Just a dream for now.

[bigken462]

The other night I ran across this video: In the Realm of Fangorn Forest (http://vimeo.com/3528068)and was simply mesmerized. I've seen countless videos that captured my attention for months and months, but yet have I ever seen a cave such as this with so many colors.

I know that a cave like this is years and years beyond my experience, but I was wondering out of curiosity the average numbers of years it would take a active diver to gain enough experience to safely dive in such a fragile environment. I can only imagine the horrible trail of destruction a new cave diver like myself could do to a beautiful cave like this. I doubt I would ever have an opportunity to see something like this, but it's kinda interesting to know the path a typical diver would take to get there.

Safe diving,

Kenny

[Danseur]

Brian Kakuk actually teaches new cave divers in there (I was one :D ), but you have to have control of your buoyancy beforehand. I hadn't done sidemount before so we took a few dives in an ocean blue hole to sort it out, then onto the cave.

Taking a fundies class was SO VERY helpful for this. Although sidemount is verbotten, the awareness of your body, breathing, and equipment is so drilled in over 4 days (Bob Sherwood actually had us come back for another weekend on top of that so sort out some lingering issues) that a new config is easier to learn, although admittedly not a GUE friendly concept per se.

Even Brian (sidemounter extraordinaire) was a big fan of fundies as a stepping stone. He said he has much greater success with students that have gone through fundies before they get to him.

So the more you put into practicing your buoyancy under working conditions, or drills, the most quickly you can get into these fragile but just stunningly beautiful caves. Hell, just go to Abaco and have Brian sort you out and once he's satisfied he'll take you in. There are a few caves there that are similar, but less delicate, and still striking.

Best of luck man. This was just amazing cave to see in person. Even HD (compressed) video doesen't do it a lick of justice.

[pink_fins]

Wow, I am a cavern diver and have only dove the cenotes in Mexico.
This video is amazing. I drooled the whole time.
Thanks for posting it

gail

[JE]

***Very nice ^_^-!!!
Thank you for reminding of places like this that still exist.

je

[LCF]

Is sidemount obligatory for diving Dan's Cave?

[Danseur]

Parts of it. There are places you can go in BM, and places you can't; some really amazing places you can't...

Call Brian Kakuk at Bahamas Underground and talk to him. He'll give you a very through and detailed answer.

[jkaterenchuk]

Hi, I am one of the guys in the video you saw. I can give you my perspective.

Bouyancy control is paramount as well as a good sense of body position relative to your surroundings. I have been cave diving for a little over one year when we took the trip and the video. I have been diving CCR for around 3 years. Brian was on side mount for the video but the rest of us were on CCR. Brain took us on several dives in much less decorated portions of the cave I am sure to evaluate our skills prior to going to the Fangorn Forrest area.

I would suspect its very individual how you get to the point of having excellent bouyancy control.

I would support what the other poster has said in terms of going to Bahamas and taking your course with Brian. He is a very good instructor and you would learn alot and see alot.

I also support what the other poster said about the video not doing it justice. There is really no substitute for being there in the moment. Additionally, I took a side mount course with Brian while I was there and after the course we visited some even more decorated caves that are not accessible with back mount.

Oh also unless using a CCR having a good RMV/SAC helps also.

Hope that helps.

John

[bigken462]

Thanks for the replies guys. Being only intro and pristine new at that to Intro, this will be out of reach for me for a while yet. I've been diving for about 10 years, doubles for 3-4 years. Besides Intro to cave, I'm certified to AN/DP so while I do have a footing for full cave later, still got quite a bit of work to do yet.

Thanks for each of your replies, and to your team specifically in bringing us this magnificent video to watch during our dry spells.

Kenny

[Sam2000001]

Wow what an awesome video, I would love to dive in a place like that one day. Like the OP, I am also a recently new intro diver, so I am still taking everything in and learning the ropes. One day though, one day

[Danseur]

Even as an intro diver, if you are even at all safe, there are AWESOME things to see. Yes, there is SO much more deeper into that system, but even at intro levels there are fossilized remains of freshwater crocodile, extant land tortoises, unique remipedes, blind fish etc.... AND you can still get to decorated areas..

Seriously, just call Brian.

http://www.bahamasunderground.com/

Do it.

Do it now. :smt079

;-)

[Brian Kakuk]

Seriously, just call Brian.

http://www.bahamasunderground.com/

Do it.

Do it now. :smt079

;-)

Nice to have Billy Mays looking out for my advertising. Checks in the mail Danseur. ( :

[Danseur]

Hey Brian,

Congrats on the recent exploration push! Sounds absolutely amazing! As everyone can probably tell, I am a big fan of both yours and Abaco, but wholly deserved on all accounts for sure.

I'm trying to get back there as soon as I can. Looking forward to seeing more of you and your back yard!

[bigken462]

I still haven't paid my dues in training by earning my keep just yet. But who knows, someday you may see a big red head headed feller walking in the door.

Ken