Participating in cave dives can be the most exciting adventure on this planet. If you are the adventurous type that is. Some divers don't 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'll 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'll 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'll 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 through-out your dive. If you have dove in a particular cave before, don't 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. Reasoning is, you'll need a third to exit. Keep the rest of your air for surfacing and for any catastrophic events e.g. your buddy had a gas loss due to equipment failure, you would have to help him get to the surface, and vice-versa. That's only one example of what having a diving buddy is all about.
Recreational dives are limited to 130 fsw. More than likely you'll be using compressed air. Deeper than 130 fsw on standard air increases the risk of Nitrogen Narcosis. Your fine to go deeper (if) your 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 don't want your dive to be a dark one.
If your planning a collection of artifacts(providing there are any), you'll need to purchase a collection bag. $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'll need to communicate with your buddy or buddies underwater, and also keep notes and records of various events. So, you'll need a Dive Slate. $10 to $20 bucks. Tip: Carry your dive slate in your pocket so they don't cause drag. I've seen some divers have them dangling from their belt. (Not good), they can catch on all sorts of things underwater, so keep them in your pocket.
I hope some of the subjects I've covered will shed some light on your quest to become the best scuba diver you can be. It's never to late to pursue the beautiful art of scuba diving. It's for the young and old. Just make sure you have the physical requirements and the ability to make sound judgment, 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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