starting out

[DISCODAVE]

Hi :bow: 

am approaching dunny's problem but from the reverse angle.....am a competent(ish) diver but a beginner caver... am just putting a toe in to test the water (figuratively speaking)...
    obviously I need to improve my caving before I contemplate diving in one....but I was just wondering what there is about in North Wales and whether there are groups active in the area... 
    am willing to lend a hand(not diving) just to see how it all works (and improve my caving at the same time)... does cave diving generally have grunts to help lug kit or does everybody go in, dive and come out elsewhere???
Are there many cave diving experiences which don't require much or any caving to get to the water???  Are there cave dives in flooded mines?? or places that are more cavern than cave???  --- not to keen on squeezing through small stuff but not too phased by no clear surface---any info gratefully received??????

Cheers
Disco

 

[Pitlamp]

The CDG has one or two members in the N.Wales area; you could post a query on the CDG message board giving an email address for someone to contact you? Bear in mind a lot of folks are on holiday (ahem - sorry; "expedition") at the moment though.

 

[dl]

I must confess I can't think of any sumps in N Wales that would be a good place to get started in cave diving.

I would suggest venturing to Yorkshire and getting in touch with the Northern section CDG - its quicker than getting to S Wales !

If you just want some underground experience just drop me a PM.

 

[Pitlamp]

Ah - splendid DL; I was hoping you'd offer to help this person but I was hesitating to volunteer you directly.

For Disco Dave; take DL up on his offer as he's perhaps one of the best people to help with your specific query.

 

[DISCODAVE]

Cheers guys,

Have sent a PM to dl... Pls let me know if you've not got it... there's nowt showing in my outbox... but not sent PM before so don't know if that's normal


Disco :bow:

 

[peterdevlin]

Thanks. How would you advise i learn to dive?

Before you do anything sign yourself up for a PADI try dive, you may not even like it  If this goes ok then you would be advised to go for your PADI Open Water or if you wish to take the BSAC route then take their Ocean Diver course.

Both these courses will teach you the basics.

Stu.

That's good advice from Stu  ... further to that, assuming you get a basic open water qualification whether from BSAC or PADI, my advice to you is to delay buying gear for as long as possible (ie rent/borrow/use club gear), the reason being that not all the gear commonly used by UK open water divers is 100% suitable for UK cave diving.

In the PADI vs BSAC debate, PADI will typically cost you more, whereas BSAC may (or may not) take longer, depending on the club.

Hp that helps

Ciao,
Peter