How to Prepare for Underwater Cave Exploration?

An underwater cave exploration is a form of diving that very few people can practice. We already know what you’re going to say, “I’ve dived a cenote, why do the Dressel guys say that?” The answer is simple, underwater cave exploration is not the same as cavern diving. When you dive a cenote under recreational diving requirements, you do cavern diving.

If you have enjoyed cenote diving with Dressel Divers…

1. You saw sunlight at all times.
2. You did not go farther than 200 feet (60m) horizontally from the entrance.
3. You did not descend below 70 feet (21 m).

These are the conditions for cavern diving. However, technical diving skills are required for underwater cave exploration. It is a mix between diving and speleology where all the above-mentioned limits are exceeded.

Do you have what it takes to explore underwater caves? Let’s see!

How to Plan an Underwater Cave Exploration?

To plan an underwater cave exploration, you should do a thorough research that goes over the following points.

1. Define the objective of your underwater cave exploration.

Do you want to visit a specific place, for example, a dome of special beauty? Do you intend it to be a photographic dive? Are you a speleologist and you want to discover new galleries like the divers who discovered the largest cenote in the world? Defining the objective of your dive is very important because it will condition the type of equipment you are going to take with you.

4. Decide what your route is going to be and set the dive limits.

Caves often have numerous galleries and branches. Before an exploration of underwater caves, decide what the route will be. Also set the limits of the dive (maximum depth, time, air consumption). Do this according to the level of the less experienced diver who will participate. Do not exceed the established limits ever.

5. Draw up a list of equipment.

With the above points in mind, you can now draw up a list of the equipment you will need for your underwater cave exploration. You will be able to calculate the bottles that you are going to need, extra air, and the different mixtures. You will know if you are going to need a dry suit to withstand the temperature, the amount of reel, etc. Another important point is the light. Your lighting system must have a longer autonomy than even the air you have available, even if one of the light sources fails.

Besides, you have to think about how you are going to place the equipment, remember that your equipment must not hang or overhang, or you may run the risk of getting stuck.

Anticipating Stress Points in Underwater Cave Exploration and How to Prevent Them

It’s your turn, would you like to add anything else related to underwater cave exploration? Write to us!