Cave Conservation & Student Cave Divers

[Jason B.]

I think education is a key,especially at the entry level. They always say you don't learn something until you hear it 7-8 times,that is why I am very pleased with the CDS change in training standards to have instruction regarding cave conservation after each post-dive debrief.

In my recent apprentice class, one whole dive was a cave damage assessment. Sadly, I spent every second of the dive pointing out damage. There are many palaces where a diver can forget the gold line and follow the ceiling chips on the floor to nav the system. Of course this is predominant in the first 1000ft of cave, but surprisingly several side tunnels (where no intro divers should be) are also littered with ceiling chips. Very sad indeed. Most of the double arrows denoting popular jumps could also be removed as the hand prints in the floor pretty much give that info away. I applaud my instructor and the CDS for implementing this important aspect of cave training - without it, there may be no (pretty) caves to dive.

[Kelly Jessop]

I think education is a key,especially at the entry level. They always say you don't learn something until you hear it 7-8 times,that is why I am very pleased with the CDS change in training standards to have instruction regarding cave conservation after each post-dive debrief.

In my recent apprentice class, one whole dive was a cave damage assessment. Sadly, I spent every second of the dive pointing out damage. There are many palaces where a diver can forget the gold line and follow the ceiling chips on the floor to nav the system. Of course this is predominant in the first 1000ft of cave, but surprisingly several side tunnels (where no intro divers should be) are also littered with ceiling chips. Very sad indeed. Most of the double arrows denoting popular jumps could also be removed as the hand prints in the floor pretty much give that info away. I applaud my instructor and the CDS for implementing this important aspect of cave training - without it, there may be no (pretty) caves to dive.

Thanks Jason for pointing your experience out.

[Cindy]

This is being done. That is why the line committee grew beyond that name,and became the underwater trail committee to allow it to cover its new role. The future plan through the Springs Cave Management Team is for there to be a cave conservation role related to everything that is done,this will encompass all state parks. Most people think the artificial placements in Peacock are hideous,and asthetically they are "Rube Goldbergish",but they have worked. I don't see line marks in the walls,less marks on the walls and floors;just like the poor man's scooter has worked at Cow.

I think education is a key,especially at the entry level. They always say you don't learn something until you hear it 7-8 times,that is why I am very pleased with the CDS change in training standards to have instruction regarding cave conservation after each post-dive debrief.
There are also some other things on the horizon that will help facilitate cave conservation.

Great news! I'm glad to hear someone is taking some initiative in this area! Let me know if you need to borrow my helmet. Cindy