Those who have gone before us

[jbd]

I read several articles last night about Sheck Exley, Parker Turner and some others that are no longer with us. I guess the world is a better place because of them but I have to admit I don't understand the need to push the limits to such extremes with so little real information to work with. Of course I understand that the information is not real until someone goes there and gives us something concrete to work with.

I guess with hindsight its easy to say that mistakes were made. At the time I guess they just didn't have all the information they needed since they were going into unknown realms. I guess its a risk of being an explorer.

Are there people still trying to go to 1,000 feet on SCUBA. Has anyone gone deeper than Exley and Bowden? If so why is it important to do this?

Also I tried to read about Bill McFadden but couldn't anything other than he died about 50 feet short of the exit from a cave with an indication that his dive that day was plagued with problems.

I'm not judging these folks; rather I'm trying to understand the motivations and what benefits we can derive from their unfortunate deaths.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

I don't believe the world is a better place as a result of the
life and accomplishments of anyone's life but that is neither
here nor there.

As for the desire to push the limits it depends: are you (or
anyone else) trying to set a record? Personal or world?
Are you doing something that has never been done, or are
you doing something that HAS been done by others? Are you
doing it (as) safely (as possible) or stupidly? Is there any other
way to do it or MUST a person do it?

I see NO reason to execute a 1000 ft dive on "SCUBA" gear:
OC, CC, or SC. What's the point?

On the other hand, to explore Wakkula or many of the other
caves, etc. there is no other way to do it other than by actually
entering and pushing further and further. Can you imagine
trying to send a ROV that far into a cave? Not likely.

 

[padiscubapro]

Originally posted by jbd
I read several articles last night about Sheck Exley, Parker Turner and some others that are no longer with us. I guess the world is a better place because of them but I have to admit I don't understand the need to push the limits to such extremes with so little real information to work with. Of course I understand that the information is not real until someone goes there and gives us something concrete to work with.

I guess with hindsight its easy to say that mistakes were made. At the time I guess they just didn't have all the information they needed since they were going into unknown realms. I guess its a risk of being an explorer.

Are there people still trying to go to 1,000 feet on SCUBA. Has anyone gone deeper than Exley and Bowden? If so why is it important to do this?

Also I tried to read about Bill McFadden but couldn't anything other than he died about 50 feet short of the exit from a cave with an indication that his dive that day was plagued with problems.

I'm not judging these folks; rather I'm trying to understand the motivations and what benefits we can derive from their unfortunate deaths.

The open circuit scuba record was set last november. J bennett broke the 1000ft mark

 

[jbd]

Padiscubapro,

Can you provide any details on J Bennets dive? Where? Gases used?

 

[divedude]

Originally posted by jbd
Are there people still trying to go to 1,000 feet on SCUBA. Has anyone gone deeper than Exley and Bowden? If so why is it important to do this?

Because it's there...
Why do people climb Mt Everest?
Why do people go to the moon?
higher, faster, stronger, deeper, farther.
It's a personal thing, and as long as it hurts no one but the people taking the risk....GO FOR IT CARPE DEIM

 

[Zept]

Article on John Bennett's dive in this thread.

Zept

 

[Spectre]

Originally posted by jbd
Are there people still trying to go to 1,000 feet on SCUBA. Has anyone gone deeper than Exley and Bowden? If so why is it important to do this?

They are/where explorers. What motivates anyone to explore the unknown, to be the first to do something. Without people performing firsts, the world stands still. What would have happened if no one sought to find a way to breath underwater, or fly, or even to replace those damn candles with something less messy like a peice of glass with gas in it?

What motivates you to improve yourself?

 

[Zept]

We had a discussion about John Bennett's dive on my last trip.

DM: "He'll always be the first person to reach 1000ft."

Me and my buddy: "Cold. Dark. Nothing to see. Eight hours in the water. No thank you."

Takes all sorts, I guess.

Zept