IRAP Administrator
08-04-2007, 01:15 PM
Went in to tornado alley to do some cleanup because of a new line being installed. Started at the beginning of the new line which was secured on a nice big rock where the current line also was secured. We cut just after the start of the new line and I started reeling up the old line on my homebuilt "line removal" reel. Dive was uneventful. Hit 3rds. Reeled up about 800ft of old line and shoved the reel in the mud. Turned the dive and had the buddy lead out since vis was low. (sidemount area and very silty) Got to tornado alley junction room (5 tunnels converge) and got to beginning of the new mainline. Buddy signaled that there is no mainline continuing from the new line. I thought we must have missed a tie in or something. We backtracked about 50ft and I realized that the old line should be on the same rock as the new line. Told buddy to "hold" on the new line, he was not doing well since he had realized that we are in a junction room with 4 other tunnels and the line stops. I knew this room and knew which tunnel was the correct one, so I pulled my gap reel and did a line search. Went about 10 feet to the wall and saw an imprint in the mud. Stuck my finger in and pulled the mainline. Brought it over to the rock and tied it into the new line. Line arrows were still attached to the line out, and when buddy saw this he headed out hastily. I followed. His breathing rate did not decrease until we got to the entrance solution tube. Did deco and exited cave. Discussed the issue with the buddy and what took place and what should have taken place.
Things that should have happened that did not:
When the old line was cut, it should have been verified towards the exit. I had assumed that it was properly secured to the big rock, obviously it was not and it "snapped" back to the wall by the exit tunnel.
When buddy was exiting and noticed the line missing. Buddy should have remained calm and performed "lost line". If he would have, he would have found the line and been able to resolve the issue himself.
Buddy started to panic. This should not have happened. We had plenty of gas and at 60ft. In training this should have been engrained. If there is gas and access to it, the game is not over. Stay calm and solve the issue at hand.
Lessons were learned and there are now better cavedivers because of it. Hopefully all of you can learn from this also.
Things that should have happened that did not:
When the old line was cut, it should have been verified towards the exit. I had assumed that it was properly secured to the big rock, obviously it was not and it "snapped" back to the wall by the exit tunnel.
When buddy was exiting and noticed the line missing. Buddy should have remained calm and performed "lost line". If he would have, he would have found the line and been able to resolve the issue himself.
Buddy started to panic. This should not have happened. We had plenty of gas and at 60ft. In training this should have been engrained. If there is gas and access to it, the game is not over. Stay calm and solve the issue at hand.
Lessons were learned and there are now better cavedivers because of it. Hopefully all of you can learn from this also.