ASF Cave Diving Group
The ASF Cave Diving Group (ASF-CDG) brings together a diversely skilled and widely distributed group of people who have a common interest – Cave Diving. Following an initial hiatus of Australian cave diving discoveries in the 1960s and 1970s, a new wave of discoveries has occurred in the past decade and are expected to continue well into the future.
The exploration of cave diving sites in remote areas using new diving techniques and equipment such as mixed gas, DPVs and rebreathers has necessitated improved co-ordination of individual efforts. The use of the internet and computer technology has facilitated the ease of sharing information as well as the planning of cave diving activities amongst the country’s caving and cave diving enthusiasts.
Role of the ASF Cave Diving Commission
The ASF Cave Diving Commission provides assurance to the ASF that all cave diving activities undertaken by the ASF Cave Diving Group are being conducted safely by appropriately qualified and experienced members. As such, the Commission is responsible for ASF cave diving standards and the recognition of diver’s qualifications.
Aims of the ASF-CDG
The ASF Cave Diving Group was established in 2005, being open to all members of the ASF, with the purposes of:
a) Co-ordinating the exploration, research and documentation of Australian cave diving sites, and
b) Publishing all findings, excluding cave locations, consistent with the ASF codes of practice.
Regional Co-ordinators
In each cave diving region of Australasia, individual cave divers are appointed as co-ordinators for the cave diving activities in their local area. At this time, this is done on a State basis. The role of the Regional Co-ordinators are to:
- Document Australasian cave diving sites and ensure this information is available to ASF-CDG members
- Encourage collaboration on cave diving projects
- Liaise with Land Owners and Land Managers to ensure site access
- Promote cave diving through presentations and published articles
Past Achievements
ASF-CDG members have been involved in some remarkable cave diving achievements in recent years:
- Exploring and mapping of unknown river sections at Jenolan Caves
- Exploration and mapping of The Shaft to over 120m depth
- Discovery, exploration and mapping of extensive new cave diving systems on the Nullarbor (Roe Plains – Nurina, Olwolgin and Burnabbie Caves)
- Exploration and mapping of over 1,100m of underwater cave passages in Mullamullang Cave as well as the discovery of subaqueous heligmites.
- Exploration and mapping of Kija Blue sinkhole in the Kimberley
- Extension of the NZ Pearse Resurgence from -90m to over -180m depth
The most recent ASF-CDG Annual Report of cave diving achievements is available from this link: ASF-CDG Annual Report 2009
Current ASF-CDG Projects
The ASF-CDG has a number of interesting projects to engage its members and encourage co-operation between different cave diving groups. Some of the projects currently under way around Australia are:
- Jenolan Caves (NSW) Exploration and Mapping. Lead = Keir Vaughan-Taylor
- Cocklebiddy Cave (WA) Mapping. Lead = Tim Payne
- Buchan System (VIC) Mapping. Lead = Jim Arundale
- Tigers Eye (TAS) System mapping. Lead = Grant Pearce
- Nullarbor (WA & SA) Cave Diving Book. Lead = Paul Hosie
If you would like to get involved in any of these projects or want to know more about them, please contact the nominated Project Lead.
Discussion Group & Information Pages
An ASF-CDG Discussion Group and Information web pages have been established for the benefit of ASF-CDG Members. A Google account is required to access the web pages.
All the ASF-CDG’s detailed information on cave diving sites, projects and reports are available through the Group. Access to the site will be provided following acceptance of ASF-CDG Membership.
Membership & How to Join the ASF-CDG
As of December 2009, the ASF-CDG has 26 cave diving members from six different ASF caving clubs. Interested members of the ASF who are not cave divers are welcome to join the ASF-CDG and participate in or assist with group projects.
Assessment of Cave Diving competency is conducted by the ASF-CDG Commissioner and dry caving skill level is assessed by each individual’s caving club or by the Cave Diving Commissioner for those members with individual ASF membership. Individual members of the ASF are unable to lead trips and must go caving or cave diving with an ASF Trip Leader in order to utilise the ASF Insurance coverage.
Please contact Tim Payne (payne.tim@bigpond.com) or Paul Hosie (paulhosie@trimixdivers.com) if you are interested in joining the ASF-CDG.
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