Mexico 2026 - Full Cave

México 2026 - Full Cave

Mexico 2026

With the goal of completing Intro to Cave, I flew to Tulum, Mexico, from 08/28/2026 to 09/17/2026. Naturally, my trusted dive center was ProTec. There, Maria was assigned to me as my instructor and mentor.

The first two days were all about arriving and hoping that my luggage left behind in Frankfurt would show up. After all, nothing works without my custom XDeep Stealth 2.0 Rec.

At the beginning of the course, all of my equipment was scrutinized. I’m really proud to say there was little to nothing to complain about, just a few fine-tuning adjustments to my BCD and an additional bungee on my primary light, the BigBlue VTL2900. For a backup light, I brought along a BigBlue AL1300NP.

The cenote I visited most frequently during the course was Carwash. Maria jokingly called it "my favorite place on Earth" at one point. We went there for the first three days and many more after that. Initially, however, only in the open water area. We set a line and practiced BTP – Buoyancy, Trim, Positioning –, sidemount skills, and fin kicks; the XDeep EX1 in medium stiffness provide excellent precision and control while wearing a drysuit.

On the third day, I was told I was ready for the final test to be allowed to start Cavern. For 30 minutes, without a mask—I use the XDeep Radical in size S—blindfolded, and with one fin, I had to solve gas and equipment problems. I certainly had a lot of respect for it, but after a short time, I found a rhythm.

Now I was finally allowed into the cave.

In Cavern, you learn to lay a line, properly handle problems underwater, and exit the cave in zero visibility. They were exhausting days—lots of theory, perfection, and plenty of new things.

For Intro to Cave, I practiced Lost Buddy and Lost Line. There is a precise procedure for both. This took place in the "Death Zone"—what an ideal name.

I mastered Lost Buddy quite easily. I spent 40 minutes looking for the line and didn't find it. I can tell you, that is not a nice feeling.

The second time I searched, I thought to myself: If I don't find it, that’s it and I’ll give up. But I found it, and Maria gave me the opportunity to continue with Full Cave.

I debated back and forth a lot. Up to that point, the course was very strenuous. Long dives and long days; this had little to do with a vacation. And, of course, she couldn't guarantee I'd pass, but she said I had what it took.

Seized by ambition, I naturally continued.

Maria was very happy to finally be able to teach Full Cave again. In this part of the course, you learn how to navigate and how to safely pass through restrictions, even without visibility and using a long hose.

Three more days at full throttle, which paid off. I am now a Full Cave diver trained at ProTec.

 

Equipment

Katja Ruhland, TDI/SDI - OWSD Instructor, PSAI Full Cave Diver

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