Exploring "new to you" passage -- what do you want to know?
I'm in the process of upgrading my certification (took Cave 2 and provisionaled), not because I want to go that much FURTHER into caves, but because I pass so many fascinating-appearing side passages in Mexico that I just want to get a chance to explore.
And after reading about the recent accident, I wonder, how much information do you want to have about new passage before you try it? How much do you need to know to stay out of trouble?
Well, the following at least:Originally Posted by LCF
You don't tug on superman's (silt) stake;
You don't pee into the flow;
You don't pull the mask off that old Jim Wyatt;
and you dont crawl into small silty holes.
(With many apologies to Jim Croce)
"Have you ever noticed
When you're feeling really good
There's always a pigeon
That'll come shiat on your hood?" John Prine 4-7-2020
"Into the blue again; in the silent water
Under the rocks, and stones; there is water underground" Talking Heads
Are there any of those rules that you haven't broken?
Andrew Ainslie
Almost extinct cave diver
Sometimes there's nothing to know beforehand. Either very few people have been in the passage, those who have aren't willing to talk (or lie about it), or no one has been in the passage. I've been in passages over the past month that fit all 3 of those. It's an individual choice.
Rob Neto
Chipola Divers, LLC
Check out my new book - Sidemount Diving - An Almost Comprehensive Guide
"Survival depends on being able to suppress anxiety and replace it with calm, clear, quick and correct reasoning..." -Sheck Exley
No. Not really, although Jim's mask is hard to grab. You have to hold him by his beard.
"Have you ever noticed
When you're feeling really good
There's always a pigeon
That'll come shiat on your hood?" John Prine 4-7-2020
"Into the blue again; in the silent water
Under the rocks, and stones; there is water underground" Talking Heads
ROFL...nicely done, John!
Lynne,
I think that answer is going to vary so widely as to be an almost completely individualized call, varying even from day to day.
Some folks are going to want a new passage to be fully mapped, with gold line, line arrows every 100', 80' viz, and at least 30' feet of clearance on all sides. Others would much rather know only that no one has ever been in the hole before. To me, that's the great thing about cave diving...there are so many facets to the types of dives that can be done.
I think the best thing I can do with regards to "new to me cave" (or any other cave) is to be honest with myself, and not allow ego or pride to get in the way of making the call as to whether I'm "up for" the challenge.
Shirley
I
Semper Fi, Cameron David Smith, my son, my hero. 11/9/1989 - 11/13/2010
Never forget, we were all beginners once. Allain Burrese
My name is Shirley Kasser Creech and I approve this message. Well, at least one of me does, anyway. Maybe. Fire. Sharp things. Squirrel!
Shirley you're not serious? No, I'm not, but do stop calling me Shirley.
Forrest, Shirley's talking about me again!
Whoever said money can't buy love never bought a puppy.
I had the pleasure of doing this last week at Peacock. For me, its all about comfort level. My first time in a tunnel, I dont need to see the end of it. I have a little deepdiverbob on my shoulder that tells me when far enough for this dive has been reached.
Yeah, this reminds me of what I told my buddies recently...
I get asked by folks if I am a 'big' cave diver. I was not sure how to respond exactly. After a recent trip and being in large (BIG) caves and being in some small, smoky, dark ones...I told them I had an answer...
I am definitely a BIG cave diver!
When you're there you know there's a There there.
Jobst Brandt
You already know all you need to know. The first, and formost, thing you need is a *continous guideline* back to the entrance. Next is turn *before* thirds if you have never been in a particular passage before.
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