Photo by Mikhail Vedyokhin · CC BY-SA 2.5
Elite Technical Cave Diver
This elite application-based certification recognizes Technical Cave Divers who have demonstrated exceptional skill and extensive real-world experience conducting complex, multi-stage cave expeditions. This is a recognition program, not a training course—it honors divers who have already mastered advanced sidemount techniques, extended penetrations, multi-stage gas planning, and comprehensive rescue procedures in deep cave environments. It represents the highest level of recreational/technical cave diving achievement and enables leadership of major cave research and exploration projects.
Prerequisites
IANTD Technical Cave Diver (or equivalent); minimum 75 non-training logged cave dives; age 18+; must hold 4 of 5 specialty certifications (Advanced Cave Sidemount or No Mount, Advanced Cave Stage/Multi-Stage, Advanced Cave DPV, Advanced Cave Survey, or Tek Essentials Diver).
Standards
What a diver must demonstrate to pass this course — not always published by the certifying agency.
This is an application-based recognition program with no training component. Divers must submit an application demonstrating prior certification, specialized cave training completion, and documented deep-penetration cave experience.
Instructors Teaching This Course
Thailand
United States
Dive Centres Offering This Course
Thailand
We're still building out the directory country by country, so this list isn't every instructor or dive centre teaching it in the world — more locations are coming soon.
Common questions about IANTD Elite Technical Cave Diver
What are the prerequisites for IANTD Elite Technical Cave Diver?
IANTD's standards require: IANTD Technical Cave Diver (or equivalent); minimum 75 non-training logged cave dives; age 18+; must hold 4 of 5 specialty certifications (Advanced Cave Sidemount or No Mount, Advanced Cave Stage/Multi-Stage, Advanced Cave DPV, Advanced Cave Survey, or Tek Essentials Diver).
What is the minimum age for IANTD Elite Technical Cave Diver?
IANTD's standards state: Age 18+.
How many dives do I need before starting IANTD Elite Technical Cave Diver?
IANTD's standards state: Minimum 75 non-training logged cave dives.
What does IANTD Elite Technical Cave Diver training involve?
According to IANTD's published standards: This is an application-based recognition program with no training component. Divers must submit an application demonstrating prior certification, specialized cave training completion, and documented deep-penetration cave experience.
Where can I take IANTD Elite Technical Cave Diver?
1 dive centre and 2 instructors in the TecDiveTools directory teach IANTD Elite Technical Cave Diver, in Thailand and the United States. Each is listed further up this page.