WHY CONSIDER CAVE DIVING?
Cave diving has evolved over the past twenty five years from being an
unknown and mysterious roque of scuba diving to a highly recognized and
respected sport. The interest and participation has increased dramatically
though
it remains a very tiny percent of the entire realm of diving. The "new"
industry of
technical diving has allowed cave diving to come forth and offer an entirely new
and unique environment for divers to learn and explore. As more and more
divers grow with experience, they seek more knowledge and new challenges to
broaden their skills and development as competent and safe divers.
TRAINING and EDUCATION are required before venturing into underwater
caves. Cave diving is highly specialized. It demands that particular equipment
and techniques be used. When not trained, it is extremely dangerous. With
training, the diver is taught the correct procedures and proper equipment
necessary to participate safely. It creates the solid foundation for the diver
to
build and grow as more experience is acquired. Cave diving is based on
judgement. Human error is the main cause of accidents. With properb training,
the diver can learn to be at ease in a very beautiful and interesting underwater
environment. The high stress and tension that results from not being prepared in
an organized and disciplined manner can be potentially hazardous.
WHY LEARN IN THE YUCATAN?
The Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula offers the perfect
characteristics for underwater caves and caverns. It has a soft, sedimentary
limestone bedrock giving water the capability to carve out the a network of
caves. The peninsula is a giant bowl collecting the tropical rains and the
caves
meander slowly underground towards the sea carrying the water. This horizontal
drainage collects more volume as it nears the coast. Finally emerging out
among the many huge springs or outlets with such names as X'el-Ha, Yal Kul,
X'pu-Ha, Tan-Ka, Chacalal and many more. This incredible geological
combination of filtered, crystal clear water and shallow depths creates the
world's
BEST area for safe cave and cavern diving. And, as a bonus, all these caves
that were once dry during our last Ice Age 10,000 years ago, allowed the
opportunity for nature to produce an artistic array of speleothems and
decorations. This gallery allows the cave diver to witness an awesome display
of
nature's beauty and power.
Cave diving emerged in the Akumal - Tulum area during the mid 1980's.
Cave divers discovered that the cenotes (natural wells) were windows to these
underground streams and this began an entire NEW FRONTIER! As more cave
divers explored, more cave systems were discovered. Today, there are over 40
different cave systems to visit and more than 200 miles of passageways to
explore.
You will not find a more concentrated area of underwater caves within such easy
and convienient distance of each other. The water clarity is unlimited and
never
affected by weather conditions. The caves are consistently clear all year
round.
The size of many of the cave systems reach mammoth proportions - a cave diver's
delight!
In fact, four of the five largest cave systems in the world are located here.
Sistema Dos Ojos and Sistema Nahoch Nah Chich have both been explored past
200,000 feet of surveyed passages. The world's two longest underwater
stalactites exist here. Sistema Chac Mol (the Jaguar Cave) has a 40 foot
flowstone called Xix-Ha-Tunich (Mayan for Drip Water Stone) in a room called
Cauac-Nah meaning Monster's House in Mayan. There is 22 foot stalactite called
"The Fang" in the Sistema Temple of Doom. The caves contain both fresh water
draining from the jungle and the salt water soaking inland from the Caribbean
sea.
When these two waters meet, they produce a "halocline" which is a stunning and
unusual experience to enjoy. Most of the divesites allow easy accessibility.
The
land owner's have constructed walkways, platforms, steps or ladders to provide
easy and safe entries into the water. Only a few caves can be difficult.
None of
the cave systems go over 90 feet in depth with most averaging 40 feet or less.
This allows long bottom times with very little decompression required. Safe and
comfortable.
It simply does not get any better!
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