Why is low viz in a cave so much more unnerving?

[RN]

That looks like great vis compared to some of the stuff I've been in!

[LCF]

Rob took us into a passage he said we WOULD silt out, and although it didn't look that bad to me, we DID. Amazingly, I was far less stressed swimming the siltout with the line in my hand, than I have been in some dark, hazy cave. And I've also swum third in teams in small cave with halocline, where you can't see squat as tail-end Charlie, but again, with the line in my hand, I'm just fine. Maybe I just need to okay the line in low viz cave?

[rjack]

My fear has been that I'll lose the line and won't be able to find it again.

Ditto. And when its really bad with dry gloves not feel it either.

I have not run into a warm water low vis situation which stresses me out that much yet. If I'm OKing the line with bare hands or close to being able to reach out and touch it I am good.

[Squirrel Girl]

That looks like great vis compared to some of the stuff I've been in!

Yeah, like when I was following you in Sandy's Hole!

Forrest was surprised that I wasn't freaked out at all by that dive (back a few years ago). But we did have about 2' of vis.

[Squirrel Girl]

Ditto. And when its really bad with dry gloves not feel it either.

I have not run into a warm water low vis situation which stresses me out that much yet. If I'm OKing the line with bare hands or close to being able to reach out and touch it I am good.

Yes, I migrate much closer to the line when it's silty. But did I remember where every possible line trap was? How easy is that bit of cave in order to do a lost line drill? Is it all grotto-y? Fortunately I've managed all low/zero vis sections of my dives without losing the line--so far!

[rjack]

Yes, I migrate much closer to the line when it's silty. But did I remember where every possible line trap was? How easy is that bit of cave in order to do a lost line drill? Is it all grotto-y? Fortunately I've managed all low/zero vis sections of my dives without losing the line--so far!

Not being able to see the walls to know how big an area I'm in is a concern. In one place we debated coming back with a rope and using some sort of tether to connect the diver to the rope so it would be impossible to lose it. Then we realized we couldn't see what we were "exploring" anyway and left for good.

[FW]

What size are you using? I have tons of #18 and I'm not so concerned about it breaking - but you just can't feel it between the glove and the liner.

I use at least 1/8" in cold water. Like CaveMD said, some people use up to 1/2". I think the standard in the U.K. is 3/16" (4mm). The reason I worry about the line breaking is because to feel #18 with gloves on, you have to pull on it some, and that can break small line.

[AMW]

I think the standard in the U.K. is 3/16" (4mm).

Yes 4mm polypropylene is a favoured in some hi flow caves 6mm polypropylene is used. Short sumps to digs etc can have 10mm or 12mm rope used so you can haul yourself through.

Andrew

[rjack]

Yes 4mm polypropylene is a favoured in some hi flow caves 6mm polypropylene is used. Short sumps to digs etc can have 10mm or 12mm rope used so you can haul yourself through.

Andrew

Why floating line Andrew? It that just what's available or trying to keep it up off the floor? or?

(thanks for the variety of line suggestions all)

[Squirrel Girl]

Not being able to see the walls to know how big an area I'm in is a concern. In one place we debated coming back with a rope and using some sort of tether to connect the diver to the rope so it would be impossible to lose it. Then we realized we couldn't see what we were "exploring" anyway and left for good.

Don't get yourself entrapped with line too thick to cut with a Z knife (or whatever you can reach)!!