Wakulla Springs

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Manatee Spring is closed to divers when a Manatee is in the head spring. I don't know how this is successful, other than the fact that there happens to be a nearby connecting sink. I suppose any time there's a Manatee in the Wakulla river they could close Wakulla and say Emerald is open, if that's what you define as successful.

Wouldn't an equivelance be that diving be restricted at Wakulla if a manatee enters the headspring? Manatee Spring doesn't close when a manatee swims into the Suwannee River.




Better yet, I think the fact that WKPP has made numerous dives into Wakulla Spring while manatees were, not only just in the basin, in close proximity to them, without any negative impacts says alot more for the "open wakulla" cause.

[PfcAJ]

I ran this article past 3 individuals, involved in the negotiation process with the DEP, before posting it. It was simplified and targeted at the local community to which the paper is distributed. Several things were also omitted by the editor to save space (including a photo of WKPP divers w/ Manatee).

The allegations from those opposed to cave diving include things far more misleading and they target people who don't have a clue as to what is going on. My letter targets people who largely have no idea about cave diving but are at least local to the community.

My statements about the WKPP were, to the best of my knowledge, correct (although a bit exaggerated). I discussed this with several people in the cave community before sending it in. I am aware that Halcyon equipment is not a requirement although it does make up a large amount of their equipment. For the people this article was targeted to it was good enough given the limit on article size.

(if you visit, http://www.globalunderwaterexplorers...WKPP/equipment and you are a member of the non diving or non cave diving public then it's easy to conclude what equipment/ training is required to be WKPP )

So far, from what news papers I have read, people against Wakulla being open to diving have supplied 8 articles. However, only 3 have been posted in support. Again, this is my observation as I don't read every paper.

I would encourage each of you to write letters to the editor as well. Arguing it online to the cave community will be far less affective than arguing your points to the locals here who have been brainwashed to believe divers want to kill manatee, interrupt swimming, stop the boats, have cave crawfish boils, etc.

For starts, the WKPP does not have unrestricted access to anything on WSSP property. Its not a free for all. Our dives are very limited and must be purpose driven. I'd LOVE to barrel off into B Tunnel, but that's not the reality of things. Also, I think you should take a look at the real numbers regarding how many days of diving at Wakulla have taken place in the past two years.

Apparently its not so easy to 'determine' what is or is not required by the WKPP. Even following your link (and sublinks), there are only a handful of mentions of H equipment in the "George's equipment list", probably because at the time those were written, they were the best (only?) options on the market. There is no requirement for H equipment on the Project, only functional equipment that meets the needs of the team. If xyz brand meets that requirement, then go for it.


Then the letter goes on to state that Halcyon equipment is required for GUE classes. Misleading or blatant lie? Sounds like a lie to me. You can pass ANY GUE class without a single piece of Halcyon equipment (with the possible exception of rb80 since the rb80 is made by Halcyon. But then again its tough to pass a Meg course without using a Meg...). So where's the basis for this statement? Same as above, functionality is the name of the game.

Casey has repeatedly stated that exceptions to the GUE training requirement (which actually makes a lot of sense and helps things run smoothly) will be reviewed on a case by case basis. In fact, I brought a diver onto the Project with NO GUE cave training at all and we've since explored thousands of feet of cave together at WKPP permit sites. I just reviewed 3 applications from divers with no GUE training and we're excited to have these guys on board. So what's the deal with that? If you want the facts, just ask. Anyone is welcome who wants to play by the rules and work as part of a cohesive team.

If you want to widen the 'divide' the cave diving community is perceiving between the WKPP and everyone else, keep it up with comments like that. If you want to work together for the common good of everyone, share ideas, and enjoy cave diving even more, the only way to do it is to be respectful and honest. I recognize that it's a two way street, and all the guys I dive with feel the same way. I just hope we can put aside fallacious statements and deal with the fact.

AJ Gonzales

[jxh2297]

For starts, the WKPP does not have unrestricted access to anything on WSSP property. Its not a free for all. Our dives are very limited and must be purpose driven. I'd LOVE to barrel off into B Tunnel, but that's not the reality of things. Also, I think you should take a look at the real numbers regarding how many days of diving at Wakulla have taken place in the past two years.

Apparently its not so easy to 'determine' what is or is not required by the WKPP. Even following your link (and sublinks), there are only a handful of mentions of H equipment in the "George's equipment list", probably because at the time those were written, they were the best (only?) options on the market. There is no requirement for H equipment on the Project, only functional equipment that meets the needs of the team. If xyz brand meets that requirement, then go for it.


Then the letter goes on to state that Halcyon equipment is required for GUE classes. Misleading or blatant lie? Sounds like a lie to me. You can pass ANY GUE class without a single piece of Halcyon equipment (with the possible exception of rb80 since the rb80 is made by Halcyon. But then again its tough to pass a Meg course without using a Meg...). So where's the basis for this statement? Same as above, functionality is the name of the game.

Casey has repeatedly stated that exceptions to the GUE training requirement (which actually makes a lot of sense and helps things run smoothly) will be reviewed on a case by case basis. In fact, I brought a diver onto the Project with NO GUE cave training at all and we've since explored thousands of feet of cave together at WKPP permit sites. I just reviewed 3 applications from divers with no GUE training and we're excited to have these guys on board. So what's the deal with that? If you want the facts, just ask. Anyone is welcome who wants to play by the rules and work as part of a cohesive team.

If you want to widen the 'divide' the cave diving community is perceiving between the WKPP and everyone else, keep it up with comments like that. If you want to work together for the common good of everyone, share ideas, and enjoy cave diving even more, the only way to do it is to be respectful and honest. I recognize that it's a two way street, and all the guys I dive with feel the same way. I just hope we can put aside fallacious statements and deal with the fact.

AJ Gonzales

So if you guys accept other training agencies and other gear manafactures why keep it closed to only a small portion of people. They also claim that no one person is benefiting from it. I would think you would need some arguments in why you think it should stay closed, other than the usual "its deep blah blah blah"

[PfcAJ]

We accept divers with other training on occasion. Its certainly the exception rather than the rule, and divers with training outside of GUE often have to go through extensive mentorship to make sure they're on the same level procedurally as other divers.

As I said before, its not a free for all at Wakulla. Joe Diver doesn't show up on day 1 with full reign of the cave. There is a vetting process with more senior divers being assigned to newer divers (sponsorship) and working with them to acquaint them to all the common tasks that need to be performed at WKPP events and teach them the more specific skills needed to operate effectively at Wakulla et al. Even guys with GUE Cave 2 sometimes aren't what the Project needs and things don't work out. There are no guarantees. Usually though, through out the months (often years given the rarity of good visibility at Wakulla) new divers grow in their capacity and their roles evolve from 'learner' to 'leader'. My first day at Wakulla involved beach detail and just learning how things operate topside. That is all.

This vetting process helps to ensure a couple things. All the new guys get to know the older guys both above and in-water, familiarity with the cave is gained (even the cavern has a lot going on with lines, habitats, ledges, what goes where, how it goes there, why it goes there, etc), and new the new guy's skills are evaluated and sharpened, allowing a safe progression to more advanced dives.

I'm really hoping to dispel some of the misconceptions and the idea that the WKPP you can just 'do what they want, when they want'.

[jxh2297]

We accept divers with other training on occasion. Its certainly the exception rather than the rule, and divers with training outside of GUE often have to go through extensive mentorship to make sure they're on the same level procedurally as other divers.

As I said before, its not a free for all at Wakulla. Joe Diver doesn't show up on day 1 with full reign of the cave. There is a vetting process with more senior divers being assigned to newer divers (sponsorship) and working with them to acquaint them to all the common tasks that need to be performed at WKPP events and teach them the more specific skills needed to operate effectively at Wakulla et al. Even guys with GUE Cave 2 sometimes aren't what the Project needs and things don't work out. There are no guarantees. Usually though, through out the months (often years given the rarity of good visibility at Wakulla) new divers grow in their capacity and their roles evolve from 'learner' to 'leader'. My first day at Wakulla involved beach detail and just learning how things operate topside. That is all.

This vetting process helps to ensure a couple things. All the new guys get to know the older guys both above and in-water, familiarity with the cave is gained (even the cavern has a lot going on with lines, habitats, ledges, what goes where, how it goes there, why it goes there, etc), and new the new guy's skills are evaluated and sharpened, allowing a safe progression to more advanced dives.

I'm really hoping to dispel some of the misconceptions and the idea that the WKPP you can just 'do what they want, when they want'.

You do understand the majority of cave divers are not interested in exploration at all, explains why the group would be small. So why block of a site to just exploration when then majority of the community is at the recreational level ex. Mainline, maybe 2 jumps.

[jspivey]

Thanks for the effort Travis

[jcook]

Ya, good job Travis. You got the point across to the locals who read it.

[PfcAJ]

You do understand the majority of cave divers are not interested in exploration at all, explains why the group would be small. So why block of a site to just exploration when then majority of the community is at the recreational level ex. Mainline, maybe 2 jumps.

Same reason why Rose, Little Salt, Old Bellamy, Sulphur, 5Hole, Twin Dees, the infamous m2Blue, Weeki Wachee, Falmouth, (I could go on), are all closed to non-permit diving.

[jcook]

Same reason why Rose, Little Salt, Old Bellamy, Sulphur, 5Hole, Twin Dees, the infamous m2Blue, Weeki Wachee, Falmouth, (I could go on), are all closed to non-permit diving.

So by your line of reasoning, all cave diving should be regulated (permit required) and everyone should have a written plan, etc.? Who regulates who's training is good enough, you? So if I want to dive one of these sites, I have to drive 4 hours to lug tanks and do this for a few months to years before I can do any real dives? If you feel that's good for you and those you dive with, fine, but don't force those rules upon others wanting to dive a site.

I am not trying to flame anything, but I don't see why you consistently preach about how great the WKPP is. Especially when they don't reach out and help the cave diving community as a whole.

[jxh2297]

I agree the reputation that the WKPP has at the moment was earned. Simply not talking to people at public dive sites, going to certain shops because they sell better gas etc etc. And you mentioned that we can work together... lol