Cavern Divers allowed at Eagles Nest?

[mgif99]

I apologize if some consider this a stupid question. Am planning a dive at Eagles Nest. (Yes I am full cave and trimix trained.) Have never been to Eagles Nest. Two people traveling with our group from out of state are cavern trained, and have been diving with us at Peacock (Orange Grove sink) and Ginnie (Ballroom). Would they be able to go with us to EN and dive in the cavern zone? From the maps it looks like a deep yet large cavern zone? Thanks for your help..... Also, anyone have current conditions at EN?

[Slüdge]

No, it's too deep when the room begins to fit just about anybody's definition of a cavern.

[Jim Wyatt]

There is no place for cavern divers at Eagles' Nest.

The only divers who should dive there are full cave certified and trimix certified, -OR- are full cave certified and taking a trimix course from a full cave instructor who is also a trimix instructor.


Jim

[Wizard]

I thought there had been OW divers there before.
There have been many full cave, non trimix divers in there.

[diveongas]

I thought there had been OW divers there before.
There have been many full cave, non trimix divers in there.

The top bowl (basin) is maybe 200 feet across and about 35 feet deep. Alot of locals dive open water there, some have even taught open water there because at $5 a van it is cheap.

Entering the chimney for open water types should definitely be a no-no. The debris mound starts at about 135 ffw depending on the water table. You can get about 210 ffw in the domed room without entering the upstream or downstream passages.

Visibility is highly variable and is worth asking about in a condition report. Years ago, in a period of a few months or so, the first time I went vis was about 50 feet. I then went with my wife and vis was about 10 feet due to tannins. Then I go again and the vis was something in excess of 300 feet, no one could say for sure, you could see clear across the room at depth, it was like being in air. In fact I've never seen the vis that good ever again.

[CaveMD]

It wouldn't be violating the letter of the rules but pretty much definitely violating the "spirit" of the rules.


Like Jim said, no place for cavern divers.

[Jim Wyatt]

I thought there had been OW divers there before.
There have been many full cave, non trimix divers in there.

There have even been uncertified divers in there, there have indeed been many cave divers in there breathing air. There are people who think these activities are OK.

Both of these instances fly in the face of modern, and now commonly accepted diving practices. While there is no doubt that these type dives will continue, most of us strongly discourage them.

I'll try to make it more clear, the NSS-CDS safety officer & committee members advise strongly against these type diving activities at Eagles' Nest.

OP-you are welcome to call me and discuss this in detail. 352-363-0013

Jim Wyatt
NSS-CDS Safety Officer

[Diverlee]

I thought one of the things that got it reopened to divers was that we had to be trimix certified. It wa supposed to be an honor system. I hope the ones braking the rules don't ruin it for everyone else who spent the time a money to get proper training.

[RN]

I thought there had been OW divers there before.
There have been many full cave, non trimix divers in there.

Yes, area dive shops even bring AOW students there. That does not make it appropriate. There has been a long time campaign to get this changed.

Eagle's Nest is no appropriate for anyone but full cave and hypoxic trimix trained divers.

[Jont]

So the answer to the actual question is YES they are allowed but the cave diving community would view this as reckless and irresponsible?