Hello to the forum

[MORGAN]

Hi folks-
I've been reading this forum for about two years now and thought I'd introduce myself. Tracy and I were "dry" cavers years ago... after getting into diving we had to have a look at the wet caves! Here in Vermont we only have a quarry to 'cave' dive in, so three years ago we started going to Florida. The first year we did cavern dives and were hooked! Last year we took Intro, and this past February we spent a couple weeks doing Intro level dives, and are now talking about working (slowly) toward full cave. It's great for a fat old caver with bad knees to float effortlessly through passages and up and down pits rather than crawling and rigging ropes. (I haven't put my Gibbs ascenders on Ebay yet, though.) We've been staying at Cathy's and doing our training with Mike O'L., and having a great time.
Finally had the opportunity to dive and chat with some of the Forum regulars, eat barbeque, boiled peanuts, and Cathy's gourmet delights,
and just generally enjoy ourselves. Rural North Florida is surprisingly similar to Vermont - just warm and flat instead of cold and mountainous. The dairy farms, woodlands, little villages, etc are similar,
and the trailers with rusting abandoned cars in the yards with coonhounds tied to them are just like home! We can't wait to get back.
I've learned a lot from reading Cave Divers Forum - cave diving history, culture, and attitudes as well as techniques. I tend not to believe anything I read on the internet - it's nice to find a forum with so little BS. I'm hoping to meet and dive with more of you in the future - if
you see a black Chevy pickup with Vermont plates at the springs come and say Hi!
Safe Diving-
Mike

[Jordan]

Hi Mike,

Nice to hear from ya! Cathy is a mean cook, ain't she? Mmmm Mmmm

[DeWayne]

Welcome to the forum Mike, I totally understand what you mean about floating through passages as opposed to crawling through them (just had the right hip replaced, 3 more major joints to go.) I still enjoy dry caving, but I do often stop and think how wonderful it would be to be able to scooter through some of the passages. The annual CDS workshop is coming up Memorial Day weekend in Live Oak, it would be a great opportunity for you and the Mrs to meet and connect with a number of cave divers from all over as well as hear some exciting stories about our history. Hope you can make it down.

[Dan Thoms]

HI Welcome to thee board

[Cindy]

Welcome, It's always nice to have new divers here. Cindy Butler

[MORGAN]

Thanks for the welcome. I'm finding that transitioning from an old caver and an old diver to a new cave diver poses some challenges.
I'm having an awful time trying to keep my carbide lamp lit. Does Dive Rite or anybody make a submersible one?

[DeWayne]

Thanks for the welcome. I'm finding that transitioning from an old caver and an old diver to a new cave diver poses some challenges.
I'm having an awful time trying to keep my carbide lamp lit. Does Dive Rite or anybody make a submersible one?

You just need to use a bigger orfice to increase the gas pressure.