Dude - I know it is Halloween this week, but you should lay off the scary movies! :shocked2: You're imagination is really running to the absurd. :shocked2:
I am sorry if you found my question absurd. I am a former trauma nurse and have heard of stranger things happening. Please keep in mind that I have never been to a cenote, I have no expereince and no idea what the risks are and what the dangers are. That is why I am on this damn board asking more experienced people like you about them. So lighten the hell up!
Susan
Late coming to this party, but let me offer some observations.
First, background and qualifications: Me, PADI Divemaster, probably over 500 (closer to 1,000) dives, originally certified in '85; been all over the world diving. She, PADI Advanced, at the time of first cenote dive, a little more than 100 dives, and not a big fan of night dives.
Next, some observations on cenote diving: We dove our first one's about five years ago, staying in Puerto Aventuras, using Dive Aventuras and a wonderful cavediver named Mario. Only change in our gear was adding a little exposure protection in terms of 3mm shorty's over our normal 5mm wetsuits. Great briefing on the drive out (and you have much more time than a boat ride), and the two cenotes will be Chac Mool and Kukulcan.
On station, go through the briefing again, gear up (you get to carry your own tanks down to the jumping off place), and into the first one. Mario's equipment is standard cave gear, canister light, redundant out the a**; we've both got double lights (and I actually had three). The thing I find interesting in cenote diving versus a night dive, is that the walls reflect back the light, and that offers a sense of security (at least in me).
With a proper briefing, and an awareness of what we are about to experience, it makes the diving a lot more comfortable. Plus, being able to re-confirm before the descent makes it easier to prepare for what we are going to be seeing.
And yes, you will see signs like this.
But you will also see things like this:
If you have a confidence in your own diving abilities, are responsible, have competent bouyancy, and abide by everything the dive guide tells you, you will do fine. Plus, do not hesitate to ask the dive shop the same questions you are asking here, before you get into the truck heading toward the cenote.
We had concerns prior to our first cenote dives, but now we look forward to them each year we head to the Yucatan for our winter diving vacation.
Trust yourself, and your abilities, rely on the advise of the experts you will be diving with, and never dive beyond your own comfort level.
