Originally Posted by
renee
The mission for my dive was to test out a new sidemount configuration. I added the DiveRite butt plate (Nomad style) to my Transpac. I was able to attach my cylinders with no problem reaching the rails. Great design and I should have already made that change! Also this was my first solo cave dive ever and so my primary mission was to be safe. I was happy not leaving the cavern if I wasn't comfortable and ready.
After sharing with the world that I was conducting a solo dive in Little River, sharing my plan, exit time and so on, I entered the water at Little River. I took my time gearing up and chatting with other divers doing the same. The water level is maybe half way from the steps to the boil. I found it to be a perfect set up area for me. Once geared, I did my "leaks, lights, 3rds" check and verified the functionality of all regs in the water. Did a last moment computer gas check and sat a moment quietly. I entered the water about 11:45am and it was crystal clear! Once in the cavern I gave way to the exiting teams then tied off on the stake. Careful to observe line etiquette I ran my line down the ledge to a secondary tie off. Since I was alone, I spent quite a bit of time looking around the cavern until I was sure I was ready to proceed into the cave (about 30 minutes). I know that seems silly, but it was my first solo cave dive and I wanted to take my time! Moving into the cave seemed a bit daunting at first. Immediately I realized there wasn't very much flow and that made me happy! I arrived at the gold line and tied on. I took a few more moments to look around and get familiar with that area of the cave. After one more glance up at daylight I moved forward. When I got to the top of the chimney I took more time to look around and find the sidemount passages I had seen on the map. After a good look from the line, I swam down the chimney very slowly. I really felt good and not afraid. I was on alert level HIGH ready for anything to happen! Swimming along very, very slowly I took note of jumps and unmarked passages and formations I had not noticed on previous dives there. The water was extremely clear! It didn't even look like I was in the water! Soon it was time to switch tanks and I noticed a little narcosis setting in. I did another depth, time, psi check to make sure my head was in the game enough to go on. I felt slightly narced, but on top of my game so I wend ahead. I stayed on the gold line the entire time as I had said I would to folks topside. I payed very close attention to my mental status, the cave, depth, time, psi and the line through out the dive. I arrived at the silver triangle thing, marked it with a clip (trying to be extra safe) and went right on the Merry Go Round tunnel. Again, I noticed two jumps I didn't remember from previous dives off to the left. Soon, I expected to be at the giant arrow but arrived only to find a "T". Slightly confused about that and nearly at 3rds I decided to turn around. I did so and began my exit. It was very calm yet slightly more brisk than on the way in. Sometimes I'd stop to study something more closely along the way because I really wanted to take it all in. I felt very relaxed the whole time and comfortable. Soon my reel was in sight again as was the sun! Not out of the woods yet though. I reeled up to the ledge, locked my reel and got on the O2 for about 5 minutes followed by a 5 minute air safety stop. I wasn't ready to leave, so I spent about 20 more minutes at 20 feet watching people come in and out of the cave. Realizing I was getting chilly I decided to make my way to the surface very slowly again taking it all in. I remember surfacing then turning slowly to look back at the river. I sat on the rocks for some surface deco time while chatting with more divers and swimmers. I felt peaceful, happy and content. And...I really didn't want to leave. I found it interesting on my dive how clear my thoughts were. It's like my senses were heightened like never before. I had no one to depend on but me. I tried to make sure nothing bad happened, but if it had, I had to get myself sorted and out. I'm not crazy, and I wasn't super narced but it was as if my cave instructor was swimming along beside me helping me out with good decisions and clear thoughts. It was as if my training was yesterday because it was all so fresh in my mind. Clearly he wasn't in the cavern with me since I had trouble finding a secondary tie off I was happy with and I jammed my reel twice but better late than never!! (I hope nobody saw that!) I don't know how much solo diving I'll do but it was a good experience and I learned a lot about the cave, cave diving, and myself. After I got back to the car I called my peeps to let them know I was out and safe.
Little River is BEAUTIFUL right now so you should go!!!
