Cave Diving in Kilsby’s Sinkhole

Kilsby’s Sinkhole, in the quiet town of Mount Gambier in South Australia, is undoubtedly unique. Visibility can exceed 300 feet (100 m) and the cool, fresh water is clean enough to drink. Light rays hitting the water make the scene postcard worthy, and every view seems like something shot by a professional underwater photographer. So, what’s the problem? Until 2016, only a select handful of highly trained individuals could dive this magnificent site. Although Kilsby’s Sinkhole has since become more accessible, controversy still surrounds the site. What’s it all about, and who can dive here now?

Why was it exclusive?

When diving first became popular in the 1960s and 70s, eager divers wanted to discover every possible part of the underwater world. Cave and cavern diving in the small Australian town of Mount Gambier was an irresistible prospect. Unfortunately, this sort of diving is inherently dangerous for those without very specific training and experience. The tragic result was a multitude of dive-related deaths in the area. At this point, the government (in a rare instance) interfered in the local diving industry, demanding the establishment of a professional body to enforce cave-diving standards and training. The Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) was thusly born and henceforward, divers had to be members to enter any freshwater cave or cavern. Over the next 40 years, only a handful of divers died in these cave systems thanks to the regulations and training.

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Kilsby’s Sinkhole

The CDAA classifies the sinkhole as a cavern dive. Before 2016, divers had to undergo a rigorous five-day course to obtain a cavern-diver qualification — not an easy task. The dive site is spectacular, with a maximum depth of just over 180 feet (60 m). Divers can easily see the bottom before even stepping into the water. This is where the danger lies, however, as it can be extremely difficult for an inexperienced diver to gauge his depth and control an ascent. This difficulty has led to multiple deaths in the sinkhole.

The CDAA

The association does not own the sinkhole and other nearby cavern dive sites, but does manage access rights with landowners and government bodies. The agency also has independent diving standards and teaches CDAA courses, designed and refined over the last 40 years. Interested divers start with the Deep Cavern course (as mentioned above), and can progress through the Cave and Advanced Cave training.  

The controversy

In 2016, the owner of Kilsby’s Sinkhole passed away, although the family still owns the surrounding land. Citing insurance issues and various other factors, the family decided to make the site accessible to operators other than the CDAA and offer access to recreational divers, snorkelers and photographers. Anyone with an advanced rating and 50 dives would be allowed to explore the cavern. All diving was suspended temporarily at the site until interested parties reached a decision. The CDAA policy states that you must be a qualified cavern diver and refused to change these guidelines and thusly a rift began between the two parties, resulting in the banning of CDAA diving in the sinkhole.

Diving in Kilsby’s Sinkhole

There is quite a bit of dispute surrounding who can dive in the sinkhole. Only certain dive shops have access, and each one of these has its own rules, apparently provided by the Kilsby family. Controversial rules such as “no CDAA member” and “no sidemount diving” appear to be entirely up to whichever dive operator is running the day. Universal rules both require divers to use a Kilsby-approved divemaster and disallow them from going into the cavern areas at any time.

CDAA vs. Kilsby family — who is right?

Ultimately both parties have valid points. The CDAA contends that this style of diving is inherently dangerous and requires special training. The agency fears that the relaxed rules may lead unqualified divers to attempt more dangerous sites with dire consequences after they’ve been diving at Kilsby’s. The Kilsby family contends that as the sinkhole is on their land, they have the right to make their own rules. If dives are conducted safely under strictly enforced guidelines, they have a right to decide who dives and who doesn’t. Both sides, as mentioned, have valid arguments that are more in-depth than can be mentioned here.

What about divers?

The disagreement between the two groups has benefited one group though — all divers. While CDAA members might consider leaving that certification card at home while visiting, the qualification will certainly make their dives here safer. And other divers with the relevant experience but without a CDAA qualification can now see the magic that is Kilsby’s Sinkhole. Completing a cavern course entails a major commitment of time and money, and this dive now acts almost like a try-dive experience for cavern diving. If you stay within safe boundaries at Kilsby’s, you can find out if cave and cavern diving might be for you, or if rocks and freshwater aren’t your style. Both the CDAA and the Kilsby family want divers to have a fun (and safe) time here, so don’t let controversy stand in the way of an outstanding dive.

By guest author Matt Testoni

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