Makes me reminisce... When I was first learning to survey I was doing a re-survey of Lower Cave in Carlsbad. I was setting points, not really knowing what I was doing. I set a station on the floor and Rich had to read the instrument by dipping his ear in a tiny pool of water! Guess that's not an issue with underwater caves! ;-)
Actually, for air-filled caves, it probably makes sense to have the lead tape practice reading instruments once or twice to understand what makes a sucky station. But I don't see that as quite so critical U/W. All you do is lay your compass along the line--anywhere within reach--holding the tape (if using one), so I don't understand that it would be quite so critical. Am I wrong, ye with vastly more experience (at least U/W) than I????

