Why do I need special training for cave diving?

Cave diving involves an environment that is very different from open water.  The equipment is also vastly different and divers need to be trained on how to use this equipment before they can venture into the caves.  There are also specialized buoyancy control techniques that must be mastered; otherwise an open water diver can quickly stir up the silty bottom of the cave, resulting in a dangerous situation with no visibility and far less enjoyment of the dive.  Dive planning is also crucial in a cave setting and it is very different from that of open water diving.