Every cave diver needs reels, arrows, cookies and a storage device.

Tools

Arrows

Triangle shaped line markers are intended to mark the exit of a cave system.

Cookies

Cookies are used to mark the line and not necessarily be indicative of direction.

REMs

REMs are directional markers that are only supposed to be observed by the team that placed them.

Mainline navigation

All cave divers will use the mainline as a primary navigation tool. The mainline might need to be linked to the surface using a primary reel. When using the mainline you must scan it periodically to look for any hindrances to your ability to exit the cave in no visibility. Scan the line and then scan the room to see and appreciate the cave but always have a good awareness of where the line is and the condition of the line.

Complex Navigation

Divers at the intro to cave level must stick to mainline navigation only. Anything that is more complicated than a primary reel and a mainline is considered complex navigation. Sidepassages, circuits and traverses are considered complex navigation and are only appropriate at the full cave level.

Gaps

Gaps are when sections of the mainline don’t connect and you must connect them to have a continuous guideline to the surface. You may encounter gaps when the cave connects to a sink, when the mainline was damaged and broken, or when the mainline was buried under sand and silt. Gaps are not very common in most popular caves. Gaps should be treated as jumps.

Ts

When line connects together and there are 3+ directions it forms a T. Scanning the line as you cave dive is crucial. If you miss a T on the way in you may not know which way the exit is when you leave. To mark a T simply signal to your team and place a cookie (individual or team) on the exit side of the intersection.

Jumps

Some of the coolest spots in caves are hidden off to the main passage. When these side passages have their own line, not connected as a T, they’re called jumps. To keep a continuous guideline to he surface tie a jump spool into the current line and tie into the jump line. You should place a cookie (individual or team) on the exit side of the first line for no visibility exists.

Blind jumps

A blind jump is when you make a jump to another section of line without running a connecting jump line. There are a number of areas where a blind jump is tempting. Maybe the jump is incredibly short, in a section of the cave that’s not likely to silt out, or highly recognizable passage. Maybe that means a blind jump carries a very very low risk of causing a poor navigational decision. Even if the navigational decision is 100% certain without the connecting line, using standard line and marker protocols will give you confidence in direction and distance. Placing a line and markers will allow you to have a sense of familiarity of something goes wrong and you are experiencing tunnel vision. Divers should use jump lines. If they don’t, they are accepting higher risk during the dive.

Circuits

Circuits can be broken down into simple and complex circuits. A simple circuit is a loop that you can complete during the dive. A complex circuit requires at least 2 dives. Complex circuits are larger loops that require more planning and preparation from a gas management perspective. Circuit procedures are covered in the full cave program. 

Traverses

A traverse is when you exit a different system than you entered. Traverses can also be simple or complex. Procedures are covered in the full cave program.

Survey

Recreational cave diving relies heavily on system maps. Cave maps are often created as a hobby project by enthusiast divers. It’s important to respect the work these divers do but understand that we cannot rely solely on maps for navigation and must personally verify decisions when performing complex dives.