Caves

[McBad]

Hi Ferg, most caving areas have had sump indexes printed for them in the past, though I guess many of these will be out of date, out of print and hard to find now. Good luck (and bollocks to qualifications). Cheers, M.

[Houseplant]

Originally Posted by Scuby

(hoping you're not going to try to drag Andrew R down there)

Don't worry, I know my limits and won't dive past them. I'm just there to direct the body retrieval team down the right tunnel

[Houseplant]

Originally Posted by McBad

and bollocks to qualifications

That's the most sensible thing I've read on here in a while, have some green!

[NotDeadYet]

I can only speak for myself, I don't care about qualifications. The reason I haven't posted anything is because I don't especially want cave site locations splattered all across a public forum for all and sundry to read.

Access as others have mentioned is not simply a case of stating "I assume liability". Most active UK cave divers have some form of liability insurance which in recent years isn't cheap. Added to that an accident at one of these sites could endanger access to those who have been legitimately diving there. Finally, most cave diving sites in the UK are owned by someone.

As others have said, there are plenty of ways available. If you are genuinely interested then approach a CDG member. Again as previously mentioned there are a lot on YD, there is a CDG website that has all the contact details.

[NotDeadYet]

Originally Posted by Sipadan

That's the most sensible thing I've read on here in a while, have some green!

Sorry, but I have to say the opposite... well to a certain extent. If you'd ever been in a British cave then you would not be saying that.

Sure bollocks to a bit of paper that says "cave diver" on it but there is one thing that has been responsible for a hell of a lot of accidents and that is lack of training and experience. To say that should be disregarded is naive.

[Scuby]

Originally Posted by Sipadan

I'm just there to direct the body retrieval team down the right tunnel

Hehe, good plan

Although more seriously, I assume you did this with your instructor up in Blackpool? I'd have thought he would know all the good local(ish) caving sites?

David

[Houseplant]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

Sure bollocks to a bit of paper that says "cave diver"

That was my point and IMO, this doesn't just relate to cave diving.

[Sheff diver]

If there is one ticket you cannot buy, it is the CDG qualification. The card itself is just a bit of plastic, but the fact that you are considered safe by your peers and your betters is worth a great deal.

Personally, I am not going to comment on the "value of qualifications" debate ...... I wonder why ......

Marcus

[Scuby]

Ooooh i've got a new question: why would you want to?

Thought i'd have a nosey around the CDG website, see if it looked any good... and i've come to a conclusion:

Cave diving in the UK:


Cave diving abroad:


See my point?

David

PS - photos stolen, apologies to CDG and DIRX

[Duncan Price]

Originally Posted by Scuby

Ooooh i've got a new question: why would you want to?
Thought i'd have a nosey around the CDG website, see if it looked any good... and i've come to a conclusion:
Cave diving in the UK:

That's my ****ing photo too. I'm on the inside and Gary Jones is the model - took it with one of those Ikelite housings for a disposible camera.

Seriously folks - if you want to cave dive in the UK then approach the CDG - we aren't scary or mad. We just love the underground and want to protect it as well as you.