OP
Good question, maybe I can provide a response.I say MAYBE because it is not easy when more then one agency is involved. I tried to get a feel of more than one agency before I answered this, so hopefully I can do them all justice in what I write.
Lets keep in mind a couple of other things as per NACD standards. The NACD intro diver is also not a diver to be doing deco dives nor dives off the main line , THIS IS CLEAR IN THE NACD STANDARDS. The intro diver must dive within NDLs. that means AND THE INTENT IS, they are building up awareness of the cave and limitations. The intro diver must learn that not only time limits and air limits are a factor BUT also that penetration limits must be factored into the dive. Depth, Gas, Time and Penetration are all limitations at the Intro level ( no jumps, gaps or T's) . Also add that the intro cave diver must not dive where major restrictions are present, dive using complex forms of navigation and stay on the main gold line only. The into cave diver must plan for a dive not to be requiring any deco obligation.
It is acceptable for the intro diver to learn deco procedures prior to doing a full cave class, in fact recommended. What is not acceptable is for a instructor to use the cave environment to learn these skills using a location that is deeper than the intro certification allows. Example: Can a instructor teach deco procedures to depths of 100 feet adding a cave element consideration to training and not violate the into level limitations? (currently the NACD doesn't have such a course however TDI does as an example). Doing so doesn't violate the cert level regarding depth but introduces the cave environment specifics and additionally may not violate the (current) NACD standards. If the course is taught as a TDI AN/DP course (that is not NACD) within the cave environment the TDI intro cave limits still take precedence. (TDI has a cave diving program of courses) The TDI Instructor should seek an alternate location to utilize the maximum 150 ft depth of the An/Dp class. In either case this should put Lower OG or Hendley's Castle out of range. Add to the type of entry to penetrate and the location is unsuitable for the class.
FACT: Every NACD instructor has a requirement that they must also hold teaching status with an additional OW agency. (NACD + PADI, NACD + SSI, NACD + SDI/TDI, NACD+NAUI, etc). The NACD has in its standards, by-laws and procedures,the consideration of professional ethics. One ethic states to the effect that the instructor must never place the student in a position of risk or go beyond the certification level of the student within the cave environment at any time. (training level advancement is not going beyond as long as standards are adhered to, example full cave allows for 130 ft max depth) So while it may not be a NACD sanctioned course, the NACD instructor may not be removed or clear from NACD standards because of ethics if they are using a cave environment for training. The Dilemma
The best practice, is to teach such a class in a location that doesn't lend to a possible violation of standards of any agency. Where required use a location to achieve the required depths of the agency to which the program is instructed under without violating standards.
I apologize if this doesn't make sense I have been pushing some long hours. I hope it answers some of the concerns
Any NSSCDS instructor shown, with CREDIBLE evidence, not hearsay evidence to have conducted this type training with a intro to cave diver will be suspended immediately and a formal QA inquiry will be started.
