12 replies to this topic

[diverdeb]

I am heading to High Springs tonight. I'm doing Intro to Cave . Wish me luck! This is something I swore I would never do, so naturally that's what I'm doing this weekend. What was I thinking???

[lynnlchan]

We expect a report when you return!

[PerroneFord]

Shoulda said something. I'd have done dinner for you.

[ScubaPunk]

Have fun Deb. Yes we want to hear all about it when you get back.

[Victoria]

Bravo, Deb! Sounds like it'll be awesome!!!

[diverdeb]

I'm back . . . with a new c-card!!!

It was intense, a lot of hard work, humbling, and exhausting; but it was SO cool! Like anything, pictures are wonderful but usually can never capture the true beauty of experiencing something first hand. Underwater caves are no exception. I feel like I got to take a sneak peek at a whole other part of God's creation this weekend, one that very few have the privilege of seeing. It was amazing. I used to wonder why people liked diving in caves since there was "nothing" to see - no sea life. I guess that's like going to Rome and wondering why people would want to see the coliseum if there were no gladiators inside.

Cave diving isn't for everyone, I know, but I am completely hooked. I learned so much. The training is tough, but when you master something and begin to be accepted in that community, that's an extremely rewarding and satifying experience. A couple of cave instructors invited me to dive with them this weekend. That's probably the highest compliment I've ever received in diving.

We dove the ballroom at Ginny and then at Peacock I for 2 days. I'm not great at giving a detailed report on the dives. There were plenty of safety drills, lost buddy, lost line, etc., drills. Our last dive when the 1st person of our team hit his turn pressure, the instructor stopped us, had one team member simulate out of air and air share with me, and all three of us exit with lights out/touch contact - the entire way out. When we got into the cavern zone, we even had an unplanned emergency. One of the team mouthpiece came off his 2nd stage and he got a mouth full of water while simultaneously the other member had a bad leg cramp. It was sobering to see how quickly things could turn to crap, especially being so close to the exit. We handled everything that was thrown at us though. It was a great learning experience.

And now I have a brand new sticker on my back windshield.

[PerroneFord]

I'm back . . . with a new c-card!!!

Welcome to our world.

Who did you train with? Let me know if you need anything.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Congrats on the new C-Card, Deb! You have a whole new world to explore.

[diverdeb]

I'm back . . . with a new c-card!!!

Welcome to our world.

Who did you train with? Let me know if you need anything.

Thanks Perrone! I need someone to practice with!! I'm not sure you will dive with me though. I'm not GUE/DIR. Almost though, sans a couple of minor things. I really do need someone to practice with that is closer to me. None of my dive buddies around here are cave divers. Mine are all 5-6 hours away. Let me know if you're willing to dive with a newbie and you'll be coming to this area anytime soon. I'm not sure where you are located.

I trained with Tracy Grubbs (NACD/TDI). He's done most of my tech training too (SSI/TDI).

[PerroneFord]

Now, now. Let's not propagate stereotypes.

I am not doing much (any) cave diving presently, but wouldn't mind knocking the rust off on a few easy intro dives. Jackson Blue is probably the closest cave where we could do intro level work together.

I live in Tallahassee, so I'm not that far from you.

Ive heard of Tracy, but don't know much about him.

-P

Thanks Perrone! I need someone to practice with!! I'm not sure you will dive with me though. I'm not GUE/DIR. Almost though, sans a couple of minor things. I really do need someone to practice with that is closer to me. None of my dive buddies around here are cave divers. Mine are all 5-6 hours away. Let me know if you're willing to dive with a newbie and you'll be coming to this area anytime soon. I'm not sure where you are located.

I trained with Tracy Grubbs (NACD/TDI). He's done most of my tech training too (SSI/TDI).

[finGrabber]

Huh!

Intro to Cave - I'm jealous!

I've been thinking about Intro to Cave for a while now, but especially since I went to the Boston Sea Rovers Clinic in early March; they had alot of presentations about caverns and caves which increased my interest

[PerroneFord]

Huh!

Intro to Cave - I'm jealous!

I've been thinking about Intro to Cave for a while now, but especially since I went to the Boston Sea Rovers Clinic in early March; they had alot of presentations about caverns and caves which increased my interest

Maybe we need to start a thread with information for those with interest in this subject. I bet a few people here would be interested in what's required/recommended for getting started in this kind of diving.

[dustbowl diver]

I'm back . . . with a new c-card!!!

It was intense, a lot of hard work, humbling, and exhausting; but it was SO cool! Like anything, pictures are wonderful but usually can never capture the true beauty of experiencing something first hand. Underwater caves are no exception. I feel like I got to take a sneak peek at a whole other part of God's creation this weekend, one that very few have the privilege of seeing. It was amazing. I used to wonder why people liked diving in caves since there was "nothing" to see - no sea life. I guess that's like going to Rome and wondering why people would want to see the coliseum if there were no gladiators inside.

Cave diving isn't for everyone, I know, but I am completely hooked. I learned so much. The training is tough, but when you master something and begin to be accepted in that community, that's an extremely rewarding and satifying experience. A couple of cave instructors invited me to dive with them this weekend. That's probably the highest compliment I've ever received in diving.

We dove the ballroom at Ginny and then at Peacock I for 2 days. I'm not great at giving a detailed report on the dives. There were plenty of safety drills, lost buddy, lost line, etc., drills. Our last dive when the 1st person of our team hit his turn pressure, the instructor stopped us, had one team member simulate out of air and air share with me, and all three of us exit with lights out/touch contact - the entire way out. When we got into the cavern zone, we even had an unplanned emergency. One of the team mouthpiece came off his 2nd stage and he got a mouth full of water while simultaneously the other member had a bad leg cramp. It was sobering to see how quickly things could turn to crap, especially being so close to the exit. We handled everything that was thrown at us though. It was a great learning experience.

And now I have a brand new sticker on my back windshield.

Congrats on your achievement!!