What is Missing from the Mill Pond Missing Diver Thread?

[Benderr]

Maybe I missed it, but my impression is that we've had two occasions in just a few months, where divers have found themselves in the "wrong" cave at JB. In both cases, divers would have perished were it not for heroic efforts by Edd and friends.

What is the problem with the "wrong" cave, and how is that problem solved?

[whodunit68]

the last one was Twin. Unfortunately we lose too many people at Ginnie. It's a matter of how many and possibly how deceptively easy it is to live while diving these caves.

[a64pilot]

I have wondered the same thing, I've come to the conclusion that the Mill Pond's diver traffic is a whole lot more than it has ever been, even a year ago, and maybe it has become somewhat of a destination for somewhat less experienced, and possibly less current divers from up North. I am NOT saying that Northern divers are less experienced, careful or anything except maybe due to the fact that they may not have caves in their back yard and can dive after work, they may be less current.

So, I think many more divers are diving the Mill Pond now, and possibly less experienced / current divers

Whatever the reason, I hope it's over

On edit, on the wrong cave thing remove the markers for that jump? I'm pretty sure that in both instances they thought they were going to do the horseshoe circuit, and of course that's not where they were.

[Benderr]

the last one was Twin. Unfortunately we lose too many people at Ginnie. It's a matter of how many and possibly how deceptively easy it is to live while diving these caves.

I was talking about the two students that Edd rescued previously at JB. Backmount divers that ended up in a sidemount cave and couldn't get out.

I have wondered the same thing, I've come to the conclusion that the Mill Pond's diver traffic is a whole lot more than it has ever been, even a year ago, and maybe it has become somewhat of a destination for somewhat less experienced, and possibly less current divers from up North. I am NOT saying that Northern divers are less experienced, careful or anything except maybe due to the fact that they may not have caves in their back yard and can dive after work, they may be less current.

I understood that we had two incidents in the same section of cave. I agree with your line of thinking, but I'm wondering if there is a problem with the section that could be addressed, with the line, or some type of pre-dive briefing to make infrequent visitors aware of a potential issue that's specific to the section in question.

Forgive my potential ignorance on the subject, just a cavern diver. I may be misunderstanding something here.

[whodunit68]

I was talking about the two students that Edd rescued previously at JB. Backmount divers that ended up in a sidemount cave and couldn't get out.

right sorry....point taken, pre-dive briefings only work for people who show up to the place to get them. Maybe another sign like at Rocky Horror in Madison for tougher places. There's a reason the RH sign is there. Or another Grim Reaper could potentially say hey, dangerous cave here (or cave monster lurking), watch out.

[bpcfire1]

Maybe a way to start marking the jumps would help. Like at Peacock the is a slate telling you about the Emer exit. Why not have something attached at the jumps on the mainline telling you what it is. I know im a newbie here in the cave world, but I often find myself wondering whats what when swimming by jumps.

[whodunit68]

Brandon, you're going to open up an ugly can of worms my friend. We will soon have people responding yelling and screaming about lighted caves with signs like on the freeway (including speed limits).

[bpcfire1]

LOl...I didnt mean the whole cave, I mean just at the major problem sites.....Maybe neon lights will work...

I was just looking out for ppl that scooter at moch1, some narrowing cave signs, 90 degree turns, slippery rocks mite help.....JOKING

[Greenwood_60]

I think in this case putting it on the map may be better than leaving it off. The passage can end (on the map) with a little "sm" notation, like many other maps. People will know there is a SM passage in the area, and hopefully be a bit more aware of the possibility of being in the wrong section.

[Tegg]

Maybe the root of the problem here is training one to understand what kind of cave is in their capabilities and showing them how to properly progress within their "bubble" of experience and/or training?