Rebreather Preparation Checklists
Mike Thomas has kindly produced two generic rebreather pre-dive checklists. A standard dive preparation checklist can be found here. A Immediate pre-dive checklist can be found here.
Weil’s Disease – a Cave Diving Hazard
Weil's disease (or “Leptospirosis”) is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira. It is often present in the urine of rats and farm animals; this gets into watercourses where the bacteria can survive for up to 6 months. Infection is mainly through cuts to the skin or via mucous membranes. Initial symptoms may be similar [...]
Mine Diving
Mines are man made and inherently a higher risk environment than the vast majority of natural caves. A cave is formed over a long period of time and its intrinsic stability is due to this. Mines are cavities excavated over a relatively short time period and not there because of any natural process.
Sump Rescue
The CDG has no constitutional role in cave rescue. If divers volunteer their services to cave rescue teams then they do so as individuals. There are many cave rescue teams in the UK, all of which are represented on the British Cave Rescue Council.
Recovery of a Drowned Casualty and CPR
Related knowledge CPR training. Recovery situation Casualty will sink as lungs fill with water. Casualty may not have any form of BCD. Casualty may be wearing a dry-suit. Casualty may be wearing a BCD. Casualty may not have drop weights. Casualty is likely to have a side mount harness. Exit area will vary between [...]
Underwater Winching
When working on a dig underwater you may need to move large blocks. Winching can be an effective way of clearing the obstruction but there is more to it that meets the eye,
Sumps and existing lines
Whether a new project or a training/tourist dive you will most likely be diving on a line that is already present. This comes with a few advisories.
Notes on using your search reel
The overwhelming number of accidents encountered on a cave dive will be line derived, most will be caused by a lost line. So it’s all gone wrong? No line not a lot of visibility and the clock is ticking, so let’s not panic. To do list: Stop – don’t make the problem worse by [...]