Help close Eagle's Nest.

[Shadowjack]

If a memorial plaque for these two goes into the cave following this incident, I will pull it out and throw it in the weeds the next day.

Come on Mike, we can put it right next to the one for the 2 guys from back in 04...oh wait, it's missing. Or how about we put it next to the stone cross in EN...oh wait, it's missing... I'm seeing a pattern here. You're right, it's not a good idea.

Eric Deister

[ARY]

A memorial to stupidity = cave trash.

Sure enough many people feel themselves bright and cool next to stupidity memorials. I wish I would be young again...

[phillip1]

A memorial could be used as a good reminder to anyone who would want to dive there with no training

[cavediver256]

If a memorial plaque for these two goes into the cave following this incident, I will pull it out and throw it in the weeds the next day.

...and I will help you do it.

Brian

And not that either of you two would need the help, but I would more than happily tie it to the receiver hitch and drag the damn thing back to GA to hang on the bathroom wall of my favorite dive shop !!!!!

[kwinter]

I think that a memorial plaque would be appropriate. The plaque should mention that they were diving beyond their certification level. It should also say that the appropriate certifications are full cave, decompression, and trimix. That should be sufficient for any reader who values his life. Pejorative comments like "stupid" or "reckless" are unnecessary and would offend the family.
Some people do pay attention to these things. My buddy and I took a look at the crosses on the easy summit ridge of Monte Rosa and concluded that lightning strikes were very common. Although the nearest cloud was 50 miles away, we prudently turned around as soon as we reached the summit and delayed lunch until we were safely down onto the plateau below

I think pejorative words like stupid and reckless are quite appropriate. I don't care if it offends the family. In fact it should offend the family. If they are there visiting the site, they should appreciate something that might prevent the same fate coming to others, even if harsh words are necessary.

As to those thinking a memorial does not belong, I refer to my earlier post #46.

Right below the warning sign at EN we erect a memorial stating "These unqualified divers have died here, leaving behind grieving friends and family members wondering why they were so stupid." And photos (as graphic as possible) of all the victims and the dates of their demise.

Let's call it making lemonade out of lemons. A memorial that tries to get the message across: "Don't be a moron like these guys, may they rest in peace"

[Kelly Jessop]

About the only thing I see the memorial marker in OG used for is a tie off point. How many times do you slow down when you see a cross with flowers along the highway designating a fatality?

[cavediver256]

What I don't get is why any one would want to believe that another "memorial" is gonna help. There is already a memorial there!!!!! It reads "CAVE DIVING IN THIS AREA IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - EVEN LIFE THREATENING ! DO NOT DIVE UNLESS YOU ARE A CERTIFIED CAVE DIVER !! H

[phillip1]

I was not following but who wants to put a memorial? The father ok I can understand, anyone else if is just plain retarded

[cavediver256]

The one thing I will never understand is why another memorial plaque??? In case you haven't noticed, there is a huge 4'x8' memorial already there in the parking area. You know, the big green sign that reads "CAVE DIVING IN THIS AREA IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - EVEN LIFE THREATENING! DO NOT DIVE UNLESS YOU ARE A CERTIFIED CAVE DIVER !!" How many had to die before this was placed on this site and every other sink and spring in FL?? Now some want to put up another memorial because the two in question ignored the first one???? Is the plan to make this one harder to ignore??? Flashing lights??? A bigger sign telling them to look at the smaller sign??? Maybe a kiosk with Lawrence Fishburne telling the politically correct story of Darrien and Dillon and how they perished here on Christmas Day of 2013???

[aainslie]

Here's an idea. What if we start putting up "memorial" plaques al all the sites where people have died. It would have pictures of the deceased, and a brief description of how and why they died. At the bottom, we could end with "honor these people by learning from their deaths. please don't dive without sufficient training and preparation." It'll be sufficiently respectful to not piss off their families, but will tell a pretty chilling tale. Biut it's not really a memorial, it's more like those anti smoking ads with some guy with a tube out their throats.

Making it personal might get the message across better.