Solo Cave Diving: Equipment Configuration

[rjack321]

I was getting excited reading this thread until I read your point 4). In Bermuda all caves have a thick layer of thousands year old silt on the bottom (almost no flow).

You have bare hands, at least you can feel a piece of #21 line.

Up here you can't really feel the line in drygloves. (see polish mine accident thread for consequences of extremely low vis touch contact exits in very cold water)

 

[Merida Cave Diver]

Always an interesting topic... I solo cave from time to time and I'm SM. I share the same thought as @lostsheep regarding failures. I typically will stick to "easy" caves, no restrictions, no jumps, but because of where I am 40M is a common depth.

I go with three tanks just because, all the usual redundant gear, and I stage tanks which I may or may not use for deco. For me the three tanks, 3 regs, while more work just feels better.

 

[Alaskan Scuba Dude]

If you were trapped in a major restriction while using backmount, you may not be able to shut down any valve. Maybe, while using backmount, and before you enter a major restriction, you could shutdown the isolation valve. Reopen when clear of restriction. I know of one diver who uses ID.

 

[grantctobin]

Maybe, while using backmount, and before you enter a major restriction, you could shutdown the isolation valve.

Can we go back to you not having any cave training?

 

[PfcAJ]

If you were trapped in a major restriction while using backmount, you may not be able to shut down any valve. Maybe, while using backmount, and before you enter a major restriction, you could shutdown the isolation valve. Reopen when clear of restriction. I know of one diver who uses ID.

Curious as to how many major cave restrictions you’ve negotiated?

 

[jadairiii]

...... I know of one diver who uses ID.

Independent doubles? Is this 1994?

 

[Alaskan Scuba Dude]

4) usually fairly old locals and set in their ways. Indy doubles have never been a recommended cave diving option with a buddy, so nobody specifically sets aside tanks this way to use for the occasional after work solo dive either.

I agree with the above statement.

I did negotiate the Liberty wreck. It was my first major restriction. I've also been through a tight squeeze through another wreck. I'm not certain anyone has an answer to my question. Now, to add to the above scenario, your wing has self-inflated while trapped and the primary regulator has free-flowed. I asked this similar question to another diver and he was unable to answer.



My cat is in charge of pest control.

 

[PfcAJ]

I agree with the above statement.

I did negotiate the Liberty wreck. It was my first major restriction. I've also been through a tight squeeze through another wreck. I'm not certain anyone has an answer to my question. Now, to add to the above scenario, your wing has self-inflated while trapped and the primary regulator has free-flowed. I asked this similar question to another diver and he was unable to answer.



My cat is in charge of pest control.

I have never been in any situation where I couldn’t reach my face. If I can reach my face, I can reach the back of my head. Guess what’s right there? Valves.

 

[Alaskan Scuba Dude]

What about the right valve? Can you reach the valve and shut it down during a free-flow while trapped momentarily in a major restriction because you got caught on the line or your wing self-inflated? Hence, my reason for whether it should be appropriate to shutdown the isolation manifold if you're entering a major restriction.


I was reading an article by Steve Bogaerts, and he said: anyone who hasn't had an incident while diving is either a liar or just hasn't dived enough. This isn't verbatim.

 

[RyanT]

@PfcAJ, I can totally imagine a situation where I could reach my face but not the back of my head. I would not be able to shut down the free-flowing right post, and I would not be able to vent my wing. In said situation, I also would not be able to fend off the invading space-aliens who were causing all these problems. To be clear, I am not a cave diver, and I have not encountered this particular situation. So I'm going to leave the recommendations to the experts on this particular issue.