What the big deal?

I've been doing a little reading on Eagles Nest, as I would like to dive it on my next trip. I keep reading how this is the "Mount Everest of cave diving". Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world and although it's not the hardest mountain to climb, that's usually what people imply when they make a statement like that. Eagles Nest is a cave to be respected like any other cave, plus it's deep. But it's not THAT deep. It may be the deepest public cave in Florida (I don't really know). But it's surely not the deepest or hardest cave to dive in the world - maybe in Florida?

So what's the big deal with it. Plan your dive, be properly trained and had adequate experience before doing it. The dive your plan like you would any other cave.

Educate me please.

It isn't a lot different than Canonball. One reason people say that, is because it is deeper than most other FL caves, and a lot of FL divers aren't Trimix trained.

If you are full cave, and Trimix, then you won't have a problem with Eagles nest, but having some that has dived it before, on the first dive would be very useful.

Hype!

Makes a video or story sound more interesting/exciting/adventurous to some.

Most of those statements are based on the bad lod days when you needed 4x4 to get to it and floks were diving air. Now that training and trimix is fairly available you are right plan your dive. pay respect have fun.

With proper training, equipment and experience then Mt. Everest is just another beautiful very high mountain. Without proper training, equipment and experience Mt. Everest could be an easy way to die a terrible death.

With proper training, equipment and experience then Eagles Nest is just another beautiful very deep cave. Without proper training, equipment and experience then Eagles Nest could be an easy way to die a terrible death.

I was there yesterday.

I was reflecting during deco that although it was the deepest, it was the easiest dive I'd done in months.

Great conditions by the way with the dry weather.

Andy

Thanks for all the replies and common sense. I was sort of just having fun, thinking I would get a rise out of some people. But I got lots of sensible answers. Cool.

So, since I haven't dove there, can you all give me a few dives plans to consider for a first dive. I won't have the proper gas to go below 190 and I'm thinking of leaving the scooter in the truck. How's the flow in this system? Does it fluctuate with rain or other conditions?

(BTW, I do have the proper training, experience, and equipment for this dive. I do this level of diving here in Missouri, only the vis is a lot less and the water is much colder - deco sucks in 50 degrees).

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Originally Posted by chilldive

Thanks for all the replies and common sense. I was sort of just having fun, thinking I would get a rise out of some people. But I got lots of sensible answers. Cool.

So, since I haven't dove there, can you all give me a few dives plans to consider for a first dive. I won't have the proper gas to go below 190 and I'm thinking of leaving the scooter in the truck. How's the flow in this system? Does it fluctuate with rain or other conditions?

(BTW, I do have the proper training, experience, and equipment for this dive. I do this level of diving here in Missouri, only the vis is a lot less and the water is much colder - deco sucks in 50 degrees).

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The best way to dive the Nest the first few times is to go with someone who has many dives in it.

Leave the scooter behind, you won't need it in the Nest until you know the Nest really well.

Because you are limiting your depth to 190' that will greatly limit your dive distances as both upstream and downstream get deeper than that quite quickly. That being said, there is a lot to see and explore in the entrance room.

Because you are limited to 190', are you advanced trimix trained and do you have a lot of deep dives under your belt? Unless you stay in the entrance room you need advanced trimix and full cave to safely dive the Nest.

There is very minimal flow in the system and it is influenced by the tides.

The Nest used to be a lot clearer than it is today. The "good" visibility made it a big dive. Today, the vis can go from OK to Coal Mine Black from day to day or even the tidal cycle. That being said, Get to know the "Ballroom" with a couple dives, do your first few dives with someone intimately familiar with the cave, don't take the scooter until you are as familiar as that someone who took you on those first dives. Have fun and enjoy!!!