How I started and why I continue to cave dive

[Sas]

Well I finished my Cave up yesterday and it's even better than cavern diving The course was the hardest I've done but well worth it. Going back for some dives in about a month or so, can't wait! Wish I could go earlier but this was my fifth trip since the start of the year and my partner really wants me to take a rest for a month so we can go away one weekend. Dying to get back with my camera.

 

[Doc Harry]

Well I finished my Cave up yesterday and it's even better than cavern diving The course was the hardest I've done but well worth it.

Congratulations!

Be forewarned, cave diving with a camera is even more difficult. Be sure that your camera rig is perfectly balanced underwater. It's difficult to hover in small passageways without stirring up the bottom when your camera is torquing you to roll to one side or the other.

Good luck!

In July I'll be caving in Victoria and diving on the GBR out of Cairns. Don't know if I'll carry my dive gear all the way to Victoria for cave diving, though. Cave gear and cave diving gear, that's a lot of stuff to haul around.

 

[Sas]

Congratulations!

Be forewarned, cave diving with a camera is even more difficult. Be sure that your camera rig is perfectly balanced underwater. It's difficult to hover in small passageways without stirring up the bottom when your camera is torquing you to roll to one side or the other.

Yes I figured. I have a small P&S (no strobe) which can fit easily into my drysuit pocket when not in use if it gets difficult.

In July I'll be caving in Victoria and diving on the GBR out of Cairns. Don't know if I'll carry my dive gear all the way to Victoria for cave diving, though. Cave gear and cave diving gear, that's a lot of stuff to haul around.

True! Where abouts are you caving in Victoria? I have never been, but I'm interested in giving dry caving a go, to see what I think and also some of the sites require dry caving to get into. I don't think there are many options to dive in caves in Victoria though (there's a few but from what I hear it is quite hard to get in), but if you have time to pop over to SA there's lots of options there Or just ocean diving, there's so much to see all along the Victorian coast.

Have fun on your trip anyway

 

[boulderjohn]

Well I finished my Cave up yesterday and it's even better than cavern diving The course was the hardest I've done but well worth it.

Congratulations!

 

[TSandM]

Sas, I have heard that it is difficult to cave dive in Australia without Australian certification -- do you know if that is true? Do the sites recognize NACD or other certs?

 

[rongoodman]

I'm off to Playa on Thursday for Cavern and Intro, and all I can say is that I'm a nervous wreck! Looking forward to seeing the cenotes again, but the stress, not so much. At least I'm bringing a working back kick and helicopter turn to the table. I have this mental image of the instructor with a riding crop smacking me every time I drop my knees!

 

[boulderjohn]

I have this mental image of the instructor with a riding crop smacking me every time I drop my knees!

I mentioned this recently in a different thread.

There is a big difference in the instructional approach of different instructors. Some of them will be all over you for each mistake while you are making it, as you suggest above. Others will do only what is necessary during the dive and will quietly and gently debrief after it.

I know a diver who was so unnerved by his original Type A coach that he was a real nervous wreck before each training dive and was starting to hate the experience, He finally decided he needed an instructor with a different approach. I know other divers, on the other hand, who think the instructor he left is great. You have to find the one that is right for you.

 

[Sas]

Sas, I have heard that it is difficult to cave dive in Australia without Australian certification -- do you know if that is true? Do the sites recognize NACD or other certs?

Well it depends where you go. The main region where people cave dive is in Mt Gambier and access is controlled by the CDAA so you need to join the CDAA with a special membership (think it is 100AUD) and that gives you a three month permit to dive, you have to show other qualifications and experience and so on. Sometimes they require a practical assessment. Then I believe they need to dive with a full CDAA member for the first dive at every site. Not sure how hard this is to organise at all. I have seen overseas visitors diving over there though.

There are other caves around Australia though, that are not controlled by the CDAA. Not sure how easy access is for those.

 

[Sas]

I'm off to Playa on Thursday for Cavern and Intro, and all I can say is that I'm a nervous wreck! Looking forward to seeing the cenotes again, but the stress, not so much. At least I'm bringing a working back kick and helicopter turn to the table. I have this mental image of the instructor with a riding crop smacking me every time I drop my knees!

Good luck!

 

[BMoore]

I had been an open water diver for 25 years..wanted to take it to the next level.

One thing that keeps me cave diving is that it keeps my skills and equipment sharp as a razor in the Gulf..(of Mexico).

The training was some of the hardest I had ever been through..and occasionally I found myself asking "is this really for me?"

But I learned skills and lessons that helped me in all sorts of diving environments.


North West Florida Divers Supply