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. That said, for those whom cave exploration is the primary driver, joining the CDG offers unparalleled resources, support and opportunity.

To help you make that decision for yourself please read “Cave Diving British Style” and “Why solo diving is appropriate in UK sumps“. Having read these articles it will be clear that amateur cave diving contains an element of risk. Before joining the CDG you must first understand and accept these hazards. Still think UK style cave diving is for you? Then please read on…

Cave Diving Group Membership Types

There are five classes of CDG membership: Diving (Trainee & Qualified), Non-diving, Honorary & Temporary. Non-diving members receive publications and may attend meetings but pay a reduced subscription and are not insured for cave diving. The CDG only offers Temporary Membership to overseas cave divers visiting the UK.

Regional Sections are responsible for the administration of membership including the acceptance of new members and matters of expulsion. If you wish to apply for membership of the CDG you must first decide which Section is the best fit for you. Putting aside the obvious geographic considerations please be aware that each section has its own personality and its own viewpoint on what makes a suitable aspirant member.

Before applying, the best way of finding out is to contact the Section informally, get to know them and let them get to know you before putting in a formal application for membership. Regional Section meetings administer all membership applications.

For the avoidance of doubt, you can only join the CDG by joining a regional section. The first step to doing that is to contact a section using the contact form for each of the sections on this website.

How to Join the Cave Diving Group

To join a Section you must over 18 years of age, be physically fit and not suffer from epilepsy.

They must also hold a recognised SCUBA qualification equivalent to CMAS One Star, or demonstrate the same standard to a Section Examiner.

After securing endorsement from two Qualified Divers, applicants submit their membership forms to the Section Secretary before attending the relevant Section meeting.

Cave Diving Group Membership Requirements

If the Section accepts your application, you pay the appropriate membership fee and become a member. If your application is unsuccessful, the Section will explain why your application was unsuccessful and advise how you can strengthen a future application.

After joining the CDG, members must follow the Constitution and Safety Code during every dive. The CDG gives trainees five years to achieve Qualified Diver status. If they fail to reach Qualified Diver status within this period they will be transferred to Non-Diver status.

Any member wishing to maintain Trainee Diver status past the five year limit must re-apply annually. The Section’s Qualified Divers decide whether a trainee may continue beyond the five-year limit. Qualified Divers returning after five or more years of lapsed membership rejoin the Group as Trainees.

All members must pay the appropriate membership fee at the start of each calendar year. Members who do not pay their subscription by 30 November will allow their membership to lapse. Lapsed members may rejoin the Group by paying the appropriate annual membership fee and any additional re-joining fee.

Membership Fees for joining the CDG

An individual’s total membership subscription fee is determined by the combination or their membership type, newsletter subscription, and any BCS caving insurance they have taken outwith the group for the year in question. Add together the individual components relevant to your membership category to give your subscription.

Annual subscriptions for the coming year are due by 1st December.

Commonly paid subscriptions are as follows:

• £18 old members with insurance via BCA club
• £38 old members with insurance via CDG
• £40 new members with insurance via BCA club
• £57 new members with insurance via CDG