First Dive Trip Without Instructor - Need to Rent Gear & Help Planning

[CavernFrog]

A friend and I recently got our Cavern Diver certifications. We plan to go diving at Morrison Springs this weekend. We need to rent gear/air/nitrox and I want to understand the layout of the cavern before going so that I can plan our dive(s) to reduce the chances of bends/narcosis. I was considering using some dive planning software if it exists, or just referring to an online dive table, but then I realized I don't really understand how to read the various cavern maps of Morrison springs I have found online.

I know that we plan to do 2-3 dives, probably 45 minutes max each on Sunday and Monday.

Halp!

[kotik]

Cave Adventurers in Marianna is your closest real dive shop. They're an hour or so away from Morrison. If you go there you ought to consider spending a day checking out the cavern in Jackson Blue, if you've never seen it.

[OFG-1]

With the rains, I would assume that Morrison will be under well before this weekend. Make sure you contact the park and find out the water levels.

EDIT, I looked at the river gauge here

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydr...tae&gage=carf1

I would look for an alternate location.

[helodriver87]

I'd be really surprised if Morrison isn't totally blown out right now. I'd suggest Jackson Blue instead unless you can confirm it's not flooded. If you're set on Morrison, Vortex does rentals and fills and they're only 15 minutes away. In terms of the actual layout, there are two cavern areas. You'll see a log over a pit in the center of the basin. Off to the side around 40ft is a small cavern area that doesn't go too far, but it's interesting to poke around in. The main cavern is down a bit further and has a smaller entrance. If you haven't experienced flow yet, Morrison can kick your ass. I usually have to vent my wing and my suit completely just to descend. Pull and glide is your friend here. Once you're in, the flow goes away. It's a pretty big room with a large sandbank on the far wall. Ceiling is around 50ft, bottom is at 80-85ft. Sediment is pretty much exclusively sand, so it's pretty hard to kick anything up. Your average depth won't be much more than 70-75', so just run tables if you're not using a computer. On the way out, make sure you vent everything before exiting. One of my buddies calls Morrison "the embolizer". I've seen people shot out of that thing like a cannon all the way to the surface because they weren't prepared for it and reacted slowly.

Again, it's probably covered up by the river, so I'd recommend Jackson Blue. But if the conditions are somehow good, that should help out a bit.

[CavernFrog]

OK so you guys are saying the entrance to the springs will be totally inaccessible due to flooding. Hmmmm.

We will be staying in Destin. Anything closer to Destin than Jackson Blue???

[victorzamora]

Vortex Springs is essentially on the other side of I-10 from Morrison.

[CavernFrog]

Vortex Springs it is then... Can I rent BCD / regulator set / computer / cylinders there?

[tbone1004]

Vortex Springs it is then... Can I rent BCD / regulator set / computer / cylinders there?

you're going by Edd's. Grab all the gear you need there. Call them today/tomorrow and see if they'll cut you a deal for pickup friday, dropoff whenever you come back since you'll only be diving 2 days. Will sort out your light dilemma too.

[OFG-1]

Give Vortex a call.

http://www.vortexspring.com/vortex-spring

[CavernFrog]

you're going by Edd's. Grab all the gear you need there. Call them today/tomorrow and see if they'll cut you a deal for pickup friday, dropoff whenever you come back since you'll only be diving 2 days. Will sort out your light dilemma too.

Spoke with Edd last night. He may not have full kits to rent as he is taking gear to an event this weekend. I already ordered my lights online (Big Blue) but will get the rest of my gear from Edd and of course if I ever want a more powerful spot light for full cave I will go to Edd.