Divers learn to navigate using a constant guideline.
Cave divers are taught to use a continuous guideline to help them navigate safely from the entrance to the surface. These lines can either be non-directional (or directional) and must be visible in total darkness. Also known as the diver's jumping line, the diver's guideline can also be called the diver's jumpline. It connects the diver’s lines and serves as a safety rope in case of emergency.
There are three main types of markers that divers use to guide them through the caves. For visual and tactile guidance, the line arrows or permanent marker are used. The arrows are also used to indicate the direction to the exit. They are also used to indicate jump locations in the cave.
They must be able locate a lost guideline.
When diving into caves, one of the most important safety skills a diver should possess is the ability to locate a lost line. There are several techniques that can help a diver locate a guideline. Using a touch signal, a compass, or an underwater map can all be helpful.
Guidelines are used to guide a diver through a cave. Divers should be able to use them. The guideline is often mounted on a reel or spool, depending on how long the diver needs to dive. Open water divers might only need a 50-meter guideline while cave divers may require several reels of varying lengths.
They need the right equipment
It is essential that you have the correct equipment for diving in caves. Cave water can be extremely cold so you might want to bring a suit for long dives. A waterproof notebook is also a great idea as it's handy for jotting down reference information during the dive. These notes can be helpful during decompression stops or navigation within the cave.
Divers must also have additional fins and oxygen tanks. Cave diving is a dangerous activity, and divers must have the right equipment to avoid injury. Cave divers require specialized equipment, as many caves can be dangerous due to their high water pressure. You need to be careful when selecting your equipment.
They must be self-controlled and disciplined
Cave diving requires self-control and safety training. Cave divers are often limited in visibility, so cave divers must rely on their senses more than their knowledge. Cave divers must be capable of controlling their breathing and staying calm in these conditions.
Once inside the cave the diver must get off the scooter and swim about three to four hundreds feet until the line ends. Some parts of cave can be extremely tight, and some areas may have large amounts of silt. It is possible to dive to and from the end of the line in a relatively easy manner, but divers should not actively seek the end markers. Training includes team protocols, blind staging and simulation of a sediment-out due to a tank dropping on sediment.