RBD trip report 11/28/08

Just got back for another fun and exciting day at RBD (Roubidoux Spring, Missouri). Good to see fellow friends Slim, Bill, Jim and Jason. There was 3 teams of two. Slim was doing class with Jason. Bill and Jim made a team, and I was there with Ken to form team number 3. Our plan was to go down to the lower tunnel, and run 5 minutes back, and turn around and exit with a deep stop at 115 foot, and deco stops starting at 80 feet, through 10 feet on 50% and 100% respectively. Back gas we use was a 19/38 mix. Our scheduled run time was 62 minutes. I was to run the line and tie in to the main line, dropping off the 100% at 20 feet, and 50% at 70 feet. It had been a while since I had run a line(you get very spoiled diving Cannonball where the line is already ran to open water), so it was a little more clumsy them I had hoped for, but we fially got tied in, and we started off down the main tunnel. The dive was going exactly according to plan, made it to the lower tunnel with was awesome to see. Last 2 times I had been down there narcosis got the better of me, but this time I was actually able to enjoy the dive. After 5 minutes back, we turned at the arrow marker marked 14. I am assuming that is 1400 feet, but it is about 10 feet away from another arrow marker marked 13, but that line might have been shortened due to line maint, I'm not really sure. Anyway, Ken was leading the dive out, when my light decided it had enough, and shut off. I switched to my backup light, and made it out of the lower tunnel. As we started the slow ascent up the line, I flicked my light switch a few times, and it finally came back on, so I stowed my backup light, and continued our deco to exit the cave. we exited the cave after our final deco, right at 62 minutes like our run time had us, which we was pretty happy about. We had planned to do another dive or two, but I had yet another pee valve failure, and was soaking wet. On top of that, I was a little concerned about going back in with a very suspect light. Vis was 20-25 feet, and the only flow I ever felt was entering the cave itself, and also a slight push from behind in the lower tunnel.

The marker that had 14 on it is survey station 14. I don't think you made it 1400 feet back but since you were only in the lower tunnle for 5 minutes I would bet it would be closer to 575 foot total penatration. I know it seems like more but you will hit 150 foot in depth where there is a duck under for just a few feet. To make it 1400 foot back you would hve gone past survey station 27 or 28 I think and would have been in the big room and the run time you had was not long enough to have made it back there.

I have also copyed this post and dive report and moved it into Dive Reports section.

SLIM

A bit late, but FW gave me the 'key' to this forum, so I'll post my report on the day here...

I'll report on Bill's and my dive. As Bob said, there was a nice group there. Although I didn't get a chance to talk to them, Mike and Doug were also there diving. We were expecting to see some WI folks in the spring, but they didn't appear while I was there. The day turned out to be real nice. I think it was 42 and sunny as we were gearing up and 55 or so when we got out with the clouds moving in but there was no wind.
Bill and I went in after SLIM and Jason. Mike and Doug were already in when we showed up. Our plan was very similar to Ken and Bob's. We dropped O2 at 20' and 50% for our 70' stop. I ran the reel in - took 5 minutes, a new record for me, but still not as efficient as Bill. Granted I did have to dodge two other reels, but I also had assist from Bill. Swim thru the upper tunnel with excellent vis and very low flow. As we made the drop down to the lower tunnel SLIM and Jason were coming up. We dropped below them and hung our stages around the 115' mark. We entered the lower tunnel and made it back to the 1000' arrow where I hit thirds and turned the dive.
The exit was fairly uneventful. Nice and slow. Our run time was 69 minutes and we had about 18 minutes in the lower tunnel. The water temp was 60 deg and vis was the best of the last month around 40'. (Okay, Bill will give you the real vis number later :-) But, I am the expert on the water temp this dive as I had my neck seal folded under and got a good dose of water. I was fine while working, but when we got to the deco stops, I paid the price and got a bit cold. I muffed the reel coming out, but was able to recover the backlash and procede on. Also, I was able to control my trim much better than last dive. I put another set of mount hole/slot an inch lower that seemed to help. I need to get in with light air in back and stages to see if I have weighting right.
All and all a great day of MO cave diving.
Thanks Bill, enjoyed the dive.