It was 4 p.m. on Dec. 2, 1988 when underwater explorer and film producer Andrew Wight had his first near-death experience.

While on the last day of a cave diving expedition in Pannikin Plain Cave in Western Australia, a freak storm occurred, that caused floodwaters to rush into the cavern and collapsed the main entrance. Wight and his team of 15 divers were trapped in the cave for two days as they searched for a way out of the system.

Twenty-three years later, Wight’s frightening tale of survival has become the inspiration for “Sanctum,” a 3-D adventure film produced by blockbuster director James Cameron (“Avatar”) and co-written by Wight himself, who had worked with Cameron before on the underwater documentaries “Ghosts of the Abyss” and “Aliens of the Deep.”

During an interview with EXTRA, Wight talked about the importance of moviegoers being emotionally involved in “Sanctum” and what it is about underwater cave exploration that is so exhilarating.

EXTRA: I read that when the cave collapsed, you were able to find your way out after a few hours.

Andrew Wight: Yes, there were actually two teams in the cave, so when the entrance collapsed we were separated. I was able to get out after about four hours after the initial collapse with rope and climbing equipment we had. My role then turned into coordinating the rescue of the other divers.

What did you learn about survival from your experience?

I learned that what’s in front of you is what you have to deal with. What could happen is not as important as what is happening. We had to make decisions based on that and take responsibility for those decisions. We couldn’t form a committee and talk it out. There was no way to prove ...