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UNDERWATER VOLUME FOURTEEN NUMBER FOUR SPELEOLOGY August 1987

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LEGEND' NOTES' Mf:'GMT Of i::£u.!NG. 801,11,,1;1('" t. 5==:'~~E~~A5 TlFIED UilllESTONE:, c:o.., .. t:T1E1. Y ., W&rEA DEPT'" ,t,T 1'1..,0011' G • _____ -r"".... LEDGE DROPOf" l. ElillT IIOT YIS,,,.. ! ,.ROIII ctlU,.., I,T ..,5T PE'NtTfu.TIOtI DISTANCE CA'i"E'ftN lOC&TlOIriIS . MORRISON SPRINGS ... F"AOfll ["ITAANC( ,.,...... ,.....--, ~. aT .. , qlllT~ TO YIEw tJ.:IT Olllilfilll5M£S ....EIIII LOWER CAVERN PIT IN '!.OQR -, '::::"_..1.--->-". II:ISllIIti F'ROIII flOOR TO CE,,,'!ItG. IEAIT 1$ MOt UN:SURII'E'f'fD BOAOfA "1518L[ .u '"IE C£ILIIr4G. ~THOUGH ftEf'LI!:CT!D WAL TON COUNTY. FLORIDA - SLOPE !iPI..,A'(~t1 lllioHT 15 ¥'SI8LE ulCllElt Opt •..., .. lIgMT CO,,- CD 1'jI67 BY J, BURCK: .•, 1ill!:"1(1""O ... F, ... O.ARD ---' DO~ jojlLL 01 TICHf$ It!! 5PRI"ICI POOL ~ uMO(t:lCl,lf •. OURIMC; RAINY Il'ERIODS notE C"O(:1'.t.wttAfCNEE !;iURYE;:Y£O BY t!!ATIQNAI.. SPE:LEOLOC;;IC.at. 5OCIE"fv- CLal' RlvE:R fI.,OOOS THE SPAI,... POOi... WITIt 1AJ000T "lI; 'JI!; ',~ LlIII,"S Of OAYl..lijI-I'I" A"D T .....IM LAOEN .AT£R. 'i'15181l1TY IS A'(Oc,u;:ED AESTRICTING lIGI1T PECTRATIQIII NSS 26&01 v'E;w POINT OF ENTlU"IC[ 5&ND INTO C:Ayt:RN. IN &8S£t!!C£ Of NATUR"'- lIGtcT OR [~IT ~}~J~W~1 IN C:AVEAIII "ULL CAY[ DIYUIG £QUIPyZNT AICI IISS 2"J'9!~ PftOC(OI.IR[S ~E REQUIRED. F'lh.1IH( HDWARD 11155 27:0'7 MINOA: RESTAICTlO"l ~ AS OF 11-e-86 THE:RE: W£ftt 3 IiIIA.lDR &,.;) I("ASTIFIED SuR¥E'I' DUEl DECEIISER 1986 {H~~h lIWESTONE NuWRoU$ ItII"IOR • .,TER REStJfilGENCE ,Ol\.$ ~ \', \, M"'''O~ 'A£STAIC:TlOtll r;!i! "ROM CAvERN F'lOOR, BOTTOM CONIOITION$ 'Suftv[v W(THOO: cIRCULAR BASE LINE WltM AAOI&l 5Ut:'t:'lEwElrilfS ,~n;~ SILT EJ;PECT(O TO CHANGE: CO"lTIHUOUSl'r. DfU'MI 8v HUNK HOw""A'D I-"'~. W.. 1"E:A FLO_ L_.l C:~O!iS SI::CflON 6. wAllER D£PTH5 'fAR'" .IT" RI!.E ANO F~1.. Of CltOC.TA'MoI,afc: ... E£ RIVER lEItH. U"s~'!i 'iPRIMG [,D. MO. :!o~o,zaO.S$41.00, o2.3G$!-eO 7. fLOOA' CQVEREO WITH ",,"IT( !iANO. SltEl..l..S ."'0 r; ..R!iT FftAijIijI£lriI'r5, • c:t..'&'!S \I SUiYl:Y FEn '0 '0 '0 .0 '0 .0 I I 1 I f-- , , 1 I wt;TERS 0 9 IZ 15 16

All DISTA.Nc.eS ~,..O DEPTHS IN f'EET ABOVE: Morrison Springs map-makers and NSS"CDS members John Burge (left) and Frank Howard (right) present a copy of the map to Morrison Springs Manager Joe Moore for display at the spring. COVER: The beautifully detailed map of Morrison Springs created by John Burge and Frank Howard. .

CAVE DIVING SECTION OF THE Underwater $peleology is the official newsletter of the Cave Diving Section of Ihe Na· lional Speleological Society. Inc. (also known as the NSS Cave Diving Section and NSS·CDS). Section memberShip, which includes .ubscription to Ih" newsletter, is op"n to all members in NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. good .Ianding of the Nalional Speleological Society, Inc. (NSS) at $5.00 per year. NewsleUer sUbscriplions for non-rnel'l"bers are $10.00 par year. Mel'Jilars and subscribers are urged to report any change of address in writing im­ BOARD OF DIRECTORS mediately to the Section in order to insure conlinuity of newsletter receipt. Membership/sub­ - PROGRAM COORDINATORS- scription :status, application$, and general information may be obtained by writing to the SecretaryrTreasurer clothe Seclion's permanent address: Chairman: Newslett.r...... H.V.Grey STEVE ORMEROID Membership ManuaL..... Joe Prosser. Pete Butt Joe Prosser, SecJTrea.s. 629 We.14th SI. Journal ...... WayM Marshall NSS Cave Diving Section Marysville. OH 43040 Safety(South) ...... Mark Leonard P.O. Box 950 (513) 642-7775 Safety (North) ...... Dale Purchase Branford. FL 32008-0950 Abe Davis Award ...... Marl<. Leonard Vice-Chairman~ International Safe Cave All current news items, reports. articles, photographs, negatives, slides, cartoons, Of other JEFFREY BOZANIC Diver Award ...... Dr. Milledge Murphey submissions for the newsletter should be senl in direcUy to the Editor: P.O. Box 490462 Sump Diving Projec'---...... Dale Purchase Key Biscayne, FL Rescue/Recovery T eam ..... _LL Henry Nicholson H.V. Grey, Editor, UWS 33149.0462 Accident Analysis Fi les ...... •. Joh n Crea P.O. Box 575 (305) 666·0748 Computer Applications ...... Tim Davidson Venice, FL 34264·0575 Sciontific & Conservation ...... _.Dr. Bill Fehring Secratary-Treasurer: Survey ...... _.. _. ______.__ ...... Larnar Hires JOSEPH PROSSER Cave Files ...... Mike Sanders 7400 N.W. 551h St. Publications (Overall) ...... H.V. Grey Miami. FL :33166 Publications (Dive Shops} ...... Joe Prosser (305) 592-3146 Publication. (Maps) ...... _ ...... Tim Holden CALENDAR Publications (Indiv. Orders) ...... Judy Verano Training Chairman: Publications (UWS Bad<. 1•• ues) ..... Stan Hankins AUQ 29· Sep 5 - International Cave Diving Camp, Cividale del Friuli and WESLEY SKILES NSS Library Liaison ...... George Collins Trieste. Italy. Rt.l, Box 158SR31 ~Column ...... Dr. Milledge Murphey High Spring •• FL 32643 Cavern Manual ...... __ Dr_ Jo'*1 Zumrick Oct 31 - Noy 1 • NACD Cavern Workshop for Open-Water Instructors, Dive (904) 454·3749 Advertising (Overall) ...... Jelf .Bozanic Advertising (Membership Manual) ...... ::.P'ete Butt Masters, and Advanced Divers; Manatee Springs (Chiefland, FL) and Ginnie Leadership Coordinator; Advertising (Workshop.) ...... H.y. Grey Springs (High Springs, FL). For registration information contact the Workshop PETER BUTT Foreign Correspoodent...... Paul SrMh Chairman: Steve Gerrard, NACD President, 5714 Ed White Ct., Tallahassee, FL Rt.l. Box 152-H Grotto CorrespondenL...... T orir Williams 32301, (904) 877-8196. High Springs, FJ.. 32643 (904) 454-2001 Jan. 2 - 3 • NSS-CDS Winter Cave Diving Workshop. Lectures, seminars, Members at Large: slide and video presentations. Branford High School, Branford, FL. H.V.GREY P.O. Box 575 Venice, FL 34284-0575 RESCUE/RECOVERY TEAM MEMBERS - DALE PURCHASE 4181 Wayside Dr.· Saginaw, M I 48603 Report any change of address or telephone within 24 hours to the National (517)791-1701 Crime Information Center! NCIC PHONE; (904) 633-4159.

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY. August. 1987, Vol. 14. No.4. p. 2 PUBLICATIONS OF INTEREST TO CAVE DIVERS in fe~t~ country in which located, name and nationality of the explorer prOViding the. Information, and reference source (see legend for com­ The following publications are available from the Florida Sinkhole plete expansion). Research Institute in Orlando, FL.: r Sinkholes in Florida an Introduction, by Barry F. Beck and Wil­ 1. FONTAINE DE VAUCLUSE, -315 m, -1033 ft, F@nce, "- liam C. Sinclair, 1986, Florida Sinkhole Research Institute Report 85- Telenaute of France, Info 45 p.l1 + 12 86-4. Orlando, 16 p., free upon request. (FONTAINE DE VAUCLUSE), -205 m,~674 ft, France; J. Hasen- Karst Hydrogeology of Cent@1 and Northern Florida. by Barry F. mayer of Germany, Indo 39 p.15 . . .. Beck et aI., 1985, Florida Sinkhole Research Institute Report 85-86-1. 2.HRANICKA ABISS; -205 m, -672 ft. Czechosloliakia, echo­ A field-trip guidebook produced in conjunction with the 1985 Geologi­ soundings. by Czechoslovakians, Info 40 p.3+4 cal Society of America annual meeting in OrlandO, 46 p., $5.00 ppd. 3. RED SNAPPER SINK, -182.8 m, -600 ft, USA, echo-$ound­ The Karst Hydrogeology of the Cent@1 West Coast of Florjda and ings by Americans, UWS 3:4 & 13:1 Some Associated Engineering Technigues, edited by Barry F. Beck and 4. NACIMIENTO DEL RIO MANTE, -158.6 m, -520 ft, Mexico, S. William l. Wilson, 1987, Florida Sinkhole Research Institute Report 86- Exley of USA, UWS 14:4 [the author originally listed this cave after 87-1. A field-trip guidebook produced in conjunction with the 2nd Mul­ Grotte de Motiers (#14), as having a depth of 101 mor331 ft;however, tidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes, Orlando, 79 p., $7.00 ppd. in this issue of UWS, Sheck Exley is reporting a dive to 520 ft, so I have A Self-Guide Fjeld Trip to the Winter park Sinkhole, by S.E. Jam­ included this revision in the list- Ed.) . . mal and Barry F. Beck, 1985, Florida Sinkhole Research Institute Report 5. GOUl DU PONT, -140m, -459ft, France, J. Schneider of Ger­ 86-87-2. A field-trip guidebook produced in conjunction with the 1985 many, Info 46 p.3-5 Geological Society of America annual meeting, OrlandO, 9 p., $2.00 6-7 (tie). LIGHTHOUSE REEF - BLUE HOLE, -125 m, -410 ft ppd. . Belize, mini-sub (A. Falco and A. Laban of France), Bibliogr. #1 ' . Water On and Under the Ground (An Introduction to the Urban 6-7 (tie). FONT DE LUSSAC, -125 m, -410 ft, France, C. Hydrogeology of the Orlando Area), by Barry F.Beck et aI., 1985, Touloumdjian of France, Info 47 p.28 FIC?rida Sinkhole Research Institute Report 86-87. A field-trip 8. MYSTERY SINK. -118.9 m, -390 ft, USA, echo-sounding by gUidebook produced in conjunction with the 1985 Geological Society of Americans, UWS 13:1 America annual meeting, Orlando, 23 p., $2.00 ppd. 9. GOUl DE LA TANNERIE, -113 m, -370 ft, France, B. Leger The Florida Sinkhole Research Institute also publishes a '4-8 of France, Info 35 p.11+16 page newsletter three times per year. The newsletter is called the 10. DIE POLDER 2, -109.7 m, -360 ft, USA, S. Exley of USA, FSRl/Update and is distributed free upon request. Most of the material UWS 13:1 . in the newsletter is relevant to civil engineers and geologists working in 11-12 (tie). GORGAZZO, FRIAUl, -108 m, -354 ft, Italy, J.J. karst terrain. . Bolanz of Czechoslovakia, no ref. listed . The Florida Sinkhole Research Institute was founded in 1982 at 11-12 (tie). EMERGENCE DE LA CHAUDANNE, -108 m, -354 the University of Central Florida by cooperative agreement between the ft, Czechoslovakia, C. Brandt of Czechoslovakia, Stalactite 2185 p.114 Institute Advisory Board and UCF President Trevor Colbourn. State In­ 13. SINOIA CAVE, -102.1 m, -335 ft, Zimbabwe, no explorers surance Commissioner Bill Gunter was Instrumental in initiating thefoi'­ listed, Biblogr. #2 mation of the Institute. The initial funding for the Institute was provided 14. GROnE DE MOTIERS, -102 m, -334 ft, Czechoslovakia, by over $150,000 in contributions provided by insurance. companies J.J. Bolanz of Czechoslovakia, Reflektor 3/85 p.8 doing business in Florida. 15. BENJAMIN'S BLUE HOLE. ANDROS ISLAND, -100 m, -328 The purpose of the Florida Sinkhole Research Institute is to ft, Bahamas, F. Martz of USA, UWS 13: 1, Info 13 cent@lize and coordinate technical data and information on sinkholes 16. FONTAINE DES CHARTREUX, -99 m, -324 It, France, F. Le in Florida; to conduct research into the causes, mechanisms, location, Guen of France, Info 31 p.ll engineering and repair of sinkholes; and to provide public information 17. BLUE HOLE 4, FLORIDA, -97 m, -318 It, USA, no expl.listed, and education about this hazard in Florida. At present the Institute is Info 31 p.S . not funded by the State Legislature or the State University System, al­ 18-19 (tie). CENOTE CENOTILLO, -96 m, -315 ft, Mexico, though it does receive a small subsidy and substantial overhead Sondage of Mexico, Archiv. of O. Knabb facilities from the University of Central Florida. The Institute is largely 18-19 (lie). DEVIL'S HOLE, NEVADA, -96 m, -315 ft, USA, J. funded by external research grants. Houtz of USA, Info 13 p. 9+10 The Institute is interested in receiving all information on sinkholes 20. NACIMIENTO DEL RIO SABINAS, -95 m, -311 ft, Mexico, D. th~t develop in Florida and appreciates the cooperation of the public in Sweet of USA, AMCS NR. 10179 p.22-31 thiS effort. For further information on the Florida Sinkhole Research In­ 21-22-23-24-25' (five-way tie): stitute, its activities, services, and publications, call 305-275-2875 or GROITE DES CENT-FONDS, -93 m, -305 ft, France, E. Segond write: , of France, UWS 13:1 The Florida Sinkhole Research Institute EAGLES NEST SINK, FLORIDA, -93 m, -305 ft, USA, S. Exley College of Engineering of USA, UWS 13:1 University of Central Florida NUMERO UNO, FLORIDA, -93 m, -305 fl, USA, S. Exley of USA, Orlando, FL32816 UWS 13:1 INDIAN SPRING, FLORIDA, -93 m, -305 ft, USA, S. Exley 01 USA, UWS 13:1 DEEP LAKE, FLORIDA, -93 m, -305 ft, USA, S. Exley of USA, DIE TEIFSTEN UNTERWASSERHOHLEN DER UWS 13:1 WELT (THE DEEPEST UNDERWATER CAVES IN 26. DOUBLE KEY HOLE, FLORIDA, -91.4 m, -300 ft, USA, S. THE WORLD) - by Oliver Knabb Exley of USA, UWS 13:1 27. DIE POLDER 3, FLORIDA, -91.1 m, -299 fI, S. Exley of USA, The following list reflects the present status of speleological ac- UWS 13:1 tivity in the deepest underwater caves in the world. . 28-29-30 (three-way tie): The given depths refer to the genuine (net) water depths [reine BUCO DEL BOSSI, -90 m, -295 ft, Czechoslovakia, O. Isler of Wassertiefe) in the individual caves, and are to be understood as the Czechoslovakia, Reflektor 3/85 p.9 vertical difference between the surface of the water and the deepest GROITE DE LA BAUME, VAUCLUSE, -90 m, -295 ft, France, point (physically) attained or echo- sounded. F. Le Guen of France, Info 31 p.12 All of the cave water depths have been expressed in both meters RESURGENCE DE GROUNEY ROUX, -90 m, -295 It, France, and feet using the following conversion formula: J. Chouquet of France, Info 34 p.6 3.2808 x (depth in meters) ~ depth in feet 31-32. WAKULLA SPRINGS, FLORIDA, -89 m, -292 ft, USA, S. 0.3048 x (depth in feet) ~ depth in meters Exley of USA, UWS 13:1 1flJ!1~· In consideration for differences between high and low water levels, 31-32. HOLTON SPRING. -89 m, -292 ft, USA, no exp!o listed, ~; a possible average (?--allfallige NiveaudifferenzenJ has be made. UWS 13:1 . The caves are listed in order from deepest to. shallowest, with the . .33. SOURCE DE LANDENOUZE, LOT, -88 m, -288 ft, France, following information: NAME, deepest depth in meters, deepest depth J. Hasenmeyer of Germany, Info 31 p.5

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY. Augus .. 19B7. Vol. 14. No.4, p. 3 34. GROnE DU THAIS, -87 m, -285 ft, France, B. Leger of OPEN-WATER DIVER DIES IN CAVE France, Info 44 p.3+4 35. DIVIJE JEZERO, -83 m, -272 It. Yugoslavia, no expl. listed, A 17-year-old open-water diver died July 21,1987 at Jenkins Spelunca 85 Creek Cave, a silty. tight, "Royal-Spring-type" cave near Weeki Wachi 36. PORT MIOU, CASSIS, -82 m, -269 ft, France, B. Leger of Springs, Florida. He had been diving with two other divers, ages 16 ". ~ " , ' . France, Info 32 p. 5+6 and 17, who managed to successfully exit the cave. (... 37. SOURCES DE LA TOUVRE, -81 m, -265ft, France, P. Lance According to NSS-CDS Instructor Dustin Clesi ofTampa, Florida, & V:'Oouchet of France, Info 47 p.27+28 the body recovery was performed by NSS-CDSlnstructor Paul Heinerth 38-39. RUSHMANGAT, -80 m, -262 ft, South Africa, no ex pI. of Hudson, Florida, after several unsuccessful recovery attempts by listed, Archives of O. Knab other divers. The cave has been described as having a· small entrance 38-39. LOCOL!, SARDEGNA, -80 m, -262 ft, Italy, J. Chouquet and bad silt conditions. Paul found the body in 57 feet of water ap­ & P. Penez of France, Info 39 p.7 proximately 175 feet in. Dustin described the probable scenario as typical of open- water LEGEND: divers untrained in cave-diving techniques venturing into caves. He "INFO" -Info-Plongee, Feuille de liaison de la Commission Plon­ said that he and Paul suspect that panic was a major factor, and that gee Souterraine, Federation Francaise de Speleologie. Contact: Ch. after scratching a fairwell message to his family on his tank, the diver Locatelli, 94, Rue Michelet01100 Oyannax, France. . ditched his tanks (which contained 500 psi of breathable air) and tried "UWS" - Underwater Speleology. Newsletter of the Cave DiVing to make a run for it. . Section of the Naf.onal Speleological Society, Inc. Contact: J. Prosser, . The various newspaper accounts made a big emotional play out Treasurer, NSS Cave Diving Section, P.O. Box 950, Branford, FL of the farewell message scratched on the tanks, and the tragedy of such 32008-0950. a young man losing his life so unnecessarily. However, Dustin said that "REFLEKTOR" - Zeitschrift fur Hohlenforschungh. Contact: he was heartened by the fact that he was permitted to offer the "trained Reflektor, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel, Schweiz (Switzerland). cave-diver" perspective to the public during local television interviews. "AMCS" - AMCS Newsletter. Contact: Association for Mexican According to Dustin, the accident victim had been signed up for a Cave Studies, P.O. Box 7672, Austin, TX 78713. cavern-diving course, but simply couldn't wait. "STALACTITE" - Zeitschrift der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft fur Hohlenforschung. Subscriptions: P. Deriaz, Neumatteli 19, CH-5300 Wil-Turgi, Schweiz (Switzerland). Photo-copies: Bibliotehque de la Societe Suisse de Speleolgie, CH-2300 La Chaux de Fonds, Schwelz OPEN-WATER DIVER DIES IN BONNET SPRINGS (SWitzerland). "SPELUNCA" - Federation Francaise de Speleologie, 130 Rue The second weekend in June, an open-water diver died in Bon­ Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris, France. net Spring. The victim and his wife entered Bonnet, apparently think­ "UWS 13:1" - List of Deepest Underwater Caves in Florida by S. ing it was Peacock, and very quickly managed to stir up serious silt. Exley, Underwater Speleologv Vol. 13, No.1 (1986). The wife, properly frightened by the SUdden loss of visibility, turned "BIBLIOGR. #1" - J.Y. Cousteau, ~ 1973, p. 171. around near the entrance and exited; the husband continued on farther "BIBLIOGR. #2" - M. Farr. The Darkness Beckons 1980, pp.161- into the cave. Cave Diving Instructors Mark Leonard (NSS-CDS 163. Southern Safety Coordinator, Abe Davis Award Coordinator, and owner of Dive-Rite Manufacturing) and Ron Menke (former NACO Training Chairman) performed the recovery. According to Ron, it was once again, a completely typical, textbook-type open-water diver cave-dying SINKHOLE FORMS NEAR WEEKI WACHEE accident, with all cave-diving rules except the depth rule having been SPRINGS· reported by Tim Holden broken. c A gaping, dry, subsidence sinkhole 16 feet deep and 30 feet wide opened in the parking lot of the Weeki Wachee Springs tourist attrac­ tion in Hernando County, Florida on the night of April 16, 1987 some­ time between 10:00 and 10:30 pm. The hole was the third to appear in the attraction parking lot in twelve years. The next day, after Weeki Wachee officials determined that the sinkhole was stable, workmen pour 9 cubic yards of concrete and 80 cubic yards of sand into the hole, topped off with lime rock, and the area was repaved. WARNING"! Photo by Fred Benet. T arTl'a Tribune

1.lh;." is not Peacock. 2.lhere'~ no ,~v'.afe here. 3.lhere's no 3rate OJ al: -P~Qcock ei-ther.

RESCUE/RECOVERY TEAM MEMBERS· Please be sure to notify the NCIC (National Crime Information &!ffl!/I Center) within 24 hours of any change in your telephone numbers or ~li r address: (904) 633- 4159.

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY. August. 1987. Vol. 14. No.4. p. 4 SIGHT-TUBE LIGHT - by Stephen D. Maegerleln On our exploratory jaunt Don mentioned that while he was work­ ing at the Grand Canyon he had the opportunity to visit a beautiful group The sight-tube light is designed for reading gauges in zero of springs called Blue Springs. visibility. A cave diver exploring spring basins and sumps for passage .. "Were they clear?" leads in Indiana and Kentucky usually has visibility near zero from the ,"Yes." silt stirred up during the dive. The exploration is often cut short because "Was the water warm?" gauges cannot be seen to check air and depth. The diver needs a clear "Yes." optical path about 8 inches long to allow focusing on the gauge dial. "Can you see a cave?" "Yes." "Has anyone dived them?" Clear Plastic 'h'Indow "No." "Wowl" I thought. Then I hesitated, thinking of my fear of heights Epoxy Sealed and lack of Western hiking experience. "Are they hard to get to?" "There's a trail right to them." As soon as we got out of Carlsbad I had to call myoid cave­ Duct Tape diving mend, Dan Lenihan, who is chief Underwater Archaeologist for the Southwest Region of the National Park Service, wherein Grand Canyon lies. Dan hadn't heard of them, but called Butch Farabee, who Plastic is in charge of all diving operations in the Canyon. Butch was kind enough to drop everything to take me in there. Pipe Butch and ranger Rick Mossman woke me up at 3:30 am to drive to the section of the Canyon where Blue Springs lies. "Why such an early start?" "We want to be at the springs before the temperature hits 130 degrees." "But I thought there was a trail to the springs." "There is .... sort of." "Sort of" meant 19 miles of stricUy Class VI dirt road, which we were barely able to negotiate in the Park's high- clearance 4WO. Final­ Iy, well after sunrise, we parked at the edge of the canyon and I passed out my padded packs containing the minimum possible cave-diving eqUipment, including my 15- cubic-foot pony bottle and no fins or wet Super Q Dive Ught suit. "All right, now where's the trail?" Butch pointed straight down a thousand-foot cliff. I gulped. Obviously, the definition of "trail~ out West is different from mine. I was thankful for the fact that Butch and Rick are both ac­ complished rock climbers (they are planning a trip to Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere). Further, Butch is the most Sight - Tube Ught Used For Reading Gauges experienced person at wilderness rescue that I have ever met. I had endured some difficult access to the water before- four­ ( mile trips in BuUer Cave and Organ Cave, for example-but getting to The sight-tube is constructed out of a 7-1/2-inch length of 3/4- Arizona's Blue Springs is in a class all by itself. The "trail" consisted of inch (outside diameter) plastic plumbing pipe. The ends of the tube are old, hard-to-find rock cairns, and our initial route involved zigzagging sanded flat. Clear, 1/4-inch thick, plastic plates are sealed to the tube back and forth on ledges on the cliff, trying to find a way down. ends with epoxy resin (avoid Using instant-setting glue which will cause Being a flatlander, I wouldn't have minded a belay for the entire the window to fog on the inside). cliff, but Butch and Rick watched after me carefully and belayed the Excess window plastic around the edge of the tube can be most dangerous spot, a 25-footer with an overhang at the bottom. removed with a belt sander. The sight-tube is attached to a Super Q­ After the cliff followed a mile of wandering over steep rubble and Lite dive light using two pieces of duct tape as shown in the illustration. short pitches. About halfway down, I wrenched my right knee, and by To use the sight-tube light, the diver holds the back of the tube the time we reached the bottom of the canyon both knees were so weak against his mask plate. The front of the tube is pressed against the that they were trembling uncontrollably. But as soon as I saw the bright gauge. The dive light provides enough side lighting to read the gauge. blUe plumes of spring water jetting into the clear green of the UtUe Colorado River, I forgot my pain and fatigue. Blue Springs is the headwaters of the Little Colorado in the dry CAVE DIVING IN THE GRAND CANYON season, and I estimated the combined now of all the springs to be 200- 300 cubic feet per second. The spot is so beautiful that it is sacred to by Sheck Exley the Navaho Tribe, and permission from the Navaho must be obtained before entering. Okay, let's design the ideal spring: 1) a nice, winding passage We located 19 springs along a half-mile stretch of the river (see that goes on forever, 2) at least one huge room, 3) shallow, 4) clear, 5) map). Numbers 1-12 were on river left (facing downstream) and num­ silt free, 6) and for a surface setting, how about the most beautiful sur­ bers 13~19 were on the right. All were crystal clear, 70-75 degrees F., roundings in the world, like the Grand Canyon, and 7) a temperature of silt-free, and entered the UtUe Colorado at or within 5 feet of the sur­ at least 72 degree F., of course. Last summer I got to dive in some vir­ face of the river. We saw small dry caves and rock shelters in the gin springs that had the last five of those characteristics for sure, and canyon walls just about the springs, some of which may be former spring maybe all seven. vents and may even connect with the springs. Despite the existence of some sizeable chunks of limestone The three of us took turns diving the most promising springs. there, I had never heard of any major caves in Grand Canyon and no Small underwater caves were entered in #3, #6, #13, #17, #18, and cave-diving activity whatsoever. Two caves were known to sump at #19. #8 may also be good, but to dive it required a crawl over some considerable distance from the entrance, but both were high on cliffs sharp-looking rock so we passed it up. and necessitated major rock-climbing expeditions to get to them~ #18 was the best. Wearing the pony bottle on my side like I had On the way to a kayak trip down the Grand, I stopped by my been taughtto do at Wookey Hole in 1980, I wiggled into a 20-foot-long psychic birthplace, Carlsbad Caverns, to meet cave diver (and my passage 18 inches wide and 3 feet high. The depth was 8 feet, and the favorite author) Ron Kerbo. Ron is also a heck of a nice guy, who in­ strong flow kept the floor clean of silt. troduced me to Donald Davis, this year's Bicking Award winner, then The passage turned to the left and opened into a 5-loot- diameter graciously pointed us and geologist Mike Queen toward some virgin room with a height of 4 feet, then after another 20 feet turned to the cave in Carlsbad. right again. I figured that this was far enough with my tiny air supply

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY. August. 1987. Vol. 14. No.4. p. 5 and backup light, so surveyed out from that point. We rested until the sun was low enough that the 130-degree mid­ day heat was reduced, then began our climb out. My knees had stif­ fened with pain, so Butch prepared me for our two-mile trek up the half-mile-deep canyon with two midol tablets. ., ',,·, We made good time to the top of the talus, then I got the first C thigh cramp of my life. From that point on both of my legs were subject to the most seve~"3nd painful cramps that I'd ever had. After the front of the thigh released, a cramp would come in the back of the thigh, then the inside, then back to the front. Grimly I hobbled slowly up the cliff while my companions nurse­ maided me with frequent rests, helping me with my packs, and giving me a special solution of "Erg." We didn't want to get caught on the wall in the dark. Finally we were up just as the sun setin a blaze'of glory. Blue Spring #18 definitely needs another look. Butch says the geology is rightfor a cave of considerable size, and because of its shal­ low depth, it could get into air passage. The diver should be prepared to dive with minimal equipment and maximum support, however, and definitely be acclimatized to desert hiking. Also, the weather has to be very dry. A week later I kayaked past the confluence of the Uttle Colorado and the river had changed from clear green to liquid mud, making it impossible to locate the springs. Incidendy, permission must be obtained for any scuba diving in the Park. My heartfelt thanks to Butch and Rick for enabling me to see a part of the Grand Canyon no one else has ever seen, and especially for getting my fanny off that diffl

SURVEY SLATE MODIFICATIONS f ,.. ,." - by Jeffrey Bozanlc -. [Island Caves Research Center Contribution #2]

One of the more common tasks in which a cave diver chooses Photo by Jeffrey Balanic to participate is that of surveying the passages he or she has explored. The practice of surveying requires the use of several pieces of equip­ data gathered on any given dive. The purpose of this article is to dis­ ment concurrently, including the line, slate, pencil, compass, depth cuss modifications to the equipment that have made the surveying gauge, and light. It also necessitates a high degree of cave-referenc­ process simpler by reducing equipment problems. ing activities in order to be successful. Keeping track of all of these The first item necessary is a slate. The slate must be large items adds to the task loading of the diver. enough to carry a significant amount of data, but no so large that it is The use of a standardized mapping system can reduce the com­ unwieldy. The large slate sold by Dive Rite Manufacturing fits these ( pleXity of the task to a significant degree. Sheck Exley, Wes Skiles, and criteria, and has the advantage of coming with a high-.quality pencil. others have discussed means of organizing data and maximizing the One can record 40-50 survey stations on this S" x 7" slate, yet still it into an accessory pocket. Photo by Jeffrey Balanic The pencil is plastic and has 10 lead inserts in it. If the lead breaks, or a sharper lead is needed, the used one can be easily removed and reinserted in the back of the pencil. This pushes a new lead through to the front. One problem is that after much use, the pencil housing wears around the front end, allowing the leads to fall out. ' This can be prevented by applying a drop of sl:Jper glue to the lead in use. If it breaks, the bond between lead and housing can be easily broken during the dive, allowing replacement. There is a plastic mechanical pencil also on the market, which obviates the need for manipulating leads underwater, and always in­ sures that the pencil is sharp. This pencil is available at many art supp­ ly stores. The pencil is fastened to the slate using rubber tubing. This tubing rots quickly and is easily severed. A piece of cave line can be .-~ used to replace the tubing. This line neither rots nor breaks easily, and can be cut to desired length. To prevent the line from tangling while in I transport, it can be wrapped around the slate. Two notches 1/4" deep .' can be filed into both sides to keep the line from slipping off the end of the slate. The pencil clip provided is fairly loose, and the pencil often comes free without intent. There are two replacements for this dip. One is to use one or two wire tires fastened through the slate, leaving loops just large enough to slip the pencil through. The second is to purchase at the local hardware store Wall Clips for Closet Maid Organizer shelves (Part 1010). The pencil snaps securely into this plastic wall clip as though made for that purpose. A package of 10 clips costs about$1..30. Fastening a compass to the slate will reduce by one item the pieces of equipment the diver must juggle while surveying. A liquid­ filled backpacking compass works well for this purpose. 11 the compass is placed so that one edge is aligned precisely with one edge of the slate, then the slate edge can be used as the lubber line of the com­ pass. This extended lubber line makes the surveying task eaSier, as

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY, August, 1997, Vol. 14, No.4, p. 6 one can merely lay the long slate edge along the line to take a bearing. THE "APOLOGY DIVE": A NEAR MISS Additionally. it increases the accuracy of the bearing. The compass can • by Milledge Murphey be attached with stainless steel or brass screws, but before uSing It one needs to insure that the screws will not affect compass readings. Thiz Recently, a completely routine dive became an incident due. to can be done by setting the compass down, and moving the screws failure of an experienced diver to adhere absolutely to the rules which around the compass, looking for needle.movement. we teach and routinely follow. My purpose is to describe, with explicit Silva Polaris 7 compasses have been used for many years detail, the incident (which could easily have become an accident) as an without failures. This compass is obtainable by mail from Recreatio~­ ordinary dive which, through failure to observe all rules, became a near al Equipment, Inc. (P.O. Box C-8S125, ~eattle, WA 9S1S~-0125) It IS miss. item #G408040 priced at $6.95 (excluding postage/handllng). Orders Following the description of events I will record. my observ.ations can also be made by phone toll free at (SOO) 416-4840. If you join REI and some suggestions relative to the occurrence. InCidents of thiS type as a member, then at year's end you also get ~ di.vidend of 5-150 c;>f (0 should give us all food for thought, and it my that readers will what you have spent with them in the year. Lifetime membership IS ~s hop~ consider obeying all of the rules all ?f the time. to avo~d, absol~tely, .the $10.00. For membership information, write to the above address or call possibility of a situation similar to thiS developing dUring a routine dive. (206) 323-S333. The University of Florida Underwater Educabon Program recent­ Photo by JeHrey Bozanic ly offered a group of newly certified divers an "a~logy dive" because of substandard diving conditions experienced dUring the several open­ water qualification dives we had ~ken them on. We took the 1~ ne~ly • certified divers to Orange Grove Sink on Dec. 7,1985, after haVIng diS­ covered that both our planned primary open-water dive site (Crystal River, Banana Island) and our secondary site (Troy Springs) were both below minimums in terms of visibility. While discussing things at Branford Dive Center with Gene and J, T., we had learned that Orange Grove was crystal clea~, and we there­ fore selected it as a viable option for an open-water dive. It seemed rather unique that Banana ,Island had 3-5-foot visibility ~ue to de~d aquatic plants and Troy tamc due to recent Suwannee River level In­ creases, and we talked about general diving conditions for an extended time at Branford Dive Center. We arrived at Orange Grove at 9:30 am, and following a discus­ sion olthe site, dive plan, checking equipment and buddying up, entered the water at 10:00 am. I had decided to test a Poseidon 300 regulator which had been rebuilt two weeks before and which I frequently use as my safe second for cave diving. The regulator was equipped with an inflator hose and a submersible pressure gauge, but I hadn't bothered to add an octopus for this single test dive (although I had an unused Poseidon second-stage in my dive-equipment storage area), We were using open-water gear, including single 80.cubic- foot tanks with K-valves for this dive. A recently certified, advanced open­ water student, Robert Knox, didn't have a buddy, so ! agreed to be his c buddy, and I actually checked to make sure he had an octopus since I didn't have one. My prearranged student dive buddy had decided not to dive when she saw some duckweed on the surface, and her equipment didn't have an octopus, which could have proven extremely significant given developments which occurred almost immediately after we entered ~he water. (At this point I am asking myself, "Why would anyone ever dive without an octopus--even in open water, and further, why would anyone ever consider diving with a buddy who didn't have an octopus?") To continue Robert and I were the first divers to submerge at 10:09 am after pre-dive gear checks and slate recordings. The surface of the water was almostfree of duckweed, and as we switched to scuba, the shockingly transparent, azure quality of the water was stunning to Attaching a depth gauge also reduces the number of items the us both. Further below, the classic cobalt color of the deeper cavern diver must have in hand. This begins to take up a large percentage of section caused Robert to point and gesture energetically. space on the slate, however. Preferred carrying point is on the arm We descended slowly and arrived at the tree (20-meter depth) which holds the slate while surveying. Either a solo depth gauge or the together. We then desce~ded slightly further, with R~bert. us}ng his entire console can be strapped to the forearm, and easily glanced at small hand-held light. I signaled that I'd like to look Just Inside the while recording survey data. entrance to the cavern zone. He complied and we swam slowly to a A small light, such as Underwater Kinetics aXL, can be faste~ed depth of about 27 meters. to either a helmet or shoulder O-ring so that it shines on the slate dUring At this point Robert was about 3 meters below me and 4 meters data recording procedures. This has two advantages. It frees the hand behind me, when upon inhaling I was unpleasantly surprised by a 100% for handling the slate and pencil, and it keeps the light far enough from water intake through my mouthpiece. Not believing that I had no air or the slate-mounted compass so that the magnetic reading on the com­ that water was entering through my regulator, I attempted a shallow pass is unaffected. second breath and again received pure H20. Dennis Williams has taught for many years a fast, accurate At this point the suddenly ominous spectre of 70 to SO feet.of method 01 knotting cave line. It requires two people workinQ in uni.son. crystal water above me, no available air, being on the verge of begln- _ First, marks on the floor are placed 10 feet apart. A person SitS at either ning a choking cough, and an untried buddy confronted me mark, one with the empty cave reel, the other with a spool of line .. sq~arely T~e and immediately. The predicament dictated that I not cough or Inhale spool person ties a knot in the line. The reel man then reels the line In even though the presence of water was causing a spasm-type reaction until the knot is exactly on the mark on the floor. The spool person then ties another knot in the line, exactly over his floor marking. The process in my epiglottis area. . .. is repeated until the reel is full. In this manner an entire exploration reel I looked up and decided that a free ascent With no ability to ex­ hale would be hazardous, then immediately began swimming down (600-700 ft. of line) can be loaded in about 30 minutes. toward Robert for air. He wasn't looking at me; however, I gave the out­ These modifications reduce task loading, increase the ease of surveying, and increase accuracy .. Next in this mini-series of equipment of-air signal in hope that he would look up at me before I arrived at his location. modifications will be a piece on exploration-reel modifications. As I was swimming toward Robert it occurred to me that I COUldn't

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY, August, 1987, Vol. 14, No.4, p. 7 be out of air and I had no idea of what could have caused this actual has begun. The best (because it will work under these actual condi­ out-of-air emergency. By the time I had traversed the 5 meters to tions) configuration appears to be a 5- foot hose with first and second Robert's location, I was very near to experiencing an involuntary cough stage mounted on the outside manifold post with the hose routed under as the water resting on my epiglottis was forcing me into a gag-reflex the diver's right arm, around the diver's neck, and into the diver's mouth condition. as the primary. At this point things were becoming' rather grim as I was on the The safe second shOUld then be mounted on the inner or center verge of uncontrolled coughing sans regulator air, and was experienc­ post, routed over the right shoulder, and held at the base of the wearer's ing tunnel vision with a rapidly closing peripheral greying-out condition. throat with a rubber neck band. Mounted on the safe-second regulator's As I reached Robert, he looked up at me, saw the signal and my first stage should be inflator hose(s) and pressure gauge, plus the safe condition, and removed his own primary second stage and placed it in second-stage regulator. my mouth. I immediately attempted to inhale but was unable to do so With this configuration, divers minimize hose entanglement due to the inhaled water still in my throat. As I had no inhaled air to ex­ potential in emergency air-sharing situations, avoid unnecessary bun­ hale and was greying out, I depressed the purge button and began gie cords on the tank valve to hold a bunched up 5-foot hose (both bun­ coughing, choking, and gagging into the positive air stream. With each gie and hose are potential entanglements), and have their own safe inhale, I got more air and expelled water, and I quickly cleared up visual­ second mounted at their throat where they can access it without any ly as we hovered at 23 meters. possibility of being unable to reach it (merely bend the head forward I had noticed that Robert had, with complete calm, picked up his and bite the waiting mouthpiece-no hands are needed to access this octopus and he began breathing it immediately aher giving me his safe second stage). primary second stage. He had even been blowing a slow stream of Without question thel'e are two or more schools of thought on this bubbles during the brief time he was without a second stage in his issue. My comments are based on what I actually experienced under mouth. negative circumstances and my observations of what both divers ac­ Moments later, when I had gained full control of the coughing, I tually did when confronted with the inadvertent accident possibility. Fur­ signaled "OK" and "up"; Robert returned the signals, and we began a ther, at my point of air starvation I was not able to look for and procure controlled, slow, air-sharing ascent. I coughed frequently as we as­ a safe second-my only chance was to obtain the nearest most sure cended, getting rid of the last remaining water I had inhaled, and found air source, and fortunately Robert was of like mind during our actual that while violently coughing one must hold the second stage in one's out-of-air experience. mouth very firmly to avoid coughing it out of one's mouth. After discussing the incident at the surface, I checked my air pres­ At about 10 meters I began bleeding air from my B.C. and Sur­ sure, and finding that I still had 2800 psi, submerged to locate my rub­ faced in good shape, inflating my B.C. for flotation. I noticed that the ber mouth and Robert's light. I easily located and retrieved the light at time was 10:16 am as I surfaced-all this had happened in seven a depth of 25 meters; however, neither of us was able to locate my minutesl mouthpiece and we completed the dive with me breathing through a We began discussing the dive aher my complimenting Robert on second stage which was held in my mouth by the metal orifice. his performance under the pressure of actual conditions, and I quickly The dive had proven to be an "Apology Dive" in every sense of checked my scuba in the attempt to learn what had happened. I was the words, and resulted in my renewed belief in absolute, rigid ad­ stunned when I retrieved my second stage and found no rubber mouth­ herence to all safety considerations which we teach in diving. Hen­ piece. Immediately it was clear to me that: 1) after the regulator rebuild, ceforth, I will ~ check each plastic tie I use with my equipment the repair person had apparently failed to put a new plastic tie around configuration and will never again test recently repaired equipment the mouthpiece/second- stage orifice junction, and more importantly, 2) under actual diving conditions without an octopus or safe-second I hadn't checked the tie placement when I had surface-checked the regulator. regulator following the service. As I write this I'm am returning to Gainesville from Orange Grove thinking about the moral(s) of this near accident. My first thought is, c what could have beenlwhat would have been the outcome in a cave­ diving situation? The answer, Clearly, would have probably not been very entertaining for me, my buddy, or the recovery divers. This incident caused me to reconsider what we do as cave divers on a regular, routine basis, and it seems appropriate to pass these thoughts along to Underwater Speleology readers. 1. How frequently (if ever) do we infringe one or more of the basic safety rules of scuba diving? Cavern diving? Cave diving-the five prin­ ciples of accident analysis? Finally, why do we ever violate any of the ~ safety procedures? Are the reasons substantial enough to war­ rant the hazard in which we place ourselves? 2. Is the time spent doing a thorough matching drill, bubble check, and "S" drill worth the effort? Are the safety benefits (potential life-saving benefits) worth frequent practice of these skills? Those of us who teach cave diving regularly believe that they are. 3. Which regulator (second stage) will an experienced cave diver who is nearing unconsciousness due of oxygen starvation and water inhalation attempt to procure for use in obtaining emergency air under actual out-of-air emergency conditions? ~ This question has never been researched adequately or ac­ curately via researCh-study result reporting or case-study analysis pro­ SION cedures. I can, however, offer for the first time a personal cas8r$tudy analysis answer with absolute certainty that it is explicitly correct.. _ As I approached Robert, almost choking on water and haVing no air (in probably a 1~1/2- to 2-1/2-minute elapsed time), I noticed tha~my field of vision was rapidly narrowing and that a grey, gause-like' haze SULPHUR SPRINGS, TAMPA, FLORIDA· Reprinted was beginning to cloud the tunnel through which I was then able to view from North Tampa Independent, April 16, 1987 him. My 0nl¥pgssible approach to him was to obtain the regulatorwhich I saw him breathing from. Further, his instant reaction was to oHer me To look down inside the Alaska Spring last Thursday morning, that regulator from his mouth, purging it as he placed it in my mouth to was to look into a dark, murky pond that was covered in a shroud of insure that I got no more water. He then picked up his own octopus as mUCk, trash, overgrowth and a thick layer of green, slimy growth. Not I breathed his primary. a pretty sight for a natural spring that is a vent for the Florida aquifer This experience leads me to this obvious single reasonable con­ and source for the water that flows into the Sulphur Springs Pool. clusion: we should (as divers) breathe our 5-foot hose as our primary, Spare tires, motorbikes, chairs, washing machines, rugs, gutters, and give it way, retaining the short hose for ourselves after the sharing televisions, bowiing balls, shopping carts, refrigerators, automobile

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY, August. 1987, Vol. 14. No.4, p. 8 parts, tables, fully tied and torn garbage bags, dirty diapers, real estate signs, bottles, assorted toys, 55-gallon oil drums, aerosol cans, a set of drums, a tricycle-well, you get the picture of just some of the items pulled out of the spring that filled a construction dumpster donated by Waste Management-twice. And by the way, they did find the kitchen sink, also. Divers and community members have spent the last week clean­ ing up the Alaska Spring located on Alaska Street, 1900 feet northeast of the Sulphur Springs Pool. The banks of the spring have been cleared and the suriace of the water is once again clear. The problem now is the remaining garbage and rUbble that lies along the bottom of the 35 feet-of water. Remember the possibility of those underground caves that were thought to be at Alaska Spring? Well, Luis Menoyo, Jr. and his fellow divers discovered a cavern that leads from the spring directly to the aquifer below. Menoyo, diving through the underwater rubbish, dis­ covered the cave last Friday while exploring the perimeters of the spring for extra garbage problems. The passage to the cave, according to Menoyo, is about 50% blocked due to large pieces of waste material that have wedged themselves in the entrance. This cavern is known to lead to the aquifer, and from the aquifer the passage leads to the Sulphur Springs Pool. This is proven by lower­ ing the level of the Springs Pool by 8 feet, and watching the Alaska - Spring level fall the same amount within only 45 minutes. This means there is a direct access between the spring and the pool. Another known access to the pool, is Orchid Sink, which lies 6600 feet to the north and is known to access the pool because of dye tests in which a colored dye was poured into the sink and the pool was watched for the sample color to appear. The dye appeared 14 hours later in the pool. JUst to let you what may be causing some of the contamination in the Sulphur Springs Pool, this reporter has come across some valu­ able and startling information. According to a 1984 study done on the hydrogeology of the Sulphur Springs Area, by JW_ Stewart and L.R Mills of the United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey (USGS), prepared in (get this) cooperation with the City of Tampa, the Sulphur Springs Pool is "closed shortly after the spring is pumped to augment the city's water supply during the high water-demand period ABOVE: Luis Me~oyo. Jr. (NSS·CDS) in May and June." This means that during May and June of every year, -emerges from Alaska-Spring after the water in the Sulphur Springs Pool is used as drinking water in the discovering a hidden cave under the city of Tampa. murkeywater. LEFT: The Kitchen Sink. Photos by J"~r"v Huggins. Farther down in the survey it goes on to say that the Orchid Street Nonh Tampa Independent. and Poinsettia Street sinks "are used as retention bases for urban runoff from areas around the sinks." The obvious conclusion drawn from these facts is as follows: The dye tests prove that water flows from Or­ chid Sink to the Sulphur Springs Pool. The survey proves that water from the pool is used as drinking water during May and June. and the survey also shows that "urban runoff" drains into this sink. The survey also says that the fecal bacteria levels are highest in the months of May and June. Luis Menoyo and his divers are baffled at these facts. They can­ not understand why a city would "pollute their own water supply," and they admit that they would not be quick to drink Tampa City water. After years of this problem continuing to pollute the Springs Pool and the Hillsborough River. Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) Director. Roger Stewart, last week required the city of Tampa to reroute its stormwater. This is a major victory for the sensitive waters of the Sulphur Springs area and for the water drinkers of Tampa. Now that we have seen the sad end of the story with a small bright spot. let us look into the most recent day of events happening with our speleologists or cave divers. On Sun., April 12. at 3:41 pm., Luis Menoyo entered the flow of the Sulphur Springs Pool and after fighting the 33 million gallon per day flow that exits the 2.4 ft. x 7 ft. opening of the pool's natural bottom, he entered a part of the earth that no man has ever seen. This is a cavern that was created possibly millions of years ago, and has never been seen. Only the quiet echo of spring water that rhythmically races through the limestone caverns below the earth's sur­ face has been heard for these many centuries. The constant silence that has rested undisturbed for so many years. that has yearned to be broken, finally has been by Luis Menoyo. Jr.. a young and curious diver who dove at least thirty feet into the quiet and dark tomb of water to shine his light in the darkness of the aquifer for the first time. Accord­ ing to Menoyo. the limestone walls of the long flowing tunnel give a beige color to the underground caVes. And because of the swift cur­ rent. no growth or slime has collected on the walls or the floor of the 8 Alaska Spring. before clean·up. with tires and other debris !foaling on the surface. It bub· ft. X 10 It. tunnel that Menoyo says extends many hundreds of feet north bles in the center as Sulphur Springs. some 1900 feet «Nay. is drained 8 feet. Photo by Jeffrey Huggins. Nonh Tampa Independent. towards the other "aquifer vents."

UNOERWATER SPELEOLOGY. August. 1987. Vol. 14, No.4. p. 9 ( ..

CAVERN REPORTED IN MYAKKA RIVER people and are imaginative and careful in pursuit of somewhat abstract goals. These personality traits may be useful in coping with the risk fac­ According to a recent article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, the tors involved in sport diving as well. Myakka River contains a sinkhole at least 139 feet deep with an "un­ Millon (1975) found (and Murphey replicated and verified the find­ derwater cavern" in the Myakka State Park in eastern Sarasota Coun­ ing a decade later) that: ty in southwest Florida. "Inside the Park, the river forms two natural lakes, which have PERSONALITY CAVE BASIC been enhanced by culverted damns: the 6SO-acre Upper Myakka Lake TYPE DIVERS STUDENTS and the SOO-acre Lower Myakka Lake_ "In the lower lake, the river plays a dangerous trick. Just a few Introverted 82% 41% steps offshore, its knee-high depth increases drastically: the bonom Intuitive 61 37 drops at least 139 feet into an underwater cavern. At some unknown Thinking 64 52 time, the river's bed gave way to a sinkhole about 75 to 100 feet wide. Judging 71 44 Mote Marine [Laboratory] has explored the chamber's subterranean Extroverted 18 59 rooms but has yet to learn exactly how extensive the sinkhole is." Sensing 39 63 Feeling 36 48 Perceptive 23 56

INTRODUCTION TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL With these differences in Myers/Briggs personality types it can ASPECTS OF SCUBA DIVING be seen that cave divers are different from beginning diving students . . by Milledge Murphey. Ph.D. The results are, however, of interest as one speculates on the types of people who begin diving and those who emerge at the cuning edge of Introduction. Scuba diving is characterized by many persons as the most extreme form of the activity. hazardous, and by most as a calculated risk. These opinions are offset Heyman, Millott (and others) have studied diver stress. Heyman in part by the beauty of, and the adventure inherent in entering, the un­ has published (May, 1984) anumber of provocative conclusions result­ derwater environment using self-contained underwater breathing ap­ ing from his research_ Among these are the results from a three-year paratus. Current insights regarding the types 01 personalities who study which included: choose to dive, the stresses involved in diving, and other psychological - Women did not do as well as men on pool skills and took longer considerations are considered herein. . to complete them even though the results of psychological tests for both Cush, Griffiths, Heyman, Millon, Murphey, and others have sexes were similar. studied the personality type(s) and characteristics of persons who - 25% of males failed to complete training whereas 47"10 of woman scuba dive in various environments_ As a result of their inquiries (and dropped out. . those of other researchers) questions have been raised regarding per­ - The results of the administration of an anxiety- scale/divingclog sonality type and its impact on success (or lack 01 it) in recreational comparison revealed that more anxious persons made fewer dives, scuba diving. spent less time underwater, and did not dive as deeply. As the expected enjoyment and glamor of participating in the ac­ - Males who made only check-out dives but no free dives seemed tivity has rapidly increased, there has been a subsequent expansion of to be diving anly to "prove that they could do it." These persons appear the diving industry. Thus, with the industrial interest in scuba divers to propel themselves into risky situations, yet when the stress mounts who buy equipment. coupled with the more academic interests in high­ they are unable to cope. hazard sport participants and use of personality/psychological data to - People who learn to dive favor recreation with some risk. c- inhance training and safety in the sport, the topic has become one of - Women generally do more poorly than men as diving students, considerable universal interest. and later as divers_ Need for Safety. Scuba diving is a glamor activity, which, like - Women responded well to petite, competent female instructors_ flying, skydiving, mountain climbing, white-water kayaking and other -In most cases problem scuba students will be: 1) more anxious, high adventure activities, has a great appeal for a large segment of the. 2) more outgoing, and 3) less sensation seeking. population. Perhaps the most extreme form of scuba diving in terms of - Seemingly overconfident students may cause more difficulty potential hazard--cave diving (which has perhaps the best safety record because personal task inadequacy is hidden by their extroverted .be­ among trained/certified cave divers)---can correctly be considered havior. among the mostpsychophysiologicaJlydemanding recreational pursuits - Overconfident persons may push themselves beyond safe currently available to non-military persons (only space-walking places limits. (Author's note: Heyman believes this group of people is where one in a more hazardous environment). Further, the previously the majority of student scuba-accident victims faiL) . referenced extensive scuba-equipment industry which has developed Millott, writ!ng in the area of stress, cave divers, and survival, has as a result of the equipment-intensive nature of scuba diving, is now a stated the followtng: major economic force in the U.S. recreation industry. Finally, neces­ 1. Overlearning correct responses (rather than relying on instinc­ sary training with resultant safety of persons involved in the sport has tive, environmentally inappropriate actions) is the key to relaxed, sur­ produced a number of profit-making agencies whose purposes reHect, vival-based cave diving. to a greater (and sometimes lesser) degree, these training and safety 2. Some stress is necessary, and gradual aclimation to it will needs. produce a safe, long-lived cave diver. Scuba-diving accidents, while infrequent, stimulate public opinion 3. Different people respond differently to stress. The data sug­ and the media to action, and often create an environment in which gest that introspective, logical, controlled, stable people are effective misinterpretation and misunderstanding can, and do, occur. Predic­ cave divers. tions of success in scuba diving, equipment manufacturers' need to Griffiths has published a number of studies relative to dive know why divers choose specific equipment, and numerous other train­ stress/anxiety and diver performance. His conclusions closely parallel ing and safley-related needs and interests prompt continued studY. those of Millott, and he offers the following guidelines for in-watertreat­ What Has Been Studied_ Millott (1975) and Murphey (1995-7) ment 01 perceived diver stress: have studied cave divers, who are the most extreme actors in scuPs 1) talk on the surface diving. The results of these studies indicate that these persons are-flot 2) accentuate the positive a group of radical thrill seekers (as is frequently suggested in the media 3) buddy pair weak with strong wh~m:m-cave diver, or group of them, die while violating every rule 4) use a buddy line in a totally rule- controlled activity)_ Rather, the trained and certified 5) offer praise and encouragement cave diver, much like the trained and certified open-water diver, appears 6) practice the calming response--deep breathing to be a logical, goal-oriented diver. Griffiths "Characteristics of effective scuba divers· include: Trained cave divers tend to be interested in the intellectual pos­ 1) positive self-esteem sibilities 01 diving and appear to be challenged by the demands of the 2) confidence environment, with resulting expansion of their personal diving 3) absence of Anxious Reactive Personality type capabilities and competencies (Millon). Further, both cave divers and open-water divers tend to be more comfortable with small groups of Conclusion. All scuba divers are exposed to a degree of risk_

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY, August, 1987. Vol. 14. No.4. p_ 10 _._------,

The existence of the risk is part of the attraction to the sport With __" .. _-Dive Planning and Post Dive Roview," chapter The Art of SalQ Cgye Diyjng, NACO (In Press). the risk comes a concommitant degree of stress. It is the existence of __. "Scientilic D;lIing; 'Divin9 for Scienc.,'985." ~ Vol. 44. #1. Jan. 1986. p. this stress and the individual reaction to il that may produce or mitigate 22 an incident or an accident. __. "Secur~y of Cave Diving Equipment; UWS 13;1. Jan. 1986. p. 5. __. 'The Chellenge of Goat Sink." UWS 13:1. Jan. 1986. pp. 9-10. II appears that maintenance of physical fitness, overlearning __. "An Observation of Death: A Second Perspective: UWS 13:2. Feb. 1986. p. 4. skills through practice and repetition, awareness of one's physical __. "Skiles: Saga of a Speleological Superlative - Part I: UWS 13:2, Feb. 1986. pp. 6· limitations, and the practice of buddymanship will enhance effective 7. __. "Cave Diving in Australia: Observations; ~ Vol. 44, #4. April 1986, pp. diving. Disregard for safety procedures as espoused by the certifica­ 100·101. tion agencies and unreasonable anxiety can and sometimes do produce __. 'The Image 01 Cave diving,' UWS 13:4, June 25. 1986. pp. 19·21. accident circumstances. The overtrained diver is best equi'pped to suc­ __. "Skiles: Cave Diving at theCut\ing Edge- Part II: UWS 13:6, Nov. 6. 1986. pp.l0· 13. cessfully overcome such conditions before or as they develop. __. 'The Intertaoe: Scientific/Sport Diving; Florida Underwater SeiAD!ist (In Press). __. "The Apology Dive: A Near Miss,' UWS 14:4, Aug. 1987. REFERENCES __ and A. Panalta. "Cavern Diving: a Studen!'. Pernpective; NACO NfIWll Vol. 19. Ill. Jan.·Feb. 1987. p. Bachrach. A.J. Diving Behavior. Human Performance and Scuba Diving. Chicago: The 4 __. "When are You Too Old to Dive? The Eftects of Aging on Diving,' Undercurrent Alhleliclnslhule.1970.119-137. __ & M.D. Curley. 'DiverStre$$ Control and Prevention: Proceedings of Man and tha Vol. 12, #2, Feb. 1987. pp. 5·8. Radloff, Rand R. Helmreich. "Stress: Under the Sea; psychology Todav 1969, VrJo. 3. p. Sea Conference. 1980. Center for Marine Studies. Temple Univers~y. Philadelphia, PA. 1980. 2B. 16·21. Shave. W.P. "Peroeption and Problem Solving Under Stress; prgceedinos o! the Sixth and __ &G. H. Egstrom. 'DiverPanic;~ 1971. Vol. 20,#11. pp. 36·7. 54·5. 57. SAlIfIntb Annual NACD Seminars (Schenck. W., Ed.) 1976, pp. 154-161. Brady, J.I. 'Manual Performance Underwater; unpublished doctoral dissertation, Texas Smith, R.W. "Application a Medical Model to Psycho. pathology In Diving." pro""edinos Tech. University, 1976. of of tho Sixth Intnmatiooa' Cm'O[ftnM gn Underwater Education NAUI.1974. Cush, C. "The Sport Diver's Mind Remains Largely Uncharted Territory,' UnderwaterUSA, Spielberger. C.D .• R.L Gorsuoh, and R.E. Lushene. Manual lor Slate·Traa Anxiety Invan­ Vol. 1, #8, DBC .. 1984. p. 13. Palo-Ako: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1968. Deppe. A.H. 'Overload and Sensory Deprivation: Time Estimation in Novice Divers." f.§r: \l1JY. Vallome, C.A. Need Improved Psychological Training in Cave ""ptual and Molor Skills 1969. Vol. 29;pp. 481·2. "The IOf Diving"~ 1ngs tbe Sixtb and Seventh Annllal NACD SeminarS (Schenck. Ed.) 1976, pp. 154·161. Desautels, D.A. "Cave Diving History,' chepter The Art 9f Safe Cave Diving, NACO (In o! W.. Press). Fen •• D. and S. Epstein. "Stress: in the Air,' Psychology Today, 1969. VrJo. 3. 28. Gerrard. S.P. & A.T. Leitheuser. 'Diving in Caves Requires Special Preparation: ~ water USA, Vol. 3. #1. July. 1986. p. 29. GriffithS. T.J .. D. Steel and P. Vaccaro. "Stressand SCUBA: Aacentl in"" 1978.#1.14. __ and Allen; Roger J. 'Controlling Piver Stress and Panic. Audio-Cassette Series. GREEN GRASS· by Mark Leonard Privately Published by the Authors. Penn State University, Univershy Park. PA 16802 ~D.H. Steel. and P. Vaccaro. "Relationships belween Anxiety and Performance in We all have heard that "the grass is greener on the other side of SCUBA Diving: Perceplual Molor Skills. 1979,48,109·1010. the hill." Unfortunately, when you get there it still has to be mowed. In ~D.H. Steel and Paul Vaccaro. 'Anxiety levels of beginning SCUBA divers; ~ lual and Molor Skills, 1979. 48,1009·1010. the May 4, 1987 issue of Underwater Speleology (14 :3), Roger Werner ~D. Steel. P. Vaccaro, and M. Karpman. 'The Effect. of Relaxation Training on Anxiety looked for that greener grass. I would now like to take a weed-eater to and Underwater Perlormanc:e,-'nteco.]tjQnaJ Journal of SPgrt psYChglQgy Vol. 12,#3. pp. 1766- that green grass on the other side of the hill so you can see what the 82.1981. __. "Divermatic Breathing ~ Accident Prevention; ~ April. 1984. hill looks like before you have to buy it. __. Sport Scuba Piving in Depth, Princeton Book Co., Princeton, New Jersey. 1985. There has always been an argument on the dual-outlet manifold ~ D.H. Sleel. P. Vaccaro, R. Allen, and M. Karpman. "The Effects of Relaxation and versus independent cylinders. There probably always will be. But what Cognitive Rehearsal on the Anxiety Levels and Performance of SCUBA Siudant • ." ~ al-lournalos Sprols psycbology. Vol. 16. #2. pp. 113-119, 1985. is the overall safest configuration for the average cave diver? (If there __ and Proger Allen. Stress and Panic Management for pivers. Audio tape program. is such an animaL) That is the question that should be addressed. Let's White Pine Publications, College Park. Maryland, 1986. __. 'Diving Can Pose Special Challenges for Women: Underwater USA. Vol. 2. #9. take a look at what the two systems offer the cave diver. Then you can Jan. 1986. p. 26. make a decision on the type of diving you do and your experience level. __. "The Stress of Scuba Diving: Part I; Underp~rrent Vol. 11. #1. Jan. 1986. pp. 10- I would not argue with anyone: if you have a manifold failure you ( 12. __. "The Stress of Scuba Diving: Part II: Undercurrent Vol. 11. 1/2, Feb. 1986. pp:S·9. have a major problem. Manifolds do fail. In this type of failure, the in­ __ and Mauvine Barnes. "Physical and Psychological Ailments During an Archaeologi. dependent system outshines the manifold. This is because you would cal Underwater Dig; pressure, Vol. 15.1/2. March·April, 1986. p. 11. lose only half of your air supply instead of all of it. On that point anyone __ and Steven R. Heyman. "PsycholOgical Factors Affecting Scuba Students; ~ ~ July 1986. p. 29. would agree. __. "A Relliew of Psychological Research; Inlernalional Confensn"" on Underwater In certain types of cave diving, the independent system is supe­ Education. "'lorida International Univerisly. North MiaO)i. Florida. October 3·5. 1986. rior. In side mounting and in sump diving special problems exist that __• D.J. Steel and P. Vaccaro. 'Psychological Implications for Underwater Ar­ chaeologists; International Journal of Sport Psychologv. (In Press). make the independent system the right way to go. Problems such as Hendrick. W. "Psychological Readiness; ~ May. 1985, pp. 19·20. low floor-to-ceiling height or long distance from the entrance make it ad­ Heyman. S.R. "Personality Traits,Linked 10 Scuba Success: Underwater USA. Vol. 1.1/1 •. vantageous to use the independent system. But along with these ad­ May 1986. p. 8. __" -Learning to Manage Anxiety. Fear. and Panic is Crucial for Divers,· Underwater vantages there are disadvantages. You will have additional equipment USA. Vol.1. 1/7. Nov. 1984. p. 13. that could fail. Tanks mounted on your side pull the body out of trim. __. "Whal Makes Diver. take the Plunge?" Underwater USA. Vo. 1. #12. Apr. 1985. p. This makes control harder to achieve. Having to monitor two pressure 12. __. "Underwater Psychology Can Affect Diving Enjoyment; Underwater USA Vol. 2. gauges adds to the task loading of the dive. If your diving is in one of 1/11. Mar. 1986, p. 21. these two categories, your experience level should be high enough that __. 'Psychological Factors Affects Scuba Students." Underwater USA, Vol. 3. Ill. July, the extra task loading should not create any problems. . 19S6.p.29. Millott. R.F. 'Stres,. Cave Divers. and Survival: 7th Inlamational Conference on Under· If you do not fit into one of these two categories, the only argu­ water Education, MiamI 1973. ' ment you have for the independent system is a total air failure. As long __. 'Jungian PerSonality Types Among Calle Divers; NACO Instructor Institute. Bran· as you are not solo diving, you have a buddy with a five-foot hose to ford. Florida. 1981. share air with. This is the only emergency where the cave diver is reliant Mount, T. -The Cave Diver's Headl - Proceedings oflhe Sixth International Conferenoe on, Underwater Educalion NAUI. 1974. first on his buddy, and not on himself. By adhering to the Third's Rule Murphey. M. (1984). "Cave Diving Personality Types: A Longhudinal Study Using the the team will be able to exit safely. Myers·Briggs Type Indicator; conducted at the Annual Meeling of the NSS Cave Diving Se<>­ tion, Dec. 29-30. 1984. If you look at your air-supply system as two parts-1) the air con­ __. "Alternatives to Stage Decompression,' chapler, The Art gI SafaCava Diving NACO tainers, which include the manifold, and 2) the regulators, which include (In Press). first and second stages, submersible pressure gauge, and inflator __ and W.H. Main. "Cave Diving in Florida 1970-1985: The Main Perspective; chapter The Art of Safe Cave Diving. NACO (In Press). hoses--where are the most likely places to fail? __. "Diving Right: Mark Leonard; UWS 12:3. June 1985. p. 11. Regulators fail for many reasons. Hoses rupture. O-rings ex­ __. "NACD·ITC: An Unbiased Perspective: l)WS 12:3. June 1985, p. 1S. trude. SPG's leak. Not to mention free-floWS. The list goes on and on .. __. "Scuba Personalities Studied in Gainesville; Florida Scuba News Vol. 2, #6. June 1985.p.21. Why do manifolds fail? In most cases it is because they were __. "Reciprocal Certification Standards in Compressed Gas Diving. NSS News Vr;.. dropped and knocked out of alignment. They also fail when propelled 42. #7. July 1985. p. 235. into walls while being towed by scooters. __. "Inlernational Standards lor Scientnic Overhead Environment Diving, in Mitchell. C.T.(ed.) Proceedings of 'I-Ie Joint International Scientific Diying Symposium· American Picture a balance scale. On one side of it, put all the advantages Academy Of \ Joderwat8[ Sciences/Confederation MQndjale des AdivitiAs $!Jbaguatjgues Oct. of the dual-valve manifold. On the other side, put all the advantages of 1985. pp. 295·311., the independent system. Do there not seem to be more advantages to __. "Profile: Mary Ellen Exley:llI..S.S.News. Vol. 43, #10. Ocl. 1985. p .. 319. __. "Solo Cave Diving;~. Vol. 43, #10. Oct. 1985, pp. 31S. 323. the dual-valve manifolds? __• ·Cavern and Cave Diving Standards in the Un~ad States," I a 185· proooedjng$ of Let's look at the chart below and see which system offers the the International Conlerence on Underwater Education. Nov. 1985. pp. 272-88. most safety. __. "Effects of Smoking on Cave Divers;~. Vol. 43. #11. NOli. 1985. p. 343.

UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY. Augusi. 1987. Vol. 14. No.4. p. 11 Best Choice of Systems them together to make the first dual-outlet manifold. This advancement was so good that it was called the Ideal Manifold. Since that time it has Independent Dual-Valve Manifold been considered the overall best answer to safety. Once the dual-valve manifold became commercially available, Valve-to-tank O-ring X most divers prefer it in the overhead environment, be it wreck, cavern, Manifqld failure X or cave. Sure, there are going to be times when the independent sys­ Blow-out disk failure X tem is superior. Valve-to-regulator failure X There is another way of looking at all this. If seatbelts were the First-stage-to-hose O-ring failure X dual-ouUet, and not using them were the independent system, think of Hose failure X it this way. If your car were plunging into water, you most likely would Second-stage free-flow X not want to have the seatbelt fastened because it would slow you down First-stage high-pressure-seat failure X getting oul At all other times you would want it fastened. If you sump SPG-spool O-ring failure X dive or side-mount dive, the independent system may be your answer. SPG failure X If you don't, then the dual-outlet manifold is probably your best choice. Valve O-ring failure .X I have hacked at this grass long enough. (I never like cutting Requires less equipment on dive X grass.) You decide. As for my recommendations, until something safer Ease of monitoring pressure X comes along, it's the dual-ouUet manifold. I don't think anything has been overlooked through the years. There are more points of failure that can be controlled with the [Mark Leonard is the Safety Coordinator for the NSS Cave Diving dual-ouUet manifold. These points of failure seem to be those things Section, Abe Davis Award Administrator, an NSS-CDS Cave- Diving In­ that go wrong more often. Look at the list above. Most divers have per­ structor, and a recipient of the International Safe Cave Diver Award sonal knowledge of regulator-related types of failure and not manifold (1000+ safe cave alVes).] failure. Since you can't have a system that you will allow you to back up both types of failures, doesn·t it make more sense to back up the items most likely to fail? CALL FOR NOMINATIONS ... Roger states that the vast majority of the cave-diving com­ munity uses the dual-valve manifold. This fact alone makes him wonder At the end of December, the two-year terms of board members if we haven't overlooked something. To understand why the vast Steve Ormeroid, Dale Purchase, Wes Skiles (Training Chairman), and majority uses the dual-valve manifold, we must go back into cave-diving H.V. Grey expire. We are now calling for nominations for the fall elec­ history. tion to fill these posts. In the mid-to-Iate fifties, when cave diving was just getting started, Any CDS member in good standing (Le., dues paid up with both there was no choice. It was either a single tank or two tanks with a com­ the CDS and NSS) may nominate a candidate or be nominated. You mon manifold. Since the only choice of regulator was the double hose, may nominate yourself, and are urged to do so if you are interested in the concept of the independent system was not practical. Along about serving on the Board of Directors. Nominees for the Training Chairman 1960, the single-hose regulator appeared. This made sharing air much position must be current NSS Cave Diving Instructors. easier. It became the cave diver's choice. Shortly thereafter, a cave Nominations must be received no later than September 30, 1987 diver went to the local plumbing supply and purchased a "T" fitting, and by SecretarylTreasurer Joe Prosser (NSS Cave Diving Section, P.O. made the first safe second stage (octopus). Along about this time Dr. Box 950, Branford, FL 32008-0950). Benjamin took a K-valve and the twin tank valve, and silver-soldered c.

NSS Cave Diving Section Bulk Rate P.O. Box 950 U.S. Postage Branford, FL 32008-0950 PAID Permit No. 849 Miami, FL

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