Cave diver death at Ginnie Springs

[PfcAJ]

I don't know the area as I probably have less than a dozen dives in Ginnie. A few years ago I scootered back to the Hinkle and turned. There was a jump up to the left on shelf up high. I swam back through this area. Is this the area they went into? It was definitely not scooterable from what I remember. You could have pushed a scooter through but I don't know why that would be done there. It is really sad

Maybe, if youre on the way out its on the left. Then the mainline goes down at a fairly steep angle, there's boulders and rocks on the floor, no real silt there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prc_F2ayEE0

Imo this video represents a well planned dive. They used 2 stages and dropped the scooters at an appropriate part of the cave.

 

[Warren_L]

I don't know the area as I probably have less than a dozen dives in Ginnie. A few years ago I scootered back to the Hinkle and turned. There was a jump up to the left on shelf up high. I swam back through this area. Is this the area they went into? It was definitely not scooterable from what I remember. You could have pushed a scooter through but I don't know why that would be done there. It is really sad

If you're headed in towards the Hinkle, there is a jump that looks like it's a bit high up (it's actually a bit of a V shape) around 2200' that goes to the insulation room. But if you're talking about Mainland, it's on the left when you are heading back out.

 

[Strongdiver]

I knew them both and had dived with them in Bikini, Wakatobi and Truk many times, and entertained them many times here on Guam. Bob will be missed. I guarantee all the details will come out because they were very experienced scooter and cave divers, and the Cave Diving Community -- like none better -- does an expert job of diagnosing errors and helping divers learn from accidents. By the way, again I highly recommend the book by Simon Pridmore, "Scuba Confidential." Study the concept of "Constructive Paranoia," and dive safely!

---------- Post added April 29th, 2015 at 02:53 PM ----------

Diver dies at NCF spring | WCJB TV-20

 

[kensuf]

I don't think the full story will come out in published form. The IUCRR hasn't published a real report in years, and there are people tiptoeing around this one. I can't recall the last time that there was an honest report about a cave fatality, except maybe Jim Miller.

At the same time, there's not really much to say here -- poor gas planning, poor team skills, poor scooter planning summarizes the entire thing.

It's a sad day.

 

[Jack Hammer]

...snip

At the same time, there's not really much to say here -- poor gas planning, poor team skills, poor scooter planning summarizes the entire thing.

It's a sad day.

I agree that may summarize it rather well, I think there is quite a bit to still be said though. Based on what we have there were quite a few things from start to finish that if done differently may have altered the outcome. I think they should be looked at in detail and discussed. And not for the intent of disparaging either diver, both have already paid a heavy price. But to help newer folks learn and to reinforce what more experienced divers should already know about proper planning and complacency.

 

[scubadada]

Maybe, if youre on the way out its on the left. Then the mainline goes down at a fairly steep angle, there's boulders and rocks on the floor, no real silt there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prc_F2ayEE0

Imo this video represents a well planned dive. They used 2 stages and dropped the scooters at an appropriate part of the cave.

For a non-cave diver, an absolutely fascinating video, thanks very much.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

For a non-diver - in the cave at any given point in time are there very few people in a cave or are there teams of folks coming and going? How busy does Ginnie Springs get - are there 5 people or 50 people in a cave in a day? And is it all hours or are most dives done in the morning or afternoon? Just curious.

I am used to ocean dives where you are limited by tides on a shore dive or when the boats run and take you to a dive site.

 

[PfcAJ]

For a non-diver - in the cave at any given point in time are there very few people in a cave or are there teams of folks coming and going? How busy does Ginnie Springs get - are there 5 people or 50 people in a cave in a day? And is it all hours or are most dives done in the morning or afternoon? Just curious.

I am used to ocean dives where you are limited by tides on a shore dive or when the boats run and take you to a dive site.

Highly variable. Sometimes your team is the only one, other times there's 6+ teams, solo guys, classes, etc all going to different parts of the cave.

Most dives are during the day, but you can dive in the evening or at night.

 

[ajduplessis]

Maybe, if youre on the way out its on the left. Then the mainline goes down at a fairly steep angle, there's boulders and rocks on the floor, no real silt there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prc_F2ayEE0

Imo this video represents a well planned dive. They used 2 stages and dropped the scooters at an appropriate part of the cave.

Very nice video indeed. What is the average depth of this dive?

 

[PfcAJ]

85ft. Max 100.