May 14, 2006 First Solo Cave Dive!

Well first dive without an instructor would be more truthful. Bob had a friend who was down to dive and take Apprentice Cave diver class, lucky for me he was a day early and wanted to dive. While i had a more advance certification, Jason was much more experienced so it was great for me. His Certification level allows no jumps, gaps or circuits, which was fine with me. Basic Cave divers ( i think thats the new title) also must turn on 1/6ths, instead of my 1/3s which was a bit of a bummer but really no problem. I didnt want to reel, Jason wanted to practice, it really was perfect. The topper was he had a camera and filmed video of me, which eventually will make its way into stills. The image below is a great shot of my rear since he was behind the whole time most of the video is similar.

Dive 1 EAN 32. 56 feet for 50 minutes, 900 feet penetration. We went down the peanut tunnel. This dive i was fairly uncomfortable, mask kept fogging and i felt extremely awkard, usually the way it is on the first cave dive in a while.

Dive 2 EAN 32. 59 minute surface interval. 40 feet 34 minutes, 500 feet penetration. With 1/6ths (and thirds for that matter) we can dive again without refills, just a simple calculation to establish our limits and the requisite surface interval. For me it was a much smoother dive, i felt like i had dove before in my life. Jason showed me some cool effects with shining our powerful lights into the air bubbles that accumulate on roof cavities. They actually resemble the surface from below. The reflections light up the cave and provide a bit of a disco ball feel. We ran into a couple other teams.

Dive 3 EAN 32. 2:37 Surface Interval. 69 feet for 45 minutes 700 feet penetration. We went to Kathys for air http://www.diveoutpost.com/ and the store for lunch. The third dive was great, it was the pothole tunnel which i am a big fan of, maybe just that i have dove it more. I enjoy the drop down the chimney: about 50 feet down maybe 2 feet at its widest point and 10-15 feet long. You have to drop down sort of head first while trying not to lose bouyance or bang the sides. Its great. The actualy cave is large, sandy bottomed and the oval shape i always imagined a cave to look like. On the entrance we saw another team exiting with primary light failure, they signalled ok when Jason checked. ( i only noticed the OK) Also went by the entrance to the Nichols tunnel which i have dove several times.

Think pizza hut was dinner this night. Dont remember when i ate the Sausuge pancake wrapped corndogs that i got at walmart that disgusted jim so much.