Please critique this cave diving video

[w ripley]

Hey, I enjoyed the video. Forget the diver - he's obviously doing something very different than "cave diving" the way we think of it - and look at how clear the water is, how good the lighting is, etc. It's a beautiful cave and well photographed, too.

 

[Ze_Abron]

Fascinating feedback - many thanks!

 

[David_57]

Just cause it aint DIR does not = wrong but I agree his technique is a little different

 

[lowviz]

There are often differences in technique and equipment between cavers who dive, as opposed to cave divers--they're coming from two different mindsets. Pretty cave, though.

I think that basic mindsets are important in understanding caving if you haven't been there yet. Here is one place where generalizations are somewhat useful. I was instructed that there are dry cavers (that dive) and two types of wet-cave divers, those that are all about the cave and those that are all about their personal performance in a cave. All three can approach the same cave with the proper skills and respect to leave the cave undamaged.

In addition, there are "big-cave" divers and "little-cave" divers. Big-cave divers like the grandeur of large, clear open spaces and little-cave divers like the technical aspect of working through twists, turns, and restrictions.

All above are my generalizations of what others have told me, feel free to add or correct...

I got the "big-cave" effect at Ginnie Springs (Large rooms, high flow, and clean bottom) and the "little-cave" effect at various places in both Peacock and Jackson Blue. I'm a fresh newbie at caving, but I'm leaning heavily towards "small-cave". I don't know why, but I just find the close spaces to be more interesting.

........... Pretty cave, though.

Yes, pretty cave.

 

[rjack321]

My only critique is that he mount his light canister a bit more snuggly and higher. He's going to break the gland/cord with the cord rubbing and snagging on the floor. Otherwise he's wet caving not "cave diving" and like the others I don't see his technique as particularly poor. In fact, his hand walking keeps his cylinders and fins from banging around and doing more damage.

No its not "DIR" - but shoving "DIR" through that cave would probably be more abusive.

 

[Doc Harry]

His swimming technique leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Doc Harry]

I watched about 20 seconds of the video and immediately noticed that his swimming technique is very poor.

Later I saw him pulling along the bottom. This, too, is very poor technique.

I'm not watching any more of this crap.

 

[Joeyk]

I'm not watching any more of this crap.

Good idea if it upsets you that much..

 

[CamG]

Greetings Ze_Abron Thanks for sharing the video what a beautiful cave!
Wow one more reason to visit France!

It appears form the video to be some flow which would explain some of the technique, "pull and glide".
Weighting could be relative to the flow and or the tanks being more negative at the start of the dive.
There could be explanations for this so to depending on the site and what conditions were like there.

The light mount could be uptight to reduce wear and help streamlining.
Finning technique is not what I would recommend but I have not been caving in France either.
It might be the way he was taught and it does not appear to be silting much.

I love the video and will be dreaming of swimming SM'ed 85s through that cave!
Just fuels the desire to go on the world wide cave diving circuit filming for a new History channel program!
So many cave so little time!

CamG Keep Diving....Keep Training....Keep Learning!

 

[Doc Harry]

There are often differences in technique and equipment between cavers who dive, as opposed to cave divers--they're coming from two different mindsets. Pretty cave, though.

I'm a caver who cave dives.... And I would never advocate diving like that.

I'll agree about the two different mindsets.

Cavers like me who cave dive tend to have more respect for caves than divers who cave dive... And so we tend to avoid things like pulling ourselves along the bottom and using poor technique that could potentially damage the cave.

Whereas divers who cave dive tend to see that the ends justify the means...