How I started and why I continue to cave dive

[Peter Guy]

I am NOT a caver although I've enjoyed the dry caves I've been in (first one was when I was 16). When Lynne set up the Cavern tours a few years ago I just went along for the experience.

I am still NOT a caver nor am I a "real cave diver" if for no other reason than I live more than 2000 miles from the caves (or at least caves I'll dive). But, why do I dive in holes in the ground and look at wet rocks for hours?

Because I can't be an astronaut.

I've literally dreamt of flying all my life and it wasn't until I was swimming in a Cenote Cavern that I finally found a reality that came close to my dreams. Since those first Cavern dives, I've now flown through Cathedrals that far exceeded the beauty of Cologne's. It isn't about the wet rocks or the technical challenges (although that is part of it) but, for me, it is finally and truly living my dreams.

----------------
John, a group of us will be in Mexico the week before Thanksgiving -- want to join us?

 

[kanonfodr]

I'm not a caver, nor anywhere near such, but I can begin to understand the allure.

We have one dive site here that is known for the collapsed lava tubes which make easy swim throughs that can frequently hold good critter finds. Every time I go through some of the larger ones I relax way more than in open water. Okay, it's pretty dark (in some parts the daylight zone is a sliver) and while there are no sharks in the florida caves, I find the geology of our "caverns" super interesting and like it when the dive lights are the main source of lighting for the dive.

It's also the technical challenge, even here, that gives me a draw. Making a smooth, no-bumping exit through a restriction or just passing through without silting the joint up.

So I may be a future cave diver, not saying I'm not. Looking at pictures, watching videos on youtube, and reading threads like this don't encourage me to not try it later in my life.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

I too was bewitched by Morrison's cave. A bit of Pat Watson (cavern/intro) followed by a bunch of Lamar Hires (Apprentice/Cave/Recovery) and it hasn't gotten any better. The cravings get worse by the year. Methinks it will never get any better and that I will never get enough of underwater caves.

 

[Meng_Tze]

I had been interested in caves since I certified for OW. But that was just a mild interest. Then I met some GUE guys while doing a stint in Asia. I did Fundies and met a buddy who also was coming to FL. When we got here, we needed to see the caves.....................it is a drug.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

As a kid visiting Wakulla Springs I was enchanted by the caves, when I got certified I did some spring dives though I said to my self I wouldn't cave dive. A couple of buddies were cavern certified and I dove a few and knew that I wanted to cavern dive, it has been just a progression from there.

 

[BabyDuck]

i've posted about this before, but...

in jan '05, i was certed ow. i actually did a cert dive in devil's den. then, when i came home, i went on the 'net & found sb & the old version of ncdivers (thanks, suthnbelle!). the nc folks were going on a group trip to ginnie that feb, so i went. three of the guys (one was jason b, who is in a lot of cave videos now on youtube) were taking cavern, and one was a very experienced cave diver (bobby f).

when i saw bobby in the water, i thought - that's it. that's what i want to be. that's what i want to look like. i want to be a cave diver if that's the kind of elegant control you learn.

so the next feb, i was at dive 100 & in cavern & intro class. i had done every dive between ow 2 and cavern with the intention of cave, even if it was in the ocean. i spent spring/summer '06 diving caves every other weekend, making the 17 hour drive cheerfully. ok, then i got sidelined with the baby, but life is always complex.

i love everything about it except the heavy. the heavy sucks, but that's the price to be paid.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

i love everything about it except the heavy. the heavy sucks, but that's the price to be paid.

Yes, heavy is a driving factor, but so is safety. If sheep were not so heavy, and knitting needles not so pointy, Marci and I would abandon cave diving in a heart beat and take up knitting.

 

[BabyDuck]

we talk about it often as we're groaning under the weight & tripping over roots & rocks. it's a dream for someday.

 

[vshearer]

There seems to be a something in every post here that is drawing me in. Ultimately I can blame all of you. I signed up for Cavern several months ago, but I have never dove a spring much less the caves . Diving locally is like jumping into Nestle unless you go at least 20, preferably 40 miles offshore. So I want another option, and the skills/training should be beneficial no matter if I get hooked or not. Have always been a bit of a gearhead, interested in geology and paleontology, and it sounds like a great way to meet a lot of new friends.

Just a little curiousity after all.

Read "Caverns Measureless to Man" and think I may have started to understand. Then I read what Lynn posted above "Swimming, weightless, in gin-clear warm water, surrounded by fantastic formations that resemble illustrations in a fantasy novel......Elegance, discipline and beauty, and perhaps a little ego, as you realize that what you are seeing has been seen by very few people before you" and it pulls even more.

I also share Peter's sentiment on flying, and hope I experience the same satisfaction.

"I've literally dreamt of flying all my life and it wasn't until I was swimming in a Cenote Cavern that I finally found a reality that came close to my dreams. Since those first Cavern dives, I've now flown through Cathedrals that far exceeded the beauty of Cologne's"

I certainly see the connection between them now, wondered when he was into that vintage stuff. (Hey, I have 6 DH regs myself)

Many years ago I did a lot of diving around Eleuthra, and I wanted so much to explore the Blue Holes around Rock Sound. Have always wondered about them.

I am off for my class in HS in two days.

 

[BabyDuck]

have fun! learn lots!