Thus, in every instance, we know what factors lead to divers dying in caves. The victims failed to keep at least two-thirds of their starting gas supply in reserve to exit the cave or cavern. The victims were diving deeper than 130 feet on air, or misusing a gas other than air. The one thing that nine out of ten cave-diving accident victims have in common, and the single greatest contributing factor in their death, is that they did not have any formal training in cave diving. As divers, we have an opportunity to both share and use information that will keep ourselves and others from dying in underwater caves.
Experience shows that there are three effective strategies for preventing cave-diving fatalities.
Should divers find themselves at other dive sites where there may be caverns or caves, they should not enter the water with a light unless they are certified cave or cavern divers. This single recommendation has prevented more needless cave diving deaths than any other factor. The next minute, they find themselves heading deep inside the cave, following the siren call of their light's beam. Without lights, they simply cannot penetrate far enough to get into trouble. Safe cavern and cave diving is not quite as simple as merely trying to keep the entrance in sight at all times or learning to use special equipment.