Blog
We didn’t just “flatten” this curve, we crushed it
In the 1970s and 1980s, open-water diver fatalities in caves were alarmingly frequent. Then, within a short span of time, they all but disappeared. What did we do to make this happen?
Cave Diving in the Era of COVID-19
With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the USA, you may wonder whether it’s safe to go cave diving. Well, that depends…
RMV vs. SAC: What’s the Difference?
Few topics generate more confusion among divers and instructors than Respiratory Minute Volume (RMV) and Surface Air Consumption (SAC). This video tells you what you need to know in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Gas matching in action
There are many ways to deal with dissimilar cylinder volumes. There is one method, however, which even if you don’t use it, you should at least understand.
Turrets: Not Just for Tanks
When selecting regulators for cave diving, there are many important features to consider. There is one feature, however, which can prove critical in a gas-sharing situation. It’s vital you understand what this feature is and why it’s important.
Three more reasons diving metric is better
Using the metric system could make our life as divers — and cave divers in particular — easier. Here are three more reasons why.
The Micro Gear Hauler Project
Conventional wisdom is that, to be a cave diver, you must have a full-size truck, van or SUV. That’s not necessarily true. In many instances, you can get your gear to and from the water quite economically.
A GoPro in your pocket?
A “GoPro in your pocket” is rapidly becoming standard operating procedure for many cave divers. If you are thinking about adding the new GoPro Hero 8 to your inventory, there is something you should know first.
Solo Diving Survey Results
Among the most surprising results of our July survey on cave diver behavior was the fact more than half of respondents say they solo dive in caves, at least on occasion. We decided to take a closer look.
Famous last words?
You never know when the last thing you say will end up being the last thing you said.
Proud to be part of this team
Where have we been for the past month? Helping to breathe new life into a venerable organization.
Exciting times for the NSS-CDS
We promised you some big news by week’s end. It’s Friday, and here it is.
The real story on a discredited practice
You already know the importance of turning tank valves all the way on. But do you know the real origin of the now-discredited practice of turning them back a quarter turn?
Backmount: Not Dead Yet
According to our recent survey, there may be more sidemounters than backmounters in caves. But if you backmount, don’t worry. The days of backmount are far from over.
Don’t be a Cookie Monster
Why teach a simple procedure when you can baffle your students with a complicated one?
The rule no one violates (and why)
There are rules most cave divers follow and ones most don’t. The Rule of Thirds is one almost no one violates. Why is that?
Pure spoolishness
One of the most significant advances in cave diving technology got its start in the most unlikely of places.
Real cave divers, real behavior
Readers have been eagerly awaiting the results of the survey we launched last week on cave diver behavior. Here is the raw data.
The timely demise of the “Snap-n-Gap”
According to our recent survey, 90 percent of our readers have only been cave diving since the turn of the century. Most started cave diving in just the past ten years. This means most have no idea what cave diving was like a quarter century ago. Things were very different
Are you among the 300?
If you are among the 300 people who responded to our recent survey, you just made a valuable contribution to cave diving. And you didn’t have to die in a hail of arrows to do it.
“Yes, but do cave divers actually do that?”
There are many things we tell cave students they “should” or “must” do. But how closely do real-world cave divers follow these rules? We’re going to find out.