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CAVERN DIVING
  
To allow recreational divers to safely experience the wonders of this underwater world without becoming cave certified and equipped, the diving community has made the cavern dive distinction. Almost all cavern dives can be performed by divers holding an open water certification, basic, one star, or any equivalent first level certification.
All cavern dives are safely guided by one of our professional guides in the “daylight zone” of solid overhead in line with internationally accepted cavern standards. Our guides are full cave certified by a recognized agency and are either instructors or divemasters, with hundreds of dives in the local environment. They are knowledgeable and experienced in the local cenotes systems above and below the ground.
Adhering to international standards, we never exceed the ratio of divers to guide which is four to one.
If you enjoy diving then you should not miss the opportunity to try a cavern dive…and if you like it, you may even want to take a cavern course! Guidelines for safe cavern diving
Ø Never exceed the ratio of divers to guide which is 4:1 (4 single tank divers conducted by a guide with double tanks);
Ø Divers shall not dive deeper than they have been previously certified. The maximum depth for cavern dives is limited to 100 ft/30 m;
Ø Dives must begin with a minimum visibility of 40 ft/12 m. This distance is determined by the ability of the diver to clearly recognize and acknowledge a lighted hand signal;
Ø Divers must always stay within the “daylight zones” of the underground river system…though it is not necessary to have view of the physical opening to the cavern, clear view of ambient light radiating through that opening must be plainly visible;
Ø Maximum penetration is limited to 200 ft/60 m from where you can surface and breath air without the aid of scuba equipment;
Ø Divers must remain within the No Decompression Limits of the dive computer;
Ø No restrictions (narrow passages)…at all times, two divers must be able to comfortably pass through the area next to each other;
Ø Divers must maintain a continues guideline (life line) to open water as a visual reference…never go beyond the cavern line areas;
Ø Diver must be equipped at least with one light (the sun or daylight is considered as the cavern diver’s primary light source);
Ø Never make a cavern dive at night. Without natural light, a cavern becomes a cave and access is restricted to only those divers with cave training.
Ø Follow the instructions of the guide provided during the dive briefing. Instructions include topics such as air supply management by the “rule of thirds,” communication with light signals, the ideal horizontal position and kicking techniques to avoid silting, the use of the proper amount and placement of weights, the “diving on a line” team system, the distance between the divers and their general behavior, safety procedures, environmental respect and conservation. When visiting the cenotes, please consider yourself a guest and act accordingly. We must show respect and be careful while diving underwater and walking around on the land’s surface, particularly near a dive site. The fragile biological life, formations, and archaeological history are there for the diver’s interpretation and enjoyment. Divers should leave the cenote the exact way they find it. That’s why, take only memories, kill only time, and leave nothing behind, but bubbles!! Click here to see our complete list of cavern diving sites Find out more about our Cavern Diver Course Continue to read more about cave diving >>>>>back to top |
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