{"id":4426,"date":"2019-01-11T12:35:25","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T12:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/?p=4426"},"modified":"2024-07-11T07:59:58","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T07:59:58","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-cave-diving-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/the-ultimate-guide-to-cave-diving-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Cave Diving in Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Ultimate Guide to Cave Diving in Mexico<\/h1>\n

Mexico is one of the most popular cave diving destinations in the world. Perhaps the most popular. Why is that?
\nWell, for a start it has wonders of the natural world like the Sistema Sac Actun \u2013 the longest underwater cave system on the planet (this was confirmed in 2018 when explorers discovered that the huge Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich and Sistema Dos Ojos were connected). But there’s one not-so-secret weapon in Mexico’s cave diving arsenal:<\/p>\n

Cenotes.<\/b><\/p>\n

Cenotes are the truly stunning natural sinkholes of the Yucatan Peninsula. Filled with water. Filled with wonderful life – in technicolour. They’re the setting for possibly the most spectacular cave diving experiences anywhere on the globe, or just beneath it. If you’re already a seasoned cave diver and you haven’t gone diving in a cenote…<\/p>\n

It’s time to start packing your bags and booking your trip. And if you haven’t tried it out already but you always wanted to learn how to cave dive, where could be better?<\/p>\n

You’ve got the brilliant local diving community, packed with world-leading instructors. You’ve got the Mexican climate, flora and fauna. Most of all, you’ve got the incredible cenotes. They’re going to make your experience truly unforgettable. Whether it’s your first dive or your hundred and first.<\/p>\n

\"Cave \"Cave \"Cave \"Cave<\/div>\n

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Cave Diving versus Cavern Diving – yes, there’s a difference<\/h2>\n

Let’s start with some basics. What is cave diving? Isn’t it just the same as cavern diving?<\/p>\n

Not at all. \u201cCave\u201d and \u201ccavern\u201d sound so similar that it’s easy to start thinking they mean the same thing. But picture a cavern for a moment:<\/p>\n

Are you imagining a huge open space, perhaps with a few stalactites hanging down? Is there some natural light shining down through cracks in what might be a ceiling, sure, but a ceiling that’s far overhead and which allows easy access to the outside world?<\/p>\n

Now start imagining a cave. It’s a darker, enclosed space. It might be a little more confined. The way you move is going to be very important indeed here. Because there’s no guarantee that there’s going to be room to really manoeuvre \u2013 or any natural light at all…<\/p>\n

Most of the splendid cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico are caverns which open into underwater cave systems. This leads to at least five very important differences:<\/p>\n

1. Natural light<\/b> \u2013 in a cavern you will almost always be able to see a source of natural light. If in doubt, swim towards it. In a cave, the way out might not be so clearly signposted. In fact, there may be no light at all.<\/p>\n

2. Cave diving equipment is special<\/b> \u2013 you can go cavern diving with your normal scuba gear. The same kit you’d use in the open water in places like the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (if you’re a diver and you’re in Mexico anyway, you can’t miss this). For cave diving, you’ll need specially designed gear.<\/p>\n

3. The restrictions you’re under<\/b> \u2013 a cavern dive is usually limited in depth to 70-120 feet (that’s 21-40 meters) beneath the surface. That’s how far the light can penetrate from overhead. You’ll also have limitations in permissible starting visibility and of no decompression. Cave diving puts you beyond all of those restrictions.<\/p>\n

4. The world you’re in<\/b> \u2013 this is one of the starkest and most thrilling differences between cave diving and cavern diving. The dark subterranean world you enter in a cave is full of new and intriguing life, cleverly adapted to its lightless environs. Caverns are beautiful. But caves can be truly alien in their splendour.<\/p>\n

5. The training you need<\/b> \u2013 while both caves and caverns are overhead environments which require some specialised training before you can safely dive there alone, cave diving requires that you learn a whole lot more… Check the IANTD Cave Diving Courses Programs Koox Diving has to offer<\/a><\/p>\n

Things to consider before taking a Cave Diving Course<\/h2>\n

If you’re trying to work out whether cave diving is for you, there are a couple of things you should consider:<\/p>\n

First, your experience level. Cave diving is only recommended for very experienced divers. You need advanced level qualifications or be willing to train to get them. You’ll want to inventory things like your:<\/p>\n

Buoyancy control<\/b> \u2013 this should be absolutely spot-on.<\/p>\n

Finning techniques<\/b> \u2013 you should be well practised at skills like the helicopter, frog kick and backward finning.<\/p>\n

Diving procedures<\/b> \u2013 your knowledge of diving procedures in general needs to be recent and regularly updated.<\/p>\n

Secondly, you need the equipment. Cave diving in overhead environments can be dangerous and you need to be prepared. You’ll want to be intimately familiar with your kit. As well as all of the other safety requirements which you need to take on board to do this thrilling activity safely.<\/p>\n

What are the most important cave diving training requirements?<\/h2>\n

You will need evidence that you possess the skills above in the form of your:<\/p>\n

Advanced Open Water certification or its equivalent<\/p>\n

Cavern or Overhead certification<\/p>\n

There’s also a standard minimum requirement that you complete 50 logged dives. But for real safety and to truly build your confidence and skills to where they need to be, 100 logged dives might be more what you should be aiming at.<\/p>\n

You also need to be 18 years old, but that probably goes without saying.<\/p>\n

\"Cave \"Cave \"Cave<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What will you learn during a cave diving course?<\/h2>\n

Make no mistake, a cave diving course is tough. It’s deliberately designed to be that way. Not to put too fine a point on it, there’s a lot you need to know in order to dive in a confined space underground safely!<\/p>\n

Of course, you’ll start off practising the techniques and drills in shallow water and go through simulations in places where there is no danger. But you should still be ready to deal with situations which might feel stressful to you. You will practice things like:<\/p>\n

1. Zero visibility training<\/b> \u2013 how to recover a lost line and navigating when visibility is negligible.<\/p>\n

2. Navigation training<\/b> \u2013 how to tell which way you’re going in a cave.<\/p>\n

3. Buddy and communication training<\/b> \u2013 how to use hand and light signals, as well as to communicate through touch contact. Everything you need to know in order to work with your dive buddy, including in an emergency.<\/p>\n

4. Buoyancy training<\/b> \u2013 making sure you’re as close to perfect as possible when it comes to your trim and buoyancy.<\/p>\n

5. Propulsion and kicking techniques<\/b> \u2013 because you need to use certain types of kicks so as to not throw up a cloud of sediment.<\/p>\n

That’s not to mention working with a reel, line markers and your pre-dive equipment checks. Actually, your equipment is an important point to consider…<\/p>\n

What cave diving equipment will you need?<\/h2>\n

This is one of the major differences between cavern diving and cave diving. For cave diving, you need a certain amount of specialised gear. This will probably include:<\/p>\n

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  • A dry suit \u2013 this is not a requirement, but it is recommended due to the duration of the dives. If you get cold, you can’t just get out!<\/li>\n
  • A buoyancy device, backplate and harness.<\/li>\n
  • Double tanks, sidemount or rebreathers.<\/li>\n
  • A powerful hand-attached light source and two spare dive lights.<\/li>\n
  • Stiff fins are a popular choice as they make it easier to not kick up silt.<\/li>\n
  • Possibly a dive computer<\/li>\n
  • A spare dive mask<\/li>\n
  • A sharp knife<\/li>\n
  • Markers<\/li>\n
  • A wet note notebook<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n