Overhead Class Equipment Guide

Below is a list of equipment for use in your overhead training. Please do not shop based on this list alone! This list is generic as a checklist before your course. I suggest buying equipment from your local dive store whenever possible which is why this list doesn’t recommend brands or models. Please contact me with questions regarding purchasing new gear so I can set you up for success. The specific equipment I use is listed on my recommended gear page.

Backmounted doubles, sidemounted independent doubles, and CCR are the 3 configurations appropriate for the cave environment. An introductory course, or verifiable experience in that configuration, is necessary to not only take the course, but also to maximize your time and money.

  • Two masks, ideally low profile
  • Stiff  “tech style” fins
  • Exposure protection adequate for 3-4 hours/day in 68-72F water
  • Drysuit with p-valve recommended
  • Neoprene hood
  • Dual cylinders (sidemount or backmount) with volume appropriate for planned dive and for your gas consumption
    • OR CCR appropriate for cave diving with bailout cylinders.
    • AL80s are the minimum appropriate size – LP85s or LP104s are preferred
    • Most courses require 2 sets of cylinders to maximize dive time.
  • Two independent first (DIN) and second stage regulators
    • One regulator equipped with a long hose that has a minimum length of 2 metres / 7 feet and clip for securing
    • One regulator on a shorter hose with a necklace
  • Submersible pressure gauge(s) – analog or wireless transmitters
  • BCD with power inflator
  • One primary cave-diving reel – 200-400ft is appropriate
  • Two safety reels/spools with 150 feet of guideline (reels preferred)
  • Full cave divers – 2+ jump spools/reels (homogenous spools preferred)

  • Two line cutters
  • Multi-gas dive computer
  • Wrist slate (elastic attachment) AND/OR Wet notes
  • Three directional line markers aka “arrows”
  • 5+ non – directional line marker aka “cookies”
  • Line marker holder

  • 1 primary light (minimum 1500 lumens)
  • 2 back-ups lights – each with a with burn time suitable for the planned dive time
    • boltsnap clips for each backup light

  • Extra double ender boltsnap
  • Proper clips and storage for all accessory equipment, such as a thigh pocket or tail pocket
  • Proper storage for all equipment (bag, crate, etc)

Often overlooked – the most important piece of gear is you and your body.

  • Show up rested, hydrated and clear headed
  • Hydration
  • Dive site comfort items (be prepared for sun, heat, bugs, rain and always have a snack!)

Save a dive kit

Every cave diver should have backups. At a minimum:

  • Batteries for backup lights, computer, etc
  • DIN o-rings
  • Wrenches and allen keys
  • Tape and sharpies for labeling.
  • Zipties
  • Mouthpieces
  • Extra boltsnaps and double enders

Using the equipment

A properly equipped cave diver is streamlined, organized and in control – both in and out of the water.

Here is a guide to properly sizing a backplate.

Here is a guide on being efficient out of the water.

As a backmount diver entering the overhead environment you should feel comfortable:

  • Estimating cylinder pressure throughout the dive based on depth and time.
  • Deploying and stowing the longhose.
  • Valve shut down drills.
  • Hovering, motionless, with ankles or knees touching.
  • Maintaining horizontal trim.
  • Frog kicking.

As a sidemount diver entering the overhead environment you should feel comfortable:

  • Estimating cylinder pressure throughout the dive based on depth and time.
  • Switching regulators one handed, with your eyes closed.
  • Deploying and stowing the longhose.
  • Valve shut down drills.
  • Hovering, motionless, with ankles or knees touching.
  • Maintaining horizontal trim.
  • Frog kicking.

As a CCR diver entering the overhead environment you should feel comfortable:

  • Manually maintaining a setpoint.
  • Using your HUD
  • Estimating dil and O2 pressure throughout the dive based on depth and time.
  • Semiclosed ccr mode.
  • Hovering, motionless, with ankles or knees touching.
  • Maintaining horizontal trim.
  • Frog kicking.

Things to Avoid

Cave diving is a niche activity. There are items which are not appropriate inside of overhead environments.

  • Split fins
  • Reels that click
  • Snorkels
  • Large knives
  • Retractors
  • Tank bangers/noise makers
  • Integrated inflators/alternate air source
  • Whistles, SMBs, epribs – these are open water specific pieces of equipment and, while important there, should be removed for cave diving.