Question Do you take detailed notes on your dives?

[halocline]

Cave divers take notes for several reasons; aiding navigation is only one of those. I’ve had a dive partner who takes detailed notes as an aide to making and annotating maps so when she returns to the same cave months later, she has a lot of info to jog her memory. It might be a little distracting for her, but I have to say, those annotated maps are pretty nice!

I tend to take pretty succinct data points, of course I’ll note all navigational decisions on a wrist slate and I carry a stick map of the route in my wet notes, which I’ll refer to from time to time. I’m fairly sure I ‘could’ get out if someone removed my markers, but it would not be a lot of fun.

We all like the idea of ‘dive the cave, not the line’ and I think note taking can actually help that mentality.

 

[Germie]

It depends on the situation. If I go to Mexico and want to take pictures, I put on the way in some cookies on the line for interesting photospots and write down the time in and amount of gas used till cookie 'X'. This has a reason, because on the way back I start taking pictures and sometimes I do it 1km inside a cave.
This means that you need to know how much gas is left including reserves and with reaching the next cookie I can calculate my new 3rds (and know the consumption from others of course).
Because I want to give the others also a 'normal' dive we don't take pictures on the way in. This works very well and sometimes I have to skip a cookie because I want to have more time on the next for a good picture.

 

[lukeb]

When I first started diving Ginnie I drew a map of the lower section, with all the lines and intersections and kept it in my wet notes. I have only had to look at it once, (when I got confused doing the Expressway tunnel for the first time), but it was always reassuring knowing I had it should I need to reference it on a dive. Now I am exploring the upper section (Double Lines area etc), I need to draw a new map!

I make it a point to memorize the route I am going to take and the jumps I am putting in, and I think this helps me remember the layout of the cave as I progress. I never want to become complacent about navigation, I always want to remain focused when placing markers and jumps, and especially on the exit. I also number my markers, so I know which number marker I will be hitting and removing next.

When I have dived other systems that are brand new to me, I like to bring a wrist slate with a sketch map that I can glance at along the way. This helps me to be confident of where we are and what to expect ahead of us.

 

[lermontov]

The markers are secondary to your understanding of the actual cave. The line and marker are not "the cave" - they are aids to enhance your navigation and help orient you, especially when stressed. They are not there to replace a basic conceptual understanding of where you are, how long it will take to exit, and what turns you'll need to get out.

i think you ve got it back to front -an understanding of the geology of the cave is valuable but it doest replace cogent navigational aids
this was what was written-
"My personal opinion is you should pretty much be able to memorize all your navigation choices and times"
other comments in this thread have also mentioned using memory over written notes or have some vague plan
I reiterate- the ability for us to accurately recall details when under stress is flawed

 

[Manatee Diver]

My personal opinion is you should pretty much be able to memorize all your navigation choices and times"
other comments in this thread have also mentioned using memory over written notes or have some vague plan
I reiterate- the ability for us to accurately recall details when under stress is flawed

That is where markers come in. The markers back and your internal cave map work together to check each other.

 

[PEDiver]

i think you ve got it back to front -an understanding of the geology of the cave is valuable but it doest replace cogent navigational aids
this was what was written-
"My personal opinion is you should pretty much be able to memorize all your navigation choices and times"
other comments in this thread have also mentioned using memory over written notes or have some vague plan
I reiterate- the ability for us to accurately recall details when under stress is flawed

I think you're maybe interpreting this too much in the strong sense. I think most everyone would agree that it is important to both understand the cave (i.e. be able to visualize it and memorize it as you progressively penetrate into new areas) and to be able to use navigational markers and aids (cookies, arrows, lines, etc.) to enter and exit the cave even under stressful or undesirable conditions. You're right, memory recall is not helpful under all circumstances, especially when you're task loaded or stressed to the limit. But that is why we always have a continuous guideline to the exit and use certain markers to help orient and confirm our decisions underwater.

 

[rddvet]

Pay attention, enjoy the dive, follow the typical safety rules relating to navigation and you'll be good. Unless you're doing cartography you don't need detailed notes. A simple note that you got to say the hill 400 in 15 minutes carrying 2 stages can be beneficial for future dive planning. But honestly I just make a mental note and write it down in my dive log after the dive. I know that doesn't work for all people.
But realistically unless you're an explorer you should be progressively penetrating caves to learn the cave over time.
I would have loved to gone way far back in Ressel the first few times I went considering the cost associated with getting to France from the US. Instead we took our time and learned the cave. Now I can actually remember the first few 1000 feet in mind years later. Had I decided to grab a stage and push to 3000ft I probably wouldn't remember 1/3 of what I saw.
Seems pretty simple. Why go making it complicated. Once your heads in your wetnotes, your taking your mind off the dive imo.

 

[rjack321]

But realistically unless you're an explorer you should be progressively penetrating caves to learn the cave over time.

As an "original explorer" on a bunch of systems now - this absolutely happens outside of tourist systems too. Some folks have the capacity to learn 1500ft at a time, some only 150ft of cave at a time. I kinda scratch my head at the 1500ft folks but who am I to judge. I don't know anyone doing full maps with LURDs and sidewalls on their first dive in a new system while also laying line.