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If you are, or know of anyone, PM me with an email address.
EDIT: I am expanding the search for western divers. I mostly need sump divers with vertical experience, west of the Mississippi.
The current crisis is under control, but I need a list, in case there is ever another western rescue needed.
Don't bother asking yet, because I can't release any information until the guys are standing on dry ground :-)
I used to be. Looking for info or something to be done?
I am in the SouthEast of AZ. I know some Phoenix folk.
JohnnyC is in Tucson, AZ.
I'm in Austin, TX & a sump diver along with a few others Forrest. Let me know if you need help.
See first post again, I have changed it.
Soon I hope! Wish I was around to help out.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
I have been asked not to mention the location, but everyone is out of the cave and safe.
I still would like to have some western divers on my calldown list.
There is a problem with a "list of western divers", because our topography makes 'getting there' way more difficult than the East.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
For example, the ridge-and-basin structure of Arizona means there is a lot of mountain ranges to go around. Because of this, Albuquerque and Las Vegas are closer to Northern AZ than is Tucson, or other parts South of Phoenix.
Colorado is the same. It's best to look at Interstate area instead of geographical area.
Jax, what you're saying makes total sense, but I'll give my take on the situation to hopefully help Forrest explain what he's looking for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jax
Forrest called a handful of us from Virginia to be on standby for this operation, which is nowhere near us but we're always happy to help if we're the best resource that can be found. I gave Forrest an estimate of a 30 hour driving response or if the timing was right then we could be there in less than 20 hours by plane but tanks and weights would need to be sourced locally.
Those times are extreme, but acceptable for the situation that was at hand (Ed response not required). Even better than that would be for Forrest to find people with the right skillset with a shorter commute. With all the mountain ranges to go around, I'm sure you could beat us there. :)
Forrest is looking for a list of sump divers, whose skill set includes cave diving in difficult circumstances and being able to access difficult places. If you've ever done a sump dive in the back of a dry cave then you should definitely be on his list. If you have any other dry caving skills, like vertical or digging, then he might even add a gold star next to your name. Or maybe you're just a certified cave diver with a willingness to help if needed, and that's the main requirement.
Whatever the case may be, Forrest just needs people he can call in case the NCRC needs diver support on a rescue. If he ever gets to the point where he has enough people to call where he doesn't have to go more than one state away from the operation then I'm sure he'd be a happy man. Not that he's not already a happy man, but he might be so happy that he throws a party.
-Jon
PS Rereading my post, I'll add that my hope is that this doesn't come across as snarky. If it does, I apologize. I'm hoping my message echos FW's call for help establishing his list.
Thanks Jon.
I have been asked for detail, without giving away the location.
Several "dry" cavers went into a cave that has a sump (flooded section) for a long period almost every year. The southwest has had a drought for months, causing many wildifires to be hard to put out. That drought dried out the sump so the cavers could get in with no scuba gear. They were planning a several day trip, since access is usually difficult.
As you probably saw on the news, the southwest got a lot of rain earlier this week, causing mud slides in California. There was concern that the cave would flood because of heavy rain in the area. The NCRC (National Cave Rescue Commission) was alerted, so plans could be made, in case a rescue was needed. I am the NCRC diving officer, and I maintain a list of sumpdivers that could respond to this kind of rescue. As I was looking over my list, I realized that the closest people on the list were in Texas, over a day away. I was hoping to find someone a lot closer.
The main reason I am still asking, is the western US is huge, and there a lot of caves that could flood. Since I have no divers west of the Mississippi (except TX) I would like to know about anyone west of the Mississippi that is qualified to do this kind of rescue.
FWIW, I did find three in Utah :-)
I understand. I wrote what I did to point out the issues in this area. I am not a sump diver, nor full cave, but I can certainly pledge tanks and weights. Knowing where people are, and their response times, is handy.Quote:
Originally Posted by jlillest
Joel Silverstein is on the AZ west border. There are several cave / technical divers in Phoenix. I'm surprised they aren't listed.
There is an Arizona Scuba Divers group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168151187359/
Perhaps that would help get your message out, Forrest?
With your permission, I will repost this on the AZ Scuba Diver Group.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
Sure, but leave out the first part, like this:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jax
Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
You can add me to the list as topside support for future endeavors.