msm0711 wrote:This may be a silly question, but I'm betting this is the correct place to ask.
Can anyone give me an estimate of an approximate time it takes to go from 0 dives (beginner) to the most basic type of cave diving? I have had some friends suggest it would be something I would enjoy, but generally use the excuse that I'm to old to start now, since I have plenty of caving under my belt, but no diving experience. Thanks for any suggestions on a time frame (or anything else) that anyone cares to share!
A lot depends on how comfortable you are in the water. Then there is the issue of scheduling classes and open water testing. A good SCUBA class will be on the order of 40 hours. That could be done in a week, if you were on vacation in the tropics, or months if you have to work around the schedule of a local dive shop. Advanced open water is recommended, but not required, before starting cavern classes, which is the most basic type of cave diving.
The last post is correct, you will get more answers on the cavediver.net forum. Not too many cave divers read this forum.
Any opinions are personal.