TDI Cave & Tech Dive Courses

Education, Exploration, Conservation and Fun!

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Here at Acuatic Diving Tulum, we offer a variety of Cave and Technical courses to certified divers of all levels who are interested in getting into technical diving. Each course accomplished being extremely rewarding.

TDI (Technical Diving International) is the leader in technical diving and has been since 1994. As one of the first agencies to provide training in mixed gas diving and rebreathers, TDI is seen as an innovator of new diving techniques and programs which previously were not available to the general public. Training with TDI has provided divers with the opportunity to see such wrecks as the Andrea Doria, Lusitania and the Prince of Wales. TDI divers have explored underwater caves in Spain, Australia and Mexico and assisted as support divers on world record freedives done in the Red Sea.

TDI’s professionals are held to the highest standard to ensure quality training throughout the world. This means that as a diver taking a TDI course, your instructor will have documented his experience and knowledge prior to achieving that rating.

TDI is committed to offering the highest quality training supported by the latest materials with the most up to date information and techniques. TDI’s materials are written by authors that acutely conduct the type of diving they are writing about. Those same materials are updated as technology and equipment change.


Our TDI Cave & Tech Courses:

TDI Intro to Tech

TDI Intro to Tech

TDI Cavern Diver

TDI Cavern Diver

TDI Intro to Cave Diver

TDI Intro to Cave Diver

TDI Full Cave Diver

TDI Full Cave Diver

TDI Nitrox Diver

TDI Nitrox Diver

TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver

TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver

TDI Decompression Procedures

TDI Decompression Procedures

TDI Extended Range

TDI Extended Range

TDI DPV Cave Diver

TDI DPV Cave Diver

TDI Cave Surveying Diver

TDI Cave Surveying Diver

TDI Sidemount Diver

TDI Sidemount Diver

  • TDI Intro to Tech
  • TDI Cavern Diver
  • TDI Intro to Cave Diver
  • TDI Full Cave Diver
  • TDI Nitrox Diver
  • TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver
  • TDI Decompression Procedures
  • TDI Extended Range
  • TDI DPV Cave Diver
  • TDI Cave Surveying Diver
  • TDI Sidemount Diver
  • TDI Intro to Tech

    The TDI Intro to Tech Course is an introductory course that expands on recreational training by improving dive planning methods, in-water skills, and streamlining existing gear configurations in a controlled and fun learning environment.

    Who this course is for:

    Certified open water scuba diver who wants to expand diver knowledge and who is considering technical training or certified technical diver who is seeking a refresher course.

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
    • Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
    • Proof of 25 logged open water dives

    What you can expect to learn:

    • In-depth dive planning, advanced buoyancy control, gas management, situational awareness, proper trim, gear configuration and selection
    • Exposure to in-depth dive planning, introduction to more advanced technical diving and equipment
    • Opportunity to become a more proficient diver and expand on diver skills and knowledge

    Approximate time: 2-3 Days (4 dives)

    Price: $450 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Cavern Diver

    The TDI CAVERN COURSE ia available at Acuatic Tulum and is designed to develop the skills and knowledge for cavern and overhead environment diving within the limits of light penetration; in addition outlines specific hazards associated with cave diving.

    The TDI Cavern Diver course offers the certified diver a first glimpse into the truly amazing and beautiful world of underwater caves. This course allows the diver to explore that part of the cave system within the daylight zone.

    The TDI Cavern Diver Course in not intended to provide instruction for cave diving environments. The aim of this course is to train divers in the proper planning, procedures, techniques and hazards of cavern diving.

    Who this course is for:

    The certified diver who has interest in moving forward with overhead environment diving and expanding their diving techniques, capabilities, and more!

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
    • Provide proof of an TDI Intro to Tech or equivalent
    • Proof of 25 logged dives

    Approximate time: 2-3 Days (4 dives)

    Price: $450 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Intro to Cave Diver

    This TDI INTRO TO CAVE COURSE is available at Acuatic Tulum and teaches the basic principles of utilizing a primary guide line Introductory cave diving is the second level in the development of safe techniques for cave diving.

    The second level in the overhead diver’s progression towards Full Cave Diver is the Intro to Cave Diver course. It is at this point that the diver first departs the daylight zone of the cave system and conducts limited, linear explorations (main line only) of popular cave systems.

    Your TDI Intro Cave Instructor will cover topics and skills such as:

    • Limits based on no decompression
    • Equipment configuration and preparation
    • Body posture and trim
    • Propulsion techniques
    • Cave conservation
    • Proper guideline procedures
    • S drills
    • Hand and light signals

    The TDI Overhead Environment manual will outline the procedures for conducting cavern dives and a great addition to your diving library

    The objective of this course is to perfection the skills taught in the cavern diving program, in addition to the adoption of additional techniques required for elementary cave dives to a maximum depth of 130fsw/40msw.

    Who this course is for:

    The certified TDI Cavern Diver or equivalent who has interest in moving forward with overhead environment diving and expanding their diving techniques, capabilities, and more!

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18
    • Provide proof of TDI Cavern Diver certification or equivalent

    Approximate time: 2-3 Days (5 dives)

    Price: $450 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Full Cave Diver

    This TDI FULL CAVE COURSE is available at Acuatic Tulum and is the 3rd level of training in TDI‘s cave diving curriculum. Advanced cave dive planning, practical execution of different types of cave systems and emergency scenarios.

    This course is for the serious adventure wanting to explore further into the overhead environment, make jumps off main lines to adjoining passages. During the cave course your TDI Instructor will teach you the proper techniques for diving in a cave environment while maintaining a constant guideline. Your TDI Cave Instructor will cover topics and skills such as:

    • Equipment configuration and preparation
    • Body posture and trim
    • Propulsion techniques
    • Cave conservation
    • Proper guideline procedures
    • Lost line drills
    • buddy emergency procedures
    • S drills
    • Hand and light signals

    The TDI Overhead Environment manual, or E-learning option, will outline the procedures for conducting cavern dives and a great addition to your diving library

    The aim of this course is to expand and fine tune techniques learned in the previous cave courses, as well as advanced planning and skill perfection.

    Who this course is for:

    The certified TDI Introductory Cave Diver (or equivalent), who has interest in moving forward with overhead environment diving and expanding their diving techniques, capabilities, range, and more!

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18
    • Minimum certification of TDI Introductory Cave Diver, or equivalent
    • If decompression dives are to be conducted in training, the student must be TDI Decompression Procedures certified or equivalent, or this training may be conducted concurrently. If courses are taught concurrently, ALL requirements for both courses must be met and registrations processed upon completion.

    Approximate time: 4 Days (8 dives)

    Price: $850 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Nitrox Diver

    TDI Nitrox Diver Course is an entry level course for divers wishing to continue their diver education and utilize enriched air nitrox as a breathing gas to extend no decompression limits at depth.

    Nitrox is also a great course for those wanting to extend their bottom times in shallower depths such as scientific diver, the course leads on to advanced nitrox. The course cover topics like:

    • The benefits, hazards, and proper procedures for using nitrox mixes from 22 through 40 percent oxygen content
    • Equipment considerations, cylinder labeling, analyzing nitrox mixtures, and gas blending procedures

    You will use the TDI Nitrox Diving manual, or E-learning for your course, which explains in an easy to understand practical way the complex information that Nitrox divers need to know.

    This course will enable you to be able to dive utilizing EAN-22 to EAN-40 without direct supervision. After this you will be able to enroll in TDI Advanced Nitrox, TDI Decompression Procedures.

    Who this course is for:

    • The open water diver who is interested in learning more about nitrox mixtures
    • The open water diver who is interested in extending their bottom time
    • The certified diver who has interest in moving 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

    Approximate time:

    Price: $400 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver

    This TDI Advanced Nitrox Course available at acuatic Tulum. This course teaches you the use of EAN 21 through 100% Oxygen for optimal mixes to a depth of 130fsw/40msw.

    Advanced Nitrox is also a great course for those wanting to extend their bottom times in shallower depths such as scientific diver, and a must for CCR divers. The course cover topics like:

    • Tech Diving Equipment requirements
    • Dive planning
    • Oxygen tracking
    • Blending methods

    You will use the TDI Advanced Nitrox Diving manual, or E-learning for your course, which explains in an easy to understand practical way the complex information that Advanced Nitrox divers need to know.

    The aim of this course is to train divers in the benefits, hazards and proper ways for utilising Oxygen rich mixes, as well as gas switches for dives not requiring staged decompression. (Decompression techniques may be combined with this course at the discretion of the Instructor).

    Who this course is for:

    • The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their understanding of nitrox mixtures containing more than 40% oxygen
    • The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their in-water skills
    • The certified diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
    • Minimum certification of TDI Nitrox Diver or equivalent
    • Proof of 25 logged open water dives

    Approximate time:

    Price: $600 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Decompression Procedures

    This TDI Decompression Procedures Course available at Acuatic Tulum, is the next course up after the TDI Advanced Nitrox Course or can be taken if you are an adventure/advanced open water diver. This Course examines the theory, methods and procedures of planned stage decompression diving.

    Your TDI Instructor will give you valuable information and skills, among the topics covered are:

    • Kit set-up
    • Tech diving Equipment requirements
    • Decompression techniques
    • Decompression breathing gases
    • Gas management
    • Contingency planning
    • Problem solving procedures

    The TDI Decompressions Procedures course combined with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course form the foundation of all other technical courses. After these two courses and some extra experience, the stage has been set for you to move on to other technical levels.

    Some of the materials you will be using include the TDI Divers Guide to Decompression Procedures, US Navy or Buhlmann Air Decompression Tables (made of vinyl for easy in-water use and storage)

    The aim of this course is to train divers how to plan and conduct a standard staged decompression dive. The most common equipment requirements, gear set-ups, decompression techniques and decompression mixtures (including Oxygen and Nitrox) are presented.

    Who this course is for:

    • The certified Advanced Diver looking to expand their knowledge of decompression theory and diving techniques
    • The certified Advanced Diver who is interested in extending their bottom time
    • The certified Advanced Diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18
    • Minimum certification of Advanced Diver, or equivalent
    • Proof of 25 logged open water dives

    Approximate time:

    Price: $500 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Extended Range

    TDI Extended Range Course available at Acuatic Tulum, provides the training and experience required to competently use air for dives up to 180 fsw/55msw that need staged decompression, utilising Nitrox mixtures and Oxygen during decompression.

    The TDI Extended Range course teaches you the proper techniques for utilising compressed air as a breathing gas and with a maximum depth of 55m/180 feet you won’t have to miss those dives. The Extended Range course will cover topics and skills such as:

    • Equipment requirements and configuration
    • Decompression options
    • Use of surface marker buoys
    • Buddy rescue
    • Narcosis checks and management

    Materials for this course include the TDI Extended Range Diving Manual and the US Navy or Buhlmann Air Decompression Tables (made of vinyl for easy in-water use and storage)

    The main covered areas are software-accelerated deco, stress management and autonomy.

    Who this course is for:

    • The certified Advanced Diver looking to expand their knowledge of decompression theory and diving techniques
    • The certified Advanced Diver who is interested in extending their bottom time
    • The certified Advanced Diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18
    • Minimum certification of Advanced Diver, or equivalent
    • Proof of 25 logged open water dives

    Approximate time:

    Price: $500 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI DPV Cave Diver

    This TDI DPV Cave Course available at Acuatic Tulum, is designed to give the trained cave diver the minimum knowledge and basic fundamentals of safely utilising diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) in the underwater cave environment. Safe techniques, procedures and skill perfection associated with the use of DPV’s in cave diving is emphasised. Cave conservation considerations, such as low-impact application, are stressed.

    • Equipment Considerations
    • DPV Emergency Towing
    • DPV Techniques Suitable for the Cave Environment
    • DPV Maintenance
    • Proper Use of a DPV

    Most divers that use a DPV take them to dive sites of which they know will take them a long time to swim to. A cave systems like Carwash or Xulo. You can get to the depths fast enough and back, relaxing on the way up. Or to explore some areas that no one has been to, thus unknown distances.

    Who this course is for:

    • The certified TDI Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures diver looking for the next step in technical dive training. Whether you’re looking to expand upon your skills, experience, or just go a little deeper to see an area of interest, this course is for you!

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18
    • Certified as a TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver and TDI Decompression Procedures Diver, or equivalent
    • Proof of a minimum of 100 logged dives, of which 25 must be deeper than 30 metres/100 feet

    Approximate time:

    Price: $500 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Cave Surveying Diver

    Tulum is the perfect place to do the TDI Cave Survey Diver Course. Alex Alvarez the founder of Acuatic Tulum is an expert in this field. This course is designed to give the trained cave diver the knowledge and fundamental skills of how to survey in the unique underwater cave environment. The intention of this program is to encourage a standardization of cave surveying on all projects; encourage the use of cave maps in dive planning while increasing the diver’s awareness and knowledge of the surrounding environment. Safe techniques, procedures and skill perfection associated with surveying in cave diving is emphasized.

    What you will learn:

    • Decompression theory and its application to survey diving
    • Gas matching procedures/management
    • Accident analysis
    • Equipment considerations
    • Compass readings
    • Compass errors
    • Streamlining
    • Body posture and buoyancy control
    • Survey techniques
    • Sketching
    • Tie-off stations
    • Vertical surveying
    • Large chambers
    • Extended passages
    • Radial surveys
    • Review of problem solving
    • Emergency procedures
    • Survey process
    • Data collection, verification and preparation
    • Symbolism
    • Cartography
    • Single line maps
    • High grade maps
    • Cave environment/conservation
    • Land owner relations
    • Local access requirements

    Who this course is for:

    • The certified TDI Full Cave Diver (or equivalent) interested in learning how to survey underwater caves

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18
    • Certified as a TDI Full Cave Diver or equivalent
    • Proof of at least 25 non-training cave dives

    Approximate time:

    Price: $500 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Sidemount Diver

    TDI Sidemount Diver Course is available at Acuatic Tulum, this is the perfect course for any diver wishing to use this increasingly popular equipment configuration, either as a ‘stand-alone’ course or with one of TDI’s other open-circuit specialties. It teaches students how to safely use side-mounted primary cylinders as an alternative to the traditional back-mounted method. This course takes students through the specific techniques, planning procedures and skills that set side-mounted cylinder diving apart from the traditional back-mounted method. During the course, the TDI Instructor takes students on a minimum of three dives and covers skills such as:

    • Diving Equipment considerations
    • Gas management
    • Attaching cylinders
    • Trim and buoyancy
    • Deployment of surface marker
    • Different water entries

    TDI’s Sidemount Diver Specialty is a useful stand-alone course for the technical diver who wants to become more skilled and proficient with different gear configurations regardless of if he intends to use sidemount all the time. The course may also be taught in conjunction with any of TDI’s other open-circuit specialty courses, on the condition that all prerequisites and standards applicable to both courses are fully met.

    Who this course is for:

    • The TDI diver looking to expand their in-water skills and techniques
    • The certified diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education and expanding their equipment configuration options

    Course prerequisites:

    • Minimum age 18
    • Minimum certification of Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent

    Approximate time:

    Price: $500 USD per person

    Whats Included: Course manual, weights, air refills, entrance fees, round trip transportation from the dive shop. Certification charges are not included and are to be paid direclty to TDI.

    **Please note this course must be booked in advance by emailing booking@acuatictulum.com**

  • TDI Intro to Tech
  • TDI Cavern Diver
  • TDI Intro to Cave Diver
  • TDI Full Cave Diver
  • TDI Nitrox Diver
  • TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver
  • TDI Decompression Procedures
  • TDI Extended Range
  • TDI DPV Cave Diver
  • TDI Cave Surveying Diver
  • TDI Sidemount Diver