Death at P1 because of not running a line to OW?

Has there been at least one death at P1 that was directly attributed to not running a line at the entrance? My cave instructor told it has happened. After being to P1 and nearly feeling dum-dum belonging to the mere ~15% or so who clogs the entrance with reels (and reading the recent threads), I wonder if this story was true or just a good “learning tool”?

This is what I was told. Someone diving solo got in trouble in Peacock and ended up in no lights situation. When s/he arrived back in the cavern it was dark. S/he did get back to the OW part but then bumped into the straight wall outside and must have thought that s/he was still in the cavern and turned back looking for exit. Eventually s/he was found dead in the cavern.

I do not know much detail as this story was just briefly referred to when my instructor pointed to the dangers of believing there are safe places not to run primary lines. According to the instructor the death was clearly attributed to the missing primary line. I am not sure how it would have been known the victim had been to the OW part? Algae marks?? Whether or not the story is true (I’d be interested in knowing if it is), I think it is an excellent story to share.

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Originally Posted by alias

the mere ~15% or so who clogs the entrance with reels

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The line at P1 begins in the open water zone. Where does your line begin and end? :smt102

You should NOT feel "dum-dum" because you run a line.

Since I remember.... you cannot start a dive in the park after a certain time, "when ...arrived at the cavern, it was dark" ? Would that be dark because it was no longer daytime or because the cavern was silted out?

Anyway, the line these days runs out of the overhead or darn near like Russell said, 10 years ago it was WAY back by the signs....

Need to ask your instructor for more details.... made up stories are silly....(my opinion, YMMV).

Dive safe,

Celia

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

The line at P1 begins in the open water zone. Where does your line begin and end? :smt102

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So do you guys hate us who put a line in places like P1? You think we are newbies or worse?

I put it where my instructor told it would be good to put it, in the open open water zone, right hand side for Pothole, left hand side for Peanut Tunnel. Where if I lift my head I won't hit it into a rock whichever way I happen to tilt it.

I was wondering if the accident the instructor was referring to happened when the lines were in current position, too. That's what he was indicating - that the line was close and it still happened. I think it was dark because the diver was so delayed and thus maybe also had only a limited time to back track for more methodical second attempt after leaving the gold line and making the mistake of not noticing that s/he had arrived in OW.

If that incident happened, it was way before when I started cave diving in 1996. Solo diving and night diving at Peacock had long since been banned by then.

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Originally Posted by alias

So do you guys hate us who put a line in places like P1? You think we are newbies or worse?

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NO, definitely NO!!!! I do not think anyone feels that way & if they do they are not worth considering.

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

If that incident happened, it was way before when I started cave diving in 1996. Solo diving and night diving at Peacock had long since been banned by then.

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Would that mean the line was further back too if it was that long ago?

I am not sure about the solo part, could have been a pair, I seem to remember it was one diver only. I am pretty sure it was not a night dive. It was not supposed to go that late.

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Originally Posted by alias

Would that mean the line was further back too if it was that long ago?

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The lines at P1 used to start in the Peanut Restriction 350' back, on the one side, and at 65' the bottom of the crack on the other side (about 100' line distance).

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Originally Posted by Slüdge

way before when I started

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Where was my brain here?

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Originally Posted by alias

Would that mean the line was further back too if it was that long ago?

I am not sure about the solo part, could have been a pair, I seem to remember it was one diver only. I am pretty sure it was not a night dive. It was not supposed to go that late.

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Dude, did you read my post about the line having been by the signs way back?

Yes, they were way back and for a reason... pretty much like OG continues to be...

Ask your instructor again and get details, maybe it happened, maybe not...

Dive safe,

Celia