Why A Cave Diving Guide

Floating in the water at the cenotes Dos Ojos, Tom and Jerry look at each other in total despair and frustration. Tom's tanks have only 1000 psi/70 bars and Jerry’s primary light is flooded, his fin strap has just broken and they have no idea where the upstream permanent guideline is located. Angry with themselves, they are off to a bad start on their first day of cave diving. As certified, full cave divers, they are visiting the Riviera Maya for their first
time. They had read several magazines and useful articles on the Internet about the spectacular underwater cave systems. They are trying to dive as many caves as they can during their one week vacation. Flying into Cancun from Florida and renting a vehicle to accommodate all of their cave diving equipment was a nightmare. Finding a dive store to rent double tanks took three hours and the store hours will not allow them the opportunity to dive twice a day. Getting directions to Cenote Dos Ojos was like pulling teeth from a tiger and driving their rental car out to the dive site caused a flat tire and one hour of their valuable time to fix the problem.

If flying to Cancun, renting a car, finding tanks and air and driving straight to the cenotes will provide the opportunity to see and enjoy them, think again. It may sound easy. It may appear easy to do. But it’s not that easy.

There is much to consider, plan and prepare for. As with everything we do in life, the better organized and thought out, the odds increase dramatically in your favor of having a successful and fun trip. And that is what it is all about. Making your visit, your adventure productive, efficient and rewarding. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider making your dive trip the best.

Tanks and Air/Gas

Without these, you are not diving. There are at least sixty diving operations in the Riviera Maya area. The majority specialize in open water, advanced open water and recreational specialty courses. At last count, there is at least a dozen businesses that cater to cave divers renting double tanks with manifolds and specialty equipment. Don't expect to just "show up" and rent gear - plan ahead! Call the dive shop and reserve your tanks.

Be sure to know and understand the dive store business hours. If you wish to get in two sessions of diving each day you will need to have time for refilling the tanks. Some air stations will accommodate your schedule by filling tanks early in the morning or later into the evening.

If you do your homework - you may spot a dive shop that offers two sets of doubles. When you return from a dive all you have to do is swap for another filled set of doubles. You never have to wait! Be sure all diving cylinders are up-to-date with both hydro test and visual inspection. If tanks look sloppy or in poor condition, ask questions.

Air/Gas Stations

The air you breathe is critical for your health and safety. Be sure you are breathing safe air. Are compressor filters changed regularly? Do not be shy to ask those in charge of an air station or dive business when they last changed their filters and/or oil. Be wary of air stations that operate gasoline/diesel driven compressors. Carbon monoxide is a very serious threat to your diving safety. If you detect any unusual odors from a diving cylinder you are using - STOP - do not dive with it.

Your air/gas supply is the most important component for your safe cave diving adventure yet you have the least control over its quality and purity. Be smart. Know exactly what you are breathing before you go diving.

THE PROFESSIONAL CAVE DIVING GUIDE

Because cave divers are certified, and, hopefully qualified, being guided into caves does not involve instruction. When they hire a guide, cave divers are simply hiring an individual who is familiar with all the cave systems and knows how to make the dive safe and pleasant. The job of the guide is to make
the dive enjoyable, relaxing and productive. The cave diving guide takes the cave divers to the cenote.

Acquiring the diving tanks, safety oxygen, first aid kit, maps, and cooler with refreshments is just the beginning. You will be surprised how many of these items are neglected. Anytime guiding is performed, oxygen should be available. Though most of the cenotes and caves are shallow having that "safety net" is more than safe - it's smart. It is the same thing with a first aid kit. A map or sketch of the cave system is a useful tool to help plan and understand the dive. A cooler with ice and refreshments makes a big difference with comfort and dehydration particularly the warmer months of the year. If these items are not provided, your guide is not doing the job safely and correctly.

Certified cave divers who seek or need guiding do not need to be baby sitted. Guiding is allowing the cave diving customer the opportunity to relax and enjoy the underwater cave. But, it would be nice for guided cave divers to be shown the most of what each cave system offers within the limits of their gas/air supply. Valid reasons for seeking a cave diving guide are:

Dive Buddy

For most individuals who travel to the Riviera Maya, a capable
diving partner is an important component of a safe and fun dive. The cave diving guide provides the "instant" dive buddy who fulfills the safe buddy team concept.

Conservation

It is always the biggest concern, protecting the fragile underwater cave environment is the #1 responsibility for all cave divers. The knowledge and experience of every cave system by the professional cave diving guide allows the team to tour and explore each cave system with minimal impact on it. Without a guide, cave divers not familiar with the cave systems can inflict needless damage to the cave environment. Wandering and swimming into dead-end areas anywhere beyond the main passageways is an unnecessary risk and burden to the fragile cave.

The MOST for Your Money

Once you have decided to travel to the Riviera Maya you will make three primary investments.

1. TIME
2. EXPENSE
3. EFFORT

Time

You have made a commitment for so many days during your brief visit to the Riviera Maya. You can only do so much during that brief time. Realistically, it would take months if not years to tour and explore all the underwater caves of the Riviera Maya. (There are over 160 different cave systems between Puerto Morelos going south of Tulum) Obviously, some caves are better than others.

If you wish to see the best, it is wise to use your time efficiently and effectively. The professional cave guide provides that goal. The guide can decide where to go that suits your interest and level of ability. Too many times visiting cave divers have wasted valuable time and air searching for the main permanent line, or the "offshoot line" to a particular passage or room. Sometimes, they just go the wrong direction. If the guide is knowledgeable and competent, he or she can take you straight to specific locations or areas in the cave system giving you the opportunity to see the best of what the cave system has to offer. Another important factor with time is transportation to and from the dive sites and the time to obtain air fills from your chosen air station. Most dive operations follow traditional store hours and do not consider filling tanks early in the morning or late into the evening profitable enough or worth the effort in service for cave divers. Fortunately, there are a few diving operations willing to fill tanks after hours, have the tank inventory to swap filled diving cylinders or provide a "double issue" of tanks to fulfill the needs for the divers who wish to accomplish two diving sessions during the day.

Expense

You are probably on a fixed budget. You have several expenses to consider.

• Airfare - airport transfers, taxis, parking, tips for baggage handling,
• Accommodations - single occupancy, double occupancy, simple, moderate or luxurious, on the beach, in town or camping.

• Food - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, refreshments, coolers with ice, etc.
• Tanks and air/gas - availability, air quality, oxygen service, tank maintenance and appearance.
• Transportation - rental car or van, gas, insurance, ability to replace vehicle if mechanical failure or accident.
• Dive Site Fees - cash in pesos, coupons, sherpas to hire for dive sites difficult accessibility.
• Gratuities and tipping - maid service, chauffeurs, food service, air station and guide service.
• Sightseeing and gifts for home - Mayan ruins, museums, shopping and other outdoor activities.
• And…..don't forget about all the money put into training and equipment you have invested to reach this point in your cave diving career. That is the biggest investment!

Effort

The most underrated aspect of all your investments. You have traveled a long distance and spent a lot of your money for the opportunity to visit, dive and enjoy the cenotes of the Riviera Maya. No diver wants to spoil everything by allowing some minor or unforeseen flaw hurt or ruin your cave diving. The distance, your time and expense now all evolve around your effort.

Preparing For Your Cave Dive

Are your tanks filled? Does your equipment work? Do you have back-up gear, extra "o" rings or parts in case of any failures? Do you have everything you need for a safe dive? Your cave diving guide can help you prevent or solve these potential problems.

A final suggestion:

Always set up your equipment at your place of stay or where you rent your tanks. Once prepared, you can catch any problems that could occur. Air/gas leaks, free flows, or any malfunctions can be caught.

Forgetting your wet suit or booties is a common occurrence. Why find the problem at the dive site where it is hot and humid and no tools are available to fix the problem? Set up all your equipment and check it thoroughly before traveling to the cenotes. The odds increase greatly in your favor if you apply prevention before the problem occurs.

The professional cave diving guide is always available to make your diving safe and pleasant. Your enjoyment, relaxation and making your cave dives productive is your decision.