Frank Vasseur
Cave diver, France
I discovered nature and outdoor activities as a teenager through scouting.
I started caving and outdoor activities in 1984, and I learnt to dive in 1987 to take my underground exploration to its ultimate expression.
Gradually, I acquired knowledge, equipment and specific techniques to extend my field of intervention. Then, I started to share my skills by giving training as an instructor.
Today, I am an instructor trainer in cave diving, synthetic gas mixtures and closed- circuit rebreathers. My explorations are based on the knowledge of this exceptional environment. In France, as well as during expeditions abroad, each discovery of new caves implies the retrieval of tangible elements to be shared (topographies, reports, photographs, films), so that a discovery can be enjoyed by others and not only by the privileged person who makes it.
In 1984, I started caving and outdoor activities and learnt to dive in 1987 to take my underground exploration to its ultimate expression.
Having worked as a lighting technician for others, the advent of digital technology has moved me to the other side of the lens. With an approach that is more empirical than technical, I focus on the pixels, photographing and creating video of places that have never been photographed before. My aim is to magnify, aestheticize and sublimate this environment, where ignorance can be catastrophic.
I work actively with local authorities, scientific organisations and cave owners to integrate speleological research into the management of natural areas and associated resources. I have made several discoveries about cave fauna.
I am the author of several books on underground diving and my technical manual has become a reference for several training organisations.
My skills are used to train certain constituted bodies in subterranean diving (Fire Brigade, National Police).
