As the name suggests, cave diving is underwater diving in water-filled caves.
It might be undertaken for the search and recovery of divers or other cave explorers or as an extreme sport.
Cave diving is a form of technical diving where divers explore underwater caves. It is an extreme sport known for its high level of risk and requires specialized training and equipment.
Strictly speaking, cave diving is defined as diving in underwater caves beyond the reach of natural light. Related diving adventures include cavern diving, which is diving in the illuminated entrance zone of a cave; sump diving, which refers to diving through submerged sections of otherwise dry caves; and spring diving, which refers to diving in clear, flowing subterranean water sources. Any of these would be appropriate for this part of our guide.
Generally speaking, cave diving environments are categorized into caves, caverns, or sumps, although some caves include pockets of flowing spring water.
Because of the inherent dangers, cave diving involves meticulous procedures and skills. Dives are planned thoroughly, including the entry and exit points, depth, and duration. Risk assessments are conducted, and all equipment is checked carefully to ensure it is in good condition, including calculating and monitoring air supplies. Emergency protocols in the event of equipment failures or lost lines, and low visibility possibilities will be included in the pre-planning.
During the dive, participants will use the planned route and follow guide lines to navigate through the cave to avoid getting lost. They will also maintain communication with their dive buddy.
Training is essential for cave diving. Basic SCUBA certification is a prerequisite for advanced training, including a cavern diver course and a full cave diver course.
Various diver training and certification organizations offer training for cave divers, often based on the three cave zones defined by CMAS, an international federation representing underwater activities. Some organizations provide cavern diving training for recreational divers.
Cave diving requires a diving mask and fins for visibility and maneuverability, primary and backup dive lights for navigation, reels and guide lines for marking the path, a buoyancy control device for maintaining buoyancy, a drysuit or wetsuit, depending on the water temperature, and multiple air tanks for redundancy and extended air supply.
Safety concerns include limited visibility, which carries the risk of disorientation in dark environments; the potential for life-threatening equipment malfunctions; complications that might tax the available air supply; and psychological stress, which could lead to poor decisions.
Losing the guide line in a submerged cave is a potentially life-threatening emergency. Although recommended best practices make it unlikely that a diver will lose the line, it does happen. Still, there are procedures that will usually work to find it again.
Cave diving originated in the 1930s, with explorers like Graham Balcombe and Penelope Powell at Wookey Hole Caves in England. Initially, the activity was a means of exploring dry cave sections (sumps) blocked by water. Over time, it evolved into a distinct sport and scientific pursuit.
Cave diving remains a niche but thrilling activity, categorized as an extreme sport, attracting those who seek adventure and the challenge of exploring uncharted underwater realms.
Cave diving environments can be found on every continent except for Antarctica, where the temperatures are too low for water to remain liquid in caves. Although there are few known or accessible flooded caves in Africa, there are some in South Africa, a few in Namibia and Zimbabwe, and some large caves in Madagascar. There are several in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Most of the known submerged caves in South America are in Brazil, although the Bahamas have several.
Topics related to cave diving, cavern diving, sump diving, and freshwater spring diving are the focus of resources in this category of our web guide.
Recommended Resources
Also known as the St. Joseph Lead Mine at Bonne Terre, the historic lead mine is located at Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri. Opened by the St. Joe Lead Company in 1864, the mine closed in 1962, and has since filled with rain and springwater, becoming what is billed as "the largest man-made cavern in the world." The location has become a SCUBA diving resort offering cave explorations and mine tours. Its dive and lodging packages are featured, and online bookings are available.
https://bonneterremine.com/
Brock Technical offers cave diver courses that cover everything from basic cave diving to full cave diver certification and specialty courses like Stage and DPV Cave Diver. The company also offers technical diver courses, rebreather courses, instructor courses, coaching and consulting, and guided dives for divers who need a dive buddy, want to explore different caves, or conduct dives beyond their current certification level. Its courses are defined, and a photo gallery is included.
https://www.cavediving.com/
Harry Gust offers personal cave diving training in Tulum and Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Courses are taught in English and German using Backmount or Sidemount configurations. Practical in-water exercises are stressed over lengthy classroom sessions. The courses offered include Essential Skills, Cavern through Full Cave, Basic Sidemount Cave Diver course, Stage Cave Diver course, DPV-Scooter Cave Diver course, Advanced Cave Sidemount Diver course, and Technical Cave Diver course.
https://caveexplorations.com/
The FCD's primary focus is the exploration, survey, and subsequent protection of underwater cave systems in the Philippines. The organization has been a member of the National Cave Committee (NCC) since 2016 and is active in exploring underwater cave systems. FCD members are made up of people from different educational backgrounds and technical and cave diver training agencies and providers. Its members are highlighted, and partnership opportunities are available.
https://filipinocavedivers.com/
The business offers a full range of overhead training courses using open or closed-circuit equipment and in either back-mount or side-mount configuration. There are three primary overhead training courses: Cavern Diver, Intro to Cave Diver, and Full Cave Diver. Training courses are predominantly run throughout the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, although they can also arrange classes throughout the rest of mainland Europe, Mexico, or other locations. Its courses, and contacts are featured.
https://learntocavedive.com/
National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section
The NSS-CDS is the largest cave diving organization in the United States, with a presence in twenty-five countries. The site offers general information about cave diving, along with a history of the NSS-CDS, its board of directors and staff, minutes, bylaws and constitution, and contacts. Safety issues are addressed, and membership information is included. Instructor and training programs, a student workbook, instructor development data, and forms can also be found on the site.
https://nsscds.org/
