OW Cavern Recommedations

[divebutt]

Hey all,

Need a little advice.

Long story short-ish, I was down in the Ocala area back in April for work and hand the doubles with me as I had to kill a weekend. Weather was a little stirred up so I figured I'd hit a cavern. Did some down in Mexico a few years back - loved them.

Anyways, showed up at Ginnie to do the cavern they market to basic OW divers. I'm Tec 50, IDCS and a solo diving instructor. Was basically told that no buddy = no dive even as a solo instructor in tech gear in an OW environment. Yup, could have found a buddy, but long week of work and needed some peace. Figured I'd move on.

Anyways, passed by Extreme Exposure on my way out and stuck my head in. Nice Shop. Explained what happened, they nodded understandingly and suggested I head to Blue Grotto. I did and had a great time! Solo? No problem. Great dive and a really nice place.

So, In a few weeks (the 26/27) I'm in the same area and wouldn't mind seeing what else is out there. Any suggestions that are solo friendly?

As a note, please understand that I have no desire to exceed the conditions for which I've been trained. No desire to go into caves or out of light zones until certified to do so (yes, it's on the list). I've been diving and teaching long enough to know what happens when people do that.

Thanks!

[john]

As a note, please understand that I have no desire to exceed the conditions for which I've been trained.

Thanks!

You didn't mention that you were Cavern certified...

[divebutt]

I'm not, but I stated I had no intentions of going anywhere that would require it. I was basically wanting to fart around for an hour in the OW friendly area then go for a beer.

[rddvet]

This could go so many ways.

[deepdiver4]

This could go so many ways.

I was thinking the same !!

[syntaxerrorsix]

Most of the caverns advertised as open water "safe" are on private property and you will have to play by their rules.

[ScubaStingRay]

Thought I was opening a thread asking for an instructor reommendation, turns out it is someone asking for sites to violate his training.

I had some ow divers ask me at the ginnie ballroom if they could dive the cavern there. I said, "Who are you asking? PADI, or the park owners?"


It sounds like no cavern is within your training limits.

[divebum10]

There are no OW Caverns. Once you have entered the overheard, it is no longer OW -- you are now inside the cavern. It sounds like you may want to exceed your "conditions for which I've been trained".

If you are interested, I would be happy to share some names of instructors for you to consider for a Cavern Class.

[LakeCityDiver]

Lake Denton, Rainbow River, a Pool.

You will be here 2 days, signing up for a cavern class would not be a bad idea.

[vicp]

There are no OW Caverns. Once you have entered the overheard, it is no longer OW -- you are now inside the cavern. It sounds like you may want to exceed your "conditions for which I've been trained". ...

Yeah, OW Cavern is an oxymoron, but before everyone begins to pile on the OP in some sort of self-righteous, chest-thumping orgy, realize that it is the diving industry that has created these so-called "OW Caverns." Ginnie Ballroom, Blue Grotto, Paradise Springs (I am sure there are others), are all overhead environments that are "open" to OW divers.

We are told to NEVER go into an overhead, no matter how benign, until you have the training and certification. People on SB actually debate whether it is safe to go through coral arches as they are technically "overhead," but the above mentioned sites, which are certainly caverns with cave extensions, are open to OW divers by their owners.

Hey, "don't go into any overhead, watch "A Deceptively Easy Way to Die", give me 30 or 40 bucks, sign the waiver, don't take a light (unless you sneak one in - I won't watch), follow the thick heavy line, and try not to kill yourself."

No wonder many think that training limitations are a joke!