Did the collapse at JB cause you to rethink your approach to caves?

[Cave Diver]

I've had several off line discussions with a few people about the recent collapse of part of the restriction (chimney) towards the back of the cavern at JB. As I understand it, the fallen rocks from the ceiling made passing in backmount difficult.

Has the possibility of such a collapse altered your approach to cave diving? If so, in what way? Considerations for going to sidemount? Notification of surface support of your dive plan and estimated time of return? More conservative gas rules to allow more time to figure alternatives? This is too dangerous and you're not gonna do it anymore? Something else?

 

[Dsix36]

I have always figured that the odds of any collapse (cave or wreck) happening at a time that would cause any problems to my dive, were just to astronomical to be concerned about. I don't worry about becoming shark food or getting hit by lightning either.

I have not made any changes in my dive style or dive planning.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

While I've always paid attention to areas of potential slides, breakdown collapse is a simple part of caves.

Nothing has changed in my diving because of a couple rocks falling in the cavern at Jackson Blue. Infact, I think the entire situation is being blown way out of proportion.



There is always the slight possibility of collapse, at every cave. If this bothers you, go back to golfing.

 

[Cave Diver]

Infact, I think the entire situation is being blown way out of proportion.

Can you elaborate or provide more details on how much area was affected?

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Look at the bottom of the cavern, its all breakdown, there's a little more of it, no big deal - thats what I'm saying. If it blocked the entirey of the chimney(which is a dumb name for a 30' long fissure crack), there are two other ways down to cave proper.

 

[karstdvr]

I have been in JB when there has been a major collapse that blew out the cave all the way to the cavern,and another time some large rocks fell. Plus I was in Lafayette Blue when a large fissure crack unloaded on me while I was surveying,basketball size rock fell out of the ceiling near my buddy in the Peacock breakdown room,dig my way out of a sand slide on Vortex and a Georgia cave. Still contend I am in greater risk driving down I-75 to go cave diving,or the big asteroid that passed close to the earth recently. I think common sense in cave diving still applies,for example there is an area like the trash room that used to be a sink hole,maybe lingering there isn't a good idea.

 

[LiteHedded]

I got hit on the head today with a big ass rock. I won't be rethinking anything due to that

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

As Bugman said this is being blown way out of porportion. The diver who discovered it simply tied his reel and connected the lines until it could be repaired. I talked to him and Edd and no mention of it being any smaller now. I have seen rocks fall in several different caves, it a part of the cave and its going to happen in them all. If that bothers any cave diver maybe they need to ask why they are doing it. Open water diving or basket weaving might be better choices. This particular area stopped a big rock on me last year. GlenFWB was a witness to it.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I got hit on the head today with a big ass rock. I won't be rethinking anything due to that

What you think has no bearing on the rocks that are being released by my hand

 

[Cave Diver]

As Bugman said this is being blown way out of porportion.

That's good to know. I was under the impression that it was a bit more severe and that caused issues for some exiting back mount divers. I think it does provide a good "what if" opportunity, especially since not everyone is familiar with the alternate exits.