General Vortex Incident Discussion

[MXGratefulDiver]

If you knew that a good friend or family member was planning something that was incredibly dangerous and for which he was not properly trained or equipped, how would you feel after his death? Might you feel some guilt for not stopping him?

That would depend on whether it was a good friend or a family member ... I'm not all that close to my family ...

Additionally, if you held him in high esteem in such a situation, how easy would it be to admit even to yourself that he had screwed up to such an unbelievable degree?

Very difficult ...

Finally, how easy would it be to have to admit the truth during a media interview?

Damn near impossible ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[boulderjohn]

On the cost of cave instruction...

When I analyzed the cost of my instruction, I was really amazed--I thought it was one of the biggest bargains I had ever encountered in scuba. I don't mean something philosophical about the importance of what I learned in comparison to what I paid, either.

About 7 months before I took my first set of cave classes (through apprentice), I did a little over a week of 2 tank boat dives with nitrox in Hawai'i. My first set of cave classes took about the same amount of time and cost only a little more.

I left Hawai'i with pleasant memories of nice dives; I left Florida with a whole new set of skills and a certification card allowing me to continue practicing.

With that experience in mind, I did not hesitate to plunk down the money for the next level of training.

 

[diverdoug1]

This was posted on a message board being frequented by friends of the victim. "the sheriff's department has located a camera system that will help them explore the deeper parts of the cave safely. They are unaware at this moment of when they will get the system, but it will be able to go 1600-1800 feet deep. They have also found a gentleman that is coming to assess the situation and possibly bring in divers" Anyone heard of such a camera system that would be small enough to go through an 8" gap, and move independently against a brisk flow? If there is such a camera, why doesn't the WKPP have one? It would be invaluable in mapping!

 

[vshearer]

I am going to take a wild guess that it is one of the systems many public water/sewage utilities use. Will be interesting to see if it works.

Something along these lines. http://www.offshore-technology.com/contractors/rovs/hydrabotix/

EDIT: But personally I think some divers are going to be able to make some money recovering the ROV or pushhead.

 

[cruiser]

This was posted on a message board being frequented by friends of the victim. "the sheriff's department has located a camera system that will help them explore the deeper parts of the cave safely. They are unaware at this moment of when they will get the system, but it will be able to go 1600-1800 feet deep. They have also found a gentleman that is coming to assess the situation and possibly bring in divers" Anyone heard of such a camera system that would be small enough to go through an 8" gap, and move independently against a brisk flow? If there is such a camera, why doesn't the WKPP have one? It would be invaluable in mapping!

I'm not a cave diver and don't pretend to be one. But looking at the videos posted of Vortex, there are just so many rocks and cracks and pointy things that a remote controlled camera or cable can get hung up on.... This isn't a straight shot through a tube.

 

[Cave Diver]

I am bothered by the fact that the media are taking their words for it, that he was an instructor and a highly qualified cave diver. It really sends a misleading and perhaps dangerous message to the community as a whole. I wonder what the media would do if someone were to set them straight.

On one of those news stories, I have seen quite a few divers chime in under the comment sections refuting the "facts" posted in the story.

 

[Belmont]

How about a metal detector?

 

[Docc]

Interesting video.......

 

[bigken462]

Hey doc, what is T2T?

 

[Cave Diver]

I was searching for more Vortex videos on YouTube and this one is now listed.

It looks like it was taken July 31 and uploaded today. The comments state that Ben is the one in the white helmet.

Here are some videos (not mine) that give an idea of the first part of the cave up to the gate.