That's not a wetsuit

Team member#1 (Team Leader, 200 dives, 50 cave dives, ow instructor). Team member #2 (Thousands of dives, 100 cave dives, course director for several agencies).


#1 has more recent cave dives, and is chosen as the Team Leader. Dive plan is single stage scooter dive to the Hinkle restriction, with VERY limited penetration beyond (300# back gas). 0907 Team enters the water and stows O2 bottles. Switch to stage and begin earnest penetration. Flow is up and negotiating the lips is more difficult than usual. #2 is lagging somewhat. Through the keyhole and #1 proceeds to what has recently been referred to as the park bench. The line, the light, the cave. No Light. #1 waits for #2 to negotiate the restriction. No Light. Waiting. It has become too long. Drop directional marker on the main line referencing the way out. Begin lost buddy search…


#2 is having difficulty keeping up w/ #1. #2 is kicking to match speed instead of signaling #1 to slow down. #2 begins to have lapses in judgment. He begins playing follow the leader instead of referencing the line, the light, the cave. After fighting the cave through the keyhole, #2 looks up to see a diver moving off to the right. He follows.


#2 looks down to see white line –vice- gold line. Looking forward he thinks, “That’s not a wet suit!” reversing course, he works his way off the right line to the gold line and back to the lips where he regains his composure.


#2 works his way back to the gallery where he sees #1. #1 points at his head and #2 assumes he has hit his head negotiating a restriction. #1 pauses and asks, “Are you OK?” #2 affirms and the dive continues. #1 pauses to retrieve his directional marker.