New caves: Methods & Means......>the Belly Bottle

[Cindy]

The other advantage to going lite, is that you are able to quickly get into the water & out of sight, should someone wonder what you are up to

Jack

check out www.caves.com/fss/pages/trips/sinks.htm

There are lots of ways to skin a cat. You just need a proper dive buddy!
I'm not a big fan of using one tank as I have busted the valve off one in the past. On occassion we will use one to jump in and check out a sink to see if it goes. We don't take 500 foot of line with us though, too much temptation! Once I find out it goes I get land owner permission. No one has ever told me no but I don't like to go through the work or bother people unless it's something real. I have had quite a few people ask me though and then I can take my time and 'do it right' the first dive. Cindy

[Cindy]

Not to encourage or discourage but my old dive buddy told me that less than 25% of the caves have been documented in this state. Plenty more out there. It won't be easy or nice pretty spring water but it's there. Cindy

[FW]

A couple of 30s are lighter than a single 72, and truly redundant. A "Y" valve is false security, the main o-ring, or burst disk can dump all your gas.

[Kelly Jessop]

A couple of 30s are lighter than a single 72, and truly redundant. A "Y" valve is false security, the main o-ring, or burst disk can dump all your gas.

Not to mention I've had both valves roll off.

[normblitch]

Have any of you ever come across a 'virgin' karst window & wanted to go exploring but left your gear behind at home? Sometimes, on my way thru cave country, I see spots that may hide caving secrets that a lot of us would love to find. Too remote to cart back-mounted doubles, or side mounted singles, I've found the single, belly mounted steel 72 to be the ideal setup for a 'jump' in the water to see what's there. Take a 500' reel with you, go lite & if need be, you can unhook your tank to do a poke thru with a no mount look-see. The other advantage to going lite, is that you are able to quickly get into the water & out of sight, should someone wonder what you are up to-!
Not for everyone, but there are some of us out there that are always on the hunt-!

Jack

I recall this from the early '80's...loved the positive roll stability of a 72 hanging UNDER the CB ... I would use a lighted cave-hat and a single back-up Primary like an Ike-X. Rarely used anything but a 100' reel or spool...

We did NOT go far with this rig, but it WAS an efficient way to gunk-hole

Forrest's post re dub 30's has me re-thinking... mini-me SM?

<g>

Norm

Stolen Quote: Now I'm a Cave ENJOYER not a Cave ADVENTURER

[ARY]

I've found the single, belly mounted steel 72 to be the ideal setup for a 'jump' in the water to see what's there. Take a 500' reel with you..... you are able to quickly get into the water & out of sight, should someone wonder what you are up to

I like your exploration spirit sir. I use to dive similar setup: Faber98 with H-valve and two regs on Dragon like sump harness. However my last push with it discouraged me from its further use. My both regs failed being clogged by sand and emergency technique "open-breathe-close" doesn't work very well in high flow tight restriction. Previously i also had stem sheared off on the same tank after touching (just touching) a wall. I probably will migrate to aluminum 30-s with low profile knobs, and protect second stages with nylon sock in caves where it is an issue.

On a second subject i'm thinking it might fly if to use slim rock climbing backpack with stripped pockets and clips, and put 2 small twins in it. Small fins may be hidden in between back and a backpack. Also i wonder if there is a way to paint camo on tanks and gear?

[MattTheAquaman]

Hey Jack,
That would be pretty cool to find some new caves to dive. Then you could name it "Jack E" I know you guys have a lot of caves down there that have not been found yet. Be careful though. Besides you are a cool dude, I want you to stick around. You seem to know what to do and how to handle things. So where are you and Cindy going diving? Take care dude. Talk to you later.
Matt

[CaveDivingCop]

There are lots of ways to skin a cat.

I've always found as long as you have a really SHARP knife skinning a cat is easy.

Damn I feel a slap from Cindy coming...

[JE]

"So where are you and Cindy going diving? " {Matt}

Now I'm in trouble.......Mommmmmmmmmmmm-! -!


8)

Where's my kayak at-! "wonder if the Nolly is running-!"
Thanks a lot , Matt-! Buddy

Kidding We haven't talked yet, where-ever she wants-!

JE

[DeWayne]

As FW mentioned, it is a lot easier to hike in two small tanks and have the true redundancy working in your favor. If the cave looks like it will go, then make plans to come back with the proper setup. Sneaking in on private property will do more to hinder exploration than it is worth. The land does not need to be fenced nor posted, so know where you are before venturing. It would be a real shame to find a gem that cannot be properly explored simply because some idiot did not take the time to obtain landowner permission before setting out on private property. You would not want that landowner just walking into your house would you? Show him/her the same respect and it will go a long ways towards future relations. Keep in mind that if a landowner catches someone on their property, they will more than likely alert adjacent landowners in the area, so you have just spoiled relations with them as well.