RBD 07-15&17/05

[SLIM]

Friday was a nice, warm day again. it was HOT and I do mean HOT again, like it has been all week. WJH and I dove RBD with a planned dive of 1000' or 30 minutes BT so we could keep our deco down some. We get all geared up and into the cavern area and it was fun looking for the main line with the 5-10 foot of vis. I mean we were just staying above the main line once we found it and that took some time. As we dropped down to the lower tunnel we thought that maybe vis would improve but it never did and as we got to the 550 arrow we noticed that the line was broken and we were 20 minutes into the dive and should have only been maybe 15 max but with the low vis decided to turn the dive. Thought about looking for the line to repair but with the amount that was free and the amount of time to do a search with the vis like 5 foot it could rack up some unplanned deco so we just ended the dive. Did a short SI and a second dive on the dome circuit.

1)145 ' 42 min
2)85' 30 min
Water temp 59*


Sunday we made it back to RBD and this time JC was with WJH and me. Planned dives were to do the circuit twice. First dive I lead and set the reel and the spool on the circut and vis had imporved some maybe 10-15. Exited and took a short SI. Then we went back in and did the circuit backwards so that I could pick up my spool. WJH lead on this dive and JC was in the middle again.

Saw some divers show up and informed them about the conditions and the line in the lower tunnle. They said they would take care of it since they had planned a much longer dive to go way back.

1)86' 29 min
2)87' 31 min
water temp was warmer than Friday by a whopping degree of 60*

SLIM

[WJH]

Additional detail. Flow was very low, we could actually hover in the restriction. At least we didn't have to fight against current while dealing with the fairly low visibility.

All were very relaxing and enjoyable dives!

Visibility was slightly improved on each subsequent dive. With the flow that low, though, it will take a while for all the silt and particulate to clear out of the cave.

WJH

[crawford]

Sunday we made it back to RBD and this time JC was with WJH and me.

I thought you were about to describe a near miss, "JC" being "Jesus Christ". Glad it was otherwise. Good to hear from the Missouri Ruffians once again. I'm actually closer to Cannonball here in TN than when I lived in Springfield, IL. Hint, hint.

See ya.

[WJH]

JC is our diving buddy Jason. As smoothly as everything went for us, there may have been a spiritual presence there, too.

Crawford -- JC and I plan to dive Cannonball again on Saturday, July 30. We will be staying within recreational profile limits, and you are welcome to join us if you like.

WJH

[crawford]

JC is our diving buddy Jason. As smoothly as everything went for us, there may have been a spiritual presence there, too.

Crawford -- JC and I plan to dive Cannonball again on Saturday, July 30. We will be staying withing recreational profile limits, and you are welcome to join us if you like.

WJH

Sounds great. If I can work it out I'm there.