The technical diving team is finally assembled as another dive arrives

Khao Lak, Thailand - The technical diving team came together today with the arrival of Matt Payne who would be joining us for the similan islands portion of diving. Matt joins Andy, Emily and Mark for his TDI Extended Range, Gas Blender and Compressor Operator course which will be combined with wreck diving and a liveaboard on the Similan Islands.

Matt arrived this morning from Phuket Airport after a flight from his home in Pattaya. Matt joined us last year for a Khao Sok Expedition where he completed his Cavern and Decompression Procedures course.

Also today Andy and Emily were on a trip to Ranong to get their visas extended, this left James, Mark and Matt the afternoon free to be tourists. One of the more remarkable things in this area is the tsunami memorial which pays homage to the people who lost their lives and were effected during this event during christmas in 2005. This is illustrated by a large police boat which was swept over a kilometer in land and is now displayed as a reminder to the force and destruction of the water which took over 4000 lives in Khao Lak alone.

The remainder of the day would be spent adjusting gear, charging flashlights/torches, checking our dive profile through our decompression dive planner and getting to bed early for tomorrow would start at 7am to get on the wreck at slack tide.

Today Big Blue Tech conducted the first TDI Compressor Operator Course ever. This course was attended by Ash Dunn, Andy Cavell and Mark Slinn and conducted on Koh Tao island in the south east of Thailand. Big Blue Tech authored and submitted this course as a custom written certification and received authorization from TDI HQ to start teaching. We have been told that TDI plan to develop their own Compressor Operator course based on our outline.

The TDI Compressor Operator course is designed to introduce the safe operation and handling of scuba diving compressors and air bank systems. The students learned the proper checks, safety and hazards, minor maintenance and operation of 2 different compressors including the combination of a large air bank system. On our next Khao Sok expedition later this month they will also be operating a portable petrol powered compressor in the jungle.

Big Blue own over 10 compressors around thailand, on Koh Tao alone we have 2 Coltri Sub MCH16’s, 2 Bauer Mariner 1, 2 Bauer 250, 1 LW 450 and 1 Bauer Junior (for cave and remote diving). In Khao Lak we have 2 Bauer Mariner 250 and 1 Coltri Sub MCH16, which gives our students a lot different compressors to practice with and become familiar.

After our time in the shop and on the boat we filled all the twin sets and air systems in the shop giving the students ample time to practice and learn using a compressor un-aided. The students will later evolve their diving skills with future TDI Nitrox Gas blender and TDI Advanced Gas blender courses.

The certification earned will give the students the recognized ticket to operate scuba diving compressors in government controlled diving areas.

For those TDI instructors interested in teaching this course, feel free to contact us for authorization to teach this distinctive specialty course.

Today is the official start for the technical diving internship for Andy and Mark. Andy returns a year after completing his dive master course with Big Blue and later becoming a PADI instructor in the Uk. Marl completed his solo diver certification earlier in the year and has decided to just in the deep end head first to become a technical diving instructor.

The 3 month intensive internship includes everything needed to be a technical diving instructor in today’s diving climate. The following certifications will be EARNED in the coming months.

* Gas Blender
* Compressor Operator
* Visual Inspections Procedures
* Equipment Service Technician
* O2 service technician
* Full Face Mask Diver
* DAN Oxygen Provider
* Advanced Nitrox Diver
* Cavern Diver
* Unlimited diving
* Decompression Procedures Diver
* Advanced Gas Blender
* SCR Rebreather Diver
* Solo Diver
* Research Diver
* All Khao Sok Trips
* All Similans Islands Liveaboards
* Extended Range and Trimix Diver
* TDI Technical Divemaster Rating
* BSAC Extended Range, compressor operator and oxygen provider Instructor
* Aqualung Service Technician Instructor

Today started with basic gas laws, dive planning and a review of nitrox and diving terms. In the afternoon the interns started their visual inspection course by servicing their own twin set and cylinders. These twin sets along with diving gear would be their own to use for the duration of the 3 months so it was essential they learned not only how to use them but also the process to troubleshoot and service them. Even Ash joined in for a bit of a theory refresher.

Tomorrow the interns move into advanced nitrox planning along with more visual inspections before the weekend.

Our internships happen every 3 months, the next available space is march 15th.

Ayesha Cantrell has written an article about diving in Khao Sok which features pristine caves and caverns with the lesser known feature of sunken villages, one of which has a submerged temple.

Ayesha  refers to the sunken village  we located and dived on earlier in the year, which you can read more about HERE and HERE

In one section Ayesha describes the environment perfectly in saying:

If you live in Thailand, working as a dive instructor, people think that you are constantly on holiday. Not so, and it’s good to get away once in a while, go diving somewhere else for a bit of fun, to see something different and keep island fever at bay.

Khao Sok National Park is as different as you can get from Koh Tao. The park is made up of thick ancient rain forest, calm and peaceful, with beautiful limestone columns towering out of the 165sq km lake that dominates the park. Most people go to trek in the jungle, spot wildlife and absorb the tranquillity, but a lake that large holds too much temptation for avid divers. This is where we go to chill out!

The rest of her article can be found on the DSAT Tec-Rec Blog

If you would like to dive on one of these sunken villages then you can join our monthly expeditions. For more info you can contact us at info@bigbluetech.net

Big Blue Tech is a technical diver training and expedition dive shop based in Koh Tao, Thailand. Big Blue Tech also has smaller offices and shops around other places in Thailand including khao Lak, Chumphon, Khao Sok and Bangkok but our main dive shop is in Koh Tao.

Big Blue Tech provides technical underwater skills development and training from all levels of technical scuba diving in Thailand

Big Blue Tech provides training from TDI (Technical Diving International), BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) and DSAT (Design Science and Technology) by being a certified dive centre from each agency. When not training new divers were planning and executing alternative expeditions to cave diving destinations and wrecks located all around south east asia.

Our Location

Lonely Planet rated Big Blue Diving resort as a highly recommended destination in Thailand for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere located directly on the beach. We have many different options for accommodation from bungalows with a sea view to multi floor air conditioned rooms; all of which offer the standard amenities expected with a island resort. Our resort also has a restaurant and bar offering a full selection of food and drinks which is available all hours of the day.

Getting here and getting away is easy with full time taxi’s who can transfer you around the island and to your next connection on your trip, we’re located only a few hours from Samui International Airport. If you want a bit of independence you can rent a scooter from our in house motor bike rental facility who would be happy to give you a quick introduction if you’re new to riding bikes.

To find out more information about the resort visit our main website at www.bigbluediving.com.

Our Facilities

We provide all mixes of  nitrox, trimix, triox, heliox, normoxic and hypoxic mixes; 200 bar of boosted oxygen or trimix for rebreather divers.

Free wireless internet access, tea and coffee with a secure private gear room with service area.

All our classrooms and teaching environments are on site with air conditioning and multi media tools for a comfortable learning environment.

Being a small and mobile diving school our facilities follow us when diving in remote locations with portable compressors and air banks.

We have 6 boats in different locations:

On koh tao we have 3 boats called Mv Banzai, Mv Navakid and Mv Big Blue. All are used by both technical and recreational diving until. When deeper and longer dives are needed we utilize the one of our boats for just technical diving.

In Khao Lak we have a large liveaboard called the Mv Pawara and 2 speed boats for long expeditions and day trips to the similan islands.

Diving Options

Beyond training new divers we also provide professionally lead diving for already certified technical divers. These destinations include the east coast of Thailand with wreck diving liveaboards and day trips. Sunken Temple and Cave Expeditions in Khao Sok National Park and Similan Islands liveaboards and day trips.

With more boats and locations we provide the greatest variety of technical diving destinations and expeditions in Thailand

Diving Equipment

Big Blue Tech have a large storage facility with an abundant amount of technical diving equipment for our divers to choose from. This equipment is maintained in accordance with standards of a BSAC diving facility. Our compressors all meet HSE Air Quality Standards and we use the latest equipment.

As standard all our regulators are balanced Apeks series and leading OMS and Halcyon buoyancy compensators. Divers can choose from fixed or adjustable harnesses with different accessories from pockets, back pads, weight systems and sizes.

This equipment is included with our training, you can rent this gear if you are already certified.

Environmental Commitment

Living and working in a tropical paradise takes responsibility, we take this responsibility seriously by supporting local efforts with technical divers and logistics. We donate boat space, diving equipment and facilities for individuals conducting ecological assessments, clean ups, bio rock initiatives and training.

We also use our popular news section to create awareness of global ecological problems.

Military Resettlement

You served your country now we’re here to serve you, unlike other companies we don’t take money from you just for paperwork. The get paid out of the courses you do, the rest is yours to do what you like. However we do not support military funded holidays. If you’re not looking to getting to this type of diving with serious intentions then this won’t be a good place for you to visit.

We have many x-forces who have completed training with us from the MOD who we can put you in contact with for references.

Many former british forces enjoy this challenging and rewarding style of diving beyond the recreational diving.

Getting Here

Thailand is the land of sun, sand and smiles, it’s probably the easiest place to get to for diving. We are here to help you any way we can. We have access to book flights and transport cheaper then you can from home. We have offices in Bangkok and Chumphon where a rep will meet you and help you to your destination. And we have 2 resorts on both sides of Thailand for you to relax and enjoy when you arrive.

We reccomend that our customers fly to Surrathani Airport or Koh Samui Airport and then take the 1 hour boat to Koh Tao. Or fly directly to Phucket Airport and then a 1 hour taxi ride to Khao Lak. If you’re not flying then contact us and we will help you plan your journey.

Big Blue Tech has recently returned from cavern and cave diving in one of Thailand’s National Parks called Khao Sok. Big Blue Tech conducted a TDI (Technical Diving International) Cavern and Extended Range course for Matt Payne, Mike Borneo and Ash Dunn. Matt and Mike who had already completed their Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures with us earlier in the year returned to join this expedition with Ash Dunn who will be joining the tech crew in December as our new facilities manager.

The 4 day expedition in Khao Sok proved to be a text book adventure of challenging dives in stunning surroundings. On this particular trip the water had risen another 5m making the sunken temple out of range for the 55m certification depth.

The increase in water level on the lake was a result of heavy water fall leading up to the trip. Thankfully the rain fall and preceeding weather didn’t effect diving conditions or underwater visibiility leaving nothing but clear skies and sunshine.

The expedition progressed with the required training dives for the Cavern Diver certification followed by exploration for new cave systems and accelerated decompression dives up to 55m.

The students were introduced to new and unfamiliar conditions with diving from a longtail and in fresh water. While most chose the more formal method of backwards roll, others like United States Marine Captain Mike Borneo chose a more uncoventional method.

One of the more interesting highlights of the caverns was the exploration of a dry pool above one of the systems where a dive could surface to see the stalagtites and stalagmites forming above. An interesting spectacle when all the dive computers registered that we were still at 4m while very clearly above the surface of the water.

As the trip concluded, the divers had experienced 10 fresh water dives and combined their previous training with the challenges of overhead environment.

Big Blue Tech would like to tank Prival Raft House and Big Blue Diving for their support and assistance conducting this expedition.

Big Blue Tech returns to the region for more diving in December of 2009.

Big Blue Tech will be in Khao Sok National from October 23rd to October 28th conducting technical diving, cavern diving and exploring new areas for yet another underwater village. This expedition will be combined with a TDI Extended Range and TDI Cavern Course.

In addition, Big Blue Tech will be on the new liveaboard vessel from October 27th to 29th installing a new continuous flow nitrox system.

During this time email and news might not be as forthcoming as expected. We apologize for any interuption in service.

The past few days after the return from the Khao Sok we’ve been quite busy sorting out all the equipment and gear for the next serial of training and diving. We’ve also been gifted with 2 teenagers from Sweden who are here to gain work experience during their 2 week holiday. Although they have come here for big blue diving we decided to steal them for the day and get them to work taking pictures of our new resort.

Welcome to Big Blue Anders and Alicia!!

Here’s what they had to say about their first day…

“Today was the first day here at Big Blue for us. As Marine Biology students from Sweden we are here to gain work experience in the diving industry and its associated marine branch. We will be here for about 2 weeks and we hope to learn a lot about diving and also get a view of how the company runs. When we first came this morning we met Kayleigh who will be looking after us during our stay here. Today we have met almost everyone at Big Blue and all of them are really nice and welcoming. We were shown around and now have more understanding of how things work around here. The coolest thing so far must have been when Christos showed us all the equipment that is needed for technical diving and we learned about how to make sure you get the best air combination in the tanks depending on the depth of the dive planned. To sum up, we had a great day here at Big Blue! Everyone we met has been really friendly, happy and they are all very professional! We can hardly express how grateful we are to Big Blue for letting us come here and learn. We can’t wait for tomorrow!”

Christos has also been given a long awaited day off and decided to go free diving this morning as the sun rose over the mountains of Koh Tao. Not a bad way to spend a day off.

Below is a collection of our hotel we use for all our technical diving students.

Today is essentially the start of the Khao Sok Cave and Cavern Expedition Trip held monthly at Big Blue Tech in Big Blue Diving Resort in Sai Ree Beach, Koh Tao, Thailand.

Like every departure day, most of the staff and training teams time was spent servicing, packing and prepping all the equipment needed for the 10 person team heading off into the Khao Sok National Park for 5 days of Cavern Diving, Cave Diving and Decompression Lake Diving.

The many goals of this expedition included exploration of the lake bed in search of the sunken village built prior to the hydro electric dam 40 years ago which has been lost when the lake rose in excess of 50m.

Additionally it would be to certify several customers and students as Cavern Divers and to expose previously certified Cavern Divers to Cave Diving with Intro To Cave Diving. All that while enjoying a holiday at the 5 star resort just outside the national park.

Included on this trip would be the following:
-    All food and drink
-    All transfers and taxis
-    All equipment
-    Accommodation (Air con, TV, Hot Water, Lake View)
-    Laundry and drink Tab
-    Certification and Manual
-    10 dives
-    Boat Fees and Park Fees
-    Snacks and water

Members on the team are as follows:
James Thornton-Allan who joins as certifying instructor and supervising diving activities. He would later contract a nasty infection and be subjected to daily inter muscular anti-biotic injections to the buttock but remained for all the dives despite doctor’s recommendation for hospital admission.

Cory J Lewis who not only joins as a student of both his technical diving course but also his cavern diving course but also continues his role as facilities manager responsible for the compressor and equipment during the expedition. Cory would later reflect on this trip and wonder was 8 hours of filling tanks each day had a negative effect on his hairstyle.

Oskar Sjostrom who is also another member of staff of big blue tech comes simply for some experience dives and technical exploration. With more tanks than Sherman he would spend most of his time in the sunken forest at 50m searching for any signs of buildings. Being a former jazz saxophone player from Sweden (we didn’t know they had jazz either) he entertained us with constant whistling of old songs that never got on anyone’s nerves.

Christos Kardana was recently certified as a caver diver on the last course a month ago returns again to join the fun as only once is never enough. Christos built a special bond with our videographer Claire which means most of the good stories about him is not print worthy STUNNING

Claire Oei who filmed our last expedition and also earned herself her Enriched Air Nitrox and Cavern Diver certification at the same time returns again to film this expedition and generally get in everyone’s way with her camera. Also we’re not able to share most of the good stories since most of her time was spent with Chrisos.. STUNNING

Elena Bugrova, our resident Russian, is enrolled in her Dive Master Internship course with Big Blue Diving and decided to join us on this trip to get a different perspective on diving and some experience. She was shocked to find her self-ridding in the back of the big blue taxi but this time it was on the seat. Elena is quite quiet despite her appearance but performed well above expected.

Sara Schutzer who returns to Big Blue Diving after her rescue course and ski season in Canada to do her Dive Master Internship joins us from her busy running schedule and course work to see some real penetration. Soft spoken and with a strange Canadian accent since she’s Swedish.

Mieke Cubussen, a full time Dive Master at Coral Grand Divers returns to her family of Big Blue (where she was a Dive Master Trainee) to join her boyfriend Duncan on this trip. Mieke is a close friend of all and a welcomed presence on this trip. Although very much from Holland she’s adopted a strange posh/cockney accident. It’s about time you came Mickey.

Duncan Tyler who is the grandfather of the Dive Master Interns at Big Blue Diving and has been able to dodge the axe of the final signature for many months now. This trip gives him at least another 5 days extension on his course now.

Tia works for Big Blue Diving as the Taxi Driver and brings along Mrs. Tia to join him on this trip. Tia would help with transfers, trips to town and even a BBQ for everyone on the trip.

As the day progressed we packed the following.
18 TekLite Torches
6 Intova Torches
3 Halcyon Torches
2 UK100 HID Torches
9 Deco regulators
4 sets of technical regulators
4 Twin Sets
10 single tanks
5 smaller back up breathing cylinders
9 pairs of gloves
10 primary reels
10 finger reels
Oxygen and Nitrox Cylinders
5 gas switching Computers
10 computers for normal diving
1 portable compressors
2 Divator Full Face Masks
18 Fins
12 Wetsuits
14 Masks
10 Bcd’s/Wings
5 Backplates
1 Taxi
Gps and Sonar
2 Analyzers
1 Shot Line
1 High definition Under water video camera
3 cameras

Additionally, Filter chemicals, advanced first aid kit with sharps and airways, spares kit with hoses and regs, batteries, oil, petrol, tool set, 6 pelican boxes and finally an ancient map of the area before being flooded (essential)

All this and more was packed into the taxi with all the customers and headed off to the Talay Sub Night Ferry where we had already booked a private room with air conditioning giving all a quiet night and rest for the day to come. Many would sleep early aware the boat would arrive at Chumphon at 5 am.

Big Blue Tech will be in Khao Sok National Park from May 17th to May 23rd conducting Cavern Diver Specialty courses, Cave Diving Programs and technical decompression diving in search of the sunken village.

During this time no one will be in the office to write the news. So here’s a video from our last trip by Claire Oei.

Arriving at Chumphon at 5 am we left the customers to sleep in while we waiting for the mini bus to pick us up. At 7 we boarded the mini bus and it was off to Khao Sok but what trip would be complete without a stop at KFC and CD shopping for in trip music. The heat now was beginning to become quite strong with temperatures rising above 30c. We booked into our rooms. All accommodation had minimum a TV, mini fridge, en suite bathroom and Air conditioning. Some had to share a double room while others had a single with a king size bed. The training team shared a 3 bed room with the normal amenities. The resort put all the rooms in one area with a communal kitchen and blending area for the gear and compressor. After some showering and un packing we took the divers on a tour of Khao Sok with some history and a swim in the lake to show people the environment they would be in tomorrow. Many were surprised at how fast and easy it was to sink as most would be accustomed to salt water environment. In the afternoon we had lunch combined with some theory on cavern diving including cavern types, hazards, equipment and etiquette. However the afternoon was met with heavy rains and that meant an introduction to reel work in the dusk leaving many of the extra’s normally reserved for cave diving would have to wait for the following day. One particularly funny exercise for the training team was having all 6 students follow the instructors around the resort with their reels, reach the end of their 100m reels and return to where they started with their shirts over their heads. We all agreed Claire was a great sport for joining in, the Thai locals were both confused and entertained by a “farang” girl in her bra running a white line around the trees. In the end it was a great time but everyone had destroyed the nice load on their reels so they had to run the distance out again and reel it in nicely this time. As a rule you should always run your reel out to check for tears and kinks before any diving on it, this keeps the reel clean and free from error. As the night drew on we moved into town for dinner and drinks and then back to the resort for some well deserved sleep as the rooster would go off at 6:30 for their first taste of fresh water cavern diving. As a side note, all accommodation, food, equipment and drinks would be included. The idea is they need to take everything except their wallet on these trips.

Tonight Big Blue Tech instructors James Thornton-Allan and Matt Rolph depart Koh Tao with 6 keen and future Cavern divers for 5 Days in Khao Sok National Park. We’re also going to have Sonia from last months course come out to do some dives with us.

In packing for this event we made a list to give people an idea of what it takes to do this type of diving properly, safely within training standards and enjoyable for all types of divers.

10 Primary Torches
10 Backup Torches
3 Stage Light Sets
10 100m Reels
10 45m Finger Reels
20 Cave Arrows
12 11L Cylinders
6 7L Cylinders
6 Slim Decompression Regulators for the RBS or “PONY”
4 Twin Tanks with Manifold
8 Tech Regs
6 Recreational Regs
Military Spec first aid kit
Emergency Oxygen and Regulator
2 Taxi’s
2 Full Face Masks
2 Oxygen Decompression Tanks (for the big boys diving after the course)
Petrol Powered Compressor and Filters
10 Pairs of Gloves
30kg of Batteries
Beer Coolers
6 Padi Certification Card Forms
1 Underwater Video Camera
2 Digital SLR Cameras

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Big Blue Tech will be conducting a 4 day  Cavern Course in Kao Sok National Park. The following dates are available.

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL!

This trip will be open to divers from around Thailand.

Pre-Requisites: Must be minimum Advanced with 20 dives ( Redundant Breathing System Provided)

Conduct: The course will be done on site in the national park over a 4 day period of 6 dives with academic plus dry land skills. Certification as a Cavern Diver will be received after completing 4 dives and a final exam with 2 experience dives to follow.

Included:
- Ferry to and from Mainland Thailand (if required)
- Transport to and around Khao Sok
- 4 nights accommodation in a 4 star resort inside the the National Park
- Manual and Certification
- All gas and cylinder fills
- All equipment (Reels, Torches, Dive Gear)
- All food and drinks (non alcoholic)
- Park Entry Fee
- Boat Fees
- 4 Training Dives
- 2 “fun” Experience Dives

Not Included: Beer

Tekkies: Technical gear is available for those certified, included in the course price.

Certified Cavern Divers:
For those certified we will be running exploration trips in conjunction with this course, this will allow certified divers to use the boat and compressor to conduct 4 days of diving

Gas:
Nitrox, Trimix and boosted oxygen available on site, on request.

Prices: Contact Us.

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Past Events, look at these pages for images and video

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

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From the 24th to the 29th of March Big Blue Tech were in Khao Sok conducting a PADI Cavern Diver course for 4 people.

Those who joined the trip came from a variety of destinations. One person in particular came from South West Asutralia, Ian, who flew all the way up to Thailand just for the course. He left enough room for a couple of nights on Koh Tao and quickly rushed back to far edge of the world. Also joining us was Trevor from Sai Ree Cottage who combined this event with the completion of his technical diver course conducted by Matt Rolph. And last but not least was “Dive Medic Cum Dive Instructor” Sonia Scott who came from Khao Lak (west coast of thailand) for a completely different type of diving.

The course began with a academic session, albeit not the most thrilling of things to endure but all the same quite necessary to cover cave formations, water sources, currents, equipment considerations and line usage. After a few hours break and waiting for the sun to calm down we moved in the woods for reel and line work practicing primary tie offs, secondary tie offs and placements. It was also a introduction to the proper way to handle a reel. As the beers added up many found they didn’t need the tapped up mask to have trouble seeing but by that time it was simply extra practice. As the night set the compressor was switched on to give some extra top ups and then in the taxi and off into town for dinner. This would be an early night as many were a bit weary from the travel to Khao Sok.

The following morning we up early, breakfast and coffee and down to the peir before the sun could really attack us. Out on the longtail for the 45 minute drive through the park to the first cave system. unlike normal boat rides, the spray from the water was refreshing as it was fresh water. The first dives of the day would be about fining or propulsion techniques, out of air drills, blacked out mask skills and touch contact. This course would be conducted to NSS-CDS standards for cavern diver allowing the progression of skills after the cavern course so these individuals could progress on to cave levels in the future.

This would be the only day for Trevor, returning to the hotel he received the news his wife was going into labour with his first son. Trevor will later complete his training but for not congratulations we’re all amazed you made it in time.

The days continued without him and everyone else completed the course. The last day was strictly fun diving and practicing skills. Matt would drop below the canopy for some depth exploration (had all that tech gear and no one to use it) and was supported above the canopy. Surprisingly he only found 50m but it was crystal clear, next time we’ll explore away from the rock face and try to hit 100m which we all imagine will be f*cking dark and f*cking cold, quoting Matt himself.

Because of the response of these courses and people who not only want the diving but want the training as well we have arranged two courses on the 18th of April and the 24th of April. These are both already half booked and availability for anyone who meets the requirements. For more information feel free to contact us.

Below are the pictures from this event, video to follow soon.

Big Blue Tech will be conducting a 4 day ANDI Cavern Course in Kao Sok National Park. The following dates are available.

March 26th ( 4 spaces )

March 30th ( 4 spaces )

This trip will be open to divers from around Thailand diving with Big Blue Tech from Koh Tao and Khao Lak.

Pre-Requisites: Must be minimum Advanced with 20 dives ( Redundant Breathing System Provided)

Conduct: The course will be done on site in the national park over a 4 day period of 6 dives with academic plus dry land skills. This course will be conducted by our in house Instructor Development Director Bruce Konefe. Certification as a Level II Cavern Diver will be received after completing 4 dives and a final exam with 2 experience dives to follow.

Included:
- Ferry to and from Mainland Thailand (if required)
- Transport to and around Khao Sok
- 4 nights accommodation in a 4 star resort inside the the National Park
- Manual and Certification
- All gas and cylinder fills
- All equipment (Reels, Torches, Dive Gear)
- All food and drinks (non alcoholic)
- Park Entry Fee
- Boat Fees
- 4 Training Dives
- 2 “fun” Experience Dives

Not Included: Beer

Tekkies: Technical gear is available for those certified, included in the course price.

Certified Cavern Divers:
For those certified we will be running exploration trips in conjunction with this course, this will allow certified divers to use the boat and compressor to conduct 4 days of diving

Gas:
Nitrox, Trimix and boosted oxygen available on site, on request.

Prices: Contact Us.

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Past Events, look at these pages for images and video

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

——-

Today we woke up early, had a large breakfast and headed down to the peir for our first load of dives. The trip would take 45 minuts by longtail boat, which is essentially a big canoe with a car engine on the back with a prop. Not complicated but it works.

As the boat departed bruce started assembling his side mounted diving system which proved to be a much better system for cave diving as he could enter restrictions far easier then had he been wearing conventional technical diving gear.

The first dive would be at the Temple Cave which is just about the limit in which you would consider a cavern. Your can see the natural light but you can get into complete dark if you wanted to. The first thing you notice strickingly different about this cavern system to others is the height of it running from 2m down to 32m giving a large open area to explore. We would spend the majority of our time practicing skills but the remaining time spent diving around.

All divers had redundant breathing systems either in technical diving gear or single tanks while carrying a RBS or Pony.

Other unusual features are the submerged trees. Khao Sok lake is man made after the built a dam and flooded it. You can see an entire flooded forest and even a village although too deep for recreational dives. This made diving in Khao Sok very unique and interesting.

The second cavern would be in a hole in the wall, in a random place along a cliff. Appearently the locals know these places because the elders could remember hiding in them during the communist influx. Whatever the story may be, here we were, 10m deep and going into a cavern in the middle of no where. The great thing about these systems that everyone noticed was how clear the visibility was once you got inside. Outside it was terrible and green but clear like gin inside.