Cave diving

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Cave entrances on Zakynthos , Greece

The cave diving is a special variant of the diving , which is associated with increased risks. For scientists, however, it is often a necessary prerequisite for caving ( speleology ) in caves , grottos and cenotes that are below the sea or karst water level. The techniques of cave diving are also used in water-filled underground mines and caverns .

While cave diving can be carried out relatively safely even by inexperienced recreational divers, for deeper dives, far away from daylight and an exit, you need suitable diving equipment ( redundancy of the vital parts) and diving skills adapted to the risks. These can be acquired in cave diving courses. Diving in caves often requires a permit, as it is often associated with great dangers for the divers as well as for the cave, which could be damaged.

Cave zones

Nereo Cave, south entrance

CMAS divides cave diving into three different zones:

Zone 1 - Cavern

Grotto diving (colloquially often called cave diving and English: cavern diving ), i.e. diving in zone 1, means diving in the entrance area of ​​water-filled, natural or artificial caves or in grottos, within the area illuminated with natural light.

Zone 2 - Cave

Cave diving means diving in water-filled, natural or artificial caves beyond the zone with natural light (total darkness). The divers advance up to bottlenecks, siphons and up to 30 m deep into the cave. This zone is also known as apprentice cave diving in English .

Zone 3 - Full Cave

With extended cave diving (English: full cave diving ), larger cave systems are dived and explored. The divers advance into a cave up to several kilometers deep and sometimes on expeditions lasting days .

education

Various diving organizations offer training courses for cave divers. Some of these are based on the three cave zones defined by CMAS. Some organizations offer cave diving training for recreational divers, which - contrary to the name - is usually a permit for cave diving (zone 1). Since cave diving is associated with considerable risks, an autodidactic approach is strongly discouraged.

The following training courses are offered by the world's most important diving associations:

Admission CMAS GUE AND I NACD NAUI NSS CDS PADI TDI
Grotto divers
(zone 1)
Cave diver  I Cavern Diver, Level 2 Cavern Diver Cavern Diver Cavern Diver Cavern Diver Cavern

Diver

Cave divers
(zone 2)
Cave diver  II Cave Diver Level 1 Cave Diver, level 3 Intro to Cave Diving Cave Diver Level  I Basic / Intro Cave Diver Intro to Cave
Cave Diver Level 2 Apprentice to Cave Apprentice Cave Diver
Cave divers
(zone 3)
Cave diver III Cave Diver Level 3 Cave Diver, Level 3 and Cave Explorer, Level 4 Full cave diver Cave Diver Level  II Cave Diver Full cave
Cave diver
(58 m)
Cave Explorer Level 5
Cave diver guide Cave Guide (Technical Support Leader)
Cave diving instructor  1 Cave diving instructor  I. Cave Instructor Level 1 Assistant Instructor (ASI) Cavern Instructor Assistant instructor Instructor Specialty instructor
Cave diving instructor 2 Cave diving instructor  II Cave Instructor Level 2 Open Water Instructor (OWI) Cave instructor Instructor Instructor
Cave diving instructor 3 Cave diving instructor  III Cave Instructor Level 3

CMAS training

The training system of the diving association CMAS , according to which affiliated organizations also train, defines its three training levels as follows:

Cave diver I

Diving in Cala sa Nau in Zone I (St. Mary's Grotto)

The diver learns to dive caves in the light area (daylight) of the entrance. Depending on the organization, the maximum penetration distance is defined as 50–60 m and a maximum depth of 18 to 20 m. This type of cave diving is popular with normal recreational divers. There are other restrictive conditions such as the minimum size of the corridor, minimum visibility, branches (prohibition of jumps ), minimum device size and air as the sole gas, pure no-decompression diving , to name just a few.

The caves of zone 1 (cavern) are characterized or delimited (according to CMAS):

  • Direct view (and access) to the open water surface, always enough natural light
  • no constrictions / bottlenecks (2 divers can pass together with full equipment)
  • Visibility at least 10 m
  • Max. Depth 20 m
  • Max. Distance to the water surface 50 m
  • permanently installed, uninterrupted guide line
  • no siphons, no grottos / caves with currents directed towards the cave (inward) (no shrinkage) and no caves with alternating flow directions (no estavelles)
  • No branches (jumps), the main line must never be left
  • no crossbars (start at one entrance, exit at another)
  • no gaps (interruption in the leash necessarily means reversing)
  • Circuits / loops only if within all of the above limits and if the cavern line or the cavern circuit is permanently installed, closed all around and marked.

There are also corresponding rules with regard to equipment redundancy and gas management. Nevertheless, a “normal” recreational diver with little adaptation of his open water equipment and with a relatively short theoretical training can be “made fit” for the cavern area in order to be able to conduct safe dives there under the supervision and guidance of an experienced cave guide or instructor .

CMAS requires as a prerequisite:

  • at least 16 years old,
  • CMAS two-star diving certificate (this corresponds to a Rescue Diver from PADI ),
  • at least 25 previously logged dives,
  • at least 5 logged night dives
  • valid diving license (younger than 1 year).

In addition, CMAS recommends:

  • Special course orientation,
  • Special course navigation,
  • a high level of physical fitness,
  • high mental stability and
  • a non-aggressive attitude.

Cave diver II

Cave divers on the way to the dive site
Diving in the Klutert cave

The daylight area is left here. Decompression dives are nothing unusual, as are those with nitrox (depending on the training organization). Zone 2 is further defined (partly depending on the organization) with regard to a certain minimum visibility, the prohibition of diving through bottlenecks with a certain minimum size, a maximum depth of usually 30 m, the lack of use of stage bottles, no post siphon - Dives and further limits.

Some organizations break this level down into two sub-levels: Intro to Cave and Cave Diver .

The dived environment results in further requirements for equipment and training, which are naturally much more stringent than for the cavern area. This is definitely a cave area where a recreational diver is not allowed to dive without proper equipment and training.

The CMAS requires at least a completed two-star or PADI Rescue Diver training, as well as a Cavern Diver certification and proof of experience, so that the basic understanding of cave diving is already available.

Cave diver III

It is the highest and most demanding level of cave diving for zone 3. This includes everything that is not covered by the preceding two levels, in particular: any penetration distance, bottlenecks, post-siphon diving, depths up to 40 m EAD , any visibility up to down to 0 m, breathing gases other than air, use of stage cylinders , long-distance dives, decompression dives, bottlenecks down to the size of so-called squeezes , etc.

The CMAS requires at least a three-star or PADI Divemaster diving certificate as well as a Cave Diver certification.

Problems and Risks

Warning sign in an underwater cave

Cave diving is much more dangerous than normal sport or professional diving ; Statistics indicate a 130-fold increase in the risk of accidents and show that fatal accidents are related to the age of the diver and the level of training. Some caves are therefore provided with a warning sign with the motif of a grim reaper from a certain point , which indicates the danger for unskilled divers.

Pressure equalization

Natural caves rarely run precisely horizontally, which means different diving depths and thus also different pressure conditions (on the surface ~ 1  bar , at 10 m depth ~ 2 bar, in 20 m ~ 3 bar, etc.), which are compensated by the diver by means of pressure compensation must if he does not want to suffer barotrauma .

Loss of orientation

Swirled up sediment at the entrance

The diver's fin stroke can stir up sediment on the cave floor ( silt out ) . It also happens that the bubbles in the exhaled air detach particles from the ceiling of the cave (percolation) , which then sink to the floor. These suspended solids can lead to very limited visibility . In order to find the way to the exit even in poor visibility, a continuous guide line is tensioned, which the leading diver unwinds from a reel ( reel , spool ) and securely fastened when advancing . The diver can use this line to orientate himself haptically . In some caves there are permanently installed guide lines.

Bottlenecks

When advancing through narrow passages, not only is sediment blown up, but the equipment is also exposed to high loads. Since the cave diver, in contrast to the cave explorer, has to carry heavy, bulky equipment with him outside the water, which he cannot easily take off completely, there is a greater risk of getting stuck or getting wedged in narrow spaces. Cave divers therefore often dive unknown narrow feet first, while the dry driving ge ahead usually head Schluft is.

Breathing gas supply

Cave divers dive in the minimum safety standard according to the 13 rule, i.e. H. a third of the breathing gas carried is used for the way into the cave and a third for leaving the cave. The last third forms a safety reserve. In an emergency, the reserve must also be enough for the buddy . Breathing gas depots are often created underwater near the entry area in order to have enough breathing gas available for the decompression stops. If a siphon has to be surfaced and decompressed, the breathing gas required must be carried along the entire route. If required, the breathing gas reserve to the local conditions, the equipment used (. Example is Sidemount , scooters ), the experience of the diver or the respective Diving Association standard mostly by applying the 1 / 4 - 1 / 5 or - 1 / 6 increased rule.

Mental stability

Due to the often inability to carry out an emergency ascent , limited visibility, darkness, cramped space and sometimes cool water, a high level of psychological stability and prudence is of great importance in cave diving in order to avoid panic and the diver himself or himself in the event of unforeseen events Puts Buddy in mortal danger.

risk of injury

Diving in a cave with protruding rocks, stalactites and other obstacles is particularly dangerous for external injuries. The diving suit prevents abrasions ; This is partly in narrow caves by about worn Schlaz 's security. The head is protected by a helmet , which also serves as an attachment point for lamps . It is particularly dangerous to walk on air-filled passages at the end of a siphon. Most serious accidents occur here as a result of falls.

Gas inclusions

Gas-filled bells can sometimes be found in water-filled caves. Divers should always avoid the temptation to inhale the gas mixture in these bells, as there is a risk of insufficient oxygen or toxic gases.

flow

Difficult access to a diving site

Normally, diving against the current (upstream) and back with the current (downstream) . Caution is advised when diving caves or sections with waters flowing into them ( ponor ), as the way back is against the current. This increases the time required, the physical exertion and the consumption of breathing gas. If diving against the current, stricter rules regarding the breathing gas supply apply than the rule of thirds described above.

Accessibility of the diving spots

Except in phreatic caves , a dry part of the cave usually has to be driven to reach the dive site. In addition to the general dangers of going into a cave, there is also the need to transport equipment: Often, routes have to be overcome by slipping and climbing or the equipment has to be pushed through crevices. There is not only danger to people and material, but also speleothems can be damaged, so that diving in distant parts of the cave can be problematic from the point of view of cave protection .

equipment

Cave diving places higher demands on diving equipment than scuba diving. Sometimes higher requirements than technical diving . The conditions that prevail during the day also result in additional equipment that is not required in sport and technical diving.

Compressed air cylinders

The air supply carried in compressed air cylinders is usually larger than in scuba diving. In order to increase safety and to extend the bottom time , as is known by technical divers, several additional cylinders (stages) filled with different breathing gas mixtures are worn around the neck and cylinder depots are created underwater.

Regulator

In order to be safe in the event of a regulator failure, multiple redundant regulators are usually carried per diver. Since low water temperatures can prevail in caves through which groundwater flows, usually only regulators suitable for cold water are used.

Diving suit

In addition to being robust against abrasion and sharp rock, a diving suit for cave divers must be well insulated because of the often fresh water temperatures and the sometimes long diving times. A robust dry suit meets these requirements and also provides a redundant buoyancy system.

Diving lamp

The artificial light sources, the diving lamps , are of particular importance : Since a failure can have devastating effects, multiple redundancy is essential here. In the cavern area, it is generally required that the diver carry a main and a reserve lamp. In the cave and full cave area, every diver has to carry at least three lamps. In addition to the requirements that apply to all diving lamps, it must be possible to attach them to a helmet in the cave so that both hands are free.

Safety reel

Every cave diver should carry a safety reel or safety spool with which they can be found again if they lose contact with the permanent main line. The minimum prescribed line length is around 50 m.

Primary Reel

Setting a junction (white); line arrows on the yellow main line.

In addition to the safety reel, every cave diver should carry a basic reel with 80 to 100 m of line. In order for a temporary connection from a free water surface at the entrance to the beginning of a permanent main line is for the entire duration of the dive (main-line) created.

Jump reel

For a temporary connection in the gaps left open in the main line at branches ( gaps , jumps ), one or usually several so-called jump reels are carried and used. These usually have a 20–30 m line.

Directional markers

Diver with helmet before a dive in the Klutert Cave

The guide line must be marked in such a way that divers can find the direction to the exit at any time. For this purpose, so-called directional arrows (English directional markers , line arrows ) are used, which can be integrated into the rope. In particular, if the diver has lost his orientation, it is important that he can use the marking to determine whether he is moving towards the exit or towards the interior of the cave.

Non directional markers

Next to the so-called presence indication non-trend-setting marks (non directional markers) used. Since these have the shape of a round biscuit, they are also called cookies (German 'biscuit').

helmet

Cave divers also use a helmet , based on the dry driving of caves . This is somewhat similar to that of a mountaineer and is also used to attach the lamp.

literature

  • Helge Weber: Cave diving with sidemount configuration - everything you need to know about sidemount diving for sport and cave divers, rescue divers and diving instructors. Norderstedt, Books on Demand, 2008, ISBN 978-3-8334-7578-8 .
  • Thilo Künneth, Paul W. Munzinger : Höhlentauchen - Scuba diving in caves and grottos. Müller Rüschlikon, Cham 2003, ISBN 3-275-01460-9 .
  • Dayton Saltsman: Cave Diving - The Art of Safe Cave Diving. Grünewald, Munich 2003, ISBN 3-933680-31-X .
  • Martyn Farr: Cave diving - history, research, technology, regions. Müller Rüschlikon, Cham 1992, ISBN 3-275-01038-7 .
  • Michael R. Taylor: Caves - Expeditions into the fascinating inner worlds on land, under water and in the ice. National Geographic Germany, Hamburg 2001 ISBN 3-934385-38-9 .

Web links

Commons : Cave Diving  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. a b c Cave diving standards & training system. (PDF; 5.8 MB) Version 2010/01. CMAS International, January 29, 2011, accessed February 2, 2013 .
  2. GUE standards. (PDF; 1.2 MB) GUE, accessed on June 29, 2014 .
  3. Flow Charts - Courses - Course Info. (PDF; 1.2 MB) ANDI, accessed on February 6, 2012 .
  4. training. National Association for Cave Diving, accessed February 6, 2012 .
  5. NAUI Technical Courses. Cave Diver (Levels I & II). (No longer available online.) National Speleological Society Cave Diving Section, archived from the original on June 14, 2011 ; accessed on October 9, 2013 .
  6. NAUI Technical Courses. NAUI Worldwide, 2010, accessed February 12, 2013 .
  7. Check out all PADI diving courses. PADI, accessed February 6, 2012 .
  8. Cave diving. PADI, accessed February 6, 2012 .
  9. ^ Become a Certified Technical Diver. In: SDI | TDI | ERDI | PFI. Retrieved November 30, 2019 (American English).
  10. Specialty Instructor. PADI, accessed February 6, 2012 .
  11. Cave diving: mania or challenge? Spiegel Online , theme evening May 29, 2003.
  12. Jeffrey Bozanic, Rebekah Halpern: Cave Diving Fatalities - A Summary. (PDF; 231 kB) Data 1950–1999.