Participating in cave dives can be the most exciting adventure on this planet, if you are the adventurous type that is. Some divers do not care for the claustrophobic affect of cave diving. If you do have a touch of claustrophobia on your phobia list, you might want to consider spear fishing or just sight seeing. Panic state at 120 fsw(feet sea water) is not healthy.
Tip: 120 fsw is 120 ft, no matter how you measure it. The only difference between 120 ft sea water and 120 ft fresh water is the density factor (I will have an article covering that kind of stuff in an up-coming article).
Here are some things you can look forward to in your quest into cave diving. To conduct a safe cave dive, you need to, (no, you must) participate in a cave and cavern training course. Your open water certification does not give you the experience you will need for cave diving, period. Without proper training, cave diving can lead to many dangerous situations. Many cave diving fatalities over the years were due to the fact that divers were not cave certified. Here are some things you will learn in your training for cave diving.
Having the right special equipment.
Continuous Guideline: To avoid getting hopelessly lost inside a cave, you must run a guideline from the cave entrance throughout your dive. Even if you have dove in a particular cave before, do not assume you remember how to get in and out without using a guideline. Things can change from dive to dive.
Air Supply: Never use more than a third of your gas supply to enter a cave. The reasoning is, you will need a third to exit. Keep the rest of your air for surfacing and for any catastrophic events: e.g. if your buddy had a gas loss due to equipment failure, you would have to help him get to the surface, and vice-versa. That is only one example of what having a diving buddy is all about.
Recreational dives are limited to 130 fsw. More than likely you will be using compressed air. Deeper than 130 fsw on standard air increases the risk of Nitrogen Narcosis. You are fine to go deeper if you are advanced in the application of mixed gases. Mixed gases reduces oxygen toxicity and Nitrogen Narcosis, which leads to safe diving. Tip: If your not certified through training, do not attempt to use mixed gases. Keep your dives at the recreational depth, limited to 130 fsw.
Battery Powered Lights: You want to be able to see inside a cave. The standards for lights are to carry two battery powered lights, but to be on the safe side carry three. Lights are very vulnerable and can fail. Tip: Make sure to care for your lights. If you have rechargeable lights, make sure all three are fully charged prior to a dive. You do not want your dive to be a dark one.
If you are planning a collection of artifacts (provided there are any), you will need to purchase a collection bag. One costs $20 to $50 bucks, depending on size. Collection Bags come in all sizes and shapes and are usually made of nylon mesh. Most bags clip to your waist belt D rings. Tip: Get the kind that rolls up when not in use. That keeps the bag from dangling.
You will need to communicate with your buddy or buddies underwater, and also keep notes and records of various events. So, you will need a Dive Slate, $10 to $20 bucks. Tip: Carry your dive slate in your pocket so that it does not cause drag. I have seen some divers have them dangling from their belt. Not good, since they can catch on all sorts of things underwater, so keep them in your pocket.
I hope some of the subjects I have covered will shed some light on your quest to become the best scuba diver you can be. It is never too late to pursue the beautiful art of scuba diving. It is for the young and old alike. Just make sure you have the physical requirements and the ability to make sound judgments, and always take a buddy with you to dive. For your equipment needs, advice, tips, and information on this great hobby, visit my website at http://www.scuba-pro-tips.com
Darrell Young
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