Which diver is typically in charge of following the established navigational route during touch contact?

In a cavern diving scenario, maintaining a safe and effective navigational route is crucial for the entire team's safety and efficiency. While the lead diver often takes on the primary responsibility for navigation, every member of the team is expected to remain engaged with the navigation process. This shared responsibility ensures that if the lead diver becomes disoriented or if the situation changes unexpectedly, every team member has the awareness and understanding of the route, enabling them to assist or assume navigation if needed.

By working together collectively, the team can confirm their decisions, maintain situational awareness, and improve communication, which is essential in a potentially disorienting environment like a cavern. In this setting, divers often rely on visual cues and established patterns of movement, making it vital that everyone is on the same page and capable of keeping track of the established route.

While it's true that a single diver might take the lead in navigating, teamwork and collective awareness enhance safety and efficiency, especially in environments where visibility can be limited and hazards can arise without warning.