Dry Cave Training and Diving

[JDostal]

I dunno...I don't buy it.

I'd never been in a dry cave when I started my cave training. Since then I've done a few but it hasn't grabbed quite like diving has. Cave diving was an extension of diving for me, not an extension of caving. I'm slowly getting interested in dry caving but it won't be anywhere near the scale of time and effort that I've put into diving.

 

[TSandM]

"Because underwater I can't fall down."

I SO agree with this!

 

[matts1w]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have really enjoyed reading your ideas.

I have come to the conclusion for now that the reason I get the idea to start cave training is when I get bored/complacent/unchallenged with my own diving.

I really enjoy teaching...
I really enjoy spearfishing...
I really enjoy seeing big marine life....

I dont really care about caves- wet or dry. They really dont do much for me much like mountains and deserts dont do much for me where others find them beautiful, majestic, or whatever. However I'd love the do the training as I love to learn and be challenged....

This thread and the family concerns threads really give me something to think about.

Again, thanks.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I used to explore dry caves in the distant past but was never a real fan of restrictions. What amazed me about cave diving is that I have no anxiety or concerns in restrictions under water that would have left me positively claustophobic in a dry cave. You are just not real mobile on your belly when under the influence of gravity.

Another gravity and belly, knees, back related issue is that I have no desire to crawl a half mile through a 3 or 4 foot high passage. It is a total non issue if I can swim through it. The only thing that dry caving is done for me is to from time to time make me look at a particular low passage I am swimming through and think "no way would I crawl through here".

And related to what Rick said, it is great being able to swim up and down rather than have to climb or rappel up and down under ground.

Finally, underwater caves don't stink, have bats or have annoying insects near the entrance.

I dont really care about caves- wet or dry. They really dont do much for me much like mountains and deserts dont do much for me where others find them beautiful, majestic, or whatever. However I'd love the do the training as I love to learn and be challenged...

Those were famous last words uttered by more than one diver before they became committed cave divers. My dry caving and exploration of abandoned mines was mostly an outgrowth of college bordom in a high desert/mountainous area of the county, a social activitiy with friends, and at one point an artifact of having a geologist girlfriend. Post college I never really felt a desire a to go in a cave again and only took cave training as a means to improve my wreck diving skills. Boy was I dumb. Now I am quite frankly hooked on caves and would not be broken hearted if I never dive another wreck again.

 

[Zinc]

I love caves wet and dry; they fascinate me.
Having the privilege to explore them both is cool.

I'm just more comfortable in the water, and the weightless, almost effortless control over movement is relaxing.
Dry caving is the exact opposite, with restrictive crawl spaces and ropes necessary to go vertical.

IMHO, unless you're a skydiver, gravity sucks

 

[Blackwood]

I love dry caves. I've yet to experience wet caves, and while I have no doubt I'll love that to (will find out in about three months), I also have little doubt that it will be different.

 

[TSandM]

have bats or have annoying insects near the entrance.

DA, you haven't been to Mexico, have you? Wasps in the cave entrances are a frequent hazard there!