4 and 5 Person Dive Teams......a bad idea

[Superlyte27]

I started to get all worked up about this thread, then I remembered, I really don't give a shite what you guys think.

The fact of the matter is this. Instructors are not infallible. I promise I've made mistakes in the past, and I will make mistakes in the future. If you can't deal with that, perhaps you are better suited taking classes from instructors who tell you they are a perfect cave diver every cave dive. But, you'll never hear me say that.

Just remember....
Those who can't do, Teach.
Those who can't teach, Teach Gym.

[derek]

Just remember....
Those who can't do, Teach.
Those who can't teach, Teach Gym.

So you don't know how to cave dive??

[Tiago]

Just remember....
Those who can't do, Teach.
Those who can't teach, Teach Gym.

I hear Florida is making Dodgeball a required Gym class, is that true?

[Superlyte27]

I hear Florida is making Dodgeball a required Gym class, is that true?

I don't know, but that was a quote from Jack Black in the movie School of Rock.

Derek, you're welcome to come diving with me and answer that question for yourself.

[Kelly Jessop]

Always wanted to do the Black Abyss with a 6+man team. Strategically place people to illuminate the room. We did that somewhere once,but that is another story that is hidden in cave diving lies and lore.

[donlabbruzzo]

I dive, I teach and I also make mistakes, it's called being human.

Back to the original question regarding the number of team members, 3 works great for me in most all situations, including tight SM only caves in Mexico. We do a bit of larger 4 person teams, with a bit more spacing between the divers. As was mentioned, if everyone understand his role, and pays close attention to the person in front and behind.

Obviously there are situations that may develop in any cave dive that the team must address, as someone already said, that specifically what we train for.

[LCF]

I had an experience with a team of five in Mexico. Despite the fact that we were all experienced divers and that the dive itself was not particularly demanding, we experienced a team separation (which was in part my fault). Going back over what happened afterwards, it was multifactorial, due to the second-to-last diver hitting thirds right as we got into a section of cave with some tight zigzags, which made it harder for me to be sure the guy behind me WAS behind me, and it was hard for him to be sure the guy behind HIM was there. When he realized that guy had stopped, he went back to see what had happened, and opened even more space between us. I let an unacceptable amount of time go by before I realized HE was gone. We all got back together, and nothing bad happened, but I will never do that again.

[Jont]

at about that time, I saw a team of 4 on Optima's and a team of 4 w/1 Meg and 3 Sidemount, are you talking about them?

Peter I was not talking about you???? Why would you think that ???? You're the ULTIMATE CAVE DIVER!!!!!!

Not sure the Optima gang was doing a great job of blocking the keyhole for a bit but I think there were 2 Optima crews, not sure what team was trying to make love to the keyhole while installing a jump for 7 minutes????? Using a scooter as a bow thruster was fun while watching a cluster ****.

[Jont]

I started to get all worked up about this thread, then I remembered, I really don't give a shite what you guys think.

The fact of the matter is this. Instructors are not infallible. I promise I've made mistakes in the past, and I will make mistakes in the future. If you can't deal with that, perhaps you are better suited taking classes from instructors who tell you they are a perfect cave diver every cave dive. But, you'll never hear me say that.

Just remember....
Those who can't do, Teach.
Those who can't teach, Teach Gym.

Really ???? I'm shocked that you would say such a stupid thing, LARRY SILVERSTEIN, BERNARD MENDIK, MORT ZUCKERMAN, all "teachers" all worth 3 billion plus, not bad for people that can't DO!!!! All self made........

[Superlyte27]

Really ???? I'm shocked that you would say such a stupid thing, LARRY SILVERSTEIN, BERNARD MENDIK, MORT ZUCKERMAN, all "teachers" all worth 3 billion plus, not bad for people that can't DO!!!! All self made........

It was a joke and meant to be stupid. Buy a sense of humor.