I’d argue much safer as your upper bound is not an air reservoir strapped to your body, it’s food/water …or in the event that shit really hits the fan, how fast you can secure a wound.
Generally speaking, these are rare events in both sports but one allows much more time for rescues.
What about the weird gases that can be in caves? Or just gravity dropping you down a hole? Sounds pretty dangerous.
I recently took a cave rope climbing technique course, after being comfortable with rope climbing in other disciplines, such as climbing, rope rescue and glacier rescue.
The bolting techniques used in caves are fucking terrifying. They work, but they are terrifying.
I'm specifically thinking about using older self-drive bolts, which seem to still be used if they are placed. I have only met people thinking they are acceptable in the caving environment.
And also using temporary bolts as the Coeur 8 mm, which is rated for 2 kN before deformation in the worst direction (and the mechanism of those bolts are more akin to a cam, making them squiggle a lot in the hole, which is safe, but scary. My ice axe don't squiggle).
Obviously you use redundant bolts, and there are much lower forces in SRT than in dynamic falls, but I still think it's scary as hell.
The strapped air reservoir could come in handy for when it rains...
"Some of the best diving I've ever done is snorkeling in Cancun..."
You're on the surface, generally with a life vest, don't have to worry about running out of air, generally the guides inter-communicate and take you to hot spots of fishes or turtles or whatever... tropical warm water. Biggest difference is access to air rather than having to be "self-sufficient".