Definition of "cave" and "cavern"

[rjack321]

We are working on exploring some mines where the water doesn't start until beyond the daylight zone. You still need lights and can get lost. The one we dove last summer we didn't run line into from outside, but I did leave a backup light on at the only substantive tunnel junction in case someone needed help exiting under duress.


Other random thoughts:
The cavern is only that area from which you can see natural daylight.
There are no caverns at night.
The cave is that area beyond natural daylight.
The cave dive starts when you start diving beyond natural light even if there is an air pocket above you.
Most people are very leary of breathing small air pockets since there's little point and they may not be breathable.
Larger air passages/pockets in caves are the realm/issue of splunkers, they vary in breathability.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

An air pocket and a continous non-underwater-overhead to the open air are two different things... Its the whole, breathability thing.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Damn! Now I'm gonna hafta start carrying my snorkel.

As far as the definition goes, as far as I'm concerned if I need a flashlight to navigate, then it's a cave, regardless of whether I can surface and breathe or not.

I agree, it's all cave, even the cavern. The terms are just words we use to help communicate different areas. Notice I did post in reference to agency standards.

 

[Rhone Man]

Cave Diving vs. Cavern Diving
Of course, in diving we are all familiar with a "cavern" being the daylight zone and a "cave" being beyond the daylight zone.

If you are diving in an underground lake or stream with no overhead restricted access to breathable air, I do not think that is a cave dive, but a dive in an underground lake, stream, etc.

The only cave/cavern dive I have ever done, I'd guess the level of penetration was about 200 feet or so, but it was illuminated to some degree all the way to the back from fissures in the roof (through which I didn't imagine one could exit, at least not without ditching tanks). I do remember musing to myself whether it was technically a cavern or a cave (having been persuaded to go in on the basis that it was 'only a cavern').