Full Cave Diving Training, Mexico
I did my Cavern and Intro to Cave training way back in 2000. Some time off from my project in Mexico City gave me the opportunity to get down to Playa Del Carmen to finish things off with a 5 day course that certified me full cave.
The cenotes of the Riviera Maya around Puerto Aventuras are ideal for training. I had an excellent time and great instruction from Sergio Granucci.
This is Tal, my fellow classmate learning how cave diving is so much more subtle than deep wrecks :)
Myself and Tal almost ready to get into the water.
Stalagtites on the cave ceiling.
Stalagmites on the cave floor.
We did a total of 11 dives over 5 days of diving at some of the better known sites around Puerto Aventuras including Chac Mool, Chiken Ha, Aktun Koh, Taj Mahal.
Ceiling formation
Cave navigation. I wont explain it here but this marks a jump between two lines.
Almost back to the real world. This is the view of the open water as we make our stops.
Training brief. Left to Right ...Sergio (Instructor), Tal (classmate), Juan Carlos (Assistant Instructor) and myself.
Gearing up on Sergio's purpose designed 'cave trailer'
Happy Cave diver. The light on top of my left hand will burn at an intensity similar to a car headlight for 4 hours.
This is me with a different light. My super expensive Halcyon light decided didn't want to do this dive. It sometimes does that! Hanging the light around my neck is a very bad habit.
Cave diving! What appears to be a shadow in the background is in fact Sergio about to play tricks on myself and Tal.
Tal sets up a jump while I support him with light.
More Stalagtites
Climbing out of a cave in all this gear can be tricky.
