescribed by the NSS-CDS Deep Cave Diver Specialty Instructor.

Course Prerequisites

• Be at least 18

• Be certified to the full Cave Diver or CCR Cave Diver level or equivalent by a widely recognized training organization

• Have at least 50 non-training-related cave dives past initial Cave Diver certification

How long will this take?

This course generally takes two days and at least three dives.