On Thursday, December 14, 2000 5:52 AM, Jane Alexander wrote:

> J. Kelly Cunningham asked:
>
> Do any list members feel cave certification is required for Cozumel's
> Devil's Throat (or the like)?
>
> ...and there have been a couple of responses so far.

> I'd question whether cave certification per se is really necessary. What
> about training, for example, in deep (as in water depth) wreck
penetration?

G'Day, Jane!  You've introduced an interesting twist into the debate!  :-)

It's probably easy to suggest that the training for one type of overhead
environment diving can readily be translated to any other - such as caves.
But I'm not altogether certain that that's the case as both have their
peculiar hazards to contend with.  It is, however, probably true that a
person who sees the need for specialised training for one type of diving
environment is probably more appreciative of the need for training before
committing themselves to a different type of diving - even although many of
the technical principles will  be the same or similar.  :-)

> Having done this, I found the Devil's Throat to be not a particularly
> challenging dive in comparison, although all the same issues were still at
> the front of my mind at the time. I believe the currents can also be a lot
> stronger than on the day we were there. I'd also agree that there are few
> open water divers who would even begin to understand the risks involved in
a
> seemingly beautiful dive in clear water. There may be something I'm
missing,
> but this type of dive doesn't seem to be much different to any other
> overhead environment. True cave diving is another matter, and one that I
> would personally not be interested in.

> P.S. I've been contributing even less than usual recently as I can't dive
at
> the moment because I'm expecting a baby:-)

My apologies in advance for the 'politically incorrect statement that
follows <BWG> but that'll teach you to never take seriously something that's
only poked at you in fun!  :-)  (I've already slapped myself around the side
of the head to save you the job!)  :-)

Strike