How many lights must a cave diver carry during a dive?

Carrying three lights during a cave dive is a critical safety protocol that ensures divers have backup illumination in case of equipment failure. This standard practice stems from the inherently challenging conditions of underwater caves, where visibility can change rapidly and sections of the cave may be completely dark.

The primary light serves as the main source of illumination, while the second light acts as a backup, providing a reliable alternative should the primary light fail. The third light functions as an additional backup, giving the diver an extra layer of safety. The redundancy inherent in this approach is crucial because reliance on a single light source can be extremely dangerous; if that primary light were to malfunction, a diver could find themselves in a very precarious situation.

Furthermore, divers are taught to keep their lights in different locations (e.g., one on the back, one on the hip, and a third in a pocket) to increase the chances of being able to access at least one light if faced with an emergency. This multi-light strategy not only enhances a diver's safety but also promotes better navigation and situational awareness in the complex underwater environment of caves.