Ginnie springs - safe for AOW?

[SparticleBrane]

i hate open water divers in the ear and the eye.
it's a lousy open water dive and there are cave divers entering and more importantly exiting the system.
if you have to take a peek try and stay out of the way

Wow, nice attitude, Mr. Just Got Cave Certified.

 

[LiteHedded]

No its not. Its shallow, and the direct area isn't very large, but its fun and you can always drift down the river when you're finished looking at the springs. OW divers have every right to be there as long as they stick withing their training/experience standards. The same should be said for cave divers.

it's cramped and there's not much to see. just my opinion but I dont think it's a very interesting OW dive.

 

[TSandM]

I have to say, I'm with LiteHedded. The spaces in the Eye and Ear are so small, I can't imagine it would be a great deal of fun just to descend into them and ascend out (although one would get a chance, at least in the Eye, to peek into the darkness and let the cave monster nibble at you). On the other hand, I found swimming in the little inlet where the springs are to be quite fun, and watching the curtains of bubbles coming up through the limestone is beautiful. Peeking over the rim and looking down into the Ear, and feeling the flow coming up, is pretty cool as well.

 

[Scubastud16]

Ginnie is beautiful. I was there for the first time a few months ago, and just did some freediving (hanging out with non-certified friends). I caught the 'Ginnie' bug, and I'm taking my cavern there next weekend. Never seen the ballroom, but the Eye and Ear are both beautiful. Ear is a little tight towards the bottom, but do-able. Little Devil is kind of fun too, but also very tight. The run between the 3 is nice, and I'll second what TSandM said about watching the bubbles come through the limestone...beautiful!

 

[karstdvr]

OW/AOW divers have died in the ballroom.


If you're going to be in the area, why not take a cavern class?

Diving in a cavern like this as an OW/AOW or OWSI is like driving without seatbelts,sure you can do it,and many defy the odds,but are you doing it safely-no. It troubles me that there are places that are advertised as safe cavern/cave dives,but have fatalities on an infrequent basis. Just because the cave is grated doesn't mean that you are in a safe environment.

 

[karstdvr]

i hate open water divers in the ear and the eye.
it's a lousy open water dive and there are cave divers entering and more importantly exiting the system.
if you have to take a peek try and stay out of the way

I have around 300 cave dives in Devil's and have never had an issue with OW divers impeding my progress-thats the nice thing about two exit/entrance points.

 

[stairman]

Diving in a cavern like this as an OW/AOW or OWSI is like driving without seatbelts,sure you can do it,and many defy the odds,but are you doing it safely-no. It troubles me that there are places that are advertised as safe cavern/cave dives,but have fatalities on an infrequent basis. Just because the cave is grated doesn't mean that you are in a safe environment.

Agreed,if something went wrong and one panicked wether o.w or cave certified,the outcome could be bad.I encourage every diver to take a cavern course.Then youll be able to deal with those problems in a cavern,wreck or other inhospitable environment.Dont let your tank valve crash into the ceiling[stay horizontal]watch your air supply and be able to remove and replace your mask.Ginnie even sells cavern books that doesnt replace training but will help the novice o.w.d tremendously.If your stress level is high I would cut it short,otherwise have fun.

 

[karstdvr]

.Dont let your tank valve crash into the ceiling[stay horizontal]watch your air supply and be able to remove and replace your mask..

Leave the snorkel behind. The snorkel hits the ceiling,and dislodges causing a flooded mask,it can be the cause of panic for an inexperienced diver.

 

[contender]

Wow, nice attitude, Mr. Just Got Cave Certified.

I agree.

 

[ferretchen]

All,
Thanks for all of the responses. I'm more excited than ever about diving the springs. Anyone want to be a dive buddy? I'll be by myself. We're talking tomorrow - thursday the 22 - and possibly the 23rd as wel.