Customer Reviews

Basic Cave Diving: A Blueprint for Survival

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The "brand new fifth edition" of Basic Dave Diving is last copyrighted 1986. I'm intrigued by cave diving, but am not yet a cave diver, so I don't know for sure, but question if some of the equipment discussed in absolutely up-to-date. The addresses for instructors and phone numbers for Florida recompression facilities may also be in question. I'm trusting, though, that the National Speleological Society (NSS) is not continuing to print something that promotes dangerous, discredited, technique. Moreoever, I've seen this book in the dive shops in north central Florida, and it still seems to be in use for cave diving instruction.

First, for those who judge value in the book by the quality of printing, note that this booklet is a typewritten, photocopied, booklet, copied on 8-1/2-x-11 in paper and folded in half with a cardstock cover. I just mention this so someone expecting more is not disappointed.

The book is divided into 10 short chapters, each 3 to 8 pages long, and the book can be easily read in its entirety in one evening. Each chapter begins with an actual accident report and an accident analysis leading into the subject of the chapter, whether it be silt, lights, guidline, air supply planning, etc.. Each chapter focusses on one aspect of proper cave diving, and thus the book divides techniques into small, easily digestible, pieces. Each chapter tells you what it needs to without adding extraneous information to complicate your understanding.

Note that the book focusses on cave diving technique in Florida, and warns the reader that different techniques may be appropriate in other locations.

I think that this book is a good, inexpensive, introduction to cave diving for someone with a curiosity about this sport, whether or not you plan to pursue it. The book is also written by the probably best-known person in the field of Cave Diving. (Don't let the fact that Sheck Exley died cave diving cause you discredit the information in this book - he balanced the risks with the rewards and willingly chose to push the limits of cave diving.)

It would be irresponsible of me to conclude this review without a warning. An open water diver armed with the this book might think that they know enough to safely cave dive, but PLEASE do not attempt cave diving without training from an appropriate agency. I am an open water divemaster, and do not feel that I yet have the experience to even begin cave diving training. Before beginning cave or cavern diving training, a diver requires extensive open water experience, must be thoroughly comfortable in the water, must be able to handle emergency situations without panicking, and must be physically fit.

Very important mind forming book about cave diving. Accident analysis covering the firsts statistical reasons people get killed in cave diving. s.Exley was among the most important people to learn from. All cave divers need this to play "What if..."

There are several dangers that exist with cave diving. This book covers each one of these points with absolute clarity. With the description of each danger an accident analysis is reviewed where divers died by violating one of the basic rules in cave diving. This book saved my life. It is a must for anyone that is considering cave diving. With proper training and equipment Cave Diving can be a safe sport. This is a good primar on the subject

This booklet is the first cave diving manual and although decades old it is amazingly contemporary and still extremely useful to all technical/overhead divers. A must have book for every serious divers' library.

Anyone who knows anything about cave diving, will know the name "Sheck Exley". This little book was the first I know of that documented the absolute "Must Do's" for anyone wanting to safely conduct cave diving. Built an Exley's vast and extra-ordinary experience in cave diving. I highly recommend every cave diver have a copy, it's small enough to fit in a dive or travel bag. Although it was first published a while ago, it's still extremely relevant.

Stay Safe Everyone

Many years have passed since the first edition still this basic manual is a must read for any Cave Diver.

This is the Bible of cave diving,wrote by the pioneer of this dangerous but pretty sport,the great adventure of the last frontier underwater.