Comfort Level in Crappy (very low to no) Vis

[deepdiverbob]

I think for me, cutting my teeth diving quarrys and lakes in the midwest, it got me real comfy with low/zero vis situations. But we dont really know how we will react until we encounter said conditions. My first time was in the Distance tunnel. I was lead guy going in, and I know the vis went to crap behind me going through the tight sections. I made sure to slow down, and pay extra close attention to details that I knew I wouldnt be able to see on the way out. And I was right. Hand on the line, couldnt see the inside of my mask zero vis. It was after that dive I spoke to John Orlowski who told me some bad storys about things that have happened in that tunnel. He also mentioned he doesnt even go in that tunnel anymore. I'm glad I was told those stories after my virgin trip up that path.

[JCGoodwin]

Just returning from a recent trip to CC.
Our trip to Madison on last monday was spot on this thread.
We had planned to do the Godzilla circuit entering from Martz.
When we got there the pool was very tannic and flow almost non-existing.

We decided to enter main entrance via rabbit hole to the main line just to check conditions.
Once to the main line vis was in the 10-15 range so we figured it would clear up on in.
We proceeded to the jump still in the 10-15 range everyone was comfortable so we continued on to circuit.
In the middle approx. it cleared to about 30-40' of vis, then as we got closer to the mainline back to 10-15.
At no time was anyone ready to thumb, the line was very visible just not the majority of the cave.

I love Madison and miss seeing the normal but it was a good dive none the less.
We routinely dive in 5' - 6' of vis in the quarries and lakes here at home.
We use reels off anchor lines to navigate even OW dives as boat strikes are a real concern.
Sometimes you run into 10-15 vis and its awesome other times I have seen up to 40' but hardly ever more than that.

If we had not driven as far or travel to another system less we would have chosen to cancel the dive at Madison.
It was open and not closed so we decided to dive it.
Not trying to tell others to do the same but for us we were comfortable with the conditions.
If you are not don't do it.

JCG

[FW]

...We routinely dive in 5' - 6' of vis in the quarries and lakes here at home.
We use reels off anchor lines to navigate even OW dives as boat strikes are a real concern.

I use a reel even in clear lakes, just to be sure I come back up at the dive flag, because of the boats.

[DeputyTom]

None of the answers work for me. After ~700 cave dives I don't freak out in very low vis, but I'm still not happy with it.

I agree with Sludge. I've been cave diving for 24 years and was diving side mount waaaaay before it became a "fad". I don't just dive side mount, I do side mount dives which tend to become zero vis exits because of the places I go. If it's a cave I've dove a few times, I'm ok with zero vis. If it's a cave I've not dove before, I'm "not happy" with zero vis, but training and experience get me out safely.

[roguediver]

I hope I never get comfy or complacent in low vis.

[FW]

I hope I never get comfy or complacent in low vis.

Don't ever get complacent, but do get comfortable. If you are nervous, you are more likely to make a mistake, then that could lead to panic.

[roguediver]

You are right. I shouldnt have used comfy.