SAFE CENOTE DIVING
The ASOCIACION DE PRESTADORES DE SERVICIOS ACUATICOS DE LA RIVIERA MAYA A.C. (A.P.S.A.) is very concerned about the use of the popular local cenotes used for scuba diving activities. The 60+ members of the association also share these same concerns. They are:
1. Open water training being conducted in the cenotes involving the
overhead environment.
2. Cavern diving tours being conducted by unqualified cenote guides
and/or not performing the duties and responsibilities within the
standards established.
3. Respect for the environment of the cenote and a thorough
understanding of the history, conservation, and geology of the
cave. (i.e. “Tour only on the existing gold cavern guidelines,
graffiti and defacing on the walls and silt floors, exceeding the
limits of a safe cavern dive.”)
WHAT IS A SAFE CENOTE DIVE?
Any scuba diver who plans or intends to dive a cenote should understand the difference between a safe cavern dive and an open water dive. Open water simply means any body of water using SCUBA which allows a direct ascent to the surface. A cavern dive in a cenote means going diving into an overhead
environment which does not allow a direct ascent to the surface. To safely dive the cavern zone the scuba diver must either be trained or certified as a cavern diver to be qualified or participate in a cenote dive with a qualified professional cavern diving guide.
The international scuba diving training agencies such as PADI, NAUI, SSI, NASDS, YMCA, PDIC, etc. asserts specifically in their training standards that no open water instructor may take a student into any type of overhead environment. One alarming problem that exists are open water instructors using the local cenotes (i.e. Cenote Eden, Grand Cenote and Cenote Carwash) and taking their open water students into the overhead environment. This is a serious and direct violation of the international certification agency’s training standards.
Another intolerable dilemma developing in the cenotes of the Riviera Maya are open water divers not trained and certified in cavern or cave diving and bringing underwater lights with them and diving the cavern and cave zones of the cenote. This unsafe conduct can lead to drowning accidents.
During 1998 we have one drowning accident involving an open water diver from Veracruz, Mexico that took place at the Grand Cenote on April 11th. The unqualified open water diver broke several of the cardinal rules for safe cenote diving that the international open water, cave and technical training agencies abide by known as ACCIDENT ANALYSIS. These five sacred rules for safe cavern and cave diving are:
1. TRAINING. Before pursuing cavern or cave diving, please seek proper
training and know your limitations.
2. GUIDELINE. Always use a single continuous guideline from outside the
Cave and throughout the cavern or cave system.
3. AIR/GAS. Always use at least 2/3′rds of your beginning air/gas to EXIT
the cavern or cave.
4. DEPTH. Do NOT dive DEEPER than the limits of your training and
experience.
5. LIGHTS. Always use a minimum of THREE LIGHTS per diver. For
cavern diving, the sun and at least two battery powered
lights.
In the state of Florida of the United States, sinkhole and spring diving is very popular in north Florida. One solution to the problem of unqualified divers going into the caverns and caves is the:
“THE NO LIGHT RULE”
All of the state parks, national forests, private camp grounds and several land owners who have underwater caves on their property apply this very successful rule of diving in the overhead environment. If the diver is not certified in cavern or cave diving, they are not allowed in the water with a light. When the diver arrives at these dive sites, posted signs and/or written waiver forms carefully explain this policy. Divers are asked to show their certification qualifications. If
qualified, then they are allowed to take lights into the caverns or caves. This simple rule has made a tremendous difference in reducing accidents and saving lives during the past twenty years. It is a huge success!
THE CAVERN DIVING COURSE
What is involved in the cavern diving course? The cavern diving course is a minimum of two days of training developing the minimum skills and knowledge for safe cavern diving. The course describes the dangers involved with cave diving. It also covers planning, the environment, procedures, techniques, problem solving and other specialized needs.
Problem solving covers buoyancy control, body positioning, emergency procedures, guide line following, and swimming techniques. Specific importance on this particular environment includes silting, entanglement, disorientation, and equipment modifications.
Classroom instruction cover the contents of safe policies of cavern diving, the environment, accident analysis, psychological aspects, equipment, techniques, body control and emergency procedures. During the course both land and open water drills will involve the use of guidelines, following the guideline as a navigational tool, following the line with no visibility, and emergency procedures including sharing air.
A minimum of four cavern dives will be conducted using a minimum of three different caverns.
During these dives the following will be performed:
a. Safety drill (practice sharing air and equipment check on each dive).
b. Demonstrate proper buoyancy control and body positioning with
minimum weighting and distribution.
c. Demonstrate good propulsion techniques.
d. Guideline awareness and the use of the reel and line.
e. Enjoy and explore the cavern gaining confidence and being
comfortable.
The safe limits of a cavern are:
a. Natural daylight.
b. 200 feet/60 meters linear distance.
c. 100 feet/ 21 meters maximum depth
d. 40 feet/12 meters minimum visibility.
e. No decompression diving.
f. No restrictions.
Certified cavern divers must use all necessary equipment considered appropriate for open water diving but also include two battery powered lights and a reel and guideline. The snorkel is considered not necessary.
THE PROFESSIONAL CENOTE GUIDE
If an open water diver participates in a cavern dive with a professional cenote guide, the guide must meet these minimum qualifications: Cavern tours are offered by qualified certified full cave diver who holds a rating of open water instructor or certified divemaster minimum.
PROCEDURES:
1. Detailed briefing before each dive
2. Explanation and review of rules for cavern diving
3. It is not necessary to go through extensive equipment modifications for
the cavern tour because it is considered a controlled experience. Minor
changes may be necessary, such as the addition of alternate air source,
removal of snorkel, and proper weighting.
4. Use of the guideline is essential to ensure a safe dive and demonstrate
proficient skills. It is recommended that the guide demonstrate proper
overhead protocol at all times.
5. No diver participation is mandated
6. Definitions:
a. speleogenesis and hydrology
b. cavern/cave environment (unique and fragile)
c. accident analysis
d. problems
7. Techniques
Brief review of:
a. buoyancy control
b. finning techniques
c. light use and signals
8. Review of basic communications
a. “OK”
b. “Stop or Hold”
c. “Dive is over, exit”
d. “Out of air”
e. Instructor’s choice for additional hand signals
9. Dive Plan
10. Complete post dive review:
A Guide should stress that divers on a tour are under supervision and in a controlled experience Urge the divers to participate in a cavern course if they wish to pursue cavern diving.
1. Equipment:
Equipment is the same as for a cavern course. Standard open water scuba equipment with two battery powered lights.
The popularity of the cenotes has transformed THE RIVIERA MAYA into a major destination for divers from all around the world. As more and more divers hear about and discover the tranquil beauty of these pristine “windows” to the underwater world, the number of divers will increase the pressure and impact on these precious and fragile ecosystems. Safety and awareness of the environment are paramount in educating both the cenote guide and the visiting divers.
WHY THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
Safety is always the first issue for anyone who recreationally participates in a “high risk” environment. If there is no understanding or control of the risk then accidents will become frequent and the danger of closing or denying access to the cenotes becomes very real.
Responsibility and image also play a very important role in maintaining safety and protecting these environmental wonders. If accidents occur or the cenotes become trashed or permanently damage, then people will stop diving, snorkeling or visiting.
Any diver who takes other divers into an “overhead environment” must be TRAINED and QUALIFIED with a minimum amount of experience. Several deaths have been reported with unqualified guides.
Following the recommendations for qualified guides makes sense. It is not only for safety but for integrity and moral responsibility. Any compromise is not acceptable. Those who wish to dive the cenotes on their own should seek training and become a certified cavern or cave diver. Another approach is not to take a light with you on the dive. THE NO LIGHT RULE in Florida, USA has made a major difference in minimizing accidents or close calls.
The land owner has a major responsibility to safety and protecting their fragile cenotes. Only the land owner can enforce the rules and regulations for safe cenote diving. Only the land owner can provide the access and use to the cenote which allows safe entry into the water and minimal impact on the cenote environment. During the past year, the land owners have stepped forward to declare their concerns for SAFETY and PROTECTING the cenotes. Several of the land owners have have posted signs expressing their desires. The land owners do care and understand the important responsibilities for safety and the environment of the cenotes.