incorporated in south australia - cdaa 40th... · 2013 symposium agenda & guest speakers page 2...

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2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 1 CAVE DIVERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA AGM and Symposium 2013 This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA). Tocelebrate, we are holding an exciting two day event on the 9th and 10th of November in conjunction with this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). There will be a number of talks, demonstrations and displays, at which we will also be inviting public participation. Speakers will include notable Australian and international cave divers. We are also planning on inviting various dignitaries including representatives from local and state government, private land owners and the local media. The venue, the Main Corner, is conveniently located in the centre of town at 1 Bay Road, Mount Gambier. The Symposium will be held in the Dress Circle commencing at 9:00am. The AGM will follow at 6:00pm and dinner will be served in City Hall at 7:30pm. We hope that you can join us to celebrate 40 years of CDAA history. 40 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN 2013

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Page 1: INCORPORATED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA - CDAA 40th... · 2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 2 ~ GUEST SPEAKER BIO’S ~ Peter Horne & Ian Lewis are two of the CDAA’s longest serving

2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 1

CAVE DIVERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIAINCORPORATED IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

AGM and Symposium 2013This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Cave Divers Association of Australia

(CDAA). To celebrate, we are holding an exciting two day eventon the 9th and 10th of November in conjunction with this year’s

Annual General Meeting (AGM).

There will be a number of talks, demonstrations and displays, at whichwe will also be inviting public participation.

Speakers will include notable Australian and international cave divers.We are also planning on inviting various dignitaries including representatives

from local and state government, private land owners and the local media.

The venue, the Main Corner, is conveniently located in the centre of townat 1 Bay Road, Mount Gambier.

The Symposium will be held in the Dress Circle commencing at 9:00am.

The AGM will follow at 6:00pm and dinner will be served in City Hall at 7:30pm.

We hope that you can join us to celebrate 40 years of CDAA history.

40TH ANNIVERSARYC E L E B R AT I N G 4 0 Y E A R S I N 2 0 1 3

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2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 2

~ GUEST SPEAKER BIO’S ~

Peter Horne & Ian Lewis are two of the CDAA’s longest serving members and theircontributions to the Association are themselves “historic”. Both have acted in officialcapacity as Office Bearers, both have been amongst the first to find, explore and mapa multitude of sites and both have had to work hard to ensure that the CDAA hascontinued access to many sites that it retains today.

Peter “Puddles” Horne became interested in Mount Gambier's underground realm in1976 after a workmate introduced him to Ewen's Ponds. He joined the CDAA afterlearning about the awesome Cocklebiddy Cave explorations from Ian Lewis and PeterStace (authors of the groundbreaking book "Cave Diving In Australia") in 1979.Peter discovered a rare new species of cave-adapted syncarid crustacean in 1981 and subsequently became interested in documenting the region's thenlargely-unknown underwater cave environments with the help of supportive speleologists, academics and scientists. He was a founding member of theCDAA’s Research Group in 1983 & also established the South Australian Underwater Speleological Society Inc. in 1986.Peter coordinated many of Australia's first underwater cave research projects and integrated traditional cave mapping protocols into the CDAA's mappingprocedures. He also served in various Committee roles (including President and National Secretary) over many years and was instrumental in negotiatingaccess to many sites such as The Shaft and Iddlebiddy Cave. Peter also first explored (and named) Tank Cave with Mark Nielsen in August 1983 and discovered Stinging Nettle Cave several years later. Peter has published numerous books and articles including the voluminous 'Lower South East CaveReference Book', and he is proud to have contributed to the CDAA's many achievements during the past four decades.

Ian Lewis has been caving and diving since his early teens. Being born in the Mount Gambier region he enjoyed exploring many of the local caves in hisyouth, and he joined the Cave Exploration Group of South Australia (CEGSA) in the early 1970s. He took up cave diving in 1971 after a trip to theNullarbor Caves at a time when nothing was known of them and he initiated the first diving explorations there. He served as an advisor on the SouthAustralian Government Advisory Committee established in 1973 when the whole sport was under review following a string of cave diving deaths whichresulted in the creation of the CDAA and attended the Association’s first meetings in Mount Gambier.Ian has acted in many Committee roles including National and Standards Director as well as being a long-standing Examiner, and he has travelled widelyto explore caves around Australia and in Florida and England. Ian has also authored many popular books and articles over the decades includingAustralia’s first cave diving manual, “Cave Diving In Australia”, with then-President Peter Stace (ed 1982), within which the first maps of Mount Gambier'scategorized sinkholes were also published.Ian has represented Australia at the International Speleological Conference, has a degree in Geomorphology specialising in limestone hydrology and thesedays works as a Scientific Assessment Officer for SA’s Department for Water. He continues to enjoy sharing his experiences and knowledge with others..

Peter Horne & Ian Lewis

Jason Mallinson is from West Yorkshire and started caving at 16 and diving soon after. A long term members of theUK’s CDG he has explored caves and cave diving sites around the world, including being part of the 1998 US DeepCave Diving Team’s Wakulla2 Project with Dr. Bill Stone. pioneering CCR Cave Diving Explorations with an internationalteam. He has explored the Emergence de Ressel in France, pushed Pozo Azul in Spain to over 9 kilometers and madeSystema Huautla in Mexico the Western Hemisphere’s deepest cave at over 1545m. He is an experienced cave divingmentor within the CDG for many divers and has established himself as one the UK’s foremost CCR cave divers, using,amongst others, Inspirations, sidemount rebreathers and, most recently, a classic KISS to explore where few have daredto venture. And if all that is not enough he runs his own business as a rope access worker!

Jason Mallinson

(Photo Credit: Martyn Farr)

Richard Harris (Harry) is an Adelaide based medical practitioner who brings a wealth of experience in expedition diving,wilderness and diving medicine, advanced first aid and delivering medical care in austere environments. His work and trainingwith the South Australian aeromedical retrieval service also gives him unique insights into the emergency services and disasterplanning in Australia. His work with the South Australian Water Operations Unit has helped generate a new era of cooperationbetween volunteer cavers and the police in dealing with cave rescue and recovery in this state.

Richard Harris (Harry)

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Paul Heinerth made his first cave dive in 1971 and since that time he has logged over8,000 cave dives and another 3,500 open water dives. His cave exploration and CCR cavediving credentials are outstanding. In 1973, he made his first major discovery when heexplored and named the Twin Dees system in Florida and is credited with the discovery ofthe 380-foot-deep cave system “The Pit” under Sistema Dos Ojos in Akumal, Mexico in the1990s, returning & extending the discovery there using a CIS Lunar Mk V CCR in 2000.He was a member of the original exploration team of Diepolder from the late 70's until1990 and discovered Giant Cave in Belize in 1979, serving as expedition co-leader withSheck Exley three years later and returning earlier this year as part of the 2013 Belize GiantCave Project. He participated in the Wakulla Project with Dr. Bill Stone in 1987 and was the only returning explorer to take part in the 1998 US DeepCave Diving Team Wakulla2 (W2) project. The W2 was a pioneering CCR Cave Diving Explorations with an international team such as U K’s JasonMallinson and joined by Australians Andrew Poole & John Vanderleest (yes, now our very own National Director!).He was part of the early deep explorations into Eagles Nest and continued to explore the area as part of the 2007-2009 Weeki Wachee Karst Projectreaching a depth of 407 feet using an O2ptima rebreather. Paul has also explored caves in Iceland, Bahamas, France, Bermuda, Mexico and swamps inFlorida. He has also dived deep wrecks off South Africa’s wild Indian Ocean coast and Quebec’s St Lawrence Seaway.In addition to his explorations Paul has worked on numerous feature film and documentary projects including “Ice Island” in 2001 with long time friendWes Skiles, the movie “Cave” in 2004 and “The Pirates of the Caribbean” movies 2 & 3 for Walt Disney Productions in 2005. He was involved in the“Ben’s Vortex” documentary produced by Heinerth Productions in 2011 and he has authored several articles on cave diving in periodicals and books.Paul has been teaching Cave Diving for over 34 years with both the NSS-CDS and NACD and is a CCR Cave, DPV, Stage and Sidemount Instructor, aSponsor and member of the NSS-CDG Training Committee, a Past Office Bearer with the NACD and holds Instructor Trainer ratings with IANTD, DSAT &RAID. He owned Scuba West Inc on the west coast of Florida for 29 years and began teaching open water programs in 1977 and still teaches open waterclasses today! His hobbies, besides cave diving, are underwater photography, wreck diving, spear fishing, bottle and shell collecting and canoeing.On a darker side, since 1974, he has been repeatedly called upon by various Sheriffs’ Department to do body recoveries from inside underwater caves.

Paul Heinerth

John Dalla-Zuanna began cave diving in 1973 in Mt. Gambier and is a 38 year active member of the CDAA. John has aninterest in cave maps and cave surveying and is particularly keen in the development of 3D cave mapping technology.He is also a member of the Wetmules & the ASF - CDG and is a recipient of the NSS-CDS 2007 Exploration Award and amember of the CDAA Hall of Fame.Notable expeditions in which John has taken part include: Kija Blue, in the Kimberleys, a remote sinkhole in northernWestern Australia, 2006; Tank Cave, Mt Gambier, SA, ongoing mapping & surveying of over 8 kms of underwaterpassage; Slug Lake, Jenolan Caves, NSW 2007; RMS Niagara, NZ Shipwreck Expedition 2007; Cocklebiddy Cave, WA in2008 & 2009; Blue Lake, Mt Gambier, SA. Soil Sampling & videography; Picanninie Ponds, SA. Ongoing deep survey & 3D mapping Project; JuneeResurgence, Tasmania 2009; the Pearse Resurgence, New Zealand expedition, in 2010, 2011 & 2012; Camooweal Caves, Qld 2012; Xmas Island Caves,WA 2013. John believes that there are still a few more expeditions left in him yet…

John Dalla-Zuanna

Andrew Cronan has been scuba diving for 22 years in locations across the globe, during which time he has shot, editedand published over 100 hours of underwater video documentaries; producing footage that has been shown on Australian,Russian and Chinese television. His videos on the web have had over 100,000 hits. Participating in video expeditions todive and document caves in Mexico, USA, Australia and China, he has documented shipwrecks in the Mediterranean,Australia and most of the Pacific Islands. Andrew is a member and past Director of the CDAA and is an active diver withGlobal Underwater Explorers and the GUE divers based in Australia.

Andrew Cronan

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Ken learnt to dive whilst working in the UK in the mid-1970s. On return to Adelaide he soon became interested in cavediving and gained his first cave diving qualification in 1980 with the CDAA. He has been an active cave diver ever since.He regularly dives at Mt Gambier and on the Nullarbor Plain. He has made many overseas cave diving trips to Florida, theBahamas, Mexico, New Zealand, Germany and France. His interest in electronics has brought Ken some fame in recent years.The “Pinger”, a radiolocation device specifically designed for mapping underwater caves, has helped develop accuratesurveys of water filled passageways all around Australia. The Pinger has also been used in Florida and the Bahamas. For this work Ken received a scienceaward from the USA National Speleological Society Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) in 2011. Recently, Ken’s “Buzzer” allowed communication with diversreturning from the depths of the Pearse Resurgence in NZ. These devices (and perhaps not his personality?) have secured him a place on many cavediving expeditions in recent years. Ken is currently planning to work less to allow more time for cave diving.

Ken Smith

As part of the Australian Speleological Federation (ASF) the Cave Diving Commission (CDC) monitors cave diving activities in Australia by promoting effectiveexchanges of information between cave divers and other speleologists and maintaining a close liaison with cave diving training bodies. The ASF-CDG contain many CDAA Members whose explorations in and outside of CDAA sites have documented caves including Roe Plan, The Shaft and most recentlyCamooweal in remote North Queensland. Chris Brown and Tim Payne have been instrumental in many such projects and Tim is the ASF-CDG Convenor.

Chris Brown’s interest in diving started at an early age from watching the TV series ‘Sea Hunt’ staring Lloyd Bridgesas the intrepid diver ‘Mike Nelson’. His early years were spent spear fishing; quite unsuccessfully! Chris has been aCDAA member since 1979, and a CDAA instructor since 1984. He has served on the CDAA committee as the SouthAustralian Records Officer,Vice President and Standards Director. In 1982, on his first trip to the Nullarbor he ‘laidline’ in Murra-El-Elevyn and Pannikin Plain Cave with about 350 meters of virgin passage found and since then hasundertaken more than 20 trips to the Nullarbor with some of the highlights including the 1988 Pannikin Plain cavediving expedition which was the focus of the Nullarbor Dreaming documentary and the 1995 Cocklebiddy trip wherehe extended the known length of the cave and made the Channel 9 TV documentary, “Cocklebiddy Challenge”.In Mount Gambier, Chris worked on a number of the early cave research and mapping projects, including PiccaninniePonds, Fossil Cave,Alleyn’s (“Death Cave”), Engelbrechts Cave and The Shaft. He made substantial contributions tothe early exploration and mapping of Tank cave and was responsible for the introduction of Trimix into Australian cave diving in the Shaft in 1993 and 1994down to 82 metres and ultimately the discovery of a new tunnel and dives down to 123 metres. Chris has cave dived in Florida, the Bahamas and in 1999extended the Pearse Resurgence in New Zealand to a depth of 125 m. In 2005, Chris received the “Outstanding Recognition Award” at OZTek 4 for“Outstanding contribution & commitment in cave diving exploration in The Shaft & the Nullarbor Plains” and in 2011, was made a Life member of the CDAA.

Tim Payne was a caver and climber before becoming obsessed with cave diving in 1993. Since then he has been involved in theexploration and managed the mapping of a number of sites including Tank Cave, the Shaft, Junee, Cocklebiddy and Warbla.He lived briefly in the USA where he spent time exploring sumps in the Virginia area with the odd visit to Florida and Mexico.Since 1995 Tim has been the ASF Cave diving Convenor and has contributed to the development of both ASF dry caving standardsand training as well as a series of diving standards within the ASF, updating the Cave diving codes and the establishment of theASF-CDG. He has held various safety and training positions within ASF clubs, has served on and been president of the SASpeleological council and has run numerous dry caving courses through to vertical SRT caving leader level. In 2009 he becamea dive instructor and has been slowly picking up credentials so that he is now a TDI mixed gas and CDAA cave instructor.

Chris Brown & Tim Payne (ASF-CDG)

Andy Higgins is one of the CDAA’s most active and highly regarded Cave and Advanced Cave Instructors with over 14 yearsof experience in cave diving. As a regular Cave diving instructor based in Melbourne, and having the expertise in being ableto instruct programs for his students in the use of Sidemount or Backmount configuration, his Cave diving programs in MountGambier are always booked solid, and those who complete the program rave about the high level of skills they facilitate.Andy is also a CDAA instructor for our Sump Rescue Orientation Program (SROP), which is run annually for divers atAdvanced Cave level.

Andy Higgins

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Liz and Peter Rogers are one of the few cave diving father & daughter teams, and even more unique for theirjoint interest in cave diving photography. Combined their images have recorded both the history of CDAAmembers and the underwater beauty in the South East and the Nullarbor Plains for over 40 years.

Peter Rogers has at various times been a CDAA Examiner, National Testing Officer and Shaft Guide and is aveteran of cave diving in Australia. He started sea diving in 1974 and cave diving in 1978 and bought hisfirst underwater camera, a Nikonos II, in 1979. As an early underwater photographer Peter documented theexploratory cave dives under the Nullarbor through the 80s using his Nikonos II and later a Nikonos V. Hewas part of the 1982 and 1983 push dive teams in Cocklebiddy, the trips on which Toad Hall was discoveredand the third sump dived for the first time. Cocklebiddy held the world record for the longest cave dive at thetime, and the expeditions out there were using cutting edge techniques and technologies, including tripletanks and specially designed sleds holding 14 spare tanks. Peter has been involved in exploration diving inmany of the Nullarbor caves, as well as undertaking scientific research on cave water chemistry and bacterialfauna and his most recent scientific exploration was to the protected Warbla Cave in 2010.

Liz Rogers is a second generation cave diver and underwater cave photographer, with aninterest in expedition and exploration photography. With both parents involved with the CDAAit did not take long for Liz to “get wet”. Since learning to dive at 14 and becoming anAdvanced Cave diver at 21, Liz has taken underwater photographs in caves across Australia.From Mt Gambier to Camooweal, Jenolan to Junee, the Roe Plains to Elk River, the cameraand housing has been protected on its way down big pitches and squeezed through awkwardrestrictions to bring home the shot. Liz has had cave diving photos and articles published inSport Diver, DAN's Alert Diver, National Geographic, the Weekend Australian and other majornewspapers and dive publications in Australia and internationally. Awards won for her imagesinclude first places in the 2011 Underwater Festival and the 2013 OZTeK Underwater Imaging competition.Her photos can be seen on her website, lizrogersphotography.com.

Liz & Peter Rogers

Gary Barclay & Linda Claridge have been taking trips to the Nullarbor for over 20 years.As two of the CDAA’s most well-known Instructors Gary & Linda pioneered AdvancedCave Courses on the Nullarbor and now lead trips there at least once every 2 years andtheir Nullarbor trips are renowned for safety and comprehensive support. Join Gary &Linda and see what every CDAA member needs to pack in their Nullarbor camping kit,find out how to set up a full service 4WD Dive Trailer and maybe even book on their nextexpedition!

Gary Barclay & Linda Claridge

Tom has been caving for approximately 12 years, all over the South East of Australia (NSW, SA, Vic and Tassie).This includes two years of caving all over the United Kingdom, where he was professionally trained in SRT techniques andrope work by a government accredited caving skills specialist. He has written approximately 12 articles which have beenpublished in caving journals and two articles in popular glossy magazine 'Wild'. He spent two years on the VSA (VictorianSpeleological Association) committee. He has run dozens of varied trips for and/or involving beginners, including bothhorizontal and vertical skills trips. Over the years he has specialised within the VSA running and leading beginners’ trips,for a number of CDAA members. His caving website http://www.under-victoria.com makes good reading.For those planning on participating in the SRT workshops, please read the advanced skills menu.

Tom Aberdeen

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~ AGENDA ~Friday 8th November

Time Agenda item

7:00 -10:00pm Cocktail Function – Landowners and special guestsThe CDAA will host a Civic Function for Landowners, Access Facilitators, Regional & City CouncilRepresentatives from Wattle Range Council, District Council of Grant and the City of Mount Gambierand invited Special Guests. CDAA Representatives will include the CDAA Directors, Life Members,Hall of Fame Members and others who have contributed to the CDAA’s historical celebration andlandowner relations in the South East. The Venue, the King’s Room, upstairs at Main Corner in MountGambier, will be themed to celebrate the history and involvement of the CDAA within the South Eastwith Historical Displays, Lights Shows and information highlighting the significant involvement of theAssociation within the area and around Australia. This theming will be open to Members over theAGM Weekend and also open to the Public for a limited period after the 40th weekend.

Saturday 9th NovemberTime Agenda item

9:00 - 9:15am Member Registration and check in

9:15 - 9:45am Welcome from the National CommitteeThe CDAA Today & Looking Forward –National Director, John VanderleestA Brief Summary of State Events

9:45 - 10:30am 40 Years of CDAA History - Peter Horne/Ian LewisThe formation of the Cave Divers Association of Australia in 1973 was a significant event in the history ofCave Diving in Australia. For over 40 years the CDAA has fostered the growth and development of bothcave diver training and underwater cave exploration around Australia, established long lasting andrespected relationships with Landowners & Government Departments and has trained in excess of 5000cave divers. Members have broken world records, discovered and mapped new caves and underwatercave systems, created acclaimed award winning documentaries and have been recognised by peers andindustry both internationally and in Australia. However its origins and early years were moulded byevents that occurred beforehand.This presentation will begin by covering the key events that led to the formation of the CDAA includingthe deaths of the 1969-1974 period, the Committee which was appointed by the Government (of whichone of the presenters was a member), the very first Nullarbor exploratory dives and the first CDAAmeetings in the Allendale Hall.It will also review the successes of such CDAA supported projects as the Kilsbys, Shaft, Engelbrechts,Iddlebiddy and Piccaninnie Ponds mapping projects, the Water Quality Assessment Directorate workdone to monitor groundwater pollution, the success in dealings with local Aboriginal and Museumheritage groups and how CDAA techniques, training, testing & gear evolved to enable divers to domore than just survive cave diving, but rather go on to do great things!

2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 6

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Saturday 9th November - continued

Time Agenda item

10:30-11:15 The Role of the NACD & NSS-CDS in Cave Diving& Cave Diver Training - Paul Heinerth

11:15-11:30 Morning Tea

11:30-12:15 ASF Overview – Tim Payne and Chris Brown

12:15-1:00pm The Cave Diving Group’s Success –from Training to Explorations – Jason Mallinson

2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 7

~ AGENDA ~

Unlike Australia there are two major Cave Diver organisations in North America.Whilst both the NACD (National Association of Cave Divers) and NSS-CDS (National Speleological Society -Cave Diving Section) offer training, and some instructors are dual certified, both organisations operateseparately and have distinct differences, yet both set the accepted framework for Cave Diver Training andaccess levels for Cave Divers.This presentation will look at the reasons for the formation for both organisations, the differences in howthey operate, what they offer to members and overseas visitors, where their training programs are headedand the types of projects and explorations being supported by each of them. New technology (CCR),changes to equipment styles (sidemount) and the expansion of competing commercial training agencies(such as IANTD, TDI & GUE) mean the NACD and NSS-CDS are having to adapt to a changing trainingand cave diving world. Media coverage on any incident results in questions about safety and on-goingaccess to public sites. Lessons learnt from the NACD and the NSS-CDS and how they adapt whendealing with the public and regulators can apply to the CDAA.

While the CDAA origins are in Mt. Gambier, cave diving in other parts of Australia has evolved fromwithin the Australian Speleological Federation (ASF) as an extension of dry caving. Over time the CDAAhas become a national organization and ASF cave diving has evolved and advanced from sump stylediving to incorporate the types of techniques prevalent in Mt. Gambier. Despite the convergence of theorganizations there are distinct differences; almost all diving activities within the ASF involve eitherresearch or exploration of some type. This talk will outline some of the history associated with cave divingin the ASF, the formation of the ASF-CDG and some of the activities. Occasionally activities of the ASF-CDGand the CDAA intersect and there have been a number of activities where divers from both groups havecollaborated or leap frogged each other. One such cave, which is one of Australia's most famous,is The Shaft. A little of the exploration history and the culminating exploration done by the ASF whichfinally reached and mapped the bottom of the cave (?) will be discussed.

The UK’s Cave Diving Group does not give formal training, yet it’s divers are amongst the most accomplishedand respected cave diving explorers in the world. Formed in the 1940’s names like Rob Palmer, Martyn Farrand Rick Stanton are familiar to most CDAA members and have explored caves throughout the UK, Europeand The Americas. Its continuous existence to the present day makes it the oldest surviving diving club in theworld. The CDG's function is to educate and support cavers for recreational and exploratory operations inBritish sump conditions, basically meaning sidemount diving. Training is on a mentoring system with arigorous assessment and examination to pass to become qualified. However from the birth of cave divingin Wookey Hole Caves in 1934 to today’s use of CCRs British Cave Divers have pioneered much of theequipment and techniques now accepted as standard. ...continued page 8

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Saturday 9th November - continued

Time Agenda item

12:15-1:00pm Jason Mallinson - continued

1:00-1:45pm Lunch

1:45-2:30 Diving with the Wet Mules and Friends – Ken Smith, et al

2:30-3:15 GUE Australia Cave Explorations – Andrew Cronan

3:15-3:30pm Afternoon Tea

3:30-4:15 The History and Future of Rebreathers in Cave Diving – Paul Heinerth

~ AGENDA ~

So what makes the CDG and its divers so successful?This presentation will look at how the CDG undertakes it’s training, how it is structured to support cavediving around the UK and further afield, and how the various styles of diving and the subsequent use ofCCRs are so successfully incorporated by its divers. This makes the CDG just not the oldest cave divingorganisation in the world but also one of the internationally most enviable for the exploration achievedby its members.

The Wet Mules were officially born at the Pearse resurgence in 2010. However, well before then,the Wet Mules team and friends have been having some challenging cave diving adventures aroundAustralia. This talk will describe what they have been up to in recent years, from Cocklebiddy, to aVolcanic Crater in New Zealand to the Pearse Resurgence. Each trip has its own particular challenges.Rebreathers are necessary for much of this work, however the Wet Mules won’t let the presenter haveone! So this presentation will be assisted by fellow Mules in describing how they are used.

As a group Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) is recognised and respected for their focus on Education,Exploration and Research and their achievements in both Cave and Wreck diving have been documentedinternationally for National Geographic & the Discovery Channel. GUE have had a presence in Australiasince 2001 and a number of CDAA members participate in GUE projects related to the underwater caveenvironment, whether for conservation or research, here and overseas. These GUE based teams haveundertaken projects in, amongst others, the Nullarbor, Blacks, Blue Creek in New Zealand, the caves inFengshan and San Men Hei in China and karst explorations in PNG & Thailand.This presentation will review the success of these projects, and others, and will show how the GUEconcept has been implemented to support the core exploration and research involved.Many CDAA members use some or all of the diving procedures utilised and as such will be have aninsight into the teamwork involved.

Since the arrival of rebreathers on to the recreational diving scene in the mid 1990’s Cave Divers havelooked at the potential benefits for exploration. Long duration dives, lengthy penetrations and deepdiving have all become more acceptable when using CCRs. From the history making explorations intoWakulla2 over 15 years ago to today’s deep diving projects in Mexico and Florida, including the deepestcave dives in the US in Weeki Wachee, CCRs are the forefront of cave diving. But with this newtechnology comes added risk. This presentation will look at how CCRs have established themselves inCave Diving and Cave Diver Training, what the benefits are and how cave divers are adapting to their use.The question should be, is there a future for cave diving without rebreathers?

2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 8

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2013 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA & GUEST SPEAKERS PAGE 9

Saturday 9th November - continued

Time Agenda item

4:15-5:00 Huautla – Exploration in the Depths of the Earth –Jason Mallinson

5:00-5:45 A Photographic Journey Through the South East -Liz and Peter Rogers

5:00-5:45 Instructor Meeting – Standards Director & CDAA Instructors(to be held in the Kings Room)

5:45-6:00pm Break

6:00-7:00 AGM- Dress Circle

7:30-11:00pm CDAA 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner- City Hall

~ AGENDA ~

Mexico’s Sistema Huautla is perhaps one of the most complex of the world’s deep caves. With 17 entrancesand numerous independent and physically demanding deep routes, dropping nearly a mile into the earth, thisdark labyrinth requires extensive rope work and multiple days of effort to reach the lower depths of the sys-tem.In 1994 Dr William Stone used his self-designed CIS Lunar rebreather to pass what was then consid-ered the terminal sump, diving from a portable platform suspended over a pool of water, discovering some3.3km (2 miles) of new passage, but ultimately stopped by Sump 9. In 2013 a multinational team of caversand divers once again visited Sistema Huautla in hopes of pushing deeper into the flooded lower passages,the UK’s Jason Mallinson amongst them. Rebreathers would be key to performing these dives, due to thedifficulty of hauling equipment deep into the cave. In the years since Stone’s 1994 expedition, rebreatherdiving has developed significantly, both in terms of technology and knowledge and in contrast to thecomplex electronic rebreathers used previously, divers in the 2013 expedition used manually controlledrebreathers fitted with KISS valves. During this expedition Jason reached the extreme limit of theexploration, diving to 80m in the last sump using a full classic KISS Rebreather. www.cdg-exped.org

Peter and Liz Rogers have both taken thousands of photos in the caves & sinkholes of the Mount Gambierarea - a generation apart. This father and daughter talk will cover the then and now with a visual look atcave diving in The South East. From early wetsuit dives in the Shaft without buoyancy compensators tothe results of the latest in the digital photographic revolution, these images are set to remind us all whydiving in the Limestone Coast is so special. Over the years sites have changed, photography has devel-oped new techniques & equipment and divers have pushed further to explore new leads. Capturing thisamazing journey Peter & Liz will take us on an exploration of the underwater environment hidden belowthe paddocks, forests, lakes and even homes in Australia’s most famous Cave Diving region. Taken over aperiod of more than 30 years and with photographic skills few cave divers have mastered then, or now,be prepared for some fascinating images of Cave Diving in the South East past and present.

An Instructor update to review current training procedures and issues and to discuss current and future CDAA Training Policy.

Director Reports, Election Results and Motions brought before the AGM.

The weekend highlight. A special 40th Dinner Celebration sure to entertain and allow you to minglewith old friends and dive buddies. Not to be missed. Winners of the CDAA 40th Anniversary PhotoCompetition to be announced along with special guests and an opportunity to honour members pastand present. Bookings essential - see separate booking information.

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~ AGENDA ~Sunday 10th November

A number of workshops and activities are planned. Members are invited to attend oneworkshop in the morning and one in the afternoon. A lunch time BBQ will be arranged and

venue advised on the weekend. Morning sessions will run approximately 9:00am-12noon andafternoon sessions 1:00-4:00pm unless you are advised otherwise by the workshop presenter.

All bookings, unless directed otherwise, to [email protected]

Morning Mapping Workshop – John Dalla-Zuanna

Morning Photography Workshop – Liz Rogers

Morning SRT Workshop – Tom Aberdeen

Morning Cave/Advanced Cave Preparation Workshop – Andy Higgins

Morning Nullarbor Planning Workshop – Gary Barclay/Linda Claridge

A view and hands on experience of, • the art of underwater surveying and • putting the data into a map.This workshop will overview the techniques of collecting data during a cave or sinkhole dive. You will usecompass, tape, knotted line, slates and other tools to gather measurements and images to then take to yourdesktop. Here we will arrange the data using available software programs into maps and overlay ontoGoogle Earth. For this workshop, you will need to bring some hardware, if possible... a compass, slates &pencil, a reel with knotted guideline (every 3 or 5 metres), and a laptop. You may wish to share someequipment and laptop with your buddy, but the desktop work should be experienced individually formaximum effect. Once registering your interest, you will be advised on a couple of programs to downloadand how to activate them prior to the workshop.

Not getting everything you expected out of your new (or new to cave diving) underwater camera rig?Or looking to take the next step with your shots? Bring along your camera equipment and dive buddy modelfor a hands-on cave photography workshop with a focus on lighting. Liz Rogers will cover off camera strobes,modelling techniques and lighting control in a practical dry session to help you get the images you're lookingfor on your next cave dive. Numbers will be limited to ensure good interaction, so get in early!

A practical workshop with an emphasis on understanding SRT gear and how to use it safely whilst getting afeeling for prusiking and abseiling. Every participant will have an opportunity to don SRT gear and practiseboth abseiling and prusiking techniques and if time permits, how to change direction on rope.

Taking a trip to the Nullarbor is often the highlight of a CDAA Member’s Cave Diving experiences. Sites suchas Cocklebiddy,Weebubbie and Murra El Elevyn offer exploration opportunities and challenges not foundelsewhere in Australia and often involve trips in excess of two weeks duration.This workshop will look at how to plan, set up and execute a safe and enjoyable Nullarbor Trip with a look atthe equipment, skills and support systems needed from compressors, generators, air fill hoses and site plans tocamping needs, transport requirements and those home comforts often missed but easily taken.

This workshop is an opportunity to see first hand the skills and techniques required as part of the CDAA’s Cave &Advanced Cave Diver programs. Regarded as some of the most stringent training requirements in Cave Divingthis workshop will suit any member looking to upgrade their rating in the near future or just review the skills thatmake CDAA divers some of the most capable Cave Divers around. This is a land based workshop that will focuson skills such as primary line laying, finger spool use, line markers, line cutting exercises for Cave & AdvancedCave level, stage tank set up, and stage tank drop off/pickup. This will also allow participants the opportunity totest themselves under the watchful eye of an experienced Instructor, and give you the opportunity to update andpractice these skills correctly, maybe before diving on your next CDAA Course.

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~ AGENDA ~Sunday 10th November - continued

Time Agenda item

Afternoon Sidemount Workshop – Jason Mallinson

Afternoon Rebreather Workshop – Paul Heinerth

4:30-6:30pm Instructor CCR Workshop –Linda Claridge (Standards Director) & Paul Heinerth

10:00am onwards Live Cave Dives – Englebrechts Cave

Various throughout Community Talks – CDAA Representativesthe day...

The growth in rebreather diving in Australia has been amplified within the cave diving fraternity, with arecent survey of CDAA members showing over 200, or 25% of active members, being endorsed forrebreathers. Training in diving rebreathers is one thing, but learning to use them safely in caves is another.This workshop will discuss the procedures, protocols and configuration options necessary to safely dive CCRsin a Cave. Each CCR requires user familiarity and training with that unit, however many of the CCR CaveDiving requirements are universal. A must for any CDAA Member currently diving CCR or interested in mov-ing down that track! (Instructors attending the Cave Instructor CCR Workshop MUST attend this session)

From Deep Cavern to Cave and Advanced Cave, many CDAA Members and potential students are lookingat or already dive CCRs as their preferred configuration. With this comes the need to consider what OpenCircuit systems should be retained and how such divers can be integrated into CDAA courses and dives.Currently all CDAA courses are open circuit based and CDAA Instructors are unable to train divers usingCCRs. This workshop will look at what procedures are used in CCR Cave Diver Training overseas andhow these could apply to CDAA programs and divers. Discussions will be on how the CDAA may allowInstructors to accredit qualified CDAA divers who then switch to rebreathers as well as what it would taketo allow CDAA Instructors to accept students already diving Rebreathers. (CDAA Instructors only:Accreditation to qualify CDAA Divers using rebreathers may be awarded to Instructors attending thisworkshop if this is approved by the National Committee and Instructor base. Instructors must attendthe previous Rebreather W’shop).

Sidemount diving has a history as long as cave diving with explorers developing systems to dive the smallsumps & passages found in much of the UK. Today it has become an optional tool for many, often used inconjunction with other styles of diving. With exploration now having to extend existing sites or dive in moreremote areas sidemount has become a requirement, with training options at dive centres around the country.This workshop will look sidemount configurations and how these are adapted to suit varying conditions andequipment requirements, including the use of sidemount for and deep explorations.

Frank Ziegler, the team from Professional Divers in Portland and suitably qualified CDAA Members will run cave divesfrom Englebrechts Cave screened live on TV display screens for anyone interested to watch. Using a combination ofCommercial Diving and standard Cave Diving equipment live images will be streamed from inside the cave to bringboth the hidden treasure of Englebrechts to light but also to show just what it is to be a cave diver!

As part of the 40th Celebrations CDAA Directors, Guests and Members will be making presentations to theMount Gambier and wider South East Community showcasing Cave Diving and the involvement the CDAAhas in the region. Media interviews and community group visits will help highlight the CDAA’s long termhistory and future with the South East along with helping to dispel myths about cave diving and show justwhat it is that makes Cave Diving an exciting and safe activity.

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~ AGENDA ~Sunday 10th November - continued

Time Agenda item

All Day SROP Workshop – Richard Harris(continues Monday)

Monday 11th November

10:00am onwards Live Cave Dives – Englebrechts Cave (cont’d)

Morning SROP Workshop – Richard Harris (cont’d) (finishes 2pm)

State Visits by International Guests – Nov. 2013 - Venue & Times TBA

Belize’s Giant Cave to Iceland’s Fissures & More... – Paul HeinerthSat. 2nd Nov. - SydneySun. 3rd - Hobart Thu. 7th - MelbourneFri. 15th - AdelaideSat. 23rd - Perth

Pozo Azul & Emergence de Ressel, European cave Diving at its most Challenging -Jason Mallinson

Sat. 2nd Nov - SydneySun. 3rd - BrisbaneThu. 7th - MelbourneFri. 15th - AdelaideSat. 23rd - Perth

The Sump Rescue and Recovery Orientation Program (SROP) is a must do course for any cave divers whowould like to learn more about the basics of responding to an emergency that arises when caving and diving.Run by the CDAA's SAR Officer Richard Harris, the course is now in its third year and is being constantlyrefined to offer an insight into the 'first response" following the loss or death of a team member during acave dive; whether on a weekend in Mt Gambier, or on an expedition in the world's remotest locations.Considered a minimum introduction to the skills and knowledge of who to call and what to do in the firstvital hours of a serious incident in cave diving, the SROP should be mandatory for all advanced cave diversespecially those who run trips with less experienced cavers. Joined by other experienced CDAA educators,Richard delivers a dynamic and hands on introduction to this difficult topic.Course duration 1 1/2 days, cost $50.00. Contact [email protected]. Bookings essential.

Paul Heinerth is one of North America’s pioneering Cave Divers and cave explorers. His bio is extensive,as is his ability to tell a good yarn. Join Paul for an evening highlighting some of his recent explorations in the Giant Cave in Belize and the Submerged Fissures in Iceland amongst others. With over 40 yearsexperience in Cave Exploration and 20 years CCR cave diving Paul will take you on a journey around theworld. This Cave Diving presentation will include material not part of the CDAA’s 40th AGM WeekendPresentations and will ensure that once you hear some of his adventures you will want to hear more!

Pozo Azul in Spain is, they say, a bit like Cocklebiddy, only longer, and since 2002 Jason Mallinson has exploredthis cave to reach a world record breaking distance of over 9 kilometres through multiple sumps and depthsreaching 71m in the immense 5160m long Sump 2. From his earlier explorations in the Emergence de Resselin France, where the divers were forced to change from multiple large 20 litre Open Circuit cylinders and vastsupplies of O2 & He to CCRs to continue the exploration, to Pozo Azul in August 2013, Jason will showcasethese cave diving explorations, and others, and the whole range of technical cave dive equipment used, includ-ing specially designed electronic mapping systems, sidemount CCRs and modified scooters. Covering materialthat is not part of the CDAA’s 40th AGM Weekend Presentations, this is truly cave diving to the extreme!

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