Where to cavern dive with doubles?

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10-10-2008 12:46 AM
sclakediver

Where to cavern dive with doubles?

Hello all, I did a search and came up empty handed. My friend and I are both cavern certified and would like to take basic cave in the spring.

We both dive doubles in OW and plan on taking the class in doubles. I have been told that Ginnie will not allow it. Does this include the Ball Room?

Any suggestions on where to cavern dive with doubles in the High Springs area?

Thanks.
10-10-2008 02:24 AM
MedCop

I have dove with doubles in the Ballroom at GS.
10-10-2008 07:06 AM
deepdiver4

There is a couple of nice caverns around "sorry can't remember if you said you were cavern cert", but anyways here you go: ginnie / madison /buford

check out this site: http://www.floridacaves.com
10-10-2008 08:09 AM
loquat149

I think your best bets, in order, are Orange Grove, Madison, Little River, and Jug Hole. You could also dive Troy, but it's not really overhead. Get an annual State Park pass and save some cash.

See also:
http://www.tampadiving.com/sections/...ve_systems.asp

Dave
10-10-2008 08:15 AM
SuPrBuGmAn

Jackson Blue, Morrison(should be opening soon), Cypress, Vortex
10-10-2008 08:15 AM
LiteHedded

peacock and orange grove
10-10-2008 08:29 AM
OFG-1

I suggest Buford. Its a bit of a drive from High Springs, but lots of fun. Take the biggest doubles you have, a gear bag, extra lights, and a big cooler. Make a day of it.
10-10-2008 08:36 AM
sskasser

Quote:

Originally Posted by OFG-1

I suggest Buford. Its a bit of a drive from High Springs, but lots of fun. Take the biggest doubles you have, a gear bag, extra lights, and a big cooler. Make a day of it.

John,
That's just plain wrong! :smt081 You shouldn't be sending anyone out to Buford without at least 3 stage bottles and a scooter, too!
10-10-2008 09:20 AM
Wizard

Do you use the large doubles for flotation when you go to you waist in the mud at Buford?
You forgot to take a cable and winch to be pulled free from your gear. :smt081
10-10-2008 09:42 AM
willardj

When I was at Cavern we did P-1, Orange Grove, Manatee, and Ginnie Ballroom and had no problem. Peacock was the Best. If you can get over to JacksonBlue it is a must. Outstanding!!
10-10-2008 10:24 AM
sskasser

Agreed, those are all excellent cavern dives! Just doing an OW dive at Manatee convinced my daughter she wants to pursue Cavern.

sclakediver, seriously, so is Buford, but it is definitely the place to pack light. It's a bit of a hike through the swamp.

Enjoy!
10-10-2008 03:45 PM
TonyDCaver

One that hasn't been suggested is Paradise Springs, it is called an "open water" cavern but I am pretty sure any overhead environment is not open water. :yawinkle: Ginnie Ballroom you are allowed to dive doubles in, but you cannot go near the Eye or Ear with doubles until you have your intro. Orange grove is a great dive too =)
10-10-2008 04:53 PM
sclakediver

Thanks for the replies and links. tampadiving.com is very useful. I think we'll spend alot of time at Orange Grove, thats a nice large cavern. Might as well check out Peacock I while there. Is that the one where some people feel inclined to giant stride. No worries, we know better.
10-10-2008 04:55 PM
sclakediver

Thanks sskasser. Semper Fi!
10-10-2008 10:48 PM
RN

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDCaver

...but you cannot go near the Eye or Ear with doubles until you have your intro.

Only if you took Intro in doubles and have proof of this. Otherwise, you can't dive doubles there until Apprentice level.
10-10-2008 11:39 PM
zlyrack

Cavern Dive

If you're willing to go to Ocala, Paradise Springs is a pretty sweet cavern dive. There are never many divers at one time, and they have never asked me anything about doubles.
10-11-2008 12:01 AM
TonyDCaver

Quote:

Originally Posted by RN

Only if you took Intro in doubles and have proof of this. Otherwise, you can't dive doubles there until Apprentice level.

Right on the money :yawinkle: Neglected to mention that didn't I? haha.
10-11-2008 12:11 AM
tomhauburn

Fun

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard

Do you use the large doubles for flotation when you go to you waist in the mud at Buford?
You forgot to take a cable and winch to be pulled free from your gear. :smt081

Naa, no way that you need a winch. With every step something will come off and stay deep down in the mud. Booties come off 2 ft down and you wonder if you stick your arm down to get them if you can get back up once the suction takes hold.. A whole different experience than driving up, unloading your car to a nice picnic table and tank rack but still worth it none the less
Tom
10-11-2008 01:03 AM
TommyB

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What comes to mind when I hear "Lets get to Buford:0 --