Mexico Cave Diving Expedition – TDI Full Cave Certification in Playa del Carmen Mexico
A National Technical Diving Training Experience with Sink or Swim Scuba

Sink or Swim Scuba invites divers from across the United States to join us for an elite international cave diving expedition in the world famous cenotes of Playa del Carmen Mexico. This advanced training trip provides the opportunity to complete TDI Cavern Intro to Cave or Full Cave Diver Certification in one of the most respected and visually stunning cave systems on the planet.

This program is designed for divers seeking professional grade overhead environment training extensive hands on experience and a pathway into expedition level technical diving. Whether you are finalizing your TDI Full Cave Diver certification or progressing your skills into overhead environments for the first time this expedition offers unmatched training value.

Why Mexico Why Sink or Swim Scuba

The Riviera Maya provides
Crystal clear freshwater visibility
Massive decorated tunnels haloclines and limestone formations
Predictable conditions ideal for skill refinement
Access to multiple world class cave systems

Sink or Swim Scuba has grown into a national resource for technical divers supporting recreational technical and public safety diving teams across the United States. We provide world class training professional mentorship and access to proper cave diving equipment for divers nationwide.

TDI Full Cave Diver Certification Course Overview

This course is the final stage of the TDI cave diver development path. Divers refine and expand upon the foundational skills learned in the Cavern and Intro to Cave programs while conducting real cave penetrations under instructor supervision.

The purpose of this course is to
Advance diver proficiency in complex cave environments
Build precision buoyancy trim propulsion and stress management skills
Teach advanced reel handling jumps gaps navigation and emergency procedures
Prepare divers to dive caves independently within established limits

Qualifications of a TDI Full Cave Diver

After successful completion divers may dive caves without direct supervision while following these limits

1. Penetration limited to the one third air rule

2. Maximum depth one hundred thirty feet

3. No equipment removal inside the cave

4. Conduct safety or decompression stops if trained for decompression

5. Always maintain a continuous guideline to open water

6. Use proper cave diving equipment at all times

Instructor and Student Ratios

Academic unlimited
Cave dives maximum three students per instructor

Student Prerequisites

Minimum age eighteen
Hold TDI Intro to Cave Diver TDI Mine Diver Level One or equivalent
Hold TDI Decompression Procedures certification if decompression dives will be conducted may be taught concurrently

Course Structure and Requirements

Cave Diving Requirements
Minimum eight cave dives
Minimum accumulated bottom time two hundred forty minutes
Conducted at three different sites
At least one site not previously used in Cavern or Intro training

If entering without previous cave certifications
Sixteen cave dives
Minimum four hundred twenty minutes total bottom time

Duration
Minimum four days
Combined Cavern Intro Full Cave progression minimum seven days

Required Equipment Per TDI Standards

Each diver must have
Dual cylinders with appropriate volume
Two independent first and second stage regulators one with long hose
Submersible pressure gauge
Buoyancy compensator or harness system
Exposure suit suitable for conditions
Mask and fins
Two line cutting devices
Three lights one primary and two backups
Two safety reels or spools
One primary reel for the team
Dive computer and backup timing and depth device
Slate or wet notes
Backup tables or backup computer
Three directional line arrows
One non directional line marker
Reels or spools for planned jumps or gaps
Marked decompression cylinders when required

Proper equipment for this trip including cave diving gear technical diving equipment regulators lights reels and accessories is available through Sink or Swim Scuba your nationwide resource for high quality scuba and technical diving equipment.

Required Subject Areas

Policy for cave diving
Gas matching and gas management including dissimilar volumes
Psychological considerations
Equipment options and configurations
Communication including hand light and touch signals
Swimming techniques body posture buoyancy propulsion
Physiology breathing stress management decompression theory
Cave environment geology access conservation
Problem solving emergency procedures equipment failures silt management
Accident analysis
Dive tables and decompression theory review
Cave diving etiquette

Required Skill Performance

Land drills
Deploying a guideline
Following a guideline
Lost diver use of safety reel
Lost line drill

In water skills
Pre dive planning
Equipment check and equipment matching
Bubble checks
Propulsion techniques
Buoyancy and trim control
Stress analysis
Guideline deployment
Use of line markers
Line following eyes open and closed
Air sharing with lights on
Air sharing with lights off with touch contact
Mask removal and replacement while on the line
Use of hand light and touch contact signals
Conservation and environmental awareness
Anti silt techniques
Simulated primary light failure
Lost line and lost diver procedures
Use of reels for jumps and gaps
Backup navigation and referencing

To complete this course students must
Pass the written TDI exam
Perform all land drills and cave dive skills safely
Demonstrate sound judgment in planning and execution
Maintain respect and awareness for the cave environment
Log all required dives

Join a Nationally Recognized Team of Technical Divers

Sink or Swim Scuba proudly trains divers from every region of the United States supporting recreational technical and public safety personnel at all levels. Our trips combine world class instruction with unforgettable diving experiences that build real skill confidence and capability.

Ready to Join Us in Mexico

Call us to book.