NSS-CDS Tech Nitrox and Cave Decompression Diver

Tech Nitrox and Cave Decompression

NSS-CDS Tech Nitrox and Cave Decompression Diver trains cave divers in staged decompression strategies, emergency management, and proper procedures for using EAN-21 through 100% oxygen in cave dives requiring decompression. The official NSS-CDS page states that graduates may conduct cave-environment decompression dives using 50% to 100% oxygen to accelerate decompression when the activities, area, and environmental conditions approximate those of training.

This course is for cave divers adding formal decompression procedures to their overhead training. NSS-CDS lists a minimum age of 18 and NSS-CDS Nitrox Diver or equivalent as the minimum certification prerequisite. Students should already understand that cave decompression adds complexity to gas planning, exit strategy, emergency management, and team coordination. They must be comfortable with precise ascent control, bottle identification, gas switches, contingency planning, and conservative cave-diving decisions.

Training must run at least two days and include four cave dives. If combined with Apprentice Cave, DPV Cave, or Stage Cave Diver, only two additional dives are required, but at least four decompression dives must be executed across the overall training. In High Springs, Florida, this course is important for divers moving into deeper or longer cave profiles where decompression cannot be treated as an afterthought. The expected outcome is disciplined cave decompression planning and execution.