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> Alan Wright wrote:
> >My contact with the CDG has been varied. Some won't entertain the idea
> >of a none dry-caving experienced diver getting involved, ie they won't
> >provide training. The argument being that it is unsafe to take open
> >water divers into that environment.
>
> ...
>
> I significant part of the reason for the policy (and it is still officially
> group policy) is that it controls the numbers and committment of UK cave
> divers --- the  group has an excellent safety record, and would like to
> keep it that way.

I can understand the policy and completely agree with it in principle.
It is not so different from the OW diving agencies. The problem I have
is that because of the external commitment one must make to caving prior
to cave-diving and the length of time it could possibly take (several
years) it could (will) push people into attempting cave diving on their
own. For some this wouldn't be a problem, for others it would be fatal.

In the event of an accident the CDG (as is done be the diving agencies)
would issue a statement saying that the person was untrained and it was
silly to go into that environment without training, and they would
stress the need for training prior to this activity. However, if it is
difficult to get training then it is inevitable that this will happen.

I find this attitude a bit patronising. I don't mind if the CDG remains
mainly for dry-cavers who require to dive, but if so they should refrain
from restricting or commenting on divers who want to cave dive. Perhaps
we need an alternative agency, say, the DCG :-)

If you truly want to avoid accidents then you have to make training
easily accessible. This is one area where I believe that the US provides
a better service. It may be very commercially driven but it it is very
accessible. Then if some either fails a training course or fails to take
a training course you can, IMO, quite justifiably call that person silly.

Alan
awright@gs*.bt*.co*.uk*
(Debugging always makes me cranky - where's the other goddam window)

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