Cave diving refers to diving in caves that are filled with water. Some people practice this activity as an adventurous sport and for some, it is a scientific investigation. However, it is more often practiced for technical reasons more than recreational ones. It requires different types of diving gear as well as many years of training and certification.
But more than anything else, cave diving is mostly preferred by people for its challenging nature. It is a great way to discover what’s hidden inside the caves. Many divers who have come down for researchers have found undiscovered organisms inside these caves, which includes medicine for different diseases.
However, it is important to note that cave divers always carry multiple numbers of the same equipment. They do this because in case of an unexpected failure, they have a backup option and they can come back safe. An extra piece of mask or any other gear like an oxygen tank is extremely important to carry.
Important Types Of Equipment For Cave Diving
Masks
The most important equipment for cave divers is the oxygen tank since they mostly stay under the water for a longer period of time. Hence they need oxygen to breathe. Cave divers usually carry simple masks and prefer the black one. These divers also wear hoods to keep their heads safe.
Fins
Another important piece of equipment for cave diving is a pair of fins. They wear fins that are made of rubber and mostly black in color. The fins need to be light in weight as the divers already carry so much weight with them.
Suits
Cave divers wear either wetsuits or drysuits to keep their bodies warm. However, both these suits are different from each other. The drysuit is meant for stopping the water to reach the diver’s body and turning it wet. It is more preferred by the divers than the wet suits. They are made of neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber. The texture of these suits is double-layered and there is little space for air. However, there is no need to wear undergarments. Wetsuits are more preferred for relatively warm water.
There are also many other gears like flashlights and knives that a diver might carry with him or her. They also carry equipment that provides details about air pressure and depth. Some of them also come with a navigation compass.
During training, the divers are taught about the equipment they are going to use. They are also given an in-depth study about the gas laws and how those gas laws impact a human’s body. The diver will also be given training about how to navigate using the guidelines. Thus, cave diving is undoubtedly very interesting but at the same time slightly dangerous water sport.
So, if you are curious about cave diving then you should try it if you haven’t already!
