Cave diving is not an activity that someone can decide to participate in on a whim or spur of the moment. You can not just take a six hour course and then head for the nearest underwater cave. You have to have a lot of respect for cave diving and understand that it is not for everyone, not even the average diver. There is only one percent of the entire diving population that will have not only the ability, but the experience and the competency to become a safe cave diver. Cave diving is a completely different world from open water diving.
There are a number of differences when you compare open water diving and cave diving. One major difference is the safety factor. When open water diving, divers are always able to make an emergency ascent because open-water divers are never more than 130 feet from air and are usually less then 100 feet from the surface. Open water divers are also never under overhead obstructions that would prevent a diver from making such an emergency ascent. But this is the case with cave divers.
Cave divers always have a barrier between themselves and the surface. This barrier is
there each and every time that they dive. Some divers will penetrate as far as 200 feet from the cave entrance. That is as far as standards will allow them to go. The caves that the divers do go into that far usually have several air pockets throughout so that the divers are still never more than 130 feet from air.
Why do people cave dive if it is so dangerous? There is the fact that it satisfies so many
thrill-seekers with its dangers. What if I run out of air and can not make it back? What if the cave caves in? What if I get lost? There is also the fact that so few people are able to become cave divers. It makes them an elite group of people. But there are many other general reasons as to the appeal of cave diving.
1. Diving in caves allows you to see a beauty that can not be seen anywhere else.
2. The formations that can be seen, give some insight as to how the Earth formed.
3. The waters in caves are still and clear, allowing hundreds of feet of visibility. This is a huge difference from open water diving.
4. Every cave dive is unique, exciting and different from the last.
Even though the prospect of cave diving is appealing, the high standards for certification
make it somewhat unattainable for the most average divers. The equipment used for cave
diving is not the same equipment used for open-water diving and using the same could be hazardous. Cave diving uses highly specialized equipment with which divers need to train and become familiar with. Dives can not be decided upon spontaneously. Cave dives need to be planned out. Divers need to be aware of how large the cave is, how far they will go from the entrance and how long they will need inside the cave. Divers are also trained on how to control their movements so that they do not aggravate and disturb the environment. Once disturbed, the divers will not be able to see around them causing danger to them and any others diving with them.
Now you are aware of what cave diving is and how you train to become a cave diver. Let us say you are interested in becoming a cave diver. Do you think you would succeed?
The following three areas are crucial when considering becoming a cave diver; training and experience, ability and fitness.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: In order to become a successful cave diver, you need four things to happen. You should become certified to at least the level of a Rescue Diver. Most successful cave divers are dive masters or instructors. They are the leaders in diver training and are committed to diving. Another helpful certification is the Nitrox Diver certification. Successful cave divers have a least a career total number of 100 dives over the past four years. You should also have made at least 11 dives in the past six months prior to applying for cave diving certification.
ABILITY: Successful cave divers start practicing immediately within the first month of training. You will need to master the controlling of your movements and buoyancy skills. There are several buoyancy skills needed to become a cave diver. You will need to be able to keep yourself perfectly horizontal when you hover so that you do not disturb the environment. You will also need to be able to make a 360 degree turn using only your ankles and fins. The rest of your body will stay still to keep as little movement as possible in the water.
FITNESS: Your fitness level will also determine if you can become a successful cave diver. Successful cave divers are not only committed to diving, but also to health and fitness. You should not consume too many fats and your weight should be proportionate to your height. Your BMI or body mass index, should be lower then the average diver. You should exercise at least three times a week for 20 minutes or longer. A successful cave diver also does not smoke, drink, use drugs or stay up partying.
Sound boring? Maybe cave diving is just not for you. Were you shaking your head, yes, that is me, while reading the criteria? Then you may be ready to become a successful cave diver.
