Maybe so, but I still can't keep up with him, nor would a lot of folks much younger than him. I think he's found the secret fountain of youth in one of those caves and won't share!
Welcome to the Cave Diver's Forum.
Maybe so, but I still can't keep up with him, nor would a lot of folks much younger than him. I think he's found the secret fountain of youth in one of those caves and won't share!
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.
The fountain of youth IS the cavesOriginally Posted by sskasser
Sadly there are a few things that cause experienced cavedivers to die. The main one is trying to set records. The record is more important than to them than their life. Another appears to be surveying. Like records, the map becomes more important than their life. We lost Berman, and Simmons that way. I suspect medical issues account for some too.
FWIW, I am not the oldest, or most experienced cavediver left. I could be the only one willing to get onto forums, though.
Who are you kidding, Abe Davis and Jack Sheppard are dead.
"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
You only need to know 4 chords Russell.....thought you knew !!!!Do you know more than three chords?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I
TJ (2)
When I get out of cavediving, it will be to learn how to use a walkerFW
At the risk of making a serious post, I suspect a healthy, active lifestyle and a passion or two can greatly aid in longevity as a cave diver, or any other sort of human. Between that, and not letting ego get in the way of survival, many could take noteThe fountain of youth IS the caves
Sadly there are a few things that cause experienced cavedivers to die. The main one is trying to set records. The record is more important than to them than their life. Another appears to be surveying. Like records, the map becomes more important than their life. We lost Berman, and Simmons that way. I suspect medical issues account for some too.
FWIW, I am not the oldest, or most experienced cavediver left. I could be the only one willing to get onto forums, though.
Last edited by sskasser; 02-14-2011 at 12:59 PM.
I
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.
BTW, one of the great things about the Abe Davis and other awards is that they remind newbies that what counts is not how deep, how far in, or how much bottom time, but only "How many times did you come back?"
"I like to do dangerous things safely."
Excellent thought!!!!
Someone reminded me of this post in the Agnes Milowka thread. Yes, in a way, Agnes was trying to set a record, AND map a new passage. She probably wanted to be known as the person that pushed the farthest in Tank cave, and it cost her life. Yes, that is why many of us have an attitude about safety!
I may be wrong, and feel free to correct me if so, but it almost sounds as if the people beating the drum of safety are implying (extrapolation necessary here :0) that divers of various skill/experience levels are actually starting their dive with an unsafe dive plan. I cannot say I believe that to be true. I think the vast majority of dives start with the plan being viewed and reviewed as "safe". Maybe aggressive or very advanced, but still safe.
What happens next, I cannot say. I am not there. I do believe there is a precipitating incident that occurs that flips the plan or its execution. The world's best/safest plan does not mean crap if execution is the problem.
Shelving any health issues or cave-ins, I think the problem is both diver mindset (too much, too far, too fast--before and during the dive) and in-dive execution of the plan.
I believe the vast majority of instructors are like RN and do their best to ferret out issues and guide people to find other pursuits or mature their outlook on cave diving...but they cannot go on every dive. They cannot participate in every plan. They and other divers with experience must work on peoples' mindsets, help program them.
I know most people have the ingrained human nature response to listen and adhere to advice from people they respect and admire and trust.
When I go diving, that is the goal...by the way: to go diving. So yes, I am goal oriented. But, sadly, diving Ginnie or Little River again for the upteenth time meets my goal--to get in the water and wash it all away. And if I live longer and can have a beautiful beard because of it, so be it. Fountain of youth, here I come!!
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