Being an advanced scuba diver is absolutely no indication of one’s ability to freedive. You Absolutly can not compare the two besides both taking place underwater.

On top of that, even if this guide was a Divemaster which is far from guaranteed given the other safety failings from this company, being an advanced Divemaster does not equate to one’s ability to cave dive. Survivors state the lack of lighting in the boat and so I’m assuming he would have had to navigate the boat in complete dark under water. So while not exactly cave diving, it’s equatable. An activity that’s insanely dangerous to anyone, even Divemasters that don’t have cavern or cave experience.

There’s a reason there’s a grim reaper sign at the entrance of caves in popular dive locations.