How Long?

[argyris]

Cave diving since 1992 without any Sabbatical. #4 indeed.

[Bob Cree]

And to come into compliance with no sabatical included...5 continuous years in the early 80's, 1 year off - 1 more year on, whoops, they now required cards...so a long term sabbatical having to put up with snowy New York and no cave diving - that was really tough...then 5 continuous years now after hooking up with some pretty good folks down in NFL...so total just over 10, and so many cards I can't possibly keep up with them all...

Whether the early ones "count" or not, is immaterial - I can definitely say that I missed cave diving, and got back into it when the opportunity presented itself. Once in my blood, it never went away.

But I tell you, what a tremendous difference you notice coming back to it from a long break. The caves are quite changed from what they were 25 years ago. I remember keeping my eye out for this particular place where I had a bit of a "come to Jesus" moment back when, and it took me four of the last five years of passing it to realize where it was...and it isn't just the cave - its as much the quality of the aquifer - I just didn't recognize the place. I feel priveledged to have seen it.

[Brian Kakuk]

Started cave diving in 89. Have had one 60 day break to dive in plastic caves in Romania with Wes Skiles and Jill Heinerth on the set of "The Cave" (very bad monster movie). Longest time out of the caves other than that was 14 days. Still not burned out. Hope I never am!

Safe diving,
Brian

[skip]

The poll so far seems to show fewer divers in the 6-10 year range than the up to 5 and beyond 10. some support for the idea that 5 years is a turning point.

so for those beyond 5-years, what is it that keeps you diving? How many still do most of their dives in Florida gold-line caves? And if so, how many are doing the charted jumps, circuits, etc.? what I'm wondering is if the group that keeps on going has indeed found "something more" in cave diving...instructor? exploring virgin caves? move to exotic places for different kinds of caves? taking it slow and learning every little piece of florida caves (maybe adding new line, repairing old line, scootering for longer dives further in)?

-skip

[FW]

The poll so far seems to show fewer divers in the 6-10 year range than the up to 5 and beyond 10. some support for the idea that 5 years is a turning point.

so for those beyond 5-years, what is it that keeps you diving? How many still do most of their dives in Florida gold-line caves? And if so, how many are doing the charted jumps, circuits, etc.? what I'm wondering is if the group that keeps on going has indeed found "something more" in cave diving...instructor? exploring virgin caves? move to exotic places for different kinds of caves? taking it slow and learning every little piece of florida caves (maybe adding new line, repairing old line, scootering for longer dives further in)?

-skip

All of the above

[MORGAN]

All of the above

And mentoring newbies like me!

Mike

[LCF]

I got my first cave cert three years ago, and I'm still going strong . . . but then, I mostly dive in Mexico

I think there are people who set themselves goals -- they are going to get cave certified, they are going to scooter in caves, they are going to do projects. Once they achieve their goals, they look around and say, "What do I do now?" I'm watching some people I know who I fear are doing this.

Me? I dive in caves because they are magical. I'm not ambitious, and although the idea of putting new line in a cave is alluring, it's also probably not in my future. What IS in my future is many trips into well-known and less-known cave, just to marvel at where we are and how amazing it is that we are there at all.

I fully expect that, barring medical misfortune, I could revisit this thread in 7 years and say I'm still at it.

[argyris]

The poll so far seems to show fewer divers in the 6-10 year range than the up to 5 and beyond 10. some support for the idea that 5 years is a turning point.

so for those beyond 5-years, what is it that keeps you diving? How many still do most of their dives in Florida gold-line caves? And if so, how many are doing the charted jumps, circuits, etc.? what I'm wondering is if the group that keeps on going has indeed found "something more" in cave diving...instructor? exploring virgin caves? move to exotic places for different kinds of caves? taking it slow and learning every little piece of florida caves (maybe adding new line, repairing old line, scootering for longer dives further in)?

-skip

All of the above, but mostly teaching safe cave diving.

[bletso]

I would guess that the majority of divers in the 10+ crowd are divers who are not risk takers, but rather "risk managers" who regard an adrenaline rush while diving as a clear indicator that they probably just screwed up. For divers in that group, I suspect the appeal is the relaxation that comes from conducting a well planned and controlled dive with no surprises and near perfection even under demanding conditions.

You may just have a point. I know from my perspective I don't think I am a risk taker. I don't dive even in OW if everything isn't working 100%. But everyone else, including my cave diving wife think I am a risk taker.

I do risky dives, at least from other's POV, but I always like to make sure the cards are stacked in my favor. That doesn't mean Murphy hasn't tried to show me whose boss on occasion.

Safe Diving

Dale

[MORGAN]

I dive in caves because they are magical. I'm not ambitious, and although the idea of putting new line in a cave is alluring, it's also probably not in my future. What IS in my future is many trips into well-known and less-known cave, just to marvel at where we are and how amazing it is that we are there at all.

That's just how I feel. I've been full cave for 3.5 years, and see no end to it as long as my health and finances will allow.

I do know quite a few people who are subject to enthusiasms - doing something fairly seriously for a short time and then moving on to the next new thing. I tend to stick with things. Diving is my most recent and short-term endeavor - only been doing that for 10 years.

Mike