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In the Yucatan most divers consider there to be a difference between 'cavern diving' and 'cave diving'. Cave diving requires extensive training and is very dang
by chrisfosterelli 2y ago
In the Yucatan most divers consider there to be a difference between 'cavern diving' and 'cave diving'. Cave diving requires extensive training and is very dangerous. In cavern diving you stay within the naturally illuminated part of the cave and, while there might be something overhead of you at periods, you're not functionally farther from a safe exit than you would be at 130ft depth with no overhead. Of course any overhead obstruction is an added risk but that situation happens in regular recreational diving too.
It wouldn't surprise me to hear that some tour operators bend the guidelines but the diving I did there felt appropriately careful.
- dahdum 2y agoCavern diving certification is still a multi day course, open water certification does not prepare you for it. The 130 ft PADI guideline (AOW cert) applies to open water wreck diving and is quickly broken at most sites I’ve seen. Dos Ojos is particularly sketchy. On overcast days it can be impossible to see an exit at several points even when not silted out. Your guides will usually be side mount with two tanks, backup lights, and a safety spool. That redundancy isn’t for you, it’s because they are trained not to take the same risks you are. Caves are pretty awesome though.