Underwater Air Bells

[Napalm]

I'm writing a chapter in the sump rescue manual about underwater air bells. There are several examples in the case history where people underground have fled up into the highest chamber they can find to get away from rising water. The water continued rising and submerged the chambers. The chambers had impermeable ceilings and so while the air within become pressurized, it did not escape, the patients survived, and were eventually rescued. The problem is that all examples in the case history are mines or upside down ships. I believe that all cave rooms large enough for people to shelter in will have micro fractures in the ceiling through which the air will escape.

Does anyone have a good example of an underwater air bell in a cave? Lots of caves where people dive have little pockets in the ceiling full of exhaled gas. I'm looking for an example large enough for a person to fully get out of the water. Please note that I am not referring to naturally dry passages in between sumps. Please prove me wrong.

[Jack Hammer]

I've heard of a few, not sure they fully meet your criteria. There was a case where a cave diver presumed drowned was found hours later in an air pocket. IIRC, it was a female diver in Fla. Not sure of the rest of the details. I also recall hearing tale of a recovery dive years ago outside the US where the diver was found alive alive in a pocket a day later. There was also a few years ago a well known European? cave explorer who waited in a pocket, could been a naturally dry passage, for a day while his buddy went for help.

[Napalm]

Unfortunately I think all of those are above-water air bells. The last one you mentioned was in Mallorca in April 2017. Thanks though.

[rddvet]

There are a ton of airbells in french caves. One of the most well known is in St George?s. Its enormous. Lots of photos and info about it online. Cant remember the actual name of the chamber though

Edit: name of the air bell is Salle de Laveur.


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[bent]

One of the most well known is in St George?s. Its enormous.

I don't think that's an air bell. Those places in St George and in other caves here are above the surface, afaik.

[rddvet]

I don't think that's an air bell. Those places in St George and in other caves here are above the surface, afaik.

Maybe. I’ve always been told by the French locals and everything I’ve read online that it’s an air bell. Maybe that’s a simplified term and it isn’t actually.

[CaveSloth]

What about the air pocket in the Tennessee cave where Edd found that guy?

[Napalm]

Bratchley's July 2019 rescue from the Mill Pond cave in Tennessee was also an above-water air bell.

[Napalm]

Maybe. I’ve always been told by the French locals and everything I’ve read online that it’s an air bell. Maybe that’s a simplified term and it isn’t actually.

Yes, the problem is that "air bell" is used to describe any chamber with an overhead where the only way(s) out are through water. The speaker needs to add information as to whether other nearby water is above the level of the air bell or not.

[FW]

Yes, the problem is that "air bell" is used to describe any chamber with an overhead where the only way(s) out are through water. The speaker needs to add information as to whether other nearby water is above the level of the air bell or not.

I have seen air bells in Jackson Blue, but they are only there on a busy weekend.