Overhead training is not just for extreme technical divers anymore. Many divers want to explore different dive sites not currently accessible to them so they seek out overhead training. We at Submerged offer training for divers interested in learning the proper techniques for safe wreck, cave, or ice diving. At first glance each of these overhead environments are vastly different from one another. But, they all share common ground in that guideline usage and team awareness is fundamental. Because of this, depending upon the students' experience they begin overhead training with either an Intro to Tec course or an Overhead Protocols course.

There are so many different fascinating and wonderful ways to safely explore the underwater world using scuba but packing all the information needed into one course would really be way too overwhelming. That's why training agencies offer specialty courses for the unique types of diving available. One such course is Cave and Cavern diving offered through Technical Diving International (TDI). "Diving in Overhead Environments" is the student manual for this course. The softbound manual comes with a knowledge quest booklet which contains the same questions that are found at the end of each of the 15 chapters.

The Overhead course is designed to fit the needs of a newer diver interested in learning the finning, buoyancy/trim techniques, and basic skills associated with proper overhead diving. The course focuses heavily on personal skills and begins to expand upon skills learned during the open water course. For the more experienced divers, they enter overhead training by taking an Overhead Protocols course so that they learn all the new overhead skills required for diving in the new environment. These courses are designed to teach the student all of the guideline protocols, team protocols, basic navigation options and most importantly to be a safe thinking diver in any overhead environment like wreck diving, cave diving, or ice diving. This is a course that tests the team's ability to handle different failures that may be encountered during an overhead dive. These failures will test equipment, environment, and the team, all while stressing line management.

After the diver successfully completes the course, they will be able to move onto any of the other overhead environment classes like wreck diving, cave diving, or ice diving. Since all of these environments share the common ground of line management and team/equipment skills, the  TDI Overhead course is a prerequisite for all overhead classes.

Ice Diver

Are you a history buff or do you just have an urge to explore wrecks? Have you dreamed about getting deep inside your favorite wreck to explore the engine room? The Wreck Diver courses will build on the skills you learned in your Overhead course so that you can develop the skills needed to safely penetrate into the no light zone of wrecks. Since the ultimate goal of technical wreck diving is exploration, a team approach rooted in DIR principles is taught from day one. Your training will cover many aspects of proper wreck diving.

The series of courses is designed to start off slowly getting you comfortable with basic wreck diving skills and then it builds in complexity pushing your experience gradually. Diving on wrecks is exhilarating. Wrecks are a glimpse into history – as you swim along the deck, imagine the crew that used to tend the lines, the cargo it once carried, and maybe the storm that led to its demise. During your wreck courses you will learn the proper techniques to perform wreck surveys, map wrecks, and use a reel to lay line for wreck penetrations.

Stalactites, stalagmites, massive columns, and soda straws decorate massive cavern and cave systems all over the world. Some of these caves still have remnants of fire pits, pottery, and even prehistoric human remains. Cave diving is one of the most challenging and demanding activities you can undertake, but if you have the determination to meet these challenges and the discipline and dedication to continually practice and perfect your skills, then cave diving can also be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences you will ever have.

Again, the Cavern and Cave courses are a series and are designed to start off slowly pushing your personal limits by diving in the "cavern zone". Once comfortable with these skills, you and your instructor will slowly push deeper into the cave environment.