gander
Registered
I haven't been cave diving long, but I can partially see the argument for spinning or not. I think it depends alot on the comfort of the student. If the student remains calms and simply follows the procedures regardless of the failures thrown at him/her, then spinning really doesn't do anything (other than prove that in that specific location it took them x minutes to find the line). For other students, I can see where it improves confidence that they would be able to work through the situation (and may help them with the importance of situational awareness).
The fact is that there are caves where no amount of spinning / training / etc will help you find the line. The fact is that there are some caves that if you truly became disoriented you will most likely die in a true zero vis situation. Alternately, regardless being taught the LLD with or without spinning, you will probably spend the rest of your life looking for the line. Hopefully, there are other factors to help you find it (flow, restrictions, etc.).
The cave that comes to mind was essentially a very large room that went several hundred feet back (and at some points very deep). The walls / ceiling had such percolation that something was constantly falling on your head (or back). The line (old) would have been extremely challenging to find (even when just getting off of it). The only true hope is to find a wall and attempt to swim in a circle until you accidentally came across the line (by knowing your depth when you entered) and hope you find a glow as you reach the entrance. When I dove it, the vis was poor and we sure didn't hurt the vis (except for percolation) and the glow was barely visible from the line.
In conclusion, I agree there is no right or wrong. For some students it makes sense to spin (just like the same student may need to do 100 jumps to become proficient). Other students will methodically go through the process and will eventually find the line.
The fact is that there are caves where no amount of spinning / training / etc will help you find the line. The fact is that there are some caves that if you truly became disoriented you will most likely die in a true zero vis situation. Alternately, regardless being taught the LLD with or without spinning, you will probably spend the rest of your life looking for the line. Hopefully, there are other factors to help you find it (flow, restrictions, etc.).
The cave that comes to mind was essentially a very large room that went several hundred feet back (and at some points very deep). The walls / ceiling had such percolation that something was constantly falling on your head (or back). The line (old) would have been extremely challenging to find (even when just getting off of it). The only true hope is to find a wall and attempt to swim in a circle until you accidentally came across the line (by knowing your depth when you entered) and hope you find a glow as you reach the entrance. When I dove it, the vis was poor and we sure didn't hurt the vis (except for percolation) and the glow was barely visible from the line.
In conclusion, I agree there is no right or wrong. For some students it makes sense to spin (just like the same student may need to do 100 jumps to become proficient). Other students will methodically go through the process and will eventually find the line.