Beware: You should never explore wild caves alone or without proper gear. Consider getting in touch with a Grotto of the National Speleological Society at www.caves.org or a qualified cave club. These groups are skilled and will train you. Without sufficient knowledge, preparation, and equipment, cave exploring can lead to serious injury or death.
Is cave diving dangerous? This is the first question that every novice cave diver has in mind. Well, maybe the second question. If you don’t know what cave diving entails, read about it here first.
But regarding the topic of this article, it should concern you if you were considering diving and never thought about the dangers of it yet. Sure, diving and exploring underwater looks fun and exciting, but the death stories highlight the dangers of cave diving and should compel you to keep perspective of the sometimes harsh reality of this activity.
It is true, many deaths have been reported in the cave diving field.
However, most deaths are due to unsafe exploration methods. Sometimes it’s merely an issue of negligence due to experience. The professional caver divers are more often the victims of water-filled caves. Some try to push their boundaries over and over again and forget some of the precautions in a rush to discover something new and amazing.
And this negligence often brings them to their unfortunate death.
On the other hand, a beginner cave diver is rightfully nervous and cautious, taking all the right steps before diving into a water-filled cave. His fear and cautiousness keep him on his toes and thus allow him to experience the hidden wonders safely.
If you worry about the dangerous of cave diving, here are some potential hazards to keep in mind. Make no mistake, diving in any underwater cave may still lead to serious injuries or death, so it’s imperative that you take everything into account before you attempt anything.
Getting Lost or Separated
You might wonder, how is cave diving so dangerous, if you go with an experienced group?
First, there is a chance of simply getting lost. The paths of underwater caves are often unknown and dangerous, especially if you are exploring the cave for the first time. The main problem arises when a diver finishes his exploration, and tries to swim back to the boat.
Just like in your nightmares, the path suddenly appears changed; the exit is nowhere in sight. This fills an inexperienced diver with panic and anxiety, and it’s likely that the gas supply can run out if he takes too long. While natural markings and ample lightin gcan help in a normal cave, neither of these things are found much underwater.
Team separation is another factor that puts your life in jeopardy. Typically, training teaches you to look for your team time and time again. This not only ensures you are safe but that your team members are safe as well.
But team members need to know and follow the guidelines, too. If a member forgets them or panics, a good team will at least provide a chance of your finding and assisting you to get your way back to the surface or exit.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety and panic attacks aren’t only for new cavers. Even if you have 30 years of experience, you may find yourself experiencing anxiety or panicking for no obvious reason. There are several examples of experienced divers who faced panic attacks and were later found dead at the bottom of the cave.
The water-filled caves are dark, unknown, and ever-changing, and bad luck can hit at any time.
For example, what if you are deeper inside the cave and the light dies, the cylinder leaks, or the line gets caught in the gear? In some situations, you are hundreds, if not thousands, of feet inside the cave.
In an emergency, you have to rely on the training and the route you have. There is no direct escape path that can save your life. For that reason and many others, diving is typically a team sport. Going cave diving alone and without informing others is essentially challenging the angel of death.
Cave Diving Equipment Failure
The failure of the lighting sources is common.
Some lighting products like headlamps or flashlights aren’t always 100% waterproof. Sometimes, even the best and top-rated cave diving products stop working once they are immersed in the cave water.
Moreover, you are constantly moving them to have a better view. When they stop working, there is a total loss of visibility. You can kick up the sediment or hit some rock on top of your head and make it more difficult for you to escape or see your buddy on the other end.
Cave diving without lines is like inviting death. Rested lines inside the caves save you in the areas of lower visibility or when your equipment fails.
Fortunately, beginner count on the lines; the issue is with the divers with extensive experience. They think they know the course of the lines or know the paths very well. Or perhaps worse, they falsely believe it is easy for them to return to the surface. This incorrect assessment of the risk makes them deal with a precarious situation.
Miscalculating Depth
Sometimes you cross the limits of depth and the problems start happening. Generally, cavers don’t cross the 130 feet mark because of the compressed air backup they have.
But some underground caves push you to go significantly deeper than that mark and you don’t come to know about it due to the complex path systems and formations. If you already know the cave is deeper than expectation, switch to ‘Trimix’. This breathing gas is used for deep commercial diving and it is pretty safe.
Distractions or Unplanned Circumstances
When recreational dive turns into a research dive it creates trouble. The difference between both of them is the quality of equipment and safety.
Recreational divers shouldn’t attach them with any kind of the specific task; they should only focus on the fun. They don’t have the equipment that can support them for research diving.
Research diving is a very different kind of activity. It happens under the supervision of professional scientists. They have utter official support and the special equipment that isn’t available in the stores.
There is always a possibility of a cave collapsing or rocks falling on you or blocking your return to the exit. Both situations are deadly. The narrow passages of a water-filled cave make it almost impossible for a team to clear the path for you. They can’t take their heavy drills inside the cave and save you before the gas runs out.
Conclusion
It is in our nature to want to conquer the highest summits or explore the deepest corners of the earth. We all have some thirst for adventure. A life of monotony is not ideal for most.
People interested in the water-filled caves find them extremely appealing and full of secrets; however, this compels them to push the boundaries and take risks. It makes them deal with occasional accidents and even casualties. Don’t be one of those people! Cave diving is dangerous, and it is even considered by many to be an extreme sport, so do not take it lightly.
Earth is undoubtedly beautiful and you should aim to enjoy and savor every minute of your time here. But be safe, follow the guidelines, and learn the potential hazards of diving before entering in an underwater cave.
Opt for this hobby only if you have a passion for it and the discipline to not put yourself and others in danger for no reason. Know your limits and whether anxiety or claustrophobia or other feelings may arise, so that you don’t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
But if you do end up going, we have several articles here regarding diving that should help you have a safe and enjoyable time.