Underwater Caves

Underwater Caves
By:  Cave Spelunking



Caves exist all over the world.  They exist in mountains and in valleys.  They exist in frozen regions of the earth and in the hottest deserts.  Caves also exist underwater, either totally or partially.  Underwater caves are some of the most fascinating places on the planet.  They are also some of the most dangerous caves on the planet for cavers to explore.

Cave diving became very popular in the 1970s in the United States — and during that decade, about 100 cavers were killed attempting it.  The problem was that interest was high, but information and training opportunities were nearly nonexistent.
Sheck Exley was the first and best-known cave diver in the United States.  He began his cave-diving career in Florida when he was only 16 years old.  He would continue his cave diving career for the next 29 years.  He made over 4,000 dives and is one of only seven divers in history to successfully make a cave dive below 800 feet.  Sheck Exley died doing what he loved to do when he was only 45 years old.  He was trying to dive to a depth of 1,000 feet.

Cave diving is a dangerous sport, but it is one that draws cavers like honey draws flies.  Today there are strict and enforced rules concerning cave diving.  Divers must have proof of their level of training in order to be allowed to cave dive in the United States.
Much of the focus of cave diving clubs and organizations today is focused more on training, exploration, public awareness, and cave conservation than on simple adventure and pushing the envelope for the thrill of it.

There are cave diving venues all over the world. Northern Florida is the most popular venue in the United States, but cave diving can be done in the Bahamas, the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil.

Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.