Dry Cave Training and Diving

[matts1w]

A while ago I had dinner with a very well known cave diver/manufacturer I really respect and his teenaged son. At the time the son was just beginning his cavern training. I mentioned that I was considering starting cavern training too, and the dad asked me if/how long I enjoyed spelunking/exploring dry caves.

I answered that I had not really thought about it, but I really had little experience in caves at all outside of a guided tour through Wyandotte Cave in some state park in Indiana many years ago.

He then looked me dead in the eye and said, "Then why in the hell would you want to venture into a cave full of water?" He went on to explain that he did not even dream of letting his son learn to cave dive until he had become an expert at dry caving. Together they had spent years exploring dry caves throughout the South and his son had logged hundreds of hours exploring and training cave protocols, geology, layout, etc...

This has really stayed with me, and every time I consider pursuing (as I am again now) cavern/cave/advanced wreck training I think back to that dinner. His position made a ton of sense to me. Do you cave instructors feel the same way he does? Did any of you do any dry cave training? Experience spelunking? Does the cave community in general have a position or guidelines on this?

Thanks.

 

[loquat149]

I'm sure there is a lot to be gained from experiencing dry caves before venturing into wet ones. However, some people are attracted to cave diving as an extension of their diving career, while for others it's merely a method to cross flooded passages in order to reach dry ones. One of my cave instructors is a cenote explorer/cartographer in the Yucatan and once mentioned he has no interest in dry caves. BTW, the term spelunker is to the dry caving community what stroke is to the wet.

Dave

 

[matts1w]

BTW, the term spelunker is to the dry caving community what stroke is to the wet.

Dave

Did not know that. Thanks.

 

[mkutyna]

spelunker.. stroke.. I don't get it.

 

[sskasser]

I entered cave diving as an extension of my diving. I then entered a dry cave to get to a sump. Then I fell in love with dry caving. After a few dry caving trips, I now agree that cave divers should spend some time in dry caves before, or concurrently with, cave diving training. In a dry cave, you have plenty of time to truly learn the cave and better understand the geology. It's made me see the underwater caves in a whole different light. I did get laughed at when I suggested we should be running a reel in the dry cave

Matt,
Consider hooking up with one of the local Florida grottos. We have some really nice dry caves here, too. Of course, if you have the option of heading north to TAG, definitely do that, too!

 

[TSandM]

I didn't do any dry caving, other than tours, before getting my cave certs. But I did get hold of a bunch of information about the geology and hydrology of the Yucatan peninsula and studied it. Given the physical demands of dry caving, I'm not sure I would have gotten very far with it at the age where I learned to dive

 

[loquat149]

spelunker.. stroke.. I don't get it.

Both terms have negative connotations. A caver would call someone aimlessly wandering about in an underground passage a spelunker. If I need to define stroke for you, then you are one...just kidding. Use of either term is generally considered bad form.

Dave

 

[karstdvr]

I entered cave diving as an extension of my diving. I then entered a dry cave to get to a sump. Then I fell in love with dry caving. After a few dry caving trips, I now agree that cave divers should spend some time in dry caves before, or concurrently with, cave diving training. In a dry cave, you have plenty of time to truly learn the cave and better understand the geology. It's made me see the underwater caves in a whole different light. I did get laughed at when I suggested we should be running a reel in the dry cave

Matt,
Consider hooking up with one of the local Florida grottos. We have some really nice dry caves here, too. Of course, if you have the option of heading north to TAG, definitely do that, too!

I agree Shirley. The dry caving I did before cave diving made me appreciate the wet caves more,and now the dry caves complement my cave diving.

 

[sskasser]

Both terms have negative connotations. A caver would call someone aimlessly wandering about in an underground passage a spelunker. If I need to define stroke for you, then you are one...just kidding. Use of either term is generally considered bad form.

Dave

I've heard the quote "Cavers rescue spelunkers" a few times...just saying

 

[Rick Murchison]

When I was giving a cave diving presentation to the local NSS Grotto a couple months ago, the question came up as to why I didn't join the grotto and go dry caving with them.
My answer:
"Because underwater I can't fall down."
Rick