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© 2008 EKPP
ETHICS OF CAVEDIVING (By Dr. Reinhard Buchaly)
The Pozo Azul second sump dive was not very complicated; it was just a 4 km dive for Markus and me. For sure, it was not the usual Sunday afternoon dive. It was our very first dive in the second sump of the Pozo Azul, where we extended the line. Compared to the dives in the Viz, Gourneyrou or Gourneyras, it was not even very challenging from a logistic point of view. And it was a lot shorter than the nearly 6 km dive in the Coly.
Nevertheless, this dive created more attention than any of the other exploration dives. The reactions were very contrary. Most of them were absolutely positive, but the reactions of those involved in previous exploration were offensive, calling us “arrogant wankers” on the DIR-Explorers internet forum. Well, I don’t like to discuss this rude attitude of these few opponents. Let’s think about so-called ethical behaviour or even sportsmanship.
I don’t believe that cave diving exploration really is very important. It is not important who penetrated a specific cave and how far, but nevertheless, it gives us some more knowledge of our planet. At least if the exploration is documented. Cave diving is a hobby, nothing wrong with that. Those believing hardcore cave diving has to be in dark and muddy water without visibility have a strange attitude, in my opinion. But even considering cave diving as a hobby, there is no objection to exploration. When I went to college about 35 years ago, I was lucky to attend the lecture of a Nobel Prize winner: he confessed that biochemistry was not only his job, but his hobby too. He actually liked what he was doing.
People objecting to our exploration efforts seem to originate from a club system of cave diving. I have no problem with them as long they don’t interfere with our freedom. A club quite often has a hierarchic structure. Of course, they don’t like commercial cave education because people can learn and progress at their own pace instead of staying behind those being longer with the club.
Another example of wrong attitude are people stating: “We have been in this cave before you. You just have to wait till we don’t want to dive here anymore.” Emphasizing their desires, they call those not thinking and acting like them and not complying with their self-made rules “unethical”.
In the history of exploration, there always has been competition. Look at the famous firsts poles, mountains, space, whatever, or at the competition to fly with a balloon around the globe. Nobody having a true exploration mind ever should think that he has the exclusive right to do it. This would be truly arrogant and this twisty thinking can only be understood against the background of the club hierarchy. Again, I have no problem with the British CDG: those feeling comfortably should adhere to this hierarchy, but it is utter nonsense to expect from others they should stay behind you.
Probably, there are not many virgin caves left so it is obvious that somebody has been in the cave before. And those able to explore can and should explore. Just saying “stop the exploration because you are penetrating further than someone else”, is not an explorer’s point of view. It is selfish, but obvious in a hierarchy. Hierarchy may be nice for those who want to defend their position in a club or want to keep the end of the line. But this doesn’t contribute to the exploration progress.
Let’s show you that within the EKPP we do not follow this archaic system. For example, Markus and how fast he reached the pushdiver position. Before, he had only participated to about four projects with the team. If we had used seniority system, he would probably not have made these dives before 2020. We apply internally the same ethics as during our exploration dives. Those who are able to do the dives, should do it. Those who are able to explore and acquire new knowledge, should do so. This is the true explorer’s attitude. An explorer will not hold on to the old status.
We, the EKPP, like exploration and invite people to have a look at the caves which we explored so far. If those people mean it is out of their range, well, that is not our fault. If someone likes to add line in the Viz, Gourneyrou or Gourneyras, go ahead. We like to hear that you were successful and we may continue from your end again. Then someone else may give it a try. And so on. That is how exploration works and how progress is made. We did the Viz in three steps so there was a lot of opportunity to dive in between and add line. Or add line to our end now. The Gourneyrou is still going on, only about 1600 meters line, but a demanding profile. Who likes to give it a try? The Gourneyras is a huge tunnel, only 2200 meters to our end, and there is a good chance that we have overlooked the continuation. We searched for it but could not find it. Maybe someone else may be more successful from a different perspective. But do not forget to get permission from the landowner.
Or add line in the Pozo Azul! Use our line at the end and proceed from there on. That will get us all forward.
Let me add also some remarks about the Doux de Coly. After our first project in 2001, Michael and I could convince the late owner to reopen the cave for everybody. When his son noticed the lack of respect some unknown cave divers showed by littering his premises, he closed the place for everyone, including our team. Due to our positive history we regained access. But let no one think we will risk our permission again. Neither will we allow everybody diving on our permission. This is private ground and the owner has to be respected.
It was said that our explorations are based on money and manpower. Well, that is true. It takes money, most of it is spent on fuel and highway fees. And it takes a team. We are proud of our team. But that is not all, there is much more about it. It takes a lot of effort from the team, dedication and the necessary equipment. It also takes time, skills and the mental ability. I am sorry to say, but if someone is not willing to accept these key points, he may not succeed in this hobby: cave exploration. A selfish attitude like “that is my cave” has nothing to do with an open explorer’s mind. So, let us lay new line wherever we can, and let us find new territory and share the knowledge with everybody.
The Pozo Azul second sump dive was not very complicated; it was just a 4 km dive for Markus and me. For sure, it was not the usual Sunday afternoon dive. It was our very first dive in the second sump of the Pozo Azul, where we extended the line. Compared to the dives in the Viz, Gourneyrou or Gourneyras, it was not even very challenging from a logistic point of view. And it was a lot shorter than the nearly 6 km dive in the Coly.
Nevertheless, this dive created more attention than any of the other exploration dives. The reactions were very contrary. Most of them were absolutely positive, but the reactions of those involved in previous exploration were offensive, calling us “arrogant wankers” on the DIR-I don’t believe that cave diving exploration really is very important. It is not important who penetrated a specific cave and how far, but nevertheless, it gives us some more knowledge of our planet. At least if the exploration is documented. Cave diving is a hobby, nothing wrong with that. Those believing hardcore cave diving has to be in dark and muddy water without visibility have a strange attitude, in my opinion. But even considering cave diving as a hobby, there is no objection to exploration. When I went to college about 35 years ago, I was lucky to attend the lecture of a Nobel Prize winner: he confessed that biochemistry was not only his job, but his hobby too. He actually liked what he was doing.
People objecting to our exploration efforts seem to originate from a club system of cave diving. I have no problem with them as long they don’t interfere with our freedom. A club quite often has a hierarchic structure. Of course, they don’t like commercial cave education because people can learn and progress at their own pace instead of staying behind those being longer with the club.
Another example of wrong attitude are people stating: “We have been in this cave before you. You just have to wait till we don’t want to dive here anymore.” Emphasizing their desires, they call those not thinking and acting like them and not complying with their self-
In the history of exploration, there always has been competition. Look at the famous firsts poles, mountains, space, whatever, or at the competition to fly with a balloon around the globe. Nobody having a true exploration mind ever should think that he has the exclusive right to do it. This would be truly arrogant and this twisty thinking can only be understood against the background of the club hierarchy. Again, I have no problem with the British CDG: those feeling comfortably should adhere to this hierarchy, but it is utter nonsense to expect from others they should stay behind you.
Probably, there are not many virgin caves left so it is obvious that somebody has been in the cave before. And those able to explore can and should explore. Just saying “stop the exploration because you are penetrating further than someone else”, is not an explorer’s point of view. It is selfish, but obvious in a hierarchy. Hierarchy may be nice for those who want to defend their position in a club or want to keep the end of the line. But this doesn’t contribute to the exploration progress.
Let’s show you that within the EKPP we do not follow this archaic system. For example, Markus and how fast he reached the pushdiver position. Before, he had only participated to about four projects with the team. If we had used seniority system, he would probably not have made these dives before 2020. We apply internally the same ethics as during our exploration dives. Those who are able to do the dives, should do it. Those who are able to explore and acquire new knowledge, should do so. This is the true explorer’s attitude. An explorer will not hold on to the old status.
We, the EKPP, like exploration and invite people to have a look at the caves which we explored so far. If those people mean it is out of their range, well, that is not our fault. If someone likes to add line in the Viz, Gourneyrou or Gourneyras, go ahead. We like to hear that you were successful and we may continue from your end again. Then someone else may give it a try. And so on. That is how exploration works and how progress is made. We did the Viz in three steps so there was a lot of opportunity to dive in between and add line. Or add line to our end now. The Gourneyrou is still going on, only about 1600 meters line, but a demanding profile. Who likes to give it a try? The Gourneyras is a huge tunnel, only 2200 meters to our end, and there is a good chance that we have overlooked the continuation. We searched for it but could not find it. Maybe someone else may be more successful from a different perspective. But do not forget to get permission from the landowner.
Or add line in the Pozo Azul! Use our line at the end and proceed from there on. That will get us all forward.
Let me add also some remarks about the Doux de Coly. After our first project in 2001, Michael and I could convince the late owner to reopen the cave for everybody. When his son noticed the lack of respect some unknown cave divers showed by littering his premises, he closed the place for everyone, including our team. Due to our positive history we regained access. But let no one think we will risk our permission again. Neither will we allow everybody diving on our permission. This is private ground and the owner has to be respected.
It was said that our explorations are based on money and manpower. Well, that is true. It takes money, most of it is spent on fuel and highway fees. And it takes a team. We are proud of our team. But that is not all, there is much more about it. It takes a lot of effort from the team, dedication and the necessary equipment. It also takes time, skills and the mental ability. I am sorry to say, but if someone is not willing to accept these key points, he may not succeed in this hobby: cave exploration. A selfish attitude like “that is my cave” has nothing to do with an open explorer’s mind. So, let us lay new line wherever we can, and let us find new territory and share the knowledge with everybody.
