I'm really taken (after a PADI try dive) to waste some more money on another hobby! Ultimately (and I know you guys and girls must hear it all the time then never see it it happening) I'd take up the sport and then possibly/probably extend it to caving. I've been told that BSAC holds the aces from a cave dive point of view but holds little recognition worldwide (assuming I'd also like to dive open water). Pro's and con's please and possibly a course route. I have my own opinions/thought but would like some experienced help. Cheers.

Ive got my PADI and it certianly seems to be the most recognised certification for diving. However - I have heard that the BSAC is a far more thourough and involved system.

Whether either are suitable for cave diving is another question. Id probably go PADI to get your open water, then hook up with the CaveDivingGroup guys to discuss the best way forward with regards to cave diving. I guess they'd recommend a Martin Farr course.

BSAC for thoroughness was what I'd heard. You learn about your kit etc where PADI is a ticket to dive.

Want to qualify before I get flamed that the dive ticket was to be first stage to possibly trying cave diving. I wasn't going to buy kit and go. Statement not aimed at anyone.

I've taken BSAC up to Sports Diver (may have changed name)
They keep you up to date with techniques, and teach you about equipment. It's also more in depth as it takes place over a period of months normally rather than a five day rushed course that you forget in 2 weeks time.

Most caver divers do BSAC in this country I think. The CDG also expect members to be up to this standard before training will begin.

I think BSAC have being putting their name out recently and have become more credited in the world of diving.

so to sum up do BSAC although PADI offer a specialist cave diving course.

But don't do it unless you earn a huge sum of money if you thought caving was draining on your fund wait till you start diving.

Got my PADI Open Water in 2003. The thing to remember with PADI ("put another dollar in") is that it's a pyramid selling scheme with easily achievable goals to keep you interested and wanting more.

Just say no. Get qualified, get the gear, tag up with someone ace and get experience.

On second thoughts I may be being a bit too harsh; the guys I learned with were great and very knowledgeable. I suppose if you're enjoying yourself just go for it.

With PADI you do get to see the sea and get wet!

But like The cap 'n said, tag up with someone ace etc. etc.

Have you asked the same question over on the CDG forum?

bubba said:

Have you asked the same question over on the CDG forum?

Click to expand...

No, but good point. Will do.

Way back in the seventies 3 of us decided to go cave diving. We went to Namron in Sheffield and bought some cave diving things and dived in some caves, (thats how it was in the seventies) Then John Smith drowned in Merlins and Mike Nelson drowned in Ilam risings, we thought it might be worth getting the tickets.

We joined a BSAC club in Sheffield and spent an eternity in the pool treading water with our hands over heads and the like. we eventually had a go with some bottles, after a few months we were told to bring our wetsuits so we could work on bouyancy.

I turned up with with my trusty two piece unlined sharkskin suit, which had holes in the knees and in the backs of the knees where I had worn the trousers back to front rather than patch the knees up, the tenax studs had been replaced with string and the zip had to be closed with pliers.

So kit up, jump in, swim to the other end, surface, get banned from the club for dirtying the pool. all this took about six months and we never once left the pool. in the meantime we carried on diving until we realised we were sticking our necks out too far and packed it in

Wendy and I started diving in May last year, We did a Padi open water course, diving from a live aboard in Turkey, and have since been all over the place diving, Egypt, Maldives, Tobago. we have done further Padi courses since then. this is all in the space of a year.

So if you want to get on with it and dive in places where the water is warm & vizibility is good do a PADI course, (you can learn in the Red Sea for less than £400 including flights and hotels)

BSAC tend to dive mainly in the UK where the water is cold and murky most of the time and is probably more akin to cave diving but it will take a while to get into it

PS: As some one mentioned earlier its bloody expensive

if you wantr more info then go and have a look at

www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk

ask as many questions as you want