IRAP Administrator
08-03-2007, 10:55 PM
I was leading my Buddy on his first time through the Worm Hole. After passing a jump and a tee we were on the line leading to the base of Hill 400. I noticed my HID getting dimmer and dimmer. I assumed I had enough light to get to the Hill 400 line. I increased my pace putting distance between me and my buddy. I came to the end of this line and assuming the Hill 400 line was just around the bend I visually jumped it.
I went about 10-15 feet and my HID died completely. I stopped and tried to be steady as I reached for the back-up light on my left shoulder. I could not get it to come on. Crap. I had just put a new light in my pocket attached to my emergency spool. I pulled it out and turned it on. This was a low and silty area. I had no visual reference, but I decided to go forward. I popped out in the Hill 400 tunnel. I turned and saw my Buddie’s light glowing through the silt. I realized he would come to the end of the line and not have any idea where to go. I raced back into the tunnel but I could not catch or signal him with the BU light. I returned to Hill 400 and raced back to the wormhole entrance. Hopefully he would have no problems finding his way back.. I met him just as he exited. We left the cave. Just for reference, I was able to get the original back-up light on as we swam out. My other back-up worked fine. The ‘new’ backup that I used flooded but continued to work til we got out.
How many mistakes did I make? Too many to count.
I did not realize how quick a HID /NiMH combo turned off. Much quicker then a halogen or quartz bulb.
I should have stopped when I noticed the light getting dim and wait for my buddy, or turned.
I should have gapped the last jump.
Those are the two biggies that came to mind as I was floating in the dark trying to get a light on.
Don’t gamble. As sure as it is dark in there you will have a multiple failure.
I went about 10-15 feet and my HID died completely. I stopped and tried to be steady as I reached for the back-up light on my left shoulder. I could not get it to come on. Crap. I had just put a new light in my pocket attached to my emergency spool. I pulled it out and turned it on. This was a low and silty area. I had no visual reference, but I decided to go forward. I popped out in the Hill 400 tunnel. I turned and saw my Buddie’s light glowing through the silt. I realized he would come to the end of the line and not have any idea where to go. I raced back into the tunnel but I could not catch or signal him with the BU light. I returned to Hill 400 and raced back to the wormhole entrance. Hopefully he would have no problems finding his way back.. I met him just as he exited. We left the cave. Just for reference, I was able to get the original back-up light on as we swam out. My other back-up worked fine. The ‘new’ backup that I used flooded but continued to work til we got out.
How many mistakes did I make? Too many to count.
I did not realize how quick a HID /NiMH combo turned off. Much quicker then a halogen or quartz bulb.
I should have stopped when I noticed the light getting dim and wait for my buddy, or turned.
I should have gapped the last jump.
Those are the two biggies that came to mind as I was floating in the dark trying to get a light on.
Don’t gamble. As sure as it is dark in there you will have a multiple failure.