Tips and Techniques for the aspiring cave diver

[giles45shop]

From the description that Sas posted above, I would suspect you need to do a little more work before taking the first Australian cave course of Deep Cavern. Basically, you need to start diving twins and get familiar with that since that's the config they do the course in. I would also try and hook up with some locals and do a little familiarity practice running lines and operating a reel before class. It sounds like they cater it towards the new twins diver, but I would suggest that you have some number of dives in twins before the course because of the task loading issue. You can quickly become task overloaded with everything that's going on.

In the US, the first course, "Cavern" can be done in a single tank configuration and even with a jacket style BC. The progression from there (with the exception of NAUI) is Basic/Intro cave (1/3 single or 1/6 doubles, no deco), Apprentice Cave (doubles only, 1/3's, light deco) and Full Cave (doubles, 1/3's, unlimited deco). Full Cave is the top cert level, but there are specialty courses for things like stages, scooters, etc. although that's not a requiement and many people learn those skills through informal mentoring. In addition to Full Cave, some cave divers also take trimix courses to extend their depths in areas with deep caves. These are independant in that you can become a Trimix diver w/o cave or a Cave diver w/o Trimix.

John

 

[Sas]

1. At this early stage can ones confidence out weigh there abilities (answer I know is a resounding yes) and should I just build experience.

Yes, sure some people have more confidence than abilities in diving but if you are worried about that do some dives with people who do that type of diving and see how you go and what they think. I would say that 50 dives is not enough for Cave, even if your buoyancy and trim and skills are good as often it is about how to respond to things going wrong and that comes with experience.

You can't go straight to Cave qualification anyway, in Australia so Deep Cavern should give you a good idea of where you stand if you do that course. And you learn many of the cave diving skills in this course anyway, so Cave becomes an extension of that when you do it later. The CDAA cavern/sinkhole sites are amazing too Crystal clear viz! (well most of them, you start the training in a cavern site called Gouldens and when I did my course it had 2m viz )

2. While minimum course requirements exist, they are exactly that - MINIMUM requirement. Is there a recommended average number of dives I (a competent responsible, self aware diver) should do before doing a cave course? Have the experienced amongst you noticed a correlation between number of dives and competence on courses and in the water.

Yes in general I notice that more dives equals more competence in the water, after a certain point. But there are definitely big exceptions to this!

I can't really say how many dives exactly one needs, it really varies! Sorry. But for Deep Cavern I would recommend most of my buddies have 100 dives minimum. Experience in twins will go along way but is not a requirement. I had 300 dives when I did my Deep Cavern, and only a couple of dives in twins. I found the course very easy (and I had a tough instructor) and I attribute that to practice and the fact I was very comfortable in single tank setup where I was already using a BP/W, drysuit and long hose. I did Cave about 50 dives later, found it harder, because I didn't do enough practice with linework and also put a lot of pressure on myself, but passed and have been cave diving ever since.

3. How do our (Australian) training and methods compare to the rest of the world ie do they mesh cleanly with US methods (I'm aware the British do things differently).

They don't mesh 100%. Deep Cavern is more like Intro to Cave rather than Cavern, because you have to use twins - I believe often Cavern courses do not require twins. Cave is beyond the US Apprentice Cave but does not teach use of stages so perhaps does not tie in with Full Cave exactly. You also do not have navigational restrictions or minimum visibility restrictions like Apprentice (so I have heard, I am sure someone from USA will correct me if this is wrong) with CDAA Cave. Penetration is to a third of your gas supply.

Friends who have dived in Florida + Mexico with Cave certification, have had their certification recognised as Full Cave FWIW.

CDAA does not teach decompression at all, which I think is unlike US training. If you have qualifications in Adv Nitrox/Deco, Trimix, CCR, things like that, you get endorsements on your CDAA card to do those kinds of dives.

 

[cddu]

I have lurked here for a long time and am totally fascinated by cave diving. Alas I live a long way from anywhere I can learn and complete the courses which one day I WILL do. I watched the DVD trailer on you tube about the Mexican cave dive DVD, and it raised some interesting question.

Where can I see (does it exist) info/video on techniques to develop correct anti silt kicks I can practice while diving normal.

Can you recommend anything apart from practice for perfecting buoyancy while normally diving, in order to prepare for cave diving.

Is it possible to buy quality gear that will be suitable for both cave diving and OW diving, reg's, bcd, particular fins etc. I do understand there will be some personal opinion involved here but there must be preferred gear.

My point here is I'm a relatively new open water diver who wants to develop health skills prior to getting to the point of doing a course and I'd love to pick your brains on how best to prepare. I'd rather not be learning the basic skills while on course but at least have tried to mastered things like kick, profile and buoyancy before I arrrive.

I know this is a broad subject but I'm all ears and look forward to your opinions.

Hi uberdude

Cave Diving Down Under is a great resource for all things cave diving in Australia. Info is not limited to one agency or just caves under the control of the CDAA.

cavediving.net.au

Tony

 

[KY]

Why dont you look at www.AgnesMilowka.com and check her out. Great pics and stuff from caves in Australia and in the States. Most of us arent DIR like Dan so there are many other avenues to go and gear just as good as halycon without paying for a name. Interview your instructors and and pick one you click with. Most important thing is to have fun with it. The cave agencies in australia are a bit different there than over here too. Might ask some local cavers how they picked an instructor.

Can i just totally agree with this guy???

anyone who says YOU MUST BUY THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, and have your gear setup X way, IMHO is speaking out of their arse....

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

Can i just totally agree with this guy???

anyone who says YOU MUST BUY THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT, and have your gear setup X way, IMHO is speaking out of their arse....

I'm confused, who said that the op "must buy this piece of equipment"? Maybe I just missed it. On the other hand GUE doesn't advocate any particular brands such as Halcyon if that is what you were refering to...

 

[KY]

post no. 2... from memory...

some random...

ranted out DIR, the holy bible that is JJ's porn collection, and how you must buy Halcyon....

 

[PfcAJ]

Ugh. Bring something to the table, dude. Same old whine.

 

[rcs9250]

These will keep you busy for a while.
YouTube - bilphillips's Channel

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

post no. 2... from memory...

some random...

ranted out DIR, the holy bible that is JJ's porn collection, and how you must buy Halcyon....

I read the post but missed the part where he told the op he had to buy Halcyon... shrugs

 

[gcs118]

Question for one of the DIR folks...

Do you clip off the SPG any differently with stages/deco bottles? I use an AL40 pony recreationally and have to clip my gauges off to a chest d-ring since the tank kept hitting them. It seems with a 40 or an AL80 clipped onto the same d-ring (or even butt plate) that the tank would find a way to break the brass and glass SPG. Am I missing something?

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