Caveat: I am not a cave qualified diver.
Seems like the only real consensus is that people who enter conditions they are not prepared for (equipment, training, mental/physical state, et cetera) face a higher mortality rate than those entering the same conditions with preparation.
From my experience with technical/wreck diving, training and experience have a critical impact on a diver's capabilities.
However, one should also be aware that the demands of training raise as the level of technicality increases - with a subsequent impact upon certification rates at higher level. Most recreational level scuba courses are a matter of attendance - certification is achieved with minimal effort and commitment, with very little chance of the student failing to achieve the required performance standards. The same is certainly
not true for technical / overhead environment level courses. These require immense commitment, in many forms, and yet still, a significant proportion of divers might not have the aptitude or psychological robustness to achieve the requisite standard of performance for certification.
It would be erroneous to assume that the difference between an Open Water diver and a Cave diver was merely a matter of 'time served' and courses taken.
I would say, "and the sky is blue," at this point but I suspect some of this crowd would debate me on that, simply because of what they think I am.
I am reading this in the assumption that what you are saying is that '
a viewpoint might carry more or less authority on the board, due to the relative experience and training of the diver who holds that view'.
Very true. A lot of common sense in that assumption. I believe that this notion is prevalent in many arenas, practical and academic, beyond the scope of scuba diving. It is especially poignant when the views of a lesser experienced/qualified person directly contradict those established by informed consensus, statistical research and many thousands of cumulative years of diving experience.
I don't see a broad consensus as to whether everything described as a "cave" is beyond the preparation of every diver prepared to the OW standard. From the existence of businesses who regularly take OW prepared divers into "cave" environments,.....
The act of taking a diver into an environment beyond their training does not represent a 'view'. Rather, it represents a desire to make profit.
When the 'business' takes such action, the persons responsible are rarely, if ever, properly trained themselves. A case of the blind leading the blind.
You may be startled to know that a high demographic of cave deaths is formed by scuba instructors. Divers who are qualified enough to consider themselves 'expert', yet not qualified in that specific environment and, as such, largely ignorant about the risks and requirements they are exposing themselves to. Unchecked ego has killed more than a few 'good' divers.
.... the posts on these forums, it is clear that there is NOT consensus about that.
Everyone has a right to express their opinion. However, expressing an opinion does not make something accurate, factual or 'right'.
There IS a strong consensus in the scuba community (not just the cave community) about the dangers of cave/cavern/wreck/overhead diving. That consensus is easily identified in the 'safe diving practices' espoused by the scuba training agencies.
What could be more obvious than the fact that your qualification is named OPEN Water Diver. You are aware that the term 'OPEN Water' refers
specifically to a body of water that permits direct, immediate and unimpeded access to the surface? The
name of your qualification provides a glaring, undeniable reminder that you are not deemed capable or prepared to dive beyond OPEN Water environments.
That doesn't mean either side is wrong. More likely they are talking past each other. Chances are each side even thinks they should talk past the other side - that there is an important reason for doing so.
It's a pretty 'black-and-white' discussion:
Is it safe to enter an overhead environment with neither education, training or experience to survive the numerous and lethal hazards frequently encountered in that environment?
Those who believe 'yes' have, by no coincidence, not gained the education, training or experience and are thus ill-informed to predict or appreciate the numerous and lethal hazards frequently encountered. Those people tend to favor access to overhead environments through (1) a denial of risk or (2) a denial that specialist techniques mitigate that risk. Both lines of thought are proven erroneous by accident statistics and analysis.
Those who believe 'no', have, by no coincidence,
gained the education, training and experience necessary to appreciate those numerous and lethal hazards - and can more accurately assess the lethal threat to unqualified/inexperienced divers.