Old Timer's stories

[Cindy]

I have had the chance to meet several of the Old Timer's during the last couple of years. Each had a story or history to tell that I didn't know about. So much of the history of our sport (if you can call it that, I persoanally think that's like saying polor explorers are involved in the sport of dog mushing) will be lost with the passing and or lack of contact with these men and women. It's not like baseball where it has all been recorded in public. Forrest has done some interesting articles lately that talk about some of the first meetings and dives but I think there is a lot more that is not being told. The Peacock book was a great step in the right direction.

What I would like to do is start collecting the oral and written history of cave diving. I may not ever do anything with it other than pass it on to someone more qualified than I am to write it all up but I think it needs to be done.

So, If you have a "Old timer's story" or story of original exploration that has not been written up or notes for that book you forgot to finish then please contact me. If you know of an 'old timer' who is no longer diving that I can contact then please let me know. Cynthia Butler 352-378-4579 butler_cynthia@bellsouth.net Those old timers that know me plan on meeting with me and talking nice into the recorder. Beer will be provided as needed.

[resolute]

Thanks for doing this Cindy - I personally find these stories (the ones I have heard and/or read anyway...) fascinating! Alot of us who came in their footsteps would love to be able to gain a greater appreciation of their early contributions and experiences. So, "mature" cavers, PLEASE don't be shy!

JB

[robohips]

Turn 50 this year, feel 40 and act 30 . I remember standing at the edge of the water (I do not recall a dock) at the entrance of the eye with my oldest brother in 1976 (I am pretty sure) and saw some creatures from the black lagoon emerge from the depths of a hole in the ground. At 21 years old (being a seasoned open water diver! ha!) I fervently stated to my brother that I would never do any diving like that! My oldest brother looked at me and said "Lil bro NEVER say NEVER. He was right! Finished my cave training in the late 80's after becoming completely hooked in 76. By the way the cave divers that exited the eye that night have written books and are even more of an old timer. My how time flies by.

[BillBowden]

Horse collar BCs, octo on standard length hose, 2 lights per diver- chem lights count, right?, wet suit, no hood, double 72s from the Thunderball movie, wet cell 7.2v nicads driving 6v 30 watt aircraft landing light, no admission fees, no flush toliets, air deco on navy air tables for deco longer than the dive... ah, the good old days.

[Puttzer]

How about 1 12v light each diver, 1 reel for the team, a 72 steel tank, no horsecollar bc, strong flutter kick or tennis shoes, and you turned when half your air was gone. Oh yeah: and we never forgot our snorkles

[Kelly Jessop]

I have had the chance to meet several of the Old Timer's during the last couple of years. Each had a story or history to tell that I didn't know about. So much of the history of our sport (if you can call it that, I persoanally think that's like saying polor explorers are involved in the sport of dog mushing) will be lost with the passing and or lack of contact with these men and women. It's not like baseball where it has all been recorded in public. Forrest has done some interesting articles lately that talk about some of the first meetings and dives but I think there is a lot more that is not being told. The Peacock book was a great step in the right direction.

What I would like to do is start collecting the oral and written history of cave diving. I may not ever do anything with it other than pass it on to someone more qualified than I am to write it all up but I think it needs to be done.

So, If you have a "Old timer's story" or story of original exploration that has not been written up or notes for that book you forgot to finish then please contact me. If you know of an 'old timer' who is no longer diving that I can contact then please let me know. Cynthia Butler 352-378-4579 butler_cynthia@bellsouth.net Those old timers that know me plan on meeting with me and talking nice into the recorder. Beer will be provided as needed.

Cindy we must think a like. I too have been fortuate to dive with many of the "old timers" and hear stories and understand the evolution of cave diving. I am doing a section in UWS called "Cave Diver's Spotlight" that will in effect be collecting some of this oral history and placing it in print. I have collected information from several people already this you'll see in print,and I am going to great efforts to contact some cave divers that long since departed the sport,but played an important role.Something else that needs to be done is collect some of the underwater and topside pictures that these old timers have,scan them,and archive them. I have seen some old pictures and slides that provide an incredible history of cave diving.

[Gary]

I'm not an old timer but even I can remember the days when the CDS convention was held at the Branford Elementary School and the Friday night social the old cavers would get drunk start telling stories and then take off to go diving about 11...

[Kelly Jessop]

I'm not an old timer but even I can remember the days when the CDS convention was held at the Branford Elementary School and the Friday night social the old cavers would get drunk start telling stories and then take off to go diving about 11...

Those were some good conventions-good memories.

[Jim Wyatt]

I got certified as a cave diver in 1973 by NACD. Then went through a NACD Instructor training course in 1975, Sheck Exley ran it, Gene Melton was a staff instructor. John Zumrick was one of my fellow candidates. We did a 1000 feet downstrean at Thunderhole as a Graduation dive...all on air...deco on air. There were no other gas choices.

My rig was double 100's with a harness connected to the bands. The BC was a US divers BC II - I added a power inflator after a few months. I carried 2 Q-lights as backups. Main light was a 100 watt halogen bulb powered by wet NiCads. We charged them off the car alternator in about 15 minutes..had to add a lot of Potassium Hydroxide to the cells. Burn time on a good charge was 45-50 mins. I saw more than one explode when the alligator clips slipped off the terminals & arc the hydrogen gas...what a show.

My regulators were US divers & we had a machinist machine an adaptor to allow more than 1 LP port. The manifold was a "Benjamin" valve with no crossover. I paid $65 for the manifold, sold by Nemrod.

My reel was made by Frank Martz & my light made by Bill Schenck..who based his construction on Franks' lights.

We could camp at Ginnie for days on end and rarely see another human...and rarely ever left alone by the monster mosquitoes.

Sometimes we dived beyond where the grate is -- it was a tight dive & silty. Later on I helped install the grate.

I can tell more if folks really want to hear it.

[phishfood]

I really, REALLY want to hear it. Everywhere that I have been or might be likely to go, someone else has been. Since I know that I am not the first, hearing stories of the first few will have to do. Tight & silty past the grate @ Ginnie? That is a lot of flow to be tight, and sounds like it would make for a good telling. How many times haven't I kicked up to the grate there and wondered what was on the other side?

The current argument about line placement? How trivial it might seem to those who never dove with an established mainline back "in the day". Gawd, but you have got me interested! Write a book, I promise I'll buy it!