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Cave Divers Association of Australia

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Cave Divers Association of Australia
AbbreviationCDAA
Formation29 September 1973 (1973-09-29)
TypeNGO
Legal statusIncorporated association
PurposeRecreational cave diving administration, certification & training.
Location
Region served
Australia
Membership
679 (2008)[1]
National Director
Grant Pearce[2]
Main organ
National Committee
Websitewww.cavedivers.com.au

The Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) is a cave diving organisation which was formed in September 1973 to represent the interests of recreational scuba divers who dive in water-filled caves and sinkholes principally in the Lower South East (now called the Limestone Coast) of South Australia (SA) and secondly in other parts of Australia. Its formation occurred after a series of diving fatalities in waterfilled caves and sinkholes in the Mount Gambier region between 1969 and 1973 and in parallel to a Government of South Australia inquiry into these deaths. The CDAA's major achievement has been the dramatic reduction of fatalities via the introduction of a site rating scheme and an associated testing system which was brought in during the mid-1970s. While its major area of operation is in the Limestone Coast region of SA, it administers and supports cave diving activity in other parts of Australia including the Nullarbor Plain and Wellington, New South Wales.

Organisation and purpose

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The CDAA is a nationally based organisation without state or territory branches and which is managed on a day-to-day basis by the National Committee – an executive consisting of five directors who are elected bi-annually. It is incorporated in SA as an incorporated association. Its purpose is concerned with fostering ‘the development, advancement, promotion, mapping, education, exploration, conservation, safety and research of underwater caves and related features.’ As dive sites are on either controlled Government or private property, one of the CDAA's key functions is to liaise with landowners to organise access for its members to enter and dive. The CDAA also owns a cave diving site, Tank Cave, which is located near Tantanoola and which was purchased in 2011.[3][4]

Origins

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Background

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From the late 1950s onwards, the Lower South East of SA became a popular destination for recreational scuba diving due to the presence of very clear water and easy access to deep water. However, this activity was completely unregulated. From 1969 to 1974, 11 people died at the following four cave diving sites: the Kilsby sinkhole (two fatalities), Piccaninnie Ponds (two fatalities), Alleyns Cave (three fatalities) and The Shaft (four fatalities).[5]

The 1973 South Australian Government inquiry

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Immediately following the multiple fatality in The Shaft on 28 May 1973, Des Corcoran, the SA Deputy Premier, announced the appointment of a committee to ‘investigate safety precautions for Scuba Divers in Fresh water Sinkholes and Underwater Caves’ and which consisted of three government officers – L.D. Draper (Chair), R.J. Wight (Secretary), G .C. Cornwall, and three representatives from the SA recreational diving community – D.G. Burchell, P.G. Christopher and R.C. Pulford. In January 1974, the Committee offered five recommendations. Firstly, the creation of a government advisory body to essentially encourage a higher standard of cave diving practice by the recreational diving community; secondly, the publication and distribution of educational material to improve the awareness of cave diving safety; thirdly, the installation of warning signs at sinkhole and cave sites; fourthly, the sealing of Alleyns Cave (also known as the Death Cave) to prevent access and finally, in the case of the failure of the first three recommendations to reduce fatalities, consideration of control by legislative measures. The fifth recommendation suggested measures such as the licensing of instructors, an access permit system and the use of patrol officers to manage sites.[6] In April 1974, the SA Government announced that it would proceed with the recommendations of the committee including the creation of an advisory body.[7]

Foundation of the CDAA

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On 11 July 1973, after giving evidence to the Committee, a group of divers from the Lower South East, other parts of SA, Victoria and New South Wales met in Mount Gambier to agree to form the Cave Divers Association of Australia.[8] At a subsequent meeting in Mount Gambier on 29 September 1973, the organisation was officially formed.[9] Its formation is attributed to a desire amongst divers to have a ‘unified voice’ in order to defend cave diving and to demonstrate to both the landowners and the public a willingness and an ability to regulate their own affairs to achieve safer cave diving practice.[10] In a letter dated 21 October 1973 to the Committee, the CDAA officially announced its existence, that it was formed by divers experienced in sinkhole and cave diving who all agreed that "all members should be safety conscious and fully conversant in the use of scuba…" and that "inexperienced divers must not be permitted to dive without tuition under the guidance of an experienced cave diver". It also advised that it intended to incorporate in SA, create an instructor body, create a permit system for access and to approach all landowners (including government) to seek their support for exclusive access by CDAA members.[11]

Certification of divers

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The testing system

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In 1974, the newly formed CDAA devised a testing system that was intended to gain the confidence of the owners of the land on which most popular sinkholes and caves sites were located. This system assessed the ability of a diver to safely dive in cave sites against a rating system that divided these sites into three levels of difficulty.[12]

Firstly, popular cave diving sites were assessed against a rating system that divided these sites into the following three levels of difficulty: Category 1, i.e. open, deep-water caverns or sinkholes with minimal if any overhang or ceiling, Category 2, i.e. similar deep holes with considerable overhangs and Category 3, i.e. with a lot more penetration under flooded ceilings, and more severe silting potential.

Secondly, divers with a minimum level of certification and minimum experience were qualified by attending a theory and a practical examination. A successful result in both examinations resulted in the awarding of a combined membership and certification card for either Category 1, 2 or 3.[13]

A fourth category known as Advanced Category 3 (subsequently renamed Category 4) was introduced to include cave sites which were almost entirely flooded or which had areas that were unsuitable for two divers to negotiate at the same time.[14][15]

During the years of the testing system's operation, there were only three deaths which all occurred as part of two accidents in Piccaninnie Ponds during the years 1974 and 1984.[16] The relative success of the system showed that CDAA had been very successful in ensuring that prospective cave divers have met minimum standards of training for cave diving.

The training system

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In 1989, the CDAA replaced its testing system with a training and qualification system based on four new site categories as part of a restructure of its overall operation.[17]

The CDAA training system

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The 1989 system

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The training system which was introduced in 1989 was based on the following four new site categories.[18]

Cavern – 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. This replaced the Category 1 rating.[19]

Sinkhole – a Sinkhole 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. This replaced the Category 2 rating.[20]

Cave – a Cave 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. This replaced the Category 3 rating. This qualification is similar to ratings such as 'Introduction to Cave' or 'Basic Cave' which are offered by other cave diving training organisations.[21]

Penetration – a Penetration 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. This replaced the Category 4 rating.[22]

2007 changes

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The Cavern and Sinkhole qualifications were merged in 2007 to create a new qualification called Deep Cavern while the Penetration qualification was substantially revised in 2009 and renamed as Advanced Cave.[23]

2017 changes

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In December 2017, the Deep Cavern qualification was replaced with a new qualification called Basic Cave as part of the following changes to the training system:[24]

  • The Basic Cave syllabus does not include the requirement for a maximum depth of 40 metres (130 ft) during training in order to encourage the use of this level of cave diving training in other parts of Australia where depths of 40 metres (130 ft) cannot be achieved. A diver with a Basic Cave is limited to the maximum depth achieved during training and may need to do additional deep diving training if they wish to dive in sites with depths greater than those dived during training.
  • The expansion of an existing recognition system of training by organisations other than the CDAA (known as an "endorsement") from nitrox, trimix & rebreather to include training such as deep diving, side-mount and scooters to both meet the needs of Basic Cave divers and the operators of cave diving sites in other parts of the world requesting evidence of training appropriate to their sites
  • The ability to do CDAA Advanced Cave training at sites outside of Australia using a network of cave diving instructors approved by the CDAA.

The effectiveness of the training system

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Since the advent of the training system in 1989, three divers have died while diving in CDAA-rated sites in the Limestone Coast. The three fatalities occurred in Kilsby Sinkhole during March 2010, and in Tank Cave during February 2011 and October 2011. As of March 2013, the Coroner's Court of South Australia had not reported on these deaths.[25][26][27]

Recognition of other training

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As of October 2013, most inland cave sites in Australia can only be accessed by CDAA members because the access negotiated by the CDAA usually includes the obligation to indemnify the landowner via waiver and insurance. The CDAA does recognise training provided by other organisations that is comparable to its own and will permit access via the following avenues.[28]

For divers visiting from outside of Australia, the CDAA may grant a visitor's pass which is effectively a temporary CDAA membership, for the purpose of accessing dive sites under the CDAA's authority.[29]

For individuals wishing to cross over and become a permanent member, the CDAA will recognise training from certain other organisations and individuals can apply for CDAA membership including receipt of qualification at a level comparable to their current level of training ONLY after being evaluated by a CDAA Instructor.[30]

Sites

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Diving in Piccaninnie Ponds

The sites rated by the CDAA are located in the Limestone Coast region of SA, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and the Nullarbor Plain in Western Australia. Some sites have dual or multiple ratings because the underwater features and conditions vary to the extent that some parts of a site may require more advanced skill in order to safely access.[31]

South Australia

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While the Limestone Coast is the official name for the region, it is usually known within the cave diving community as the Mount Gambier region after the region's principal city.[32][33] CDAA rated sites are located in the following local government areas.

The City of Mount Gambier:

The District Council of Grant:

The Wattle Range Council:

New South Wales

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Northern Territory

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West Australia

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  • Cave – Tommy Grahams Cave.
  • Advanced Cave – Cocklebiddy Cave, Murra El Elevyn, Olwolgin Cave, Roe Plains and Weebubbie Cave.[54][55]

Publications

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Newsletter

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  • Guidelines (1978 to the present) (ISSN 0726-0490) OCLC 222608964.

Conference Papers

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Research Group Reports

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ ’CDAA Membership Demographics’, 2008, Guidelines, CDAA Newsletter No. 106, December 2008, page 18.
  2. ^ "About us". Cave Divers Association of Australia. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  3. ^ "About Us". Cave Divers Association of Australia. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  4. ^ Trewavas, Steve (June 2011). "Cave Divers Association of Australia purchases its first cave diving site". Guidelines (116). Cave Divers Association of Australia.
  5. ^ Ian, Lewis; Stace, Peter (1977), "Summary of Cave Diving Deaths in Australia", Cave Divers Association of Australia Inc. Occasional Paper No. 1; Conference on Cave Diving, August 1977, Mt Gambier, South Australia: Cave Divers Association of Australia, pp. 6–13
  6. ^ Desmond, Laurence (January 1974). "The Report of Committee Appointed to Investigate Safety Precautions for Scuba Divers in Fresh Water Sink-Holes and Underwater Caves". Government of South Australia: 24–26. Retrieved 2 November 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ "Death Cave to be sealed". possibly The Advertiser. 27 April 1974. pp. not known.
  8. ^ "Divers form own national body", The Border Watch, p. 3, 12 July 1973
  9. ^ "Cave divers organise Association", The Border Watch, p. 17, 2 October 1973
  10. ^ Lewis, Ian; Stace, Peter (1982), Cave Diving in Australia (Revised ed.), Adelaide, South Australia: Ian Lewis & Peter Stace, p. 21, ISBN 0959496300
  11. ^ Desmond, Laurence (January 1974). "The Report of Committee Appointed to Investigate Safety Precautions for Scuba Divers in Fresh Water Sink-Holes and Underwater Caves". Government of South Australia: Schedule E – correspondence to & from the CDAA. Retrieved 2 November 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ Neil, Tindal (1977), "The first years of the Cave Diver Testing Program", Cave Divers Association of Australia Inc. Occasional Paper No. 1; Conference on Cave Diving, August 1977, Mt Gambier, South Australia: Cave Divers Association of Australia, pp. 1–5
  13. ^ Lewis, Ian; Stace, Peter (1982), Cave Diving in Australia (Revised ed.), Adelaide, South Australia: Ian Lewis & Peter Stace, pp. 22–23, 50–58, 97–98 and 128–129, ISBN 0959496300
  14. ^ "Advanced Category 3 Level". Guidelines. 27. Cave Divers Association of Australia: 9–10. March 1987.
  15. ^ "Advanced Category 3 now called Category 4". Guidelines. 30. Cave Divers Association of Australia: 4. February 1988.
  16. ^ Horne, Peter (1987). South Australian Diving Fatalities 1950–1985 (2nd ed.). Adelaide, South Australia: Peter Horne. pp. 60–63. ISBN 0959438335.
  17. ^ "National Restructure Policy". Guidelines (34): 8–15. December 1989.
  18. ^ "National Restructure Policy". Guidelines (34): 8–15. December 1989.
  19. ^ CDAA Deep Cavern Training, Cave Divers Association of Australia Website, "[1] Archived 2011-10-15 at the Wayback Machine"
  20. ^ CDAA Deep Cavern Training, Cave Divers Association of Australia Website, "[2] Archived 2011-10-15 at the Wayback Machine"
  21. ^ CDAA Cave Training, Cave Divers Association of Australia Website, "[3] Archived 2011-12-15 at the Wayback Machine"
  22. ^ CDAA Advance Training, Cave Divers Association of Australia Website, "[4] Archived 2011-12-15 at the Wayback Machine"
  23. ^ Trewavas (September 2009). "Standard Direction". Guidelines (109). Cave Divers Association of Australia.
  24. ^ Dalla-Zuanna, John (December 2017). "Deep Cavern Course Gets a Facelift". Guidelines (142). Cave Divers Association of Australia: 22.
  25. ^ "Diver forced to leave dying mate to drown in cave". The Age. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  26. ^ "Grim task to retrieve lost diver Agnes". Sydney Morning Herald. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  27. ^ Dougherty, Tom (17 October 2011). "Victorian man dies while cave diving in Tank Cave, Mt Gambier". Herald Sun. The Herald & Weekly Times. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  28. ^ "CDAA Recognizes PADI Cave Programs". PADI TecRec Blog. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  29. ^ "CDAA Special Visitors Permit" (PDF). Cave Divers Association of Australia. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  30. ^ "Recognition of other certification /experience programs (crossovers)" (PDF). Cave Divers Association of Australia. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  31. ^ CDAA Dive Sites, Cave Divers Association of Australia Website, "[5]"
  32. ^ ‘Limestone Coast’ (SA Department of Planning and Local Government) at http://www.dplg.sa.gov.au/plan4adelaide/html/files/reportcard/Report%20Card_LC.pdf Archived 9 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  33. ^ Horne, Peter (2007). "A Brief History of South Australian Cave Diving". Peter Horne. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  34. ^ "Engelbrechts East Cave – 5L019". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  35. ^ "Engelbrechts West Cave 5L20". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  36. ^ "Ela Elap – 5L014". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  37. ^ "Gouldens Sinkhole – 5L008". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  38. ^ "Hells Hole – 5L040". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  39. ^ "Kilsby's Sinkhole – 5L046". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  40. ^ "Little Blue Lake – 5L009". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  41. ^ "One Tree Sinkhole – 5L007". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  42. ^ "Piccaninnie Ponds – 5L072". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  43. ^ "The Shaft – 5L158". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  44. ^ "Sisters Cave". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  45. ^ "Allendale Sinkhole 5L011". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  46. ^ "Hanns Cave". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  47. ^ "Fossil Cave – 5L081". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  48. ^ "Mud Hole – 5L097". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  49. ^ "Nettle-Bed Cave – 5L290". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  50. ^ "Iddlebiddy Cave 5L250". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  51. ^ "Stinging Nettle Cave −5L186". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  52. ^ "Tank Cave 5L230". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  53. ^ "The Pines – 5L061". Richard "Harry" Harris. Archived from the original on 28 February 2005. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  54. ^ "Australia " Olwolgin Cave". CaveAtlas.com. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  55. ^ "Ag's Dreamtime Tunnel in Unnamed Cave". Liz Rogers Photography. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
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