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Underwater Journal of the Section of the National Speleological Society

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Whale Bone Restoration in Devils System

Cave Diving And DAN Work Day At Cow Springs

Volume 42 Number 3 July/August/Sepetember 2015

NSS-CDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Underwater Speleology Volume 42 Number 3 July/August/Sepetember 2015

CHAIRMAN Joe Citelli (954) 646-5446 [email protected] contents

VICE CHAIRMAN TJ Muller Featured Articles [email protected] TREASURER Cheryl Doran Repairing The Past [email protected] By Gene Page and Michael Angelo Gagliardi...... 6 SECRETARY Forrest Wilson Michael Angelo’s Notes [email protected] By. Michael Angelo Gagliardi...... 10 PROGRAM DIRECTORS And Dan Joe Tegg [email protected] By Peter Buzzacott MPH, PhD...... 14

Nathan Spray Work Day At Cow Springs [email protected] ...... 16 TRAINING CHAIRMAN Jim Wyatt 2015 Workshop Wrap Up (352) 363-0013 [email protected] By Jared Hires...... 24

Columns

From The Chairman By Joe Citelli...... 5

Milestones By Shirley Kasser...... 13

Beyond The Panhandle ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER By Jennifer Idol...... 18

Bruce Ryan We Are Stronger Than Me 295 NW Commons Loop SUITE 115-317 By Michael Angelo Gagliardi...... 19 Lake City, FL 32055 (850) 284-1849 Off To the Side [email protected] By Rob Neto...... 20

Please mail Section business to: Skills, Tips & Techniques NSS-CDS 295 NW Commons Loop, Suite 115-317 By Georges Gawinowski...... 22 Lake City, FL 32055 Instructor Listing ...... 27

Cover Photo: Whale bone restoration work marker in Ginnie Springs Photographer: David Sheard

www.nsscds.org 3 Underwater Speleology editor’s notes Team

EDITOR ART DIRECTOR Seen in geological perspective, we are fossils in the making, to be Cheryl Doran [email protected] buried and eventually exposed again for the puzzlement of creatures of later eras.” ~Wallace Stegner~ ADVERTISING SALES [email protected] In this issue we have some old, some new, some comings and some goings. DEPARTMENTS SKILLS, TIPS, & TECHNIQUES You will find a detailed article about the recent resotration of the damaged Georges Gawinowski [email protected] whale bone fossil in the Devil’s System. A new dive exploration group in Texas. New work on the Cow Springs site. (The purple privacy wall is destined to be CONSERVATION CORNER Michael Angelo Gagliardi my CDS legacy...and I’m OK with that.) A review of the 2015 Workshop this past May and information on the upcoming 2015 Midwest Workshop in October. MILESTONES Shirley Kasser [email protected] We are saddened to see our Conservation Chair, Kelly Jessop, and our Awards Coordinator, Shirley Kasser, step down and we thank them for their tenure. We THE LOOP Joe Citelli also welcome our new Conservation Chair, Michael Angelo Gagliardi, and our new Awards Coordinator, Eric Parks. Thank you for volunteering your time and BEYOND THE PANHANDLE Jennifer Idol energy for these positions.

OFF TO THE SIDE Jared Hires did a tremendous job with the May workshop and we are looking Rob Neto [email protected] forward to the 2016 Workshop with Curt Bowen as our Workshop Chair. Plans for the Midwest Workshop in MO are underway with Mark Wenner as workshop INSTRUCTOR’S CORNER Carl Griffing chair. Portal To the Inner Earth is the workshop theme and it looks to be another [email protected] great event event. EDITORS We have joined with the NSS as as local conservation groups SENIOR EDITOR Barbara J. Dwyer to protect Alachua Sink and are unfortunately still embroiled in the on-going ASSOCIATE EDITOR School Sink law suit. We are also still working on updating our programs and Russell Edge procedures.

Views represented in UWS articles are proprietary to the au- Busy times! And volunteers make it all happen. Take some time and volunteer for thor and do not reflect the views of the NSS-CDS BOD or Edi- a committee or project. Just a few hours of your time can make a difference. tor. We encourage the process of freedom of speech. You are welcome at any time to make rebuttals to articles previously printed in UWS. Please send articles or responses to: [email protected]. Dive safe,

For rates and ad sizes please go to www.nsscds.com Cheryl Underwater Speleology (UWS) is printed quarterly (four times yearly) by the NSSCDS, 295 NW Commons Loop, Suite 115-317, Lake City, 32055.

UWS is a membership benefit. Information on membership fees and registration can be found at www.nsscds.org.

Please send address changes to NSS-CDS, 295 NW Commons Loop, Suite 115-317, Lake City, Florida 32055.

Please submit letters and articles to UWS EDITOR, 295 NW Commons Loop, Suite 115-317, Lake City, Florida 32055.

UWS text, illustrations, and photographs may not be repro- duced or reprinted without the expressed consent of the NSS- CDS or its authors, artists, or photographers. Rallly at Alachua Sink. NSS-CDS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Photographer:Tracy Marinello. Photo courtesy of Florida Defenders of the Environment who encouraged all their members to attend the rally. 4 Underwater Speleology from the Chairman Joe Citelli

Once again our annual workshop was a resounding success under the leadership of our Workshop Chair Jared Hires. Both attendance and profits were up from last year and a try out day was introduced on Sunday. Hopefully, this will eventually evolve into a Rebreather Summit. On behalf of the board of directors and the membership, I would like to thank Jared for his efforts. Chairing these events is not easy. Jared will be staying on in the background in an advisory capacity.

For 2016, our Workshop Chair will be Curt Bowen. Curt will bring his many years of expertise to the table and work to broaden the appeal of the workshop, making it even more successful. Look for a new and dynamic approach for next years’ workshop.

Our Midwest Workshop will be held in Missouri in October. Mark Wenner is our workshop chair and is bringing some new ideas to this years event. Thank you Mark for taking this on!

After many years of service, Kelly Jessup has stepped down as our Conservation Chair. We thank him for his selfless dedication to the CDS. Kelly will be replaced by Michael Angelo Gagliardi. Welcome aboard Michael Angelo!

The training committee has passed a resolution banning most training at Eagles Nest Cave. We thank the training director and committee for taking a stand on this very important matter. If we are to lead by example, we must make our rules a notch above the others.

Once again, the property around and adjacent to Alachua Sink is in danger of being developed to the detriment of the cave system which is an environmentally sensitive site. Your Vice Chair, Sylvester (TJ) Muller, has taken a leadership role in working with the NSS and other conservation minded groups to prevent any damage to the cave. Thank you TJ for all of your hard work.

Thanks to Steve Boyer, Cow Springs now has a changing station painted “Princess Purple” and a dive platform. A hearty “Thank You” goes out to Steve and his merry helpers.

The School Sink lawsuit drags on ad infinitum and keeps sucking up our operating funds. A new trial date has been set for February 8, 2016. Hopefully, it will not be postponed again and one way or another the insanity will come to an end.

Respectfully,

Joe Citelli, Chairman NSSCDS

www.nsscds.org 5 Photographer: Michael Angelo Gagliardi Repairing The Past

By: Gene Page and Michael Angelo Gagliardi Photo: Michael Angelo Gagliardi

It may be hard to imagine Florida’s cave country during to Michael Angelo and his team. At first, he wasn’t sure the Eocene Epoch around 35 to 55 million years ago but a repair could be accomplished, but he remembered let’s try…. hearing of an epoxy that was used in repair and realizing can act like ocean reefs he thought this Picture some water, a lot of water, like being accidently epoxy might be the answer. After some initial tests, above left by a boat in the middle of nowhere type of water. And and underwater, plans were made to repair the damaged sea creatures of varying sizes, from microscopic critters fossil. to huge whales. A team of safety divers and assistants was assembled Among all of these various creatures is a lone whale, and the project began. Imagine being about 2200 feet in slowly living its’ last seconds of life and then floating a cave, on a jump off the main line, playing a combination gently to the sea bottom where it is joined by millions of the game Operation and Rubik’s Cube while being an of other sea creatures over the course of millions of artist and amateur paleontologist all at the same time and years. The compression of these skeletal remains you can imagine the amount of work and creativity that forms the rock that the now dropping water was necessary to complete the repair and restoration. levels cut through forming the cave passages we dive Additional logistics included having to cover all the tools today. Our long deceased whale is now mostly gone, with silicon spray and wax so the epoxy would not stick partially deteriorating with time, partially becoming part and using zip-lock baggies with colorant to mix the epoxy of the limestone rock and partially fossilized about 2200 underwater and then apply it. horizontal feet from the nearest entrance in the Devil’s System at Ginnie Springs. Pretty cool right? Michael Angelo mentioned “eureka” moments he had during this whole process such as using the colors and At some point in past months these fossilized bones striations in bone pieces to help align them once more. were damaged. Exactly how they were damaged we Using before and after photographs along with the angle may never know, but possibly, someone may have swam of the bone left in the wall, he determined how many too close and somehow bumped up against these fragile pieces he had to assemble in the studio to bring back fossils sticking out of the cave wall, a large chunk landing to the cave to make the repair. Quite the challenge and on the silty floor below. accomplishment.

The cave diving community turned to one of it’s own to According to Michael Angelo, “of the 40 hours in the attempt restoration of the damaged fossil, Michael Angelo studio, half of that was staring and waiting for that eureka Gagliardi. Combining his love for cave diving and his artistic moment. The colors, striations and textures were that background (having studied art as an undergraduate and moment.” graduate and his work in film and theater) makes him a unique diver and artist who has leant his skills to repair With a combined 40 hours of above water repair time in cave damage before in Cow Springs. his studio and seven dives totaling 15 hours the whale bone was restored and hopefully the whale can now rest Working with fossilized bones would bring new challenges easy again in its unique grave.

www.nsscds.org 7 Photographer: Michael Angelo Gagliardi Michael Angelo’s Notes

Photographer: Gene Page and Kim Bauldree 8 Underwater Speleology Today’s Dive:

We met at Ginnie where we went over the dive plan, cop- ies of the before and after images. I also carried Tupper- ware containers in a duffle bag to safely handle the piec- es. Rich led the dive where we scootered to about 2200 ft where we dropped both our stages and DPV’s. We swam to the site where I took a quick video of the site. The piece remaining in the wall was solid and not remov- able. The broken pieces consisted of 3 large pieces and multiple of smaller pieces. I test fitted the large pieces and found they line back up nicely to the piece still in the wall. I then began collecting the 3 large pieces and as many of the small pieces as possible. This process, as Photographer: Gene Page and Kim Bauldree well as bubble exhaust, began to reduce visibility. After 20 minutes or so, visibility decreased enough to call the January 2015 – The whale bone fossil in the Insulation dive. We stowed the pieces and swam to the DPVs and Room of the Devil System on the Santé Fe River was stages and began our exit. Exit and deco were unevent- broken off the wall. I learned of this thru a thread on the ful. Dive time was a little under 2 hours. On the surface, Cave Diving Forum. In this thread divers were distraught we found the 3 large pieces plus several smaller pieces by the apparent destruction of the fossil. During the thread fitted together nicely and we have high hopes for suc- I asked questions about the fossil and broken pieces. Af- cess. We plan another recovery dive this week to get any ter reading that the broken pieces were still there on the pieces missed. silty floor I began thinking of a way to repair the damage. I talked to Kelley Jessop and Forrest Wilson thru Private This dive was followed up with other dives with Richard messages of my still formulating plan. Both had great and Stacy Dreher. Please be aware the fossil fragments input and since I was out of town both Forrest and Kel- were kept in Tupper ware containers filled with wa- ley spoke with Rose Meadows of Ginnie Springs Resort ter and at no time where they allowed to dry. seeking permission to attempt a restoration. My basic plan is to research the epoxy systems used to restore Studio Phase - With the fragment in my art studio, I set ocean reefs. These systems are designed to be used un- about finishing my research in the epoxy systems. I found derwater by divers to glue pieces of coral together both in a great system by Smooth On Inc. I used their products the Ocean and for artificial reefs such as aquariums. And before in my work on feature films and live theatre and thanks to Andreas for the before and after pics. know they were quality products. The folks at their tech research department was very helpful but warned me that February 2015 – after reviewing the restoration plan with no one has ever attempted to use their product in a resto- Rose Meadows I began the retrieval dives. Since I didn’t ration like this. I purchased the epoxy system then began know the location of the fossil well I asked Rich Court- experimenting with it. I soon discovered that the epoxy ney to guide me and help with the inspection/recovery cures in 2 ½ minutes at 72 degrees out of water. Testing phase.

A) Conduct a visual survey of the site and determine if a restoration is possible.

B) If a restoration is possible then recover the broken pieces to be worked on, on dry land (if at any point it becomes apparent that the restoration will fail then return the pieces to the Insulation Room). Finally de- termine if the piece still in the wall is solidly attached or if it is needed to be removed whereas, then reassemble the whole whale bone then reattach it to the wall.

C) Photograph and video to document the effort. Photographer: Chris Romine

www.nsscds.org 9 the system in 60 degree water, the epoxy cured in 5 min- and divided up amongst the team for transport to site. We utes. I also found I could mix the epoxy with coloring tints scootered directly to stage rock (1800 ft), while Jeff Rouse so I could match the color of the Whale bone. set all our deco tanks for us in predetermined locations. At stage rock, stage bottles were dropped and I retrieved The fossil exterior is a hard shell with a dark brown patina. the project area sign from bag. The team, then scootered The interior is soft multi-colored and textured. In short the to 2100 feet where scooters were tied off to the gold line fossil is crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy on the and jump reel deployed. At the site, we located the fossil inside. For the first week of trying to restore the fragments wall, then safety divers remained on the line while I took I tried to match the shape and texture of the exterior. This the fossil pieces which where preassembled to the fos- worked well for the large fragments but trying to match sils wall. Peter was beside me handling the epoxy gun the smaller pieces became frustrating. Most of the stu- system for me. This involved loading the cartridges into dio time was spent studying the fragments and the be- the gun and screwing on the mixing nozzles then handing fore and after pictures. In the second week of the studio them to me, then retrieving it back to change nozzles. The phase I had my Eureka moment. I began to see clearly epoxy hardens in the nozzle so you go thru a lot of noz- that matching the outside was not the best approach but zles. Meanwhile, I laid the fossil container on the floor to rather the inside of the fossil that held the key. While the unpack it. The pre worked fossil pieces were transported outside is a single color caused by the wear and tear of in a water filled Tupperware container wrapped in cloth being exposed, the inside shows clearly the inner work- for protection, this was then placed in a lobster bad which ings of the bone. The veins, arteries and channels for the was clipped across the butt plate on my Nomad harness. marrow as well as changes in texture became a road map Once unpacked I test fitted the large piece (about 40% for restoration. I found that by imaging each fragment of the fossil). This piece was preassembled from 3 larger as a layer like in a CAT Scan or MRI I could match the pieces and 5 smaller fragments. It fit like a glove. I smaller pieces to the larger. In the end I had most of the prepped the corresponding piece on the wall by drilling a small pieces attached to the larger pieces. series of shallow surface holes across the glue surface to match the holes previously drilled in the broken off piece. I used both a pneumatic die grinder and small wood carv- ing chisel. This allows more surface area and creates “epoxy pins” when set. I signaled Pete for the gun then applied the epoxy to both sides. As expected the epoxy was neutrally buoyant had to be forced into the holes. On the surface the epoxy has a 21/2 minute pot life (15 minute full cure) which extended to 3-4 minute underwa- ter. I held the large piece in place for 5 minutes to insure that its would not break the bond before the epoxy cures. Next, I pre-fitted the next piece and prepped the area while Pete changed nozzles. This was a smaller piece which involved matching the holes where nerves went thru. This piece was preassembled from 5 small fragments, it was about a 80% fit so I carved it to finish the fit. It was glued and held in place for 4 minutes. At this Photographer: David Sheard point, I thought we were at a good stopping point and vis and gas were dropping so I thumbed the dive at about 60 minutes. I repacked the container lid and cloth Whale Bone Restoration In Water Phase: pieces into the lobster bag and re-clipped it to my butt plate. I left the open container with the rest of the frag- Dive 1 Report: ments under the fossil. The team left the jump line in and scootered to stage rock where I stored tools in the black 2-27-15 dive team Michael Angelo Gagliardi (artist/project bag and we retrieved our stage bottles and began our leader), Peter McCumber (assistant), David Sheard (pho- exit. We located the 50% and O2 bottles where Jeff left tographer), Krzysztof Dupel (safety diver 2), Jesse Folker them. Jeff met us in the cavern zone and collected used (safety diver 1) and Jeff Rouse (tank Monkey). Please stage bottles for us. The whole dive was documented by note we had divers trained from 4 organizaions NACD, David Sheard using still photography. Total dive time was NSS-CDS, IANTD and GUE. 127 minutes, max depth was 99 ft. Most of the team used 30% while I used 30/20 mix due to the detailed work. We We meet at 10 AM at Ginnie Springs, had a briefing on the returned the following week to finish the project. Please day’s dive and how all the tools worked. The tools and do not disturb the area where we are working. fossil container was divided in separate “lobster bags”

10 Underwater Speleology Dives 2 & 3 Report: in zip lock baggies then put the gun tip into the bag and add the epoxy. Kneading the bag mixed the colorant into On March 2nd and 3rd the restoration team made dives the epoxy. I then pulled the bag over my right hand so it furthering the restoration of the whale bone. On March was inside out. This allowed me to scrap the epoxy off 2nd the team consisting of Peter McCumber (assistant), the bag with an artist palette knife and fill voids and sculpt David Sheard (photographer and safety diver) and myself in missing pieces. At about 60 minutes onsite I thumbed – Michael Angelo Gagliardi. We scootered to stage rock the dive. We returned to the scooters and did our exit as where we dropped stage bottles and recovered tools we planned. Dive time:165 minutes, Depth 97 feet. had stored there. We then scootered to the 2100 where we had left a jump reel on February 27th. On March 3rd, the work was for all practical purposes the Dropping the DPVs we swam to the whalebone. I finished same as March 2nd with the exception that David Sheard

Photographer: David Sheard attaching the pieces I had reconstructed in my studio with did some marco photography documenting the restora- the Epoxy. The epoxy out of the tube is clear heavy body2 tion. The team consisted of myself (project leader), Peter part glue dispensed thru a mixing tip on a dispensing gun. McCumber (assistant), David Sheard (photography) and It is similar in look to Aquaseal. When glue the pieces Jesse Folker (safety diver). We reached a point where back on I strove to keep the epoxy away from edges of the fossil is whole again but the epoxy was too soft to each piece. After attaching all the pieces I did a cleanup carve to match the original pieces. I turned the dive after of any dripped glue. Peter was excellent as my assistant about 30 – 45 minutes onsite because I felt this was as where we used simple hand signals to pass the epoxy far as I could go at this point. I will periodically revisit the gun back and forth. Peter would hand me the gun then site to check how the epoxy cures. I believe it will stiffen when I past it back he’d change the mixing tip ready to up enough to finish carving in a few months. The color hand back to me. In the studio, I was able to add coloring is also slightly lighter but again I think it will darken with agents to the epoxy in an attempt to match the color of age. If the epoxy system continues to work in the future the fossil. The question became how do we add the color months then we can consider other repairs. We removed under water in the cave? What we did was put the color all tools and the storage bags. Dive Time: 125 Minutes.

www.nsscds.org 11 I wish to thank the following volun- teers. Advisory - Kelley Jessop, Forrest Wilson. Recovery Phase – Rich Courtney and Stacy Dreher. Studio documentation – Gene Pag- eand Kim Bauldree. In Water Phase – Peter McCumber, David Sheard, Jesse Folker, Krzysztof Dupel, Jeff Rouse. Shops – Amigo’s Dive Cen- ter and Cave Country Dive for sup- plying free gas to the team. I also worked closely with Rose Meadows and Ginnie Springs Resort.

Post Completion Phase – I will con- tinue to revisit the site or have some- one visit it for me so we can photo- graph and inspect the restoration. If the epoxy cures to the correct hard- ness, I will match the top textures bet- Photographer: David Sheard ter and clean up the seams better.

Post Restoration Note – Like the Cow Springs Restoration the Whale Bone Restoration caused an air bubble to form on the ceiling. This is from the bubbles from the dive team being in place for an hour at a time. Unlike the Cow Springs Restoration the bubble is not dissipating quickly. It may be advisable to use CCR on future restorations.

Photographer: Michael Angelo Gagliardi

12 Underwater Speleology It’s that time of year again! This year’s cave diving milestone awards were announced at the annual workshop and represented SEVEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED safe dives logged. Those present received a certificate marking this exciting high point in their cave diving career. The remaining recipients should have already received their certificates by mail.

Reaching 1000 safe logged cave dives, Heather Armstrong and achieved the Award. Nicely done!

Five divers reached the 500 mark, earning their Henry Nicholson Award: Harry Cardinale, Paul Clark, Joseph Koshes, Meredith Tanguay, and Lee Ann Waggener. Congratulations ladies and gentlemen!

Thirtyone divers applied in the last year for the Abe Davis Award after reaching their 100th cave dive safely: Oliver Albrecht, LainaAuyeung, Chris Ball, Dan Bartus, Melbourne Briscoe, Kerry Chambers, Al Clements, Gary Donahue, Jon Dotterer, Kirill Egorov, Alan Fossum, Nick Hargreaves, Craig Hartmann, Brian Hedden, Adam Hughes, Richard Jack, Steve Jackson, William Jakab, Scott Jantz, Louis Lefrancois, Jon Lillestolen, John McCain, Martin Meyers, Eric Myers, Lisa Norelli, Brian Shreve, Allen Smith, Carol Sugars, Curt Szuberla, Matthew Vinzant, and Rex Williams. Excellent stuff!

Thank you all for being a great example for our sport.

On a personal note, thank you all for sharing your stories and excitement with me over the past seven years. I have thoroughly enjoyed being your Awards Coordinator and it has been honor.

Please take a moment to welcome Eric Parks as our new Awards Coordinator. Eric will take great care of you, so please keep those award applications and stories coming! The email address will be the same, but take note of the new snail mail address below.

What’s your story? We want to hear all about your milestone dive! Send Eric your milestone stories and photographs for future publication. Send them to [email protected] or snail mail them to him at PO Box 150096, Fort Worth, TX 76108. . Shirley Kasser

www.nsscds.org 13 Cave Diving and DAN

By: Peter Buzzacott MPH, PhD DAN Director, Injury Monitoring and Prevention NSS-CDS Life Member

At this year’s CDS Workshop in Lake City I was privileged same year DAN’s Research Department was formed and to once again talk about , risk and also what cave the team embarked on several key research projects in- diving projects DAN have planned. This article is based cluding flying-after-diving, aging and diving, diabetes, on that presentation. Project Dive Exploration, recreational and cave diving fatality studies, and more. Every project, past and pres- Historically DAN has had close ties to the recreational ent, is relative to the entire dive community…recreational, diving community, including many who cave dive. When technical, professional and commercial. John McAniff at the University of Rhode Island started collecting diving fatality information in 1970, David De- Throughout the decades, DAN continued to engage with saultels donated 155 cave diving fatality files to that data the cave diving community through its research intern pro- collection. The collection grew dramatically over the fol- gram, delivering presentations to cave divers in Florida, lowing years till they filled seven large four-drawer metal publishing articles advising recreational divers to stay out filing cabinets. In 1985 the files ended up at DAN where of and describing the levels of proper cave diver fatality monitoring continues to this day. In 2009, DAN training (see Figure 2), and this continues with ongoing published a detailed analysis of 373 cave diving fatalities research efforts. in the United States, tracing the root causes back through the official cause of death, identifying the disabling injury, the mechanisms causing the injury and triggers that start- ed the cascade.

DAN originally started as the Diving Accident Network in 1980, offering a 24/7 emergency telephone line and staff attend- ed CDS Work- shops (a poster distributed at an Figure 2: Alert Diver advising recreational divers that proper training is early workshop is needed to dive caves shown in Figure 1.) DAN’s mem- So, what’s next? We recognize that the likelihood this bership program sport has changed in the last ten years is high, especially began in 1983 and with CCR, scooters and long-burn lamps ever more com- in 1987 the first mon. In addition, social media holds the potential for en- diving injury insur- ticing divers to go further, sooner than they would have ance program was last century. So, with the help of DAN’s new research released. Con- intern, who is a full cave diver in the CDS, we plan to cerned that only update the DAN cave diving fatality database, allowing us one third of injured to identify potential new hazards and publish the results, divers showing up first in a scientific journal and then in a summary for Un- for recompression derwater Speleology. Figure 1: An early DAN poster treatment had re- ceived , Another key initiative for DAN and the diving community DAN launched is the launch of our live online Incident Reporting System, the oxygen provider course at DEMA in early 1991 and where in- and out-of-water incidents and “near misses” to date has trained more than 170,000 oxygen providers. can be reported by cave divers without fear of being cri- In 1992 TravelAssist became a member benefit, offering tiqued by their peers. When the classic injury pyramid is medical and evacuation coverage and assistance. That applied to complex situations then fatalities represent the

14 Underwater Speleology pinnacle of what can go wrong. Below this level are the Rebreather Forum 3, the Workshop, and this year injuries, then mechanical damage, then near misses (See a PFO workshop bringing some of the world’s best ex- Figure 3.) So what’s the importance of collecting near perts together to discuss what to do about divers with a miss incident data? Simply to identify potential hazards PFO. DAN continues to host a 24/7 Emergency Hotline long before someone gets killed. Today, for example, if (+1-919-684-9111), fielding more than 5000 calls last a diver dies because he ran out of gas, then we add that year, and the DAN non-emergency Medical Information case to all the other fatality reports. When we have fifty Line (+1-919-684-2948) is available to anyone with ques- out-of-gas incidents, then we are able to say “This is a tions related to diving. In addition to its’ comprehensive real problem.” However, by collecting near miss data we dive accident insurance programs, DAN also offers travel can identify underlying causes or hazards, for example insurance for all levels of divers, non-divers and family by learning that cave divers occasionally dip into their members. emergency reserves on the way out because they get de- layed by a scooter failure, a lost line drill, or a free flow. So, that covers the past, and the present, what about the That information might be circulated and mitigating strat- future? I have joined DAN as the Director, Injury Moni- egies developed before these incidents take any more toring and Prevention, and look forward to our ongoing lives. This is the approach being taken by modern injury relationship with this community to evolve. One focus I epidemiologists to tackle falls in the elderly, bicycle head spoke about at the 2012 CDS Workshop was the need to injuries, high school football injuries, and other common identify what our risk of dying is. Is it greater or less than incidents. in open water divers? After all, we’ve had more training than most divers, we buy the best dive gear, could it be that we’re actually at less risk? This may seem a bit eso- teric but after my presentation this year I was shocked to discover at least some insurers will not cover cave divers. We are more likely educated, fewer of us smoke, remain relatively fit, and most likely have above average house- hold incomes. I even commented that cave divers might actually have a longer than average life expectancy and we should probably even get a discount! That got a laugh but you never know it may just be true. I later learned that in order to convince an actuary that we really are a low risk, we are going to need some evidence to support that argument. But, we will never know if we don’t conduct re- search into the real ‘risk’ of cave diving (see Figure 4).

Figure 3: Classic injury pyramid from Bird, 1992

You can start now and help us build our database by reporting your most recent incident - whether you were injured or merely given a scare when things did not go as planned -at DAN.org/Diving-Incidents. You can remain anonymous if you want. Contact information and details are appreciated and greatly enhance our ability to identify root causes. If you choose to share this information then we may reach out to you to request additional details such as, for example, a . You may even be asked if DAN can publish an anonymous version of the incident on the DAN website, all without fear of blame or criticism. If this works well then DAN may add a cave diving sec- Figure 4: The cave diving injury pyramid as it might look if everyone re- ports an incident. tion to the Annual Diving Report, we could even publish a scientific paper on it and then write up an article for Un- derwater Speleology, to let everyone know what hazards I thank the CDS Workshop organizers for giving DAN are being reported. the opportunity to review the relationship we have with the cave diving community and I look forward to meeting Lastly, DAN sponsored the Workshop, more CDS members at our favorite cave diving haunts.

www.nsscds.org 15 WorkDay At Cow Springs

Photographs: Forrest Wilson

Steve Boyer and his merry band of volunteers have been at it again.

Painting, hammering , sawing and building, they did an outstanding job of finishing up improvements to Cow Springs.

New stair treads were installed on the stairs, the new changing rooms primed and painted and a platform added.

Work began early on Saturday morning, The lumber was delivered despite the truck miss- ing the entrance, guess it’s hard to find with no mailbox. But they lost no time in getting started..... until the generator wouldn’t start. Without the generator, power tools couldn’t be used in the water and the platform couldn’t be completed.

You have to love the innovation of a cave diver. Michael Angelo found a to the air com- pressor problem. He used a set of doubles and a regulator was modified to connect to the air tools. It just floated it to where it was needed. And they were on their way!

16 Underwater Speleology Luckily Sean McCarthy had a small generator, or it would have ended there. This generator was left in the parking lot so both the saw, and paint sprayer could be used at the same time.

Things went smoothly from here on in and all work was completed by early afternoon on Sunday.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers!

Steve Boyer, Marylin Boyer, Andrew Boyer, Hally Baroody, Jeff Reeves, RB Havens, Rick Robinson, Sean McCarthy, Michael Angelo Gagliardi, Zelda Gagliardi and Forrest Wilson.

And another huge thank you to Cathy at Dive Outpost for the drinks, ice and support!

And another huge thank you to Wayne at Amigos for providing lunch to our crew of volunteers!

www.nsscds.org 17 Article and Photography: Jennifer Idol

Pictured above from left to right: James Williams, John Mills, Bryan Aho, Jennifer Idol, Trey Lessard, Stacey Blankenship, Dan Kelly, Tiffany Laskin, Leo Laskin, and Jason Speckman

Rising from Texas Divers form a new GUE affiliate

People think big in Texas. When those people are divers, guay to develop diver skills. The team continues to add they dream of ways to explore. So at the end of 2014, instructors to its ranks with Sam Meacham recently com- a group of Texan cave divers formed the South Central pleting the requirements to teach the GUE Fundamentals Underwater Explorers (SCUE). program and Jason Wright working toward his instructor certification This group of motivated divers created the team as div- ers Dan Kelly and Trey Lessard started talking about their SCUE divers bring their skill set and team attitude to aspirations. They shared their excitement and connected project development. From exploration by veteran divers with more like-minded divers. Bylaws were set and Face- Sam Meacham and Fritz Hanselmann, to leadership by book groups created. Dan Kelly, Trey Lessard, Jennifer Dan Kelly, and graphic design and photography skills by Idol, James Williams, Joe Koester, Stacey Blankenship, Jennifer Idol, this team is filled with talent. While the team and Sam Meacham were all elected to the board of direc- is still developing official members, 42 divers are part of tors. the group at this time.

The team defined their mission: We are dedicated to edu- SCUE held their first group dive at Balmorhea Springs, cation, conservation and exploration in the waters of the Texas. The energy was high as divers met from all regions South central region of the United States. To represent of the state and realized they share the same passion the team, Jennifer Idol created a logo that fit within the for cave diving exploration. SCUE was officially accepted GUE system and shared the passion this team holds for as a new GUE affiliate this February. Team development exploration in and around Texas. At this point, the team takes time, hard work, and patience. This group of divers formalized and set the stage to begin developing projects. certainly seems dedicated to the road ahead and you are They are eager to begin exploration, mapping, photogra- among the first to learn of this spirited group from Texas phy, and videography in local cave projects. and beyond.

Divers have been working with team members and in- Jennifer Idol is an underwater photographer and designer structors Kyle Harmon, Doug Mudry, and Meredith Tan- for her company, The Underwater Designer.

18 Underwater Speleology We Are Stronger Than Me From The Conservation Chair: Michael Angelo Gagliardi

Why do you cave dive? Is it for the sense of exploration? Is it for the personal challenge? To see how far you can get? Is it for the rush? Most cave divers would say no, that there is no rush but rather a Zen like feeling. I’d answer the question the same way. But, after seeing the damage in some of our most popular caves or seeing u-tube videos of divers using scooters in tight , I have to wonder. How universal is that answer?

How do you see the cave systems when you dive? Do you see God’s wonder or do you see wet rocks? Is it a cathedral or playground?

As the CDS’s new Conservation Chair, I have been fortunate to attend seminars and spring protection events. Organizing fauna counts has given me the privilege to meet and speak with biologists and other scientists studying the springs. One alarming common thread almost all have said is that the springs that we love to dive simply may not be here too much longer. The future of cave diving maybe that there is no future.

What can we do to prevent this? Well, truthfully if you reading this you’ve taken the first step, and joined a cave diving organization, so right now I am “preaching to the choir”. The next step? Well, that choir has got to sing. Go out and in a positive way, tell others about the beauty of the springs and caves. Show your pictures and tell you stories. Not only tell stories about the systems beauty but talk about ways to explore them safely and softly with conservation in mind. Take pictures but leave only bubbles.

Have you considered joining additional spring conservation organizations that work towards conservation of the springs such as Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute or Friends of the Ichetucknee Springs or the Rainbow Rivers Conservation group. These organizations concentrate on conservation in their individual areas and they get a great deal of work done. And please do not forget the NFSA, providing erosion control efforts as well as tank racks and changing stations at dive locations.

Can you pick up trash on your way out of a system? I carry a small extra pouch just for that purpose. Imagine what 20 or 30 cave divers did this. How clean will the systems be? Consider volunteering at a clean-up or fauna count. The BOD and the various chairs work hard, but we can’t do it all and we certainly can’t do it alone. In the end it’s up to all of us. As they say, each of us doing a little together makes it so we can do a lot.

We are stronger than Me

Michael Angelo Gagliardi

www.nsscds.org 19 off to the side...... By Rob Neto

Eenie, Meenie, Sidemount, Mo

You’re getting ready to buy your first sidemount rig but you achieve that neutral . In a 3mm you don’t don’t know which one is the right one for you. There are need as much weight. In fact, steel cylinders may be too lots of choices in commercially produced sidemount rigs heavy for you in a 3mm wetsuit. So the determining factor on the market, almost too many. When sidemount first over whether you need a 45 lb/20 kg lift wing or a 15 lb/7 started becoming popular there were only two options. kg lift wing is dependent on what you’re wearing. Figure Now many manufacturers have their own version of a out how much weight you need to be neutrally buoyant sidemount rig. Some even have a few different sidemount and you’ll know how much lift you need to offset that. rigs available. With all these choices out there how do you make a decision? The way this typically works is divers that dive colder waters tend to use more lift, especially if they are diving in That can be a difficult question to answer. Sidemount a wetsuit with steel cylinders. Divers that dive in warmer diving can be a very individual thing. What works for one waters with thinner can get away with less lift. person may not work for another. But no matter what, the And it just so happens that divers in colder waters tend to main question to ask yourself is what will you be diving use steel cylinders and divers in warmer waters tend to during most of your . This may at least use aluminum cylinders. help decrease the number of choices for you. There are rigs that are designed specifically for cold water diving What if you dive both? Then what do you do? The safe and rigs designed specifically for warm water diving. thing to do is go with the greater lift. You can avoid filling Some manufacturers have designed sidemount rigs with the wing all the way but you can’t get more lift out of a the intent of being versatile enough for both but they are 15lb/7kg wing than 15lb/7kg. Or you could end up like not optimal with either. While it used to be easy to figure me and own three different sidemount systems, all which out which rig was designed for cold or warm water diving serve their own purpose! The sidemount rigs being just by finding out how much lift the wing had, that isn’t manufactured all have their own purposes and work for the case anymore. someone. You just need to figure out if that someone is you. As with any successful business, dive manufacturers want their products to appeal to the largest consumer market possible. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s sound business practice. The problem is there isn’t one sidemount rig that is perfect for all diving conditions. And it is not about diving steel or aluminum cylinders, which most people think is the main issue, it is about what exposure protection you’re wearing.

If you are wearing a with thick undergarments, no matter whether you are diving steel or aluminum cylinders, you will need enough weight to make you neutrally buoyant with near empty cylinders. With steel cylinders you need to add less weight than with aluminum cylinders since the steel cylinders are usually more negatively buoyant. But overall, you will still need the same amount of weight to Left: Doughnut shape wing Right: Horseshoe shape wing 20 Underwater Speleology One of the main differences seen among the sidemount rigs with more lift (greater than 30lb/13.5kg) is shape. Some wings are donut shaped and others are horseshoe shaped. What does this mean and how does it affect your diving? Donut shaped wings are circular and allow air to move completely around the wing. The advantage to this is when you’re exhausting air from the wing the air does not have to travel from two different locations to the exhaust valve. It can travel along the same path. Horseshoe wings are shaped like an upside down U. If you have an exhaust valve on one side of that U then you need to move around in such a way that the air from the other side of the U can travel around the top of the wing and back down to the other side to exhaust. Having an Above: Wing with baffle Below: MSR exhaust on the shoulder at the top helps alleviate this a little.

Both wings are usually designed so the greater lift is lower and will help offset the heaviness in the feet that is typical with sidemount. In the donut shaped wings the lower part of the donut is usually fatter and wider and in the horseshoe shaped wings the ends of the U are wider.

The disadvantage to the donut shaped wing is that the harness and butt plate are typically positioned above the wing so when the wing is inflated it will lift the harness and butt plate up off of . If cylinders are being attached to the butt plate this will also raise the bottoms of the cylinders and throw trim off. A simple solution should be to just lengthen the leash (the cord that attaches the below 1000 psi/70 Bar you should still have enough air in clip to the cam band or clamp) right? Wrong. Because the wing to minimize the difference. This is also usually as gas is breathed down from the cylinders, they become only a factor with steel cylinders because they will have lighter and less air is needed in the wing. Less air in the larger weight shift. the wing means the butt plate won’t be lifted as much off the diver so the cylinders will be positioned too low then. Sidemount rigs designed around lighter cylinders, such So basically, at some point in diving with a donut shaped as aluminums, tend to have a single round or square-like wing it is likely that the cylinders won’t be as perfectly shaped wing that sits above the waist strap and will not trimmed out. be underneath the attachment points of the cylinders. The consideration with these types of wings is how air This doesn’t affect things all the much, however. Many is distributed in them and how much clearance they may divers use donut shaped wings and the difference is require when full. Mountain Safety Research bladders, marginal. Unless you’re your cylinders down more commonly known as MSR, tend to become somewhat football shaped creating a high profile when full. Whereas a wing with a baffle will tend to lay more flat. However the baffled wing may have limited lift capacity. It’s all a matter of give and take.

This is probably the most difficult part of the process of becoming a sidemount diver. While only ten years ago, the decision on which rig to purchase was pretty simple – you bought an Armadillo or a Nomad – many manufacturers have since jumped into the sidemount rig market. Some have done research and produce great rigs. Others have simply put something out there to get into the competition.

Choose wisely! Square-like shape wing www.nsscds.org 21 Skills, Tips & Techniques By Georges Gawinowski

Basic Traffic Rules

It is so easy to drive in cave country. Traffic is slow, calm and - If other divers are already geared up and other dive relaxing. With scenic roads bordered by woods, pastures teams are already in the cave system, it is a good idea to and cows, we drive accordingly. What a difference from wait for a team to exit the water. Then, after the surface driving in big cities where people have a tendency to rush, team jumps in the water, your team can start gearing up. following right on the bumper of the car in front, trying to Surely there are exceptions to this, but it is a good rule of get to the best spot in the maze of traffic. Traffic rules thumb. are the same, city or country, but our behavior changes according to the circumstances surrounding us. - When divers are at the surface and other teams are finishing deco, it may be nice to let them finish before When I first came to cave dive in North Florida, atthe putting your primary tie off in outside the cavern. end of the 90’s, I remember one time as I was rushing to get to Ginnie Springs. A sheriff stopped me and asked: - When other divers are exiting on the main line, it is “Why are you rushing so much?” I responded without always a good idea to stop or move away from the line so hesitation, “Well… Cave diving…” He replied. “Where are they have a clear view of the right direction to continue on you coming from?” “France” I said… He smiled, shook and an unhindered exit. his head and told me “A French cave diver. Ok, go ahead, but I don’t want to have to stop you again.” I thought to - When possible, we should pay attention to classes and myself what a nice person and I should take my time. move away or cover our light when we see instructors working with their students. One thing that impresses me about cave diving in North Florida is how people take their time before jumping in - When divers are making jumps, it may be a good idea to the water. I remember seeing a group of divers waiting slow down and/or move away so they can focus on their their turn in line to enter the water and asking my fellow task and not be distracted by the lights or movement of instructor, John, “How do people know the order in which others. to enter the cavern”? He smiled and said, “It is common sense. Nice, smooth and easy we have time.”… Disharmony along the way

Not taking the time, lack of consistency and not having Most of us have been in situations where a dive did not that common sense could create some disharmony along go as smoothly as planned. Was it our fault? Was another the way. team the cause? Did equipment malfunction? Or was it because of some change in the cave system? Cave Etiquette Arguing with people about their mistakes is not the best One of the things I enjoy about cave diving is taking my solution. No one is perfect. What we can do is debrief the time. There is no need to rush, the cave will be here dive as a group and hopefully avoid the same issues in tomorrow, no boat is scheduled or dive master yelling the future. Dive, Dive, Dive! Adapt to circumstances to improve safety: But there are times we can be so enthusiastic about our dive that even the best of us can forget some simple If we rush to get in the water with new dive buddies, some etiquette that all cave divers should abide by. stress will be generated due to the unknown. How the team will react if problems occur? Are there differences 22 Underwater Speleology in dive techniques? Do we use the same communication signals? Do we understand each other? Was the dive plan well detailed? Do we know the cave system? Do we all properly understand the map? Ginnie Springs

Stress is a factor than can lead to mistakes. The stress of a new or unknown buddy could cause us difficulties during the dive. Some of these issues could be finding it difficult to pay attention to other teams entering and exiting the system, bumping into other divers or having poor line management or buddy positioning that could create a danger for others such as entanglement or silt.

When diving with new people, we should:

- Watch for others.

- Plan the dive and dive the plan.

- Practice in open water first with new dive buddies or team members.

- Be more conservative with new cave systems and new buddies.

Common sense and a little diving and cave etiquette Photographer: Guy Bryant can go a long way in making our dives safer and more 386-454-7188 enjoyable for everyone. www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com

www.nsscds.org 23 2015 Workshop Wrap Up

The 2015 NSS-CDS Workshop was held over the weekend of May 15-17 in Lake City, FL. This year we had over 130 cave divers in attendance. The weekend kicked off with the Friday Night Social. New and old-time cave divers got a chance to socialize while mingling with all of awesome exhibitors and sponsors. The night was complete with grill out and two kegs, donated by Swamphead Brewery and Narked Scuba.

The theme for this year’s workshop was “New Age Exploration”, which was apparent in the presentations and the multitude of present with the exhibitors. Attendees heard many interesting presentations throughout the day including:

Edd Sorenson - Marianna, FL Exploration Projects MichaelAngelo Gagliardi - Conservation Award Dr. Peter Buzzacott - DAN Cave Diving Research Kelly Jessop - Conservation Award Rango Extendido - International Conservation Award Karst Underwater Research - Exploration Award Richard Walker MD - Recognition Award

The workshop weekend concluded with the first ever “Rebreather Try and Fly” event at Ginnie Springs. Divers got a chance to try all of the latest rebreathers on the market, getting a hands on comparison of the models. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved with this year’s workshop including our volunteers, speakers, and sponsors. Without your help this great event would not be possible.

Safe Diving,

Jared Hires Brett Hemphill & Matt Vinzant - Karst Underwater 2015 Workshop Chair Research Projects Chip Petersen & Robbie Schmittner - Belize Exploration Projects Bob Schulte - Ongoing North Florida Survey Projects Cristina Zenato - The Connection of an Inland Cave and in

During the awards ceremony many volunteers were recognized for their dedication and contribution to the NSS-CDS and cave diving community. Several special awards were given for outstanding service as well, they included:

Steve Boyer - Outstanding Volunteer Award Shirley Kasser - Outstanding Volunteer Award John DeRoo - Outstanding Volunteer Award

24 Underwater Speleology There were speakers, divers, vendors, food, awards, door prizes, a rebreather Try N Fly and even an official greeter (the dog not TJ).

www.nsscds.org 25 NSS-CDS BUSINESS AFFILIATES

Bird’s Underwater, Inc. Bonne Terre Mine/West End Diving 320 NW Hwy 19 12464 Natural Bridge Crystal River, FL 34428 Bridgeton, MO 64044 352-563-2763 314-209-7200 www.birdsunderwater.com www.westenddiving.com

Cave Adventurers Chattahoochee Scuba 5211 Limestone Lane 5870-K Veterans Parkway Marianna, FL 32446 Columbus, GA 31909 850-482-6016 706-507-2573 www.caveadventurers.com [email protected]

Depth Perception Dive Center Dive Addicts 4015 W Gandy Blvd 12356 South 900 East Tampa, FL 33611 Draper, Utah 84020 813-344-9859 801-572-5111 www.depthperception.com www.diveaddicts.com

Dive Outpost Extreme Exposure 20148 180th St 25 South Main Street Live Oak, Fl 32060 high Springs, FL 32643 386-776-1449 386-454-8158 www.diveoutpost.com www.extreme-exposure.com

Ginnie Springs Manta Industries and High Seas Mill Work 7300 NE Ginnie Springs Rd. 860-742-2699 High Springs, FL 32643 386-454-7188 www.privateerdivers.com www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com

Worldwide Diving Travelers dba WDT Rango Extendido Georges Gawinowski Las Flores #617, Col. Flor de Maria 22586 132nd Street Live Oak, FL 32060 Mexico, D.F. 01760 954.292.2901 www.rangoextendido.com [email protected]

26 Underwater Speleology NSS-CDS Instructor Listing Jim Wyatt, Training Director, [email protected]

Jon Bernot 378 Basic 340 Cave Mal Maloney 374 Cave Olivier Prats 384 Basic Cave High Springs, Florida, USA High Springs, Florida, USA Bermuda Dunes, CAL, USA Q-Roo, Mexico [email protected] CCR Cave, Survey, Stage, Sidemount, Sidemount [email protected] DPV [email protected] Emanuela Bertoni Cave www.IntoThePlanet.com Martin Robson 350 Cave Quinta Roo, MX Bill McDermott 266 Cave Somerset, UK pachacavediving.com Paul Heinerth 165 Cave Nags Head, NC, USA CCR Cave, Stage, DPV, Survey, Deep [email protected] Hudson, Florida, USA Stage, Sidemount, DPV, Survey, Cave, Overhead Nitrox, Sponsor, CCR Cave, Stage, Sidemount, DPV, Cartography, Sponsor Sidemount Brent Booth 241 Cave Sponsor, TrainingCommittee www.obxdive.com www.eau2.com High Springs, Florida, USA www.scubawest.net [email protected] Stage, Sidemount, DPV, Overhead Nitrox, Jim McMichael 376 Basic Sponsor Ken Hill 326 Cave Brooksville, Florida, USA Reggie Ross 286 Cave [email protected] Lakeland, Florida, USA [email protected] Gainsville, Florida, USA [email protected] Stage, Sidemount, DPV, Sponsor, Training Peter Butt 186 Cave Steve Mortell 356 Cave Committee High Springs, Florida, USA Lamar Hires 191 Cave Broomfield, CO, USA [email protected] Stage Lake City, Florida, USA Stage www.ReggieRoss.com [email protected] CCR Cave, Sidemount, Stage, Sponsor [email protected] [email protected] Evgeny Runkov 371 Cave Juan Carlos Carrillo 342 www.diverite.com 123 Cave Ekaterinburg, Russia Mexico DF, Mexico Lake City, Florida, USA [email protected] Cave, Sidemount Falk Hoffman 313 Cave Stage, DPV, Deep, CCR, Sponsor, [email protected] Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany Sidemount, Survey Phillip Short 365 Cave Deep Cave [email protected] Bournemouth, UK Andrey Chivilev 377 Cave [email protected] CCR Cave Tyumen, Russia Robert Neto 370 Cave www.philshorttechnical.com [email protected] Tom Illiffe 156 Cave Greenwood, Florida, USA Stage, Galveston, Texas, USA Sidemount, DPV, Survey Edd Sorenson 375 Cave Mel Clark 373 Cave Sidemount www.chipoladivers.com Marianna, Florida, USA Mill Creek, Washington USA www.cavebiology.com [email protected] Sidemount, DPV CCR Cave, DPV [email protected] [email protected] TJ Johnson 368 Cave Michael O’Leary 335 Cave www.caveadventurers.com Orlando, Florida, USA Lake City, Florida, USA Bill Dunn 170 , Stage, DPV, Deep Cave, Survey, Stage Terrance Tysall 264, Cave Conyers Georgia, USA Sidemount, Sponsor www.cavediving.org Orlando, Florida, USA Stage, Sidemount, DPV, Training www.dayo.com Sponsor, DPV, Sidemount, Survey, Stage Committee [email protected] Bill Oestreich 253 Cave [email protected] [email protected] Crystal River, Florida, USA John Jones 321 Cave CCR Cave, DPV, Sidemount, Sponsor Jim Wyatt 355 Cave Van Fleming 296 Cave Lake City Florida, USA www.birdsunderwater.com High Springs, Florida, USA Kernersville NC, USA Stage, DPV, Survey, Deep Cave, CCR Deep Cave, Stage, DPV, CCR Cave, DPV Cave, Sponsor, Sidemount, Training Conrad Pfeifer 287 Cave Sponsor, Training Chairman [email protected] Committee Mars, PA, USA Cave Dive Florida.com www.jpjscuba.com [email protected] [email protected] Steve Forman 106 Cave Winter Haven, Florida, USA Brian Kakuk 366 Cave Daniel Patterson 353 Cave German Yanez Mendoza, Cave Stage, DPV, Training Committee Abaco Bahamas High Springs, Florida, USA Stage, , Q-Roo Mexico [email protected] Stage, Survey, Sidemount DPV, Deep Cave, Cartography, Sidemount, Stage, Overhead www.bahamasunderground.com Sponsor, Training Committee Nitrox Mark Fowler 379 Cave [email protected] www.danpattersondiving.com www.germanyanez.com Wicomico, Virginia, USA [email protected] CCR Cave Elena Kryzhanovskaya 382 Cave Luis Augusto Pedro 318 [email protected] St. Petersburg, Russia Sao Paulo, Brasil Cristina Zenato 325 Cave www.markfowlerscuba.com [email protected] Cave CCR Cave Freeport, Grand Bahama [email protected] [email protected] Georges Gawinowski 369 Adam Korytko 364 Cave Live Oak, Florida, USA Tulum, , MX Mark Pergrem 319 Cave CCR Cave, Stage, Sponsor www.caveheaven.com Dallas, Georgia USA [email protected] [email protected] www.atlantatechnicaldivers.com www.cavedivertraining.com [email protected]

Carl Griffing 372 Cave Maxim Kuznetsov 352 Cave Bil Phillips 315 Cave Houston, Texas, USA Gainesville, Florida, USA Tulum, Quintana Roo, MX www.caveandtechdiving.com DPV, Stage, Sidemount, Sponsor Stage, Sidemount, DPV, Survey, [email protected] www.vodolaz.com Cartography, Sponsor [email protected] www.speleotech.com Harry Gust 337 Cave Tek-Center MX Jeff Loflin 360 Cave Renee Power 383 Basic Cave [email protected] Bonifay, Florida, USA Altamonte Springs, FL www.cave-diving-mexico.com Sidemount, Stage, DPV, Overhead Nitrox, [email protected] Deep Cave, Sponsor, Training Committee www.JeffLoflin.com Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society, Inc. NonProfit Org 295 NW Commons Loop Suite 115-317 US Postage Lake City, FL 32055 PAID Tampa, FL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit #602

2015 CDS Midwest Workshop Oct 2nd and 3rd

History Making Speakers Great Food and Prizes

Come find your “Portal to the Inner Earth”