17 replies to this topic

[RichardB]

We hear the horror stories, we read the warnings, we sign documents agreeing to avoid intentionally stupid behavior, and still we see people putting themselves in harms way. Here's my story with the idiots of diving and proof that some people just don't realize just how stupid they really are!

A few years back (okay, more than a few, but I hate thinking it was that long ago) a good friend, Ray, and I were coming out of a cave near Ginnie. We were approaching the end of the main line where we had left our reel that would lead us the remaining 150 or so feet to daylight and the cave's "cavern" area entrance. The line was critical as the exit was through a twisted tunnel until daylight would be viewable and it was easy to get turned around.

We were at about 30 feet of depth and sitting on a deco stop when a man and woman approached using our line as a guide into the cave. They then grabbed the main/permanent cave line and began to further penetrate the cave. They were equipped with singles and only small hand-held lights. We attempted to communicate but the man would have little to do with our attempts to warn them. The woman was obviously hesitant and somewhat dutifully followed this menza reject further into the depths as they continued past us and into the cave.

After a short time we completed our deco stop and it was time to collect our reel, gather up the line and leave the cave. We still had another stop before we could end the dive, but that would be in open water. We were both thinking that the couple should have turned by this time and swam back past us. They had not. Knowing that menza boy and his GF would have difficulty finding their way to the exit without our line as a guide, we left the line in place and went after them.

We met the woman alone just as we rounded the first turn a short distance away. The cave had become silted and vis was down to maybe 5 feet. She was obviously disoriented and scared. Using a slate to communicate we did our best to reassure and calm her. I took her back to open water and my friend went after her BF. She thanked me, waved bye and headed for the surface. I went back to help Ray.

I met Ray with the BF at the first deco stop. Ray had found him another hundred feet or so further back and in about 80 feet of depth. (I learned later it took Ray some strong effort to convince this guy where the exit was.) Ray stayed behind to start his deco again and I led the guy to open water. He didn't thank me.

Here's the kicker. By the time I exited the water after my final safety deco stop, super diver had dumped his girlfriend and was driving off. Apparently it was her fault he was stupid and he was pissed that she was happy with us for possibly saving their lives.

We discovered that she was recently certified and he was an AOW but little experience and was not cave certified. She was understandably upset but we all had a good laugh when Ray offered "if you'd like I'm sure we'd all feel better if you let me put him back in there for you."

[jextract]

Jeez, it's one thing to file yourself under "Natural Selection" but quite another to take someone else who depends on your safety and judgement along with you.

I'm thinking you shoulda put him back.

[blue angel]

I am so sorry for his family and friends :dltears:
I will never understand why some divers do the things they do.
I hope I have taught my family divers, to use caution and trust their natual instincts when in doubt.
By the way I asked Alicia if she is sure it was meant for her to dive.
Every time she is suppost to get certified, a hurricane comes.
This is now, twice!!
Just kidding Alicia
NOT