Hey jack, yes did have a lot of good dives there...i learned a lot diving that cave and met a lot of great people...BillOriginally Posted by stickydeco
We don't dive there anymore (except for checking out Jackie's OW students) but had some great times when we did, right Bill?Plus, it's a damn deep little bastard.
Crazy Jack
"With regard to cave diving, the great thing is to be carried where you could not have imagined you would ever be, and then to come back alive."
"Wilderness. The word itself is music." Abbey, Desert Solitaire
Yep, i thought so to but the source was pretty reliable...it may have been as jack described, a cave type failed to notice that an open water diver went past the gate and inadvertantly locked the diver in...at this point it is still just hear say though...i'm on my way to high springs tomorrow, i may do a stop by and ask at the spring. Bill
"With regard to cave diving, the great thing is to be carried where you could not have imagined you would ever be, and then to come back alive."
"Wilderness. The word itself is music." Abbey, Desert Solitaire
When we installed a gate in the new entrance we dug open to Blue Springs Cave here, we were lucky enough to have Bill Overton design it. It is 3'x4' stainless and presents a smooth featureless stainless surface to the outside with just a hole to stick your arm through to get the key in to open it.
One of the nicest features is that it can be opened from the inside without the key. Although it's not underwater it is a nice feeling to know you can always get out since people have been known to epoxy locks on gates they couldn't get into out of spite. There are some other gates that are designed to be opened from the inside sans key, might be something to consider.
And yes, it was damn heavy.
I was unaware that Vortex went to 165 ffw....
Jason Gulley
me too
I've been back there when a solo diver passed me on his way further in. He had a single tank, a hand-held flashlight, and split fins. I tried to signal him, but he scooted pass like I was not there. I had the lock and the key with me so did not lock it on my way out. I did report it back at the office and gave them both the lock and the key.
I've also heard they have sold the place with a 5-year hold on the homes, but no holds on whether it will remain open to divers. I heard a housing development corporation specializing in golf-based developments bought Vortex and plan to use the water to service the development and irrigate the golf course. I am 95% positive the property is sold with unknown plans on remaining open, but only 50% sure of the housing/golf story. Anyone else know more?
-skip
"Learning the techniques of others does not interfere with the discovery of techniques of one's own." B.F. Skinner, 1970.
This makes no sense. There are several keys floating around (excuse the pun)....and how did the cave diver get rescued? Did an OW student let him out?!
Marcopolo
again just repeating what i heard...someone found him locked in before he ran out of gas, also heard that they had to send down a lot of deco gas as he accumulated quite an obligation....since it has not been verified yet it is probably just a rumor. bill huth
"With regard to cave diving, the great thing is to be carried where you could not have imagined you would ever be, and then to come back alive."
"Wilderness. The word itself is music." Abbey, Desert Solitaire
Hey guys,
Here's what I know to be fact about Vortex's lock.
The lock on the gate there has always been a double action lock. Meaning you have to have the key in and turned in order to unlock or lock it. A set of bolt cutters would cut the chain or lock if necessary and Danny has plenty of tools.
I'm dive coning a OW class there this weekend and will ask Danny what happened.
If there is any truth to the story I'll report back with the facts as they are explained to me.
Safe diving,
Mark
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