L-R: Jack Sheppard, “Jumbo” Baker, Graham Balcombe, Charles “Digger” Harris, B. Offer, P. Brown, Bill Tucknott.
Photo: Frank Frost.
The History of the Cave Diving Group
The Cave Diving Group (CDG) is the representative body for cave divers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and a constituent body of the British Caving Association. Founded in 1946 by pioneering cave diver Graham Balcombe, the CDG is the world’s oldest continuously operating cave diving organisation and amateur technical diving club.
For almost eighty years, the CDG has played a central role in the exploration, development, and advancement of cave diving in the United Kingdom and beyond. From the earliest dives in Wookey Hole Caves and Swildon’s Hole during the 1930s, British cave divers helped establish many of the techniques, procedures, and equipment philosophies that continue to influence cave diving today.
The Group and its members have taken part in some of the world’s most significant cave exploration and rescue projects. CDG divers have explored caves across the UK, Spain, and France. They also supported major cave rescue operations, including the internationally recognised rescue in Thailand in 2018.
The CDG has also played an important role in the evolution of modern cave diving techniques, with British cave divers pioneering streamlined equipment configurations and exploration methods developed specifically for the demanding sump conditions found in the UK.
Cave Diving Training and Exploration
Tight flooded passages, poor visibility, cold water, and complex navigation demand a high level of competence both as a diver and as a caver. For that reason, the CDG has always maintained that a qualified cave diver must first and foremost be an experienced and capable caver.
Unlike commercial diver training agencies, the CDG operates a non-commercial mentoring system focused on long-term development, self-reliance, and exploration capability. There are no “fast-track” qualifications. Trainees work alongside experienced mentors. They develop the judgement, awareness, and problem-solving skills needed for safe cave exploration in real-world conditions.
Divers qualify only when experienced CDG members believe they can explore caves safely and independently.
The Group has long been recognised for its contribution to cave diving knowledge and education. Through its quarterly newsletters, training materials, exploration reports, and regional sump indices, the CDG has documented decades of exploration history, technical development, and collective experience.
Today, the organisation maintains one of the most significant archives of cave diving knowledge anywhere in the world.
Regional Sections
The CDG is organised into four regional sections based in the major caving areas of Britain:
- Somerset Section
- Welsh Section
- Derbyshire Section
- Northern Section
Each section supports local training, exploration, and diving activity, while a Central Committee coordinates the Group nationally and represents the interests of British cave divers more broadly.
In addition to exploration and training, the Group works with landowners, access bodies, and rescue organisations to help maintain responsible access to cave systems throughout the UK. Many cave diving sites rely upon relationships and agreements built carefully over decades.
Joining the Cave Diving Group
Membership is open to both active cavers and non-diving members. Members benefit from mentoring, specialist knowledge, access support, publications, insurance through the BCA scheme, and participation in one of the longest-standing exploration traditions in the world.
If you are not a caver but are an agency trained cave diver you can still apply, however, it will be expected that effort to gain caving experience is applied over a few months before a final application ad acceptance to join is made.
Featured Historical Articles
The Beginnings of Cave Exploration
The origins of British cave diving, early sump exploration, and the formation of the Cave Diving Group.
The Golden Age of British Cave Diving
The origins of British cave diving, early sump exploration, and the formation of the Cave Diving Group.
Modern Exploration: 1980s to Present
The origins of British cave diving, early sump exploration, and the formation of the Cave Diving Group.
Learn More About
Joining The CDG
The Group is always pleased to accept new members. The very specialised nature of cave diving, especially in British sump conditions means that prospective members of the group are few and many should question whether the CDG is an appropriate organisation with which to further their goals……