Madison Blue Springs and Telford for Cavern diving

[Jason B.]

I recommend that you tie off on the log enter through the rabbit hole

Don't all agencies say no restrictions at cavern or intro level?

I do believe the NACD now allows minor restrictions at the intro level.

[jeandiver]

madison's cavern is *very* nice. the rock is quite soft, though, so i'll second the note for your best effort. hope you have some great dives! we also liked watching the folks jump off the little pier over us while we were on our stop.

That we did ...
I still think Madison is one of the best places to cavern dive ... But that's just me...

Jean

[CaptainSpeleo]

If the outflow coming out of the large entrance of Madison Blue Spring isn't strong and doesn't beat you to death going in, you'll leave the cavern zone as soon as you make the first left turn. The same pretty much applies to Little River Spring.

If you're strictly into cavern diving at this stage of your training, you'd be happier and safer in places such as Blue Grotto, Paradise Spring, and Ginnie Spring cavern.

[Jason B.]

If the outflow coming out of the large entrance of Madison Blue Spring isn't strong and doesn't beat you to death going in, you'll leave the cavern zone as soon as you make the first left turn. The same pretty much applies to Little River Spring.

If you're strictly into cavern diving at this stage of your training, you'd be happier and safer in places such as Blue Grotto, Paradise Spring, and Ginnie Spring cavern.

Peacock has a nice cavern also.

[loquat149]

If you're strictly into cavern diving at this stage of your training, you'd be happier and safer in places such as Blue Grotto, Paradise Spring, and Ginnie Spring cavern.

Did those before I got cavern certified and have little interest to return, especially with the prices they charge. Buford Sink and Hudson Grotto are more my speed right now, but since we're staying in Mayo for the NSS-CDS seminar they're a little too far. I've pretty much settled on a return to Troy, then try Madison, Little River and Peacock I. We're scheduled to take Intro/App in July, so our options won't be so limited for very much longer.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and cautions!

Dave

[JE]

If the outflow coming out of the large entrance of Madison Blue Spring isn't strong and doesn't beat you to death going in, you'll leave the cavern zone as soon as you make the first left turn. The same pretty much applies to Little River Spring.

If you're strictly into cavern diving at this stage of your training, you'd be happier and safer in places such as Blue Grotto, Paradise Spring, and Ginnie Spring cavern.

Devil's Den in the Williston area is pretty cool too, as a cavern dive-!

J.

[Serota]

I don't believe the rabbit hole would be recommended for cavern level or really even Intro., as only minor restrictions are allowed at the Intro. level, which means that 2 divers can swim side by side. On the other hand, the large entrance would seem to make for a great cavern dive! Maybe this another "rule" that if followed would serve to help protect the caves.

only minor restrictions are allowed at the Intro. level, which means that 2 divers can swim side by side

Actually, if two divers can swim side-by-side, it's not a restriction. A minor restriction means you can only go through single file, whereas a major restriction means at least a partial gear removal is required. This makes the Rabbit Hole at Madison Blue a minor restriction.

These were the definitions as per the NSS-CDS when I got certified in the mid '90s.

Russell

[skip]

only minor restrictions are allowed at the Intro. level, which means that 2 divers can swim side by side

Actually, if two divers can swim side-by-side, it's not a restriction. A minor restriction means you can only go through single file, whereas a major restriction means at least a partial gear removal is required. This makes the Rabbit Hole at Madison Blue a minor restriction.

These were the definitions as per the NSS-CDS when I got certified in the mid '90s.

Russell

ditto for NACD, at least based on my memory of this past weekend talking with Jeff Bauer (instructor and prez) when he was taking the intro to cave class through the rabbit hole. He was kind enough to let me tag along.

-skip

[Serota]

According to the NACD Cavern/Cave Diver Work Book, cavern divers are not allowed to pass through major or minor restrictions. I was obviously incorrect re: intro. level divers, who are allowed minor, but not major restrictions.