Solo Diving in FL State Parks

[inverted_bear]

I give up. That's the last time I'll offer my time to try and enact something positive. It's sad because there clearly is an interest from a (smallish) segment of the community. I appreciate Kelly and the others for actually taking the time to explain why this would be a waste of time. I also take extreme offense to the post effectively telling me to kill myself. Stuff like that is what gets cave divers a bad reputation among the rest of the diving community.

For the record, I'm not solo diving in some low, silty or deep cave, as that would go way beyond my comfort and training level. I'm comfortable solo diving within the first 1200' of devils with a fully redundant gas supply (buddy bottle) and ~300cf of reserves. My instructor even lent me the buddy bottle to do the dives. I carry a backup for every piece of safety equipment except for myself. If I have a medical incident that I can't handle by myself, then it was my time to go. If I had that same medical issue while driving on the highway, I would probably crash the car and die there as well, yet we don't need a buddy to drive.

I'm open to all informed criticism of any aspect of my diving or actions, as it could help me improve as a diver/person. However, please don't judge me or my diving before you've even seen me in the water, met me, or heard the full story. Maybe you'd like to make fun of the green hose on my reg as well?

Dive safe,
Frank

[floridabob]

I give up.. I also take extreme offense to the post effectively telling me to kill myself. Stuff like that is what gets cave divers a bad reputation among the rest of the diving community.

I'm open to all informed criticism of any aspect of my diving or actions

Maybe you'd like to make fun of the green hose on my reg as well?

Dive safe,
Frank

1-Thanks for giving up on this favor you were thinking. Its not worth the POTENTIAL headache it MAY create. A niche of a niche of a niche just isnt worth the state's time.

2-I wasnt telling you to kill yourself or try. Easy....Took that a little personal. It was hyperbole to try and impress that solo diving isnt your best course at this stage of the game. I really have no concerns if you do whatever you want solo or sneak or with another. Really do not care. Or judge. Ask anybody.

3-Your incorrect notion I was advising you to kill yourself does not even get noticed by the Public at Large....They do notice when cave divers die, though. That plays well.

4-Informed opinions were offered on your volunteering to advocate on behalf of cave divers for solo diving in state parks. That has nothing to do w/your ability or skill. Your experience is also indefensible. Dont take that as criticism. Its fact. You're new. So what, we all were.

5-I have already made fun of your green hose. But not really.

I seem to remember some PMs, maybe? Sorry if I offended, that was not my goal but it was my fault in missing the emotional investment in this thought.

Have fun diving! And find a buddy, For Christ's Sake!

Bob

PS-For those about to say something about Bernot loaning IB a tank to solo dive, I would bet cash money that's not the case. I would imagine it was for adequate bailout to be used along the way. I am thinking Frank did not have enough bottles...but maybe I'm wrong there, too.

[Kelly Jessop]

I give up. That's the last time I'll offer my time to try and enact something positive. It's sad because there clearly is an interest from a (smallish) segment of the community. I appreciate Kelly and the others for actually taking the time to explain why this would be a waste of time. I also take extreme offense to the post effectively telling me to kill myself. Stuff like that is what gets cave divers a bad reputation among the rest of the diving community.

For the record, I'm not solo diving in some low, silty or deep cave, as that would go way beyond my comfort and training level. I'm comfortable solo diving within the first 1200' of devils with a fully redundant gas supply (buddy bottle) and ~300cf of reserves. My instructor even lent me the buddy bottle to do the dives. I carry a backup for every piece of safety equipment except for myself. If I have a medical incident that I can't handle by myself, then it was my time to go. If I had that same medical issue while driving on the highway, I would probably crash the car and die there as well, yet we don't need a buddy to drive.

I'm open to all informed criticism of any aspect of my diving or actions, as it could help me improve as a diver/person. However, please don't judge me or my diving before you've even seen me in the water, met me, or heard the full story. Maybe you'd like to make fun of the green hose on my reg as well?

Dive safe,
Frank

You ask good questions in my opinion, and that is exactly what you want to do at this point. You have good motivation and desire which is admirable,so please don't get frustrated and give up. Nobody wants to tell you what to do,but there are quite a few people who have been cave diving for many years, and have seen the struggles you are dealing with, so the mentoring and advice is good; also learned from the school of hard knocks. I have been cave diving for 20 years, and have seen some wonderful evolutions,but also know what things we can and can't change, so I don't spend time trying to put a round peg in a square hole. One thing I do know is the skills you learn in cave diving make up only a small part of your skill,but it is the mental aspect that is huge, and that only comes with experience. I am not anti-solo diving,but many of responses have been shaped by my experiences, and remember some solo accidents that could have been easily been prevented if the person had a buddy. The one common denominator was the lack of experience these people had to be able to address problems when something went wrong. To me the most remarkable one was the guy who died in Ginnie at the Mudflats. He was an airline pilot,very sure of himself and his skill, and was determined to dive because he couldn't find a buddy. So close to the exit that a simple air share scenario would have saved his life. Either way, you have to make your own decisions, and honestly where people can come off as critical, they truly are offering reasonable advice based on their own experience. I appreciate their comments and criticism of me because I am still a student of the sport, and this will never cease as long as I am active. Good luck and dive safe

[floridabob]

I have comments and criticism of Kelly on a regular basis. You never seemed appreciative to me!

I love remembering all the deaths along the way, its kinda like a morbid "Memory Lane" pot holed with a bunch of shoulda/coulda/woulda.

Now THAT would be a good thread to start!

Bob

[bent]

I give up. That's the last time I'll offer my time to try and enact something positive. It's sad because there clearly is an interest from a (smallish) segment of the community.

Huh? Dude, there are TONS of caves you can dive solo in and there is tons of opportunity to help open caves or help the community otherwise. If you run out of caves to help open in the US there are plenty more in Europe.
No offence Frank, but it seems like you made your mind up before posting a question, like in the O2 reg thread. Why ask if you don't wanna take advice from people that have been in the community for decades? People made great points about the reg and about solo in State Parks, also these questions have been answered many times already.
Here is my suggestion: Don’t be a baby and be happy when people who you should consider experts give you free advice.
FYI: We all carry a backup for every piece of gear, that what cave divers do.

[floridabob]

Not defending Frank, but the O2 reg thread was a simple "is this a piece of junk" that got turned into something else entirely.

Which NEVER happens on CDF. EVER.

bob

[bent]

Not defending Frank, but the O2 reg thread was a simple "is this a piece of junk" that got turned into something else entirely.

I don't think that is was what people meant. The point was that you should not use colors as a crutch to identify gas.

[kensuf]

I love remembering all the deaths along the way, its kinda like a morbid "Memory Lane" pot holed with a bunch of shoulda/coulda/woulda.

Now THAT would be a good thread to start!

Bob

My wife made me take a hiatus when friend number 7 got scratched off my phone list. Maybe we should start the dead buddies thread.

[floridabob]

That sounds less dark. I say Kelly starts it.

Bob

[floridabob]

I don't think that is was what people meant. The point was that you should not use colors as a crutch to identify gas.

We agree. The thread morphed into a BS color bashing thread when all the OP asked "was is this reg any good"?