Diving Jug Hole Spring

[tdmp]

I will be in NFL in two weeks and was considering adding some new systems to the dive plan. I was hoping to hear from someone who has previously dove in Jug Hole Spring. What is the access to the spring like? I remember reading that it was relatively short in penetration before coming to a major restriction (900 ft back?). Also, we'll be diving back mounts.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Todd

[Limestone Cowboy]

Most people can forget about getting past the first restriction 100 ft back with any sort of back mounted doubles. I did it on a Y valved single by rolling on my side, but it was a damn snug fit, and I almost had to ditch the gear and drag it through.

Not sure what the current access policies are right now.

Drew

Jug Hole is a pretty cool dive. Access is similiar to Manatee in that you stop at the Ranger's and leave your C card and Pay your fee. After parking in the parking area, you have a very long walk to the site. I suggest a cart of some sort and lots of bug spray. At one point while I was there the mosquitos were so thick that I was hoping they would carry my gear!

The cave itself is small with maximum penetration of about 600'. As far as the restriction goes, I was able to swim through with sidemount 85's without even slowing down. It is definately worth doing at least once.

Now...if you want an explanation of the part of my dive where Kelly says " Wow, that's unusual...you have a scorpion on your back"! You'll have to ask Kelly!

Ralph D.

[tdmp]

So would it be safe to say that back mounted 95s would be out of the question? Sounds like a single cylinder or sidemounts only. What are the passages like?

[Kelly Jessop]

I will be in NFL in two weeks and was considering adding some new systems to the dive plan. I was hoping to hear from someone who has previously dove in Jug Hole Spring. What is the access to the spring like? I remember reading that it was relatively short in penetration before coming to a major restriction (900 ft back?). Also, we'll be diving back mounts.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Todd
Do it quick,the system closes in March until next October

[sdenney]

So would it be safe to say that back mounted 95s would be out of the question? Sounds like a single cylinder or sidemounts only. What are the passages like?

I dove it a few times in a single steel 85. It's a very short system (600-700ft.) The first restriction looks tight, but just turn on your side and you'll be fine. The second restriction is a little tighter. For this one you have to go upside down and spider crawl on the ceiling. Just remember to look for an area that leaves enough room to turn around.

[IowaCaveDiver]

I've got a buddy that does this system in a set of 72's, but to get through the diamond sands restriction he has to squish through upside down so that he can dig his tanks through the sand and make it. I dove it in sidemount 95's.....not a long dive, but certainly worth doing.... very pretty cave and the bedding plane restriction (about 100' in) is very pretty and the floor has lots of fossils to look at. Take your time on this dive, at least on the exit, there is a lot of little places to check out, plus you don't have to worry too much about silt, as most of the restrictions are rock. Enjoy... and bring a cart, it wouldn't be fun to carry your stuff. We took a dolly or two wheeler and just bungied our tanks to them and walked them down. We dove it in january and had no bugs....it was great!

[Moonfuzzy]

Here is a link you may want to read.. it is the report from the last time Gary & I dove it, which was a sidemount dive.

http://cavediver.net/dive_reports/dive_disp.asp?DR_ID=436

On my fist dive at this site I did get in as far as the diamond sands restriction on my double 100's, but the bedding plane restriction is pretty tight and the extra girth of 95's would make it un-doable for me. It didn't feel tight using sidemount to get through the bedding plane, but I was at least able to get through the diamond sands restriction!

[Jordan]

I've got a buddy that does this system in a set of 72's, but to get through the diamond sands restriction he has to squish through upside down so that he can dig his tanks through the sand and make it.



I don't have to dig - I push the very top layer of the sand off the top and then flip upside down and right through. It really is quite easy so long as your tanks are petite. My tanks are these little things, rated at 72cf at 3300 - the little brats are heavy though, which stinks because of the long walk. ... anyways ... for the bedding plane restriction you zig-zag through it going where you've got the most room. I know an old school cave diver who uses a set of 45's for that dive.

[NitroxWarrior]

This is the best map I have of Jug springs
http://www.floridacaves.com/jugspringprofile.JPG

[IowaCaveDiver]

the ranger was really cool when we went there, she gave us a copy of that map that was posted..... make sure you have rinsed your gear out in fresh water, they won't let you dive otherwise because they fear a contamination of that "fawna" or however you spell it plant/bacteria growth in the spring.