Cave diver drowns - Jackson Blue Springs, Florida

[PfcAJ]

Whose full bottle was it, the victim or survivor?

My understanding is that the deceased had 1 empty and 1 @ 2400psi.

And guys don’t take this as like 100% accurate. I’m doin the best I can to relay the scant info that I have. Expect inaccuracies.

 

[CptTightPants21]

The unit was a sidewinder

 

[The Chairman]

Edd did the body recovery. He was really wedged in and it took intense effort and patience to free him. Buddy attempted help but ultimately did what they were supposed to do: not become a second victim. My heart goes out to everyone at DAN, and those close to the victim.

 

[Norwegian Cave Diver]

Is this a case of the smaller diver made it through the restriction and the larger diver got wedged and couldn't move forward or backward?

 

[ofg-1]

This is not the first time a diver got stuck in JB and drowned. A guy got stuck in back mount, dumped his tanks and drowned 15 or so years ago.

There are places in JB that are tight side mount dives. Some are silty. A couple you have to remove a tank.

Now I don't know these guys, they may be very experienced divers. My point, just because you have side mount equipment does not mean you should wedge your ass into every little hole you see that has a line in it.

 

[berndo]

This is not the first time a diver got stuck in JB and drowned. A guy got stuck in back mount, dumped his tanks and drowned 15 or so years ago.

There are places in JB that are tight side mount dives. Some are silty. A couple you have to remove a tank.

Now I don't know these guys, they may be very experienced divers. My point, just because you have side mount equipment does not mean you should wedge your ass into every little hole you see that has a line in it.

There have been several of these cases in European caves too. I very much agree with your point.

 

[tbone1004]

This is not the first time a diver got stuck in JB and drowned. A guy got stuck in back mount, dumped his tanks and drowned 15 or so years ago.

There are places in JB that are tight side mount dives. Some are silty. A couple you have to remove a tank.

Now I don't know these guys, they may be very experienced divers. My point, just because you have side mount equipment does not mean you should wedge your ass into every little hole you see that has a line in it.

The deceased was first cave certified in 2021, Sidewinder 2022, cave CCR about 3 weeks ago. Not what I would call "very experienced". Buddy was not CCR certified and got full cave about a year ago.

 

[berndo]

The deceased was first cave certified in 2021, Sidewinder 2022, cave CCR about 3 weeks ago. Not what I would call "very experienced". Buddy was not CCR certified and got full cave about a year ago.

Do you know where they were? Way back in the cave on scooters or some side tunnel like the LST?

 

[tbone1004]

Do you know where they were? Way back in the cave on scooters or some side tunnel like the LST?

side passage near the first T. Well within kicking range of a single stage.

 

[berndo]

Well within kicking range of a single stage.

Even on 85s without a stage well within kicking range it sounds like.