Exploring "new to you" passage -- what do you want to know?

I'm in the process of upgrading my certification (took Cave 2 and provisionaled), not because I want to go that much FURTHER into caves, but because I pass so many fascinating-appearing side passages in Mexico that I just want to get a chance to explore.

And after reading about the recent accident, I wonder, how much information do you want to have about new passage before you try it? How much do you need to know to stay out of trouble?

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Originally Posted by LCF

How much do you need to know to stay out of trouble?

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Well, the following at least:

You don't tug on superman's (silt) stake;
You don't pee into the flow;
You don't pull the mask off that old Jim Wyatt;
and you dont crawl into small silty holes.


(With many apologies to Jim Croce)

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Originally Posted by OFG-1

Well, the following at least:

You don't tug on superman's (silt) stake;
You don't pee into the flow;
You don't pull the mask off that old Jim Wyatt;
and you dont crawl into small silty holes.


(With many apologies to Jim Croce)

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Are there any of those rules that you haven't broken?

Sometimes there's nothing to know beforehand. Either very few people have been in the passage, those who have aren't willing to talk (or lie about it), or no one has been in the passage. I've been in passages over the past month that fit all 3 of those. It's an individual choice.

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Originally Posted by aainslie

Are there any of those rules that you haven't broken?

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No. Not really, although Jim's mask is hard to grab. You have to hold him by his beard.

ROFL...nicely done, John!

Lynne,
I think that answer is going to vary so widely as to be an almost completely individualized call, varying even from day to day.

Some folks are going to want a new passage to be fully mapped, with gold line, line arrows every 100', 80' viz, and at least 30' feet of clearance on all sides. Others would much rather know only that no one has ever been in the hole before. To me, that's the great thing about cave diving...there are so many facets to the types of dives that can be done.

I think the best thing I can do with regards to "new to me cave" (or any other cave) is to be honest with myself, and not allow ego or pride to get in the way of making the call as to whether I'm "up for" the challenge.

Shirley

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Originally Posted by sskasser

Some folks are going to want a new passage to be fully mapped, with gold line, line arrows every 100', 80' viz, and at least 30' feet of clearance on all sides.

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Forrest, Shirley's talking about me again!:smt022

I had the pleasure of doing this last week at Peacock. For me, its all about comfort level. My first time in a tunnel, I dont need to see the end of it. I have a little deepdiverbob on my shoulder that tells me when far enough for this dive has been reached.

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Originally Posted by sskasser

ROFL...nicely done, John!

Lynne,

Some folks are going to want a new passage to be fully mapped, with gold line, line arrows every 100', 80' viz, and at least 30' feet of clearance on all sides. Others would much rather know only that no one has ever been in the hole before. To me, that's the great thing about cave diving...there are so many facets to the types of dives that can be done.

Shirley

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Yeah, this reminds me of what I told my buddies recently...

I get asked by folks if I am a 'big' cave diver. I was not sure how to respond exactly. After a recent trip and being in large (BIG) caves and being in some small, smoky, dark ones...I told them I had an answer...

I am definitely a BIG cave diver! :-)

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Originally Posted by LCF

I'm in the process of upgrading my certification (took Cave 2 and provisionaled), not because I want to go that much FURTHER into caves, but because I pass so many fascinating-appearing side passages in Mexico that I just want to get a chance to explore.

And after reading about the recent accident, I wonder, how much information do you want to have about new passage before you try it? How much do you need to know to stay out of trouble?

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You already know all you need to know. The first, and formost, thing you need is a *continous guideline* back to the entrance. Next is turn *before* thirds if you have never been in a particular passage before.