CJB10
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Trip Report Tulum 2024.
Background: This is my 5th trip to Tulum but first one since 2019
I am already TDI Adv Nitrox certified and IANTD Intro to Cave Certified.
After a 5 year break from any kind of diving I decided it was time to get back into it and
returned to Tulum to dive with Green Divers Tulum again after falling in love with diving and
the cenotes during my open water and subsequent courses there with them.
After such a long break from any type of diving it was agreed a thourgh Intro to Cave
Refresh was the best way forward and as I had 3 weeks holiday time booked I wasn't in a
rush.
Green Divers Tulum who I have dived with everytime Ive come to Tulum also helped me with
accommodation and transportation.
First day was to Cenote Car Wash, setting up and adjusting gear, then the skills explanation,
swimming technique, sharing gas and valve drills. Then after lunch a full on cavern dive,
followed by more skills in the open water and weight check with almost empty tanks.
Next day was line laying on dry land, followed by connecting the primary reel to the main
cave line again at Cenote Carwash. First Marc the instructor demod, showing the desired
direction and potential tie off locations and the correct procedure as we were the first group
in. Then it was my go. A little bit trickier than I remember from first time around but not a bad
effort considering how long ago it was since I last did it. A short dive, on the exit with couple
of problems, mask switch and faulty primary light, switch to back up..must remember to
switch positions, diver using back up light moves to first position !
After lunch another line laying exercise this time to a different main line with different type of
topography. Followed by more openwater skills and theory.
Day 3. This time we went to Cenote T aj Mahal, I remembered this place straight away as it
was one of my favourite places that I had been to. Went through the Lost Line procedure on
land then eared up.
First dive, laying line and connecting to the Cenote Sagrado line, great dive, surfaced in a
beautiful Cenote following some predetermined procedures, almost on out 6ths. On the way
back the lost line exercise which went well but still emphasised the notion, Don't lose it in the
first place ! Then back in the cavern area for some line repair skills, valve shut down practice
and debriefing.
Day 4
Back to T aj Mahal. Went through missing diver scenario and more advanced dive planning,
map reading and calculations.
Dive was on a different line today, really amazing got to exactly where we planned to on our
6ths, then the inevitable happend, missing team member ! Eventually find him, all good,
leave the primary line in for next dive, blind exits using various techniques..
Day 5
T o Ponderosa AKA Garden of Eden.
T oday was all about sharing gas in zero visibility, but also managed 3 amazing dives with
great halocline. T otally feel ready again !
So now we were diving to 6ths, no skills just few tips and pointers on the way..
We went to Nohoch, Dos Palmas, Casa Cenote, diving from the jungle out to the ocean was
amazing, Chac Mool, another day at T aj Mahal doing some different lines and Maya Blue.
All in all a great time and already booked to come back later this year to hopefully complete
Full Cave…
Highly recommended Green Divers Tulum for their teaching and general relaxed vibe but still
a thourgh and demanding course
Background: This is my 5th trip to Tulum but first one since 2019
I am already TDI Adv Nitrox certified and IANTD Intro to Cave Certified.
After a 5 year break from any kind of diving I decided it was time to get back into it and
returned to Tulum to dive with Green Divers Tulum again after falling in love with diving and
the cenotes during my open water and subsequent courses there with them.
After such a long break from any type of diving it was agreed a thourgh Intro to Cave
Refresh was the best way forward and as I had 3 weeks holiday time booked I wasn't in a
rush.
Green Divers Tulum who I have dived with everytime Ive come to Tulum also helped me with
accommodation and transportation.
First day was to Cenote Car Wash, setting up and adjusting gear, then the skills explanation,
swimming technique, sharing gas and valve drills. Then after lunch a full on cavern dive,
followed by more skills in the open water and weight check with almost empty tanks.
Next day was line laying on dry land, followed by connecting the primary reel to the main
cave line again at Cenote Carwash. First Marc the instructor demod, showing the desired
direction and potential tie off locations and the correct procedure as we were the first group
in. Then it was my go. A little bit trickier than I remember from first time around but not a bad
effort considering how long ago it was since I last did it. A short dive, on the exit with couple
of problems, mask switch and faulty primary light, switch to back up..must remember to
switch positions, diver using back up light moves to first position !
After lunch another line laying exercise this time to a different main line with different type of
topography. Followed by more openwater skills and theory.
Day 3. This time we went to Cenote T aj Mahal, I remembered this place straight away as it
was one of my favourite places that I had been to. Went through the Lost Line procedure on
land then eared up.
First dive, laying line and connecting to the Cenote Sagrado line, great dive, surfaced in a
beautiful Cenote following some predetermined procedures, almost on out 6ths. On the way
back the lost line exercise which went well but still emphasised the notion, Don't lose it in the
first place ! Then back in the cavern area for some line repair skills, valve shut down practice
and debriefing.
Day 4
Back to T aj Mahal. Went through missing diver scenario and more advanced dive planning,
map reading and calculations.
Dive was on a different line today, really amazing got to exactly where we planned to on our
6ths, then the inevitable happend, missing team member ! Eventually find him, all good,
leave the primary line in for next dive, blind exits using various techniques..
Day 5
T o Ponderosa AKA Garden of Eden.
T oday was all about sharing gas in zero visibility, but also managed 3 amazing dives with
great halocline. T otally feel ready again !
So now we were diving to 6ths, no skills just few tips and pointers on the way..
We went to Nohoch, Dos Palmas, Casa Cenote, diving from the jungle out to the ocean was
amazing, Chac Mool, another day at T aj Mahal doing some different lines and Maya Blue.
All in all a great time and already booked to come back later this year to hopefully complete
Full Cave…
Highly recommended Green Divers Tulum for their teaching and general relaxed vibe but still
a thourgh and demanding course
