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The picture to the le ft presents the different equipment utilized by open water divers.
You want to wind up looking something like the picture on the right... There
are major differences between recreational diving equipment and
cave diving equipment.
The thing that
immediately distinguishes recreational divers from cave divers
is their equipment. Bear in mind, it takes a lot more than just
highly specialized equipment to be a cave diver. Nevertheless,
equipment is a significant part of what we do.
Body
positioning and buoyancy control are of utmost importance.
Cave divers must be able to pass within inches of the bottom
without their equipment stirring up silt or becoming entangled
in guidelines. This is another reason a "trim" clean line
is very important when wearing gear, making sure there are
no dangles,
 or
hunting knives that are strapped to the open water diver's leg.
Leave the snorkels and fish tank masks home. Low volume masks are acceptable.
Adjustable fins which are
simple. They can have spring heels straps. No split
fins as they can cause problems.
Multi-gas Nitrox or Trimix
computer are the general rule since they function accurately
giving a precise account for the multi-level nature of most cave
dives.
Some cave divers, however, prefer to rely on custom-generated
dive tables which require only the use of a depth gauge and
timer. You should carry some form of a dive table as a
back up.
Lights make all the
difference in the underwater world. Lights are much
smaller today then their monstrous predecessors.
Innovations with Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and HID Bulb
(high intensity bulb), encased in a waterproof, test-tube-style
lens, surrounded by a compact, focusable reflector are
popular because of they are smaller and more compact.
A modern 10-watt HID bulb can last up to four hours.
Double Steel 95's
and 104s are commonly used among cave divers in
north-central Florida, where caves are deeper, and gas
consumption rates higher. This is sufficient weight to
take down the Titanic. Please leave those weight belts
home.
A Primary regulator,
consisting of a first and second stage connected by a
seven-foot-low pressure hose. And Yes, you should have your very
own. This is part of personal equipment. This
facilitates single file gas sharing through narrow passageways.
The primary first stage will also generally have a short,
low-pressure inflator hose that connects to the diver's BC air
cell. A secondary regulator, consisting of a first and
second stage connected to a 22-28 inched low pressure hose.
This second stage will have a neck strap made from lightweight
bungee cord in order to keep the second stage close to the
diver's mouth. The secondary regulator first stage will
also typically have a low-pressure inflator hose for the diver's
dry suit, and a submersible pressure gauge on a short, 22 inch
high pressure hose. |
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| A dual orifice,
isolation manifold which permits the use of separate first
stages for each second stage. This is important should a
free flow occur, the gas flow to the affected regulator can be
shut off without affecting the flow to the remaining regulator
Additionally, should manifold damage occur, the isolation valve
allows the system to be divided into what are, essentially, two
separate cylinders. The use of DIN fittings helps ensure a
stronger connection and avoids the damage that could be caused
by yoke screws impacting the cave ceilings. |
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"Naturally like any explorer, I have been asked what I intended to
find, and whether it made sense to take avoidable risks...I did not
expect to find pirates gold in brass bound boxes, it's more the
feeling of adventure, the great feeling of putting your foot where no
other has been before."
George Benjamin
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