Top Ten Thoughts after 25 Years

[Diverlee]

My #9 suggestion: Go to Pepe's and socialize while devouring obscene amounts of Mexican food! BBQ will also do.

Great idea!


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[ARY]

For 100% i can only agree with #10. Others are subject to dicussion.

[Kelly Jessop]

1. If you've ever had a "close call," you shouldn't be cave diving.
2. Consider diving solo: you're responsible for only one diver. Bring four or more backup lights and a spare mask.
3. You don't need a BC, just a simple harness: Trim your gear for neutral buoyancy and your lungs become your BC.
4. Stop to look at the grandeur: eg, the gorgeous Gallery, where most divers swim or scooter through on their way to a distant destination without a glance.
5. Relish the social interaction topside in the parking lot. Patiently answer questions from open water divers and tubers: impart the excitement and enjoyment of our sport.
7. Relish the friendships made.
8. Remain humble: No hubris.
9. Have a beer in the parking lot with other divers after your dive, many who have come from other states and countries.
10. Have fun.

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, and a real discussion here, which seems to have become a used gear sale sight
One thought I appreciated,"stop and appreciate the grandeur". Unfortunately,cave divers measure their dive based on distance of penetration, which means some of the best cave is missed. There used to be 2 dives I would take novice cave divers on that would exemplify this. Each dive would be 60 minutes,but never made it more than 300ft in at Peacock and Ginnie. There are things to be seen that not even many veteran cave divers have seen.

[Diverlee]

Totally agree Kelly. Some of my best dives are with in 500 feet of the entrance in many caves.


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[Terry D]

This is a story that I hear so very often but so rarely heeded. The caves are awesome from the cavern to any point further in. The current mindset seems to be let's get a driver's license and see how fast I can go. Rules be damned. It shouldn't be about quantity but quality. Two kilometer does not make it any prettier than 200 mtrs. EOS (end-of-soapbox)

[ARY]

This is a story that I hear so very often but so rarely heeded. The caves are awesome from the cavern to any point further in. The current mindset seems to be let's get a driver's license and see how fast I can go. Rules be damned. It shouldn't be about quantity but quality. Two kilometer does not make it any prettier than 200 mtrs. EOS (end-of-soapbox)

What is wrong with pushing distance, or depth, or complex navigation, or using or developing new gear and tactics? Attraction of caving is not necessarily glazing at wet rock. If one enjoys pushing ze own limits it is just another respectable justification to be a caver.

[Norwegian Cave Diver]

#1 I was in an avalanche mother's day weekend in 2007 in Kananaskis at Mount Indefatigable. Woke up in the snow with a broken hand and a badly damaged left knee. I don't do that anymore. I only cave dive!!

[WEPIV]

I would think a majority of cave divers have had a version of a close call at one time or another.

[Kelly Jessop]

What is wrong with pushing distance, or depth, or complex navigation, or using or developing new gear and tactics? Attraction of caving is not necessarily glazing at wet rock. If one enjoys pushing ze own limits it is just another respectable justification to be a caver.

Not saying anything is wrong with it,but so much is missed for the drive to push distance etc. Newer cave divers collect goal driven dives for the "brag factor", such as I have seen the well casing, grand traverse, Heinkel etc, that there is so much missed. After you collect your medals go back and look at the cave from a micro perspective versus macro, and you will be surprised by what you see.

[sam]

I have been cave diving for 19 years now and I see something new on every dive.
I do get to extreme distances some times but much prefer to enjoy the little things.



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