Top Ten Thoughts after 25 Years

1. If you've ever had a "close call," you shouldn't be cave diving.
2. Consider diving solo: you're responsible for only one diver. Bring four or more backup lights and a spare mask.
3. You don't need a BC, just a simple harness: Trim your gear for neutral buoyancy and your lungs become your BC.
4. Stop to look at the grandeur: eg, the gorgeous Gallery, where most divers swim or scooter through on their way to a distant destination without a glance.
5. Relish the social interaction topside in the parking lot. Patiently answer questions from open water divers and tubers: impart the excitement and enjoyment of our sport.
7. Relish the friendships made.
8. Remain humble: No hubris.
9. Have a beer in the parking lot with other divers after your dive, many who have come from other states and countries.
10. Have fun.

I don?t get number 1?


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Number 1: that?s under the assumption that you had the close call from your actions. But close calls may be the result of a team mates action.


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#1 could be from a gator in the river or a natural thing like a rock breaking loose and trapping you.

#3 can not hold true if diving a rebreather

#9 and throw away my 30+ years of sobriety, no thanks. have to settle for Mountain Dew

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Originally Posted by DogDiver

Number 1: that?s under the assumption that you had the close call from your actions. But close calls may be the result of a team mates action.


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I?m thinking everyone has had a close call or an oh #### moment. You learn from it. You do not quit cave diving. Just my opinion


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If you haven't had a close call, you haven't lived.

#1 It depends on what you call a "close call" or if is a "teaching moment". I have had teaching moments that changed how I dive.
#9 Most of the parks do not allow alcohol consumption. I would take it out to the restaurant or more appropriate venue.

#9 you can substitute a non alcoholic beverage. Think the point was socializing after the dive Just my opinion


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I read #1 as meaning that if you had a close call, it was only because you got lucky. Something in your planning should have prevented a "close call".. if it didn't, you might need to rethink your planning, your training, or your approach. " Luck" has never been valid cave diving technique.

My #9 suggestion: Go to Pepe's and socialize while devouring obscene amounts of Mexican food! BBQ will also do. :)

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Originally Posted by MORGAN

My #9 suggestion: Go to Pepe's and socialize while devouring obscene amounts of Mexican food! BBQ will also do. :)

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Great idea!


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For 100% i can only agree with #10. Others are subject to dicussion.

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Originally Posted by Rick Palm

1. If you've ever had a "close call," you shouldn't be cave diving.
2. Consider diving solo: you're responsible for only one diver. Bring four or more backup lights and a spare mask.
3. You don't need a BC, just a simple harness: Trim your gear for neutral buoyancy and your lungs become your BC.
4. Stop to look at the grandeur: eg, the gorgeous Gallery, where most divers swim or scooter through on their way to a distant destination without a glance.
5. Relish the social interaction topside in the parking lot. Patiently answer questions from open water divers and tubers: impart the excitement and enjoyment of our sport.
7. Relish the friendships made.
8. Remain humble: No hubris.
9. Have a beer in the parking lot with other divers after your dive, many who have come from other states and countries.
10. Have fun.

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Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, and a real discussion here, which seems to have become a used gear sale sight
One thought I appreciated,"stop and appreciate the grandeur". Unfortunately,cave divers measure their dive based on distance of penetration, which means some of the best cave is missed. There used to be 2 dives I would take novice cave divers on that would exemplify this. Each dive would be 60 minutes,but never made it more than 300ft in at Peacock and Ginnie. There are things to be seen that not even many veteran cave divers have seen.

Totally agree Kelly. Some of my best dives are with in 500 feet of the entrance in many caves.


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This is a story that I hear so very often but so rarely heeded. The caves are awesome from the cavern to any point further in. The current mindset seems to be let's get a driver's license and see how fast I can go. Rules be damned. It shouldn't be about quantity but quality. Two kilometer does not make it any prettier than 200 mtrs. EOS (end-of-soapbox)

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Originally Posted by Terry D

This is a story that I hear so very often but so rarely heeded. The caves are awesome from the cavern to any point further in. The current mindset seems to be let's get a driver's license and see how fast I can go. Rules be damned. It shouldn't be about quantity but quality. Two kilometer does not make it any prettier than 200 mtrs. EOS (end-of-soapbox)

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What is wrong with pushing distance, or depth, or complex navigation, or using or developing new gear and tactics? Attraction of caving is not necessarily glazing at wet rock. If one enjoys pushing ze own limits it is just another respectable justification to be a caver.

#1 I was in an avalanche mother's day weekend in 2007 in Kananaskis at Mount Indefatigable. Woke up in the snow with a broken hand and a badly damaged left knee. I don't do that anymore. I only cave dive!! :)

I would think a majority of cave divers have had a version of a close call at one time or another.

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Originally Posted by ARY

What is wrong with pushing distance, or depth, or complex navigation, or using or developing new gear and tactics? Attraction of caving is not necessarily glazing at wet rock. If one enjoys pushing ze own limits it is just another respectable justification to be a caver.

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Not saying anything is wrong with it,but so much is missed for the drive to push distance etc. Newer cave divers collect goal driven dives for the "brag factor", such as I have seen the well casing, grand traverse, Heinkel etc, that there is so much missed. After you collect your medals go back and look at the cave from a micro perspective versus macro, and you will be surprised by what you see.

I have been cave diving for 19 years now and I see something new on every dive.
I do get to extreme distances some times but much prefer to enjoy the little things.



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Pushing the limits today is a factor of $ and balls. The debate is also a false dichotomy because a curious diver will enjoy any dive.