Why do you do what you do?

[b1gcountry]

I would love to go wreck diving and have the skill to go deep if I needed to.

I'm sorry, are you saying that you would love to deep wreck dive, and that you already have enough skill level to do so...

or that you would love to go wreck diving, and would like to build up enough experience to have the level of skill to do so?

Sorry for splitting hairs, but I can't tell from the OP.

Tom

 

[ucfdiver]

OK, millions of people go see the grand canyon each year.......it's "just rocks". Cave diving is done for almost the same reason, really. Add in the relaxing factor of diving, the challenge of flow, silt, navigation, and you've got a very fun way to spend the weekend!

 

[Flightlead]

I am still a little new to diving. I understand why people get into tech diving. I would love to go wreck diving and have the skill to go deep if I needed to. What I can't figure out is why caves and deep air.

What do you see in caves?
Why do your deep dives on air? Why not use a mix gas?

I would really like to know what you get out of it and why you do it. I learned to dive to see the reefs and the life on them. I also like the thought of wrecks especially when they are historical or might contain gold.

So why do you do what you do?

I got into diving, and started in tech because I wanted to dive wrecks, and in particular historic, wooden sailing vessels. I'm particularly interested in some of the wrecks in the Great Lakes (which I haven't dove yet). Why not tri-mix? simply because I haven't progressed that far in my training and experience yet. I want to get in at least a solid year of tech diving on air, probably more, before I add the complexity and additional risk of He.

Caves? When I started diving I have absolutely no interest in diving caves, thought it was way too dangerous just to go look at a bunch of wet rocks, and felt uncomfortable about the overhead environment. one of my best buds was a big cave diver in the late 70's - 80's and had regaled me with all sorts of lurid tales of body recoveries.

then I made the mistake of diving some caverns, in particular the cavern at Morrison Spring. After a nasty descent through mung laden water with minimal visibility....suddenly a peaceful, beautiful room with rock formations like a high gothic cathedral....and water so clear it was like diving in air. I plan to be full cave in the next 2-3 years.

oh, and personally I see no issue with diving END beyond 100' as long as one recognizes and takes into account the issues, plans for contingencies, blah blah. personally I'm comfortable doing short dives well in excess of that, although I will use mix when I am able to. I did get quite buzzed in the quarry last weekend I have no intention of making a practice of doing 150'+ air dives once I can use mix.

 

[Flightlead]

OK, millions of people go see the grand canyon each year.......it's "just rocks". Cave diving is done for almost the same reason, really. Add in the relaxing factor of diving, the challenge of flow, silt, navigation, and you've got a very fun way to spend the weekend!

masochist!

 

[String]

What do you see in caves?

Rather than answer that in words just google for some cenote pictures and see for yourself

Why do your deep dives on air? Why not use a mix gas?

For me its cost. I couldnt afford to dive on trimix so its a choice of doing the dive with a sub-optimal gas or not doing the dive or seeing the wreck at all. Trimix here would cost between 6 and 8 times per dive.

...and for me i dive for wrecks. Fish bore me, i LOVE rusting metal.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

The caves are a magical and peaceful place, the water is so clear and warm. It's impossible to even imagine, much less explain, what cave diving is really like. I too though it was nuts and ended up full cave certified within a year of meeting my first cave diver. Its worth the work, money, and time... far more so than any other diving I have done.

Deep air? well I guess everyone is different and no opinions are the same about the subject but for me its cost... kinda but mostly its a lack of training thus far and a lack of wish to persue training in that direction because I am headed for CCR (always have been but it takes a while). I have dove trimix once but it was normoxic and was treated like air, It was a nice dive but spending big bucks on HE to dive no deeper than I do now seems kinda nuts. The only major plus to mix for diving above 218 ft is cutting the narcosis, the decreased off gas time or what ever other excuse makes it hard to justify the cost. Until you get a breather and a T of HE lasts a year of course than i will be diving mix all the time for dives below 150 ish.

 

[highflowdiver]

Last week I dove the Peacock system for the first time. We did the Grand Traverse. After surfacing at Peacock 1 an instructor was floating there. He asked me how my dive was. I said it was very nice, my longest dive ever, 1hr and 45min about a 4700 foot traverse. He smiled and said let me shake your hand. That dive gave me a feeling of satisfaction 10 times more than my first 200 foot trimix dive. Afterwards we all went to the local store and sat at the table with the Peacock system painted on it. Enjoying our sandwiches, relaxing, and dreaming about what our next cave dive will be. Kal

 

[texdiveguy]

Not a caver myself in the serious terms.....but really enjoy recreational//deep tech//wreck diving//solo. I really enjoy fresh water vs. salt water diving....and chilly waters are a challenge. Diving has so much to offer. Air--EAN--TMx it's a good!

 

[battles2a5]

Technical diving just opens up a whole new world of opportunity. The skills you learn, the people you meet, the continuing expansion of your own boundaries... all lead to new opportunities to see and do things that most people never will (or would) do. You are no longer the recreational diver signing up for a two-tank tour of the local reef, you have the tools and experience to explore a much greater portion of the underwater world.

Another great thing about technical diving in general is that it so far removed from the nanny-society we live in. You are solely responsible for your own planning, preparation, and safety. Being able to plan and execute a complex dive safely provides a great sense of accomplishment and really builds your sense of self-sufficiency.

Caves... ah caves.. are one of the most beautiful enviroments hidden to plain sight. As others have said, you can't put it into words, but they are just very special places. In addition to the formations, coloration, and general topography, the flow and water characteristics give every cave their own personality. Learning how to get to the lips in Ginnie without fighting the flow, or learning the best passages through a tunnel is a lot like getting to know a new friend

 

[Standingbear56]

All the answer's given say it better than I ever could. As for me personally, technical/wreck diving (I'm not a Cave Diver - YET) gives me a sense of awe and excitement. It's the closest I will ever be able to come to being an Astronaut (unless the price of SpaceShip Two comes WAY WAY DOWN) and being able to explore alien landscapes. I really can't quite put it into words that make sense. I guess that at least for me - "If you have to ask......"
Safe Diving,
George