Thank you! The Keyhole restriction was the worst part of it. Have to turn sideways.Quote:
Originally Posted by nswef
Printable View
Thank you! The Keyhole restriction was the worst part of it. Have to turn sideways.Quote:
Originally Posted by nswef
I am not claustrophobic but that video spooked me underwater and confined. You would definitely work up to doing that dive.
This is another one I did in FL. Peanut Tunnel at Peacock Springs.
https://youtu.be/3jrmmmFEpa4
I heard a Criminal podcast about a police department diver who dived into the LaBrea tarpits looking for a murder weapon. That was techinically challenging, as you can imagine. The police department said they didn’t want to NOT Go after the murder weapon because that will signal to criminals the tar pits are a good place to dispose of weapons and contraband.
I won’t watch the recent set of Cave dives from Tradd, but I’m glad you had fun and I’m glad you made it back safely
Last winter there was an online diving thing in the Midwest that was held in person pre-covid. The police diver that dived LaBrea was one of the presenters. It was fascinating.Quote:
Originally Posted by iris lilies
I've had a month of working out on the under desk cycle in front of the TV for at least 30 minutes. Nice leg muscles. And I feel great. I've done as much as 27 miles in 61 minutes.
Dived at the WI mine yesterday. Great dive. About 50 degree air temp, water 49 degrees. 40 minute dive, 400ft back in the mine, 65ft max depth.
In cave diving you have to have a guideline from open water to the permanent guideline in the cave. That's what you see me doing with my reel.
Attachment 4210
Attachment 4211
Attachment 4212
Doing secondary tie off at the pipe grid across the entrance of the cave (to keep cars out after it was first closed - didn't fully flood for a few years)
Attachment 4213
The permanent line begins at the Grim Reaper sign in many caves.
Attachment 4214
Picking up the reel at the end of the dive. It was a VERY good dive. I took two lbs off the weight i was carrying. Made a huge difference in my buoyancy. I was much more comfortable.
Attachment 4215
I now have a new mine diving buddy! Instructor joked she made me a new dive buddy yesterday. Early 30s guy I've dived with several times before. He just got his intro to cave cert yesterday. I no longer have to dive with either of the really advanced divers I've been diving with at the mine. I was the only intro level diver active at the mine. Now, there's another.
That's great that you have a new dive buddy, Tradd. So the wetsuit keeps you warm?
It’s a drysuit. Doesn’t let water in.
Just curious - who is responsible for ensuring the permanent guideline is secure? A new dive buddy is great.
At the mine, it’s the instructor. She is the only key holder. If there was an issue, some of the experienced regulars would help make repairs.Quote:
Originally Posted by razz
In FL, there is a group of volunteers. Report an issue at one of the dive shops in cave country, and it will get taken care of.
Very cool, tradd! And congrats on the new dive buddy.
Not sure exactly when I will be able to get down to FL this coming Christmas. I have to work around coworker’s schedule. His in laws live in FL and they promised they’d go down for a week at either T’giving or Christmas. I’m crossing my fingers it’s T’giving. This is important as it affects full cave for me.
My WI instructor and the FL instructor who did “intro to flow” in December have been good friends for 20 years. I have options. I can do full half at the WI mine/half in FL with WI instructor if I can be there during the two weeks she goes down around the holidays. If I can’t get down there at the holidays, I can do half at WI mine with her and half in FL with FL instructor. Or compete full with FL instructor if I can be down there for more than a week. I’ve talked with both instructors and they are fine with any of the above variations.
WI instructor knows I would only not do full with her due to vacation scheduling. Glad to have options and have this figured out now.
Thank you! Looking forward to diving with him.Quote:
Originally Posted by happystuff
Today is my birthday. 53! Went diving at the WI mine. Instructor pulled out the decorations and put them up on the gate at the mine. She made spicy brownies. Yummy! Had great dives. Weather was 60 and sunny. Awesome day. Attachment 4290
Happy birthday! Glad you had a great time.
Beautiful Tradd! I am so glad you are getting out in this nice weather.
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a perfect celebration doing what you love!
That sounds like a perfect birthday, Tradd! Glad you enjoyed your day.
Delightful! Happy Birthday!
Really nice video on Ginnie Springs. This is the cave where I shredded my fingertips.
https://youtu.be/WD7q_9HhFZE
Thanks for the neat video.
Looks like I’m maybe going rebreather this year. Seems like I’m not going to be able to get enough helium to finish Helitrox class this summer after talking to a number of dive shops. Instructor suggested this would be a good time to go CCR and deep after. 3-5 month lead time right now depending on unit. We’re going to talk more in a few days. I’m excited!
This is the $10K for unit and first class.
Just put down my $500 deposit. Probably July-September before I have my breather. Mfg has component shortages like everyone else these days. That deposit gets me a place in line.
Pricey sport hobby sometimes!
Yep, but look at it this way. If I was a vacation diver, I’d be dropping a ton of money on traveling. I’m spending more on gear, but diving a lot regionally.Quote:
Originally Posted by razz
You are looking at the big picture with wisdom.
My next diving adventure is going to be Mexico for full cave in August. My WI instructor recommended this. Going with a woman instructor she knows well. Had a nice chat last night. Going to MX as the caves are very shallow. I get narked bad deeper. FL caves are 100-130ft deep. There is a severe worldwide helium shortage so none to be had to use in my breathing gas to not get narked. The MX cenotes are shallow, usually less than 40ft.
Definitely something to look forward to, Tradd!
Was talking with rebreather mfg today and they told me they’re looking it at it shipping mid-September. That’s about what I figured. That means I will be doing training in cooler weather, plus fall is my favorite season.
Been diving a lot in IL and WI. One plus about diving in WI is that gas is about $1/gallon cheaper.
Will be in MX in less than a month. The summer is going fast. Will be putting aside my drysuit for the next two weekends and diving my medium weight new wetsuit and two aluminum tanks (usually dive steel ones) as aluminums are what is dived in MX. I haven’t dived wet in more than 3 years. The aluminums dive much differently than steels so needs a bit of practice.
Been picking up a few bits and pieces to use with my rebreather once it arrives. I dive regularly with a buddy who has the same unit I’ll be getting so I’ve been seeing what he does. Things such as a folding work table to use when diving with it at sites that don’t have picnic tables. I’ll check with the manufacturer when I get back from
MX to see if the mid-September ship date is still good.
Was supposed to do Lake Michigan shipwreck diving out of Milwaukee in June and yesterday, but they were both cancelled due to boat mechanical issues. Going to try again in August. This is through my WI instructor’s dive shop.
Just got word from the rebreather manufacturer that my unit is scheduled to ship Sept. 16th. Great to finally have a date. Two more months…
I leave a week from tomorrow for my MX trip for full cave class. Will be staying in Playa del Carmen. Here is a video of MX cave diving.
https://youtu.be/4AQQk3y3Qg0
I got to go to Playa del Carmen about 2 1/2 years ago - beautiful area. Enjoy.
Wow Tradd, that looks amazing.
So I’ve essentially passed full cave. Just a few out of water things tomorrow and one fun dive (not sure where). I’m exhausted. My poor ankles from the skeeter bites. Just want to get home to reliable ac and less humidity. I’ll restrict my international travel to Canada in the future.
After second dive today at Tajma Ha.
Attachment 4684
Beautiful!
Nice!