'Stage Cave Diver' Course

[DeepBound]

Hi,
I'm a new cave diver, I took the Cave Intro course in January and Cave Apprentice in February in northern Florida.

I know that after doing my Full Cave course, I'll want to do dives using stage bottles. I already do this for open water dives, and I'd like to hear from anyone who has taken this course if they feel it was worthwhile. Is there actually a lot of new stuff to learn about using stage bottles in a cave versus in open water?

Neil

There's a course for that? I thought staging was something you learned from your instructor during mentoring, which is the year or so after full cave that your instructor dives with you.

[amphipod06]

It was discussed in my full cave course (a bizillion years ago) and then afterwards when we were comfortable in the water (in a cave, different from OW) we started doing stage dives. Attention to buoyancy and form.You should be completely comfortable in a cave with your buoyancy and task loading before you add more. If you are just getting certified Full Cave perhaps it would be a good idea to get a few cave dives under your belt before you try new stuff, this is not to say that you can't, only that task loading can get you very stressed and not conducive to safe cave diving. As far as difference between OW and cave stage use, likely not that much difference, depends on technique. Ask your cave instructor, he/she should be able to give you advice.

Good luck and dive safe,

Celia

[Oister]

Naui Cave II covers stage dives. I really think Naui has a nice program.

Russel Oister

[Jay]

I heard there was a course for staging. Probably a good idea unless you have some good mentors.

My third dive after full cave was a scootering stage dive icircuit n JB.

You might want different mentors then I had.

[aainslie]

I did a class - my instructor is a great guy, and used it as much to show me some cave systems as to teach me the protocols. So with the right instructor you get two for one - some great guided dives, AND learning protocols that might get nglected if a buddy informally introduces you to stage diving.

Some friends of mine dove for about a year using stages without doing a class on the basis that since they did it already diving trimix, what new was there to learn? They've just reversed that decision and - even after doing quite a few stage dives - are taking a stage class on their next trip.

Bottom line, it's cheap insurance that you learn effectively, AND you get some nice guided dives out of it. I think it's a no-brainer.

[DeepBound]

Thanks for the information.
On the course, how many stage bottles did you learn to manage? Did you dive with 2 stages on your d-rings and the rest on a leash behind you, or was it just one stage?

[aw]

Thanks for the information.
On the course, how many stage bottles did you learn to manage? Did you dive with 2 stages on your d-rings and the rest on a leash behind you, or was it just one stage?

Don't know bout the actual course, but in recreational cave diving, you'll find 2 stages is the absolute most you'd want to carry on you anyway. More than that, and you really want to consider a set-up dive. You're probably thinking of pics you've seen on exploration projects. That's a different animal altogether and usually done with scooters to tow the bulk.

[BillBowden]

I've heard there was such a thing, but I don't know anybody who's taken it. You should learn how to rig stage bottles in full cave. When you're ready, hook up with a more experienced caver and go for it. Slowly.

Stage diving is a tool. When you've gone as far as you can on back gas, then add the stage. Beware too far, too fast. There's lots to see without the stage.

Have fun.

[aainslie]

Thanks for the information.
On the course, how many stage bottles did you learn to manage? Did you dive with 2 stages on your d-rings and the rest on a leash behind you, or was it just one stage?

A setup dive was something we did on my class. We did the first dive with two cylinders. We used one and dropped the other one full at the coathangers at Ginnie. We then headed back taking in some scenery along the way back.

On the second dive we once more took in two cylinders. We breathed down the first, dropped it at the beginning of rollercoaster, then started breathing the second. We dropped the second at the coathangers and picked up the third. This one we rode to Stage Rock and dropped there. We then proceeded on backgas to about 100 or so feet past the Henkle.

It was a great learning experience.