Cave Divers Association of Australia
Encyclopedia
The Cave Divers Association of Australia is an organisation that was formed in September 1973, after a spate of diving deaths in the waterfilled caves and sinkholes of Mount Gambier, South Australia
. At this time the South Australian Government was considering banning access to diving flooded caves because of the deaths, and the CDAA was formed to introduce site categorisation and cave diving education and assessments with the aim of keeping the sites open.
The CDAA did this by establishing a series of criteria and testing procedures to qualify divers to dive in sites of varying categories. These were initially Category 1 (basically open, deep-water caverns or cenotes with minimal if any overhang or ceiling), Category 2 (similar deep holes with considerable overhangs) and Category 3 (with a lot more penetration under flooded ceilings, and more severe silting potential). Later the Advanced Category 3/Category 4 rating was introduced to cater for caves which were almost entirely flooded or which had areas that were unsuitable for two divers to negotiate at the same time. In later years these categories morphed into Cavern, Sinkhole, Cave and Penetration sites respectively.
In the 4-year period 1969 to 1973, i.e. before the formation of the CDAA, 10 people died in just four popular Mount Gambier cave diving sites: Kilsbys Hole (2 victims), Piccaninnie Ponds (1 victim), Alleyns Cave (3 victims) and The Shaft (4 victims). However in the subsequent 37 years there have only been 3 accidents - two in Piccaninnie Ponds, in 1974 and 1984, involving 3 victims in total (all of whom became entangled and drowned at great depth) and one in Kilsbys Hole in 2010 (involving another line-entanglement-at-depth problem). This record clearly shows that the CDAA has been very successful in providing appropriate training to prospective Australian cave divers during the past four decades.
The formation of the CDAA arose from the 1973 South Australian Government Inquiry into sink hole deaths. Details of the background appear under information regarding author Peter Christopher, who was a Member of the Inquiry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Christopher_%28author%29
While the majority of inland cave diving sites in Australia are located around the Mount Gambier region in South Australia, others can also be found elsewhere, especially on the Nullarbor Plain and Wellington, New South Wales
.
As most dive sites are on controlled Government or private property, one of the CDAA's key functions is to liaise with landowners and members to organise access for the various sites, as well as provide liability and insurance cover.
Cavern (old 'Category 1').
A Cavern is defined as body of water which has a maximum depth of 20 metres and may contain overhangs or near vertical ascents where daylight is always visible (i.e. limestone caverns, dams, flooded quarries, lakes etc.). The maximum linear penetration allowed is 40m from the surface.
Sinkhole (old 'Category 2').
A Sinkhole site is defined as a body of fresh water which can have large passages (no restrictions too small for two divers to swim adjacent to each other) and which exceeds 20m in depth. The maximum linear penetration allowed is 60m from the surface. The CDAA recommends a maximum depth of 40m on air.
Cave (old 'Category 3').
A Cave site is defined as an enclosed body of water containing overhangs, silt, darkness zones and passages that are still large enough for two divers to swim adjacent to each other. Cave sites allow a maximum penetration of 1/3 of a twin cylinder gas supply. Other international diving organisations have similar ratings which are called 'Introduction to Cave' or 'Basic Cave'.
Penetration/Advance Cave (old 'Advanced Category 3/Category 4').
A Penetration (or Advance Cave) site is defined as an enclosed body of water containing silt, darkness zones, and passages without restriction on size of passages, number of cylinders or penetration distances.
Recently a new course has been created called Deep Cavern, which covers both Cavern and Sinkhole (Category 1 & 2) ratings.
For international visitors, the CDAA may grant a visitor's pass (creating a temporary membership with the CDAA for the purpose of accessing dive sites under the CDAA's authority).
For individuals wishing to cross over and become a permanent member, the CDAA will recognise training from certain other certifications and individuals can apply to be a CDAA member with a qualification of comparable levels.
Mount Gambier, South Australia
Mount Gambier is the largest regional city in South Australia located approximately 450 kilometres south of the capital Adelaide and just 17 kilometres from the Victorian border....
. At this time the South Australian Government was considering banning access to diving flooded caves because of the deaths, and the CDAA was formed to introduce site categorisation and cave diving education and assessments with the aim of keeping the sites open.
The CDAA did this by establishing a series of criteria and testing procedures to qualify divers to dive in sites of varying categories. These were initially Category 1 (basically open, deep-water caverns or cenotes with minimal if any overhang or ceiling), Category 2 (similar deep holes with considerable overhangs) and Category 3 (with a lot more penetration under flooded ceilings, and more severe silting potential). Later the Advanced Category 3/Category 4 rating was introduced to cater for caves which were almost entirely flooded or which had areas that were unsuitable for two divers to negotiate at the same time. In later years these categories morphed into Cavern, Sinkhole, Cave and Penetration sites respectively.
In the 4-year period 1969 to 1973, i.e. before the formation of the CDAA, 10 people died in just four popular Mount Gambier cave diving sites: Kilsbys Hole (2 victims), Piccaninnie Ponds (1 victim), Alleyns Cave (3 victims) and The Shaft (4 victims). However in the subsequent 37 years there have only been 3 accidents - two in Piccaninnie Ponds, in 1974 and 1984, involving 3 victims in total (all of whom became entangled and drowned at great depth) and one in Kilsbys Hole in 2010 (involving another line-entanglement-at-depth problem). This record clearly shows that the CDAA has been very successful in providing appropriate training to prospective Australian cave divers during the past four decades.
The formation of the CDAA arose from the 1973 South Australian Government Inquiry into sink hole deaths. Details of the background appear under information regarding author Peter Christopher, who was a Member of the Inquiry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Christopher_%28author%29
While the majority of inland cave diving sites in Australia are located around the Mount Gambier region in South Australia, others can also be found elsewhere, especially on the Nullarbor Plain and Wellington, New South Wales
Wellington, New South Wales
Wellington is a town in inland New South Wales, Australia located at the junction of the Macquarie and Bell Rivers. The town is the administrative centre of the Wellington Shire Local Government Area. The town is 362 kilometres from Sydney on the Great Western Highway and Mitchell Highway...
.
As most dive sites are on controlled Government or private property, one of the CDAA's key functions is to liaise with landowners and members to organise access for the various sites, as well as provide liability and insurance cover.
Training & Certification
The CDAA now also offers training for cavern, sinkhole and cave sites at four levels.Cavern (old 'Category 1').
A Cavern is defined as body of water which has a maximum depth of 20 metres and may contain overhangs or near vertical ascents where daylight is always visible (i.e. limestone caverns, dams, flooded quarries, lakes etc.). The maximum linear penetration allowed is 40m from the surface.
Sinkhole (old 'Category 2').
A Sinkhole site is defined as a body of fresh water which can have large passages (no restrictions too small for two divers to swim adjacent to each other) and which exceeds 20m in depth. The maximum linear penetration allowed is 60m from the surface. The CDAA recommends a maximum depth of 40m on air.
Cave (old 'Category 3').
A Cave site is defined as an enclosed body of water containing overhangs, silt, darkness zones and passages that are still large enough for two divers to swim adjacent to each other. Cave sites allow a maximum penetration of 1/3 of a twin cylinder gas supply. Other international diving organisations have similar ratings which are called 'Introduction to Cave' or 'Basic Cave'.
Penetration/Advance Cave (old 'Advanced Category 3/Category 4').
A Penetration (or Advance Cave) site is defined as an enclosed body of water containing silt, darkness zones, and passages without restriction on size of passages, number of cylinders or penetration distances.
Recently a new course has been created called Deep Cavern, which covers both Cavern and Sinkhole (Category 1 & 2) ratings.
CDAA Recognition of other Certifications
At present most recognised inland cave sites in Australia can only be accessed by CDAA members. (This covers the landowner from liability and insurance issues). The CDAA recognises that there may be individuals who have done training with other organisations comparable to one of the CDAA qualifications and recognises such training.For international visitors, the CDAA may grant a visitor's pass (creating a temporary membership with the CDAA for the purpose of accessing dive sites under the CDAA's authority).
For individuals wishing to cross over and become a permanent member, the CDAA will recognise training from certain other certifications and individuals can apply to be a CDAA member with a qualification of comparable levels.