Jackson Blue Spring Trip Report - 4/27/05

[jviehe]

For the full trip report including pics, see here - http://northfloridadiver.net/triprep/jackson_blue__42705.htm

After a bit of a lull in diving, I decided to set up a cave dive for Wednesday the 27th. Since everything was flooded in central Florida, I grabbed a buddy and we headed off to the tried and true Jackson Blue Springs in Marianna, FL. After an out of the way stop at the Sheriffs office to pick up the gate key and pay our diving fees, we arrived at the Park to find the gate open and torn down. Heading on it, we found the place to ourselves and got to setting up as the mosquitoes started coming in for dinner. A quick reconnoiter of the basin showed us the ripping flow coming out of the spring, producing a large boil on the surface. Visibility looked great.

Our dive plan was to do a simple penetration along the main line, not expecting to get far due to the flow. Our turn limits were 1/3 of air or 10minutes at max depth. I was on 31% nitrox and my buddy on 24% nitrox, with both of us using computers for planning. Since it was getting dark, I would run the reel and try to stay to the left and out of the main flow. After a quick bubble check, s drill, and checking of lights, setting the plan, we headed on in, with me in the lead. I pulled out the sometimes trusty red reel, found a rock and tied in, then head into the cave. Visibility was good at 50+, water temp about 70f, and the flow was definitely present. I pulled my way up to the Death sign and tied my second tie off, then headed over to the main line and tied in.

We headed on down the cavern, took a dive through the chimney and into the main passage which starts about 400ft back. After pulling and gliding for 10 mins and over the first breakdown we arrive at the second breakdown about 700ft in, and flow really picked up. Checking gas, I saw it was about time to turn, and called the dive. After a quick ride out with the flow, we arrived back at the cavern for a safety stop, where the crawfish and bream try to sneak up and bite you.

After a short SI in the basin, we headed back in to waste rest of our tanks in the lower cavern, which goes to 50ft deep. My buddy ran his primary reel off of mine (essentially a jump), and into the lower cavern. About 100ft in however, his reel jammed. Since we were still pretty close to the exit he just tied it off, attached his safety spool, and extended it another 100ft or so. At the end of his spool, we turned around and headed out. Total bottom time for both dives was 55minutes, with a max depth of 97ft.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Sounds like fun - I still want to give that place a try

 

[Corigan]

Sounds like fun - I still want to give that place a try

Well, get your cavern cert with me in June and then we'll go to JB.. Nice report Jv.

Matt

 

[jviehe]

Well, get your cavern cert with me in June and then we'll go to JB.. Nice report Jv.

Matt

Only by boat. No cavern diving officialy allowed yet

 

[Corigan]

Only by boat. No cavern diving officialy allowed yet

Thanks for the info. Hey Bugman, get your cavern cert and bring miss jelly so we can go cavern diving in JB..

Matt

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Miss Jelly can get out there with or without the cavern cert

I'm looking to get my Cavern Cert towards the end of the summer anyway