Little River Spring Cave, July 6, 2006

Four of us entered the cave at 1215, and encountered a stiff flow, but excellent visibility. We shuttled out of the mainstream through the Mud Tunnel, and then took the Serpentine Tunnel to its terminus. We swam up the Florida Room to its end, and then turned the dive around, traveling back by way of the Merry Go Round.

I took a stage bottle to supplement my back gas (double 85s for this senior citizen) to level the playing field: my buddies were diving 108s. Mix was 34%, dive time was 57 minutes including 3 minutes of deco at 10 feet. No oxygen employed for deco. Max depth was 104 feet. Average depth was 72 feet.

Bottom line: Recommended. Nice, improving conditions and visibility, with the infamous Little River flow intact. We saw no other dive groups, just the locals swimming in the run and river.

Hope this helps others planning trips to this fabulous system.

Anyone else think that 34% might be a little hot for little river? MOD is 108 for 1.4 and that dive is pretty strenous. I am not being critical of your dive I would just like to see what the group thinks. I would think that a bottom gas of 32% would give you more margin.

Curt

I would probably go with 32% premix just because it was cheaper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by curtschu

Anyone else think that 34% might be a little hot for little river? MOD is 108 for 1.4 and that dive is pretty strenous. I am not being critical of your dive I would just like to see what the group thinks. I would think that a bottom gas of 32% would give you more margin.

Curt

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Looks like he was right on for his dive. 34% is a good gas for Little River. However, 32% premix is just easier.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by curtschu

Anyone else think that 34% might be a little hot for little river? MOD is 108 for 1.4 and that dive is pretty strenous. I am not being critical of your dive I would just like to see what the group thinks. I would think that a bottom gas of 32% would give you more margin.

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How strenuous it is depends on the persons gear config, pace, etc.. I, personally, run a 1.3 to 1.4 PO2 on my rebreather when diving at LR when the planned runtime is less than 120 minutes. I don't see 34% being at all out of line.

Mike

Ok I stand corrected. I will dive it on 32 though.