Cave Diving - Exploring the Veins of Mother Earth

 

Cave Diving, the two-word phrase, means diving in flooded subterranean passages. Today it commonly signifies using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) to explore submerged cave passages.

The initial exploration of submerged subterranean caves was undertaken by cavers, using scuba equipment. Cavers have been entering submerged subterranean passages for nearly two and a half centuries. Breath-hold divers undertook the first known cave dives far back in 1773 (Gunn, 2004). The first known use of diving equipment in a cave spans back to 1878 in France (Young, 1979).  Diver Nello Ottonelli used deep-sea diving equipment to descend into the Fontaine De Vaucluse cave in France. The first known use of scuba equipment dates to 1934 in the UK, by Jack Sheppard (Young, 1979).

Jaques Cousteau and Emile Gagan's development of scuba equipment sparked the new era of cave diving and exploration of submerged caves using scuba gear. Special diving equipment suitable for the environment and specific procedures are needed to undertake the activity safely. Redundancy is not a luxury but a prerequisite in the unforgiving environment of submerged subterranean passages. Explorers have always built equipment out of need and necessity, so it has been for the cave diving community. The development of scuba gear went hand in hand with the distance and depth of exploration and led to dry cavers learning scuba diving techniques to explore flooded passages and sumps. Increases in distance, depth and time required upgrades to equipment and techniques. Pioneers of cave exploration founded equipment manufacturing companies like Dive Rite to fuel the need for top-quality equipment suitable for cave exploration and research. Equipment and procedures are still being developed and refined by present-day explorers and researchers.

Cave diving is a highly technical venture and is considered by many to be the most hazardous process of cave exploration and research. The hazards of being in a cave are known to us all. Add to that being underwater for prolonged periods with light and breathing gas supply limited to what the diver can carry with the distinct possibility of getting lost due to deterioration of visibility or a wrong turn despite the use of a guideline. Entanglement, entrapment, equipment failures, loss of visibility due to silt, spatial disorientation are common hazards faced. Cave diver training starts with the premise that the diver has very advanced scuba diving skills and has a mindset of safety and teamwork. 

The requirements for qualification are stringent, and prerequisites include medical fitness, training and dive experience far beyond the advanced diver level. One generally starts training after having at least six months to a year of scuba diving experience in various conditions and locations.

The British Cave Diving Group is the oldest amateur and technical cave diving organization in the world(1). In the US, the National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section is the foremost. Most speleological societies and associations have sub-sections dedicated to cave diving, research and exploration. Some national organizations and various private agencies offer training to members and non-members alike. Cave diving is unquestionably the pinnacle of scuba diving, requiring dedication, safety and utmost respect for the most dangerous environment on the earth.

Cave diving was developed as a tool to conduct exploration and research in sumps between dry caves, which led to diving in submerged subterranean caves. Research in cave systems and karst springs has led to the discovery of troglobites, trogloxenes and troglophiles. Hydrogeological studies have shown the origin of rivers, the relationship between streams, springs, rivers and wetlands. Paleo-geologists and Speleopaleontologists use cave diving techniques to discover and identify fossils and geological stratigraphy.

The cave diving community in India consists of a few individuals trained in one of three locations (the US, Mexico or Thailand). Initial exploration has shown promise in a few locations, with further expeditions planned in the coming months. The community hopes to integrate with dry caving researchers and develop protocols for further research in submerged subterranean cave systems and karstic springs. 

References

• Gunn, J. (2004). Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science. United Kingdom: Fitzroy Dearborn. Page 624.
• Young, I. (1979). The Abe Davis Cave Diving Safety Award. Underwater Speleology, Vol 6(No 5), 51–52. 

Cdr. Vishwanath Rajan(Retd), Cave Diver and Explorer. 

 Scuba Diving Instructor and Founder of Scuba Evolution India Pvt Ltd.

write to him at vishwanathsrajan@gmail.com