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Vol. 12, No.3 2 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY
- PROGRAM COORDINATORS - CAVE DIVING SECTION OF THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Annual Sci/Tech Journal: WAYNE MARSHALL _ BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Winter Workshop MARK LONG Co-Chairmen: WES SKILES Chairman: STEVE ORMEROID 629 West 4th St. Safety Coordinator & MARK LEONARD Marysville, OH 43040 Abe Davis Awards: Rt. 14, Box 136 (513) 642-7775 Lake City, FL 32055 (904) 752-1087 Vice-Chairman: HARK LONG Accident Investigation HENRY NICHOLSON P. O. Box 1633 & Recovery Team: 4517 Park St. Leesburg, FL 32749-1633 Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 787-5627 (904) 384-2818 Accident Files: WES SKILES Secretary JOE PROSSER Treasurer: (for Section business) Scientific Investiga BILL FEHRING P. O. Box 950 tion & Conservation: 3508 Hollow Oak Place Branford, FL 32008-0950 Brandon, FL 33511 (personal) (813) 689-7520 7400 N.W. 55th St. Publications: H.V. GREY Miami, FL 33166 (305) 592-3146 WORKSHOP: Dec. 28-29, Branford, FL. Theme: "Science Training Chairman: WES SKILES and Cave Diving." More information in future issues. P. O. Box 73 Branford, FL 32008 (904) 935-2469 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE Two years ago, I attended my first NSS Convention, Directors: WAYNE MARSHALL to represent the CDS. I had been forewarned that P. o. Box 1414 the cave divers were looked upon as a strange group Seffner, FL33584 of individuals who called themselves cavers. My ,,:JEFF BOZANIC (813) 681-3629 personal acquaintance with dry cavers, up- to that If" ,.'~P._ O. Box 490462 time, was with the few members of the CDS who were \1 "T-Key Biscayne, FL DALE-PURCHASE active dry cavers and those that I had met the week .. 33149-0462 337 Plymouth prior to the convention at the NCRC workshop 'at Saginaw, HI 48603 Mammoth Cave. Following the presentations, I spent (517) 799-0973 ,several hours talking with many dry cavers about the CDS. It was apparent that a gap-of-sorts existed Under"'ater Speleology is the official news bet"'een the CDS and the NSS. While certainly not-on letter of the Cave Diving Section of the a level of indifference, a lack of understanding and National Speleological Society, Inc. Section communication of direction and goals needed to be membership, which includes subscription to the reconciled. newsletter, is open to all members-in good Recently there has been a significant rise in the standing of the NSS at $5 per year. Subscrip number of cave divers going dry caving and dry cavers tions for non-members are $7 per year. Member learning cavern and cave diving. As a result, many ship/subscription information, applications, and areas of direct communication have opened up betweerr status may be obtained by writing to the Secre the NSS and the CDS. In the last year, joint explo tary/Treasurer: ration trips with dry-caving experts and cave-diving equivalents have pushed ne'" passage in Roppel Cave J,oe Prosser. Treasurer NSS-CDS in Kentucky, Juan Nieves in Puerto Rico, and of P.O. Box 950 course, Huatla, Mexico. Branford, FL 32008-0950 The number of CDS members learning dry-caving All current news items, reports, articles, skills (including vertical rope techniques) increases photographs, and other submissions for the news constantly. Our training committee is presently letter should be sent directly to the editor: preparing a Sump Diving Course for scuba-trained/ active dry C3vers. This continued exchange of H.V. Grey, NSS-CDS Publications training will certainly increase all caving skills l' .0. 'Box 575 and safety. Venice; FL 34284~0575 All cavers, wet and dry, have developed a profound bus (813) 484-8150 respect for this unique portion of our world. It is res (813) 488-4672 a respect for nature that few sporting or outdoor organizations must realize, for caves can be very ~~~: unforgiving. Our continued quest for the unknown COVER: Rob Parker of Great Britain on a practice dive 1hlur between Olsen and Peacock in preparation for the big will never be satisfied. Our continued sharing of knowledge and skills will insure that the quest will push at ~ookie's Hole at the end of June. Original color slide by John-Zumrick. be done with safety as a constant. Good caving, Steve Ormeroid PRESS DATE: July 10, 1985 Vol. U, No. j UNUEl\WATEl< St't.LWLUGY j
VORTEX SPRING DROWNING EMERALD-FISHHOLE CONNECTION MADE John Zumrick reported that he and Paul DeLoach laid According to John Crea, a new CDS member from the last couple of hundred feet connecting Emerald and Panama City, FL, there was a drowning at Vortex Blue J;i-!'1hhole on a multiple-stage scooter dive in early Spring near Ponce de Leon, on the morning of May 19, ~ :. The distance of the traverse is somewhere between 1985. IJVO and 8000 feet. Two open-water certified divers from Jackson, TN John says that Bob Goodman was responsible for most arrived at the Vortex Blue Spring facility on Sunday of the original exploration upstream of Fishhole to morning. They had dived the day before at Morrison the "Dropoff," and that downstream of Emerald was first Spring and planned to burn up the air remaining in done by Bob Goodman, John Zumrick. and Tex Chalkley. their tanks from the Horrison dive at Vortex. (The Emerald was explored downstream to Clear-cut Sink and Spring. owner told Crea that he thought the victim ultimately all the way to Promise, which was a mere 100 was YMCA certified; neither of the buddy team was yards away -from Fishhole on the surface. Propinquity cavern or cave certified.) suggested a likely underwater connection, however The victim, a 36-year-old male, was using curiously enough, there were times when Promise would borrowed gear. He had no submersible pressure gauge, be clear, but Fishhole,·quite black. no octopus second stage; only one light per diver. The connection had been pushed from both directions The victim was using a j-valve tank and also some by Sheck Exley, Paul DeLoach. and John Zumrick until kind of j-valve. reserve-mechanism regulator. The there was only an estimated 500 feet remaining. Bad tanks were only partially filled. visibility associated with regular rainfall held up The two divers penetrated approximately 100 ft. further exploration for a couple of years. The recent into the cave to a depth of 60 ft. When the victim's drought has been so severe that visibility cleared up tank pressure reached 300 psi, the reserve was acti and it was possible for them to lay more line. vated, but apparently, according to Crea, the regu On the final dive both John and Paul were plagued lator reserve mechanism didn't work properly (or the with scooter difficulties.· Replacement batteries diver didn't understand its use). The victim's resulted in 8-10 pounds of positive buoyancy for both buddy stuck him up in an air pocket (never offered to scooters, which greatly complicated the manipulation of buddy-breathe with him), and indicated that he would the stage bottles. Water visibility was approximately "~r help. He swam the wrong way for 80 ft. or so, 30 feet.• but because of the dark, light-absorbing- walls, "len he finally- got turned around and" headed in orientation was more difficult. AVerage depths ranged right direction, out of the cave, he came to the between 70-100 feet, with_a maximum depth of 195 feet. Jy'of the victim lying on the floor-of the cave. Bottom time was just under 2 hours, but with decom The buddy swam the 100 ft. to t.he surface; but by pression (using oxygen), total dive time was almost 6 the time anyone. else could get geared and into the (".rs. water, 15-20 minutes had passed.- The police found that the victim's tank still had 300 psi in it and NACD CAVERN WORKSHOP FOR OPEN-WATER INSTRUCTORS that the regulator reserve mechanism had jammed The 4th Bi-annual NACD Cavern Diving Orientation Course together. The buddy's tank still had 1400-1500 psi in it. for Open-Water Instructors will be held-Oct. 26-27 at Manatee and Ginnie Springs. Pre-registration fee is As John Crea observed in his short presentation at $60. For more information contact: Steve Gerrard, the Spring Workshop, this was hardly a case of "killer 5714 Ed White Court, Tallahassee. FL 32301, (904) cave strikes again," but more like "stupidity strikes again." The divers were not cavern or cave certified; 656-1223. they were not properly equipped; - and the avail.able means of rescue (buddy-breathing) was not even attempted. RESCUE/RECOVERY SEMINAR
A cave-diving Rescue/Recovery seminar was conducted by ExU/sE. MI':, 6"'- ( FHL Henry Nicholson, R/R Coordinator for the NSS-CDS and TItA'-- IT~ MY purr"~ 'I IoI;;MSe./? (]F- -rile. H{R( Diving Officer of the NCRC, at Ginnie Springs on Sunday, ('IV,," DII/I"... RES'''e./ May 26. Henry was assisted by Sheck Exley and Wes- Skiles. RIf-
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING - APRIL 6, 1985 low quantity. By prior written authorization, Val contacted TAPS Graphics (Branford) to design several Submitted by Joe Prosser, Secretary/Treasurer new style shirts. Two designs were proposed by Da}p" , A quorum being present (BOD members: Steve Purchase (seconded by Mark Long) with five dozen ~ Ormeroid, Joe Prosser, Mark Long. Wes Skiles, Dale each deSign to be ordered pending final art approva~ Purchase, Wayne "Marshall) , Chairman Steve Ormeroid and price submittal. This will be both a T-shirt and called this meeting to order at 6:30pm. The meeting a long-sleeve shirt design. This was approved by the was held at the home of Mark and Debbie Leonard (Lake BOD. Dale Purchase proposed (seconded by Wayne City. FL). Minutes of the executive meeting and Marshall) that a reduced price sale be made on exis annual meeting of 12/29/84 were read by Joe Prosser ting shirts to clear inventory at the Spring Workshop. and approved as read. This was approved by the, BOD. Treasurer's Report: Joe Prosser. reported that the, Newsletter: Wayne Marshall reports that the member required BOD signatures were obtained only after ship list due for mailing in February was unavoidably completion of the recent Puerto Rico expedition. All delayed due to time ,requirements of his own business. requirements were met and a new checking account was This issue was complete at the BOD meeting and will opened for the Section in Miami, FL. As previously be mailed shortly. The April issue is due for release directed, funds held by past treasurer, Sandy Fehring, on time. In order to avoid future delays in publica were being transferred to the new account. As of tion, Wayne proposed (seconded by Joe Prosser) that March 31, 1985, $21,626.81 was in the account. Half typesetting be performed by 'the printer. This sub of this amount will be placed in a six-month C.D. stantially decreases the delays caused by one person Other funds will remain in the account pending having to type each issue into a computer. This does expenses associated with the Spring Workshop. substantially increase the'cost of publication; The Final financial reports of 1984 were sent to Joe added cost can range from $150.00 per issue up to and these in turn were required to file documents with $26.00 per page depending on the work required by the the State of Florida to obtain a state sales-tax printer. Since the delays associated with the news exemption number. Completion is expected within 90 letter continue to be a sore spot, with membership, days. This is expected to gain at least 5% savings this was unanimously approved by the BOD. on future purchases by the Section. However. we may Wayne futher indicated a desire to continue to have to charge sales tax on purchases of supplies by modify the format of the newsletter to produce a' the membership. Details will follow as directions higher quality, more easily produced newsletter. are obtained from the State. This includes dual-column format, slick paper, and a The P.O. Box requested previously has been obtained color cover issue perhaps by the .. Winter Workshop. in Branford. This is to serve as the prinCipal Approval to continue to experiment with any or allC' mailing address for the Section. 'Using a single production needs for a more timely' newsletter was mailing address will reduce delays which have occurred granted by the BOD., Another 'proposal by Wayne " in the past in 'answering correspondence. Arrangements (seconded by Dale Purchase) was to separate the for pick-up, at least weekly, have been completed. February membership roster edition into its own issue Both Wes Skiles and Joe Prosser have keys. Should supplement. This would be in addition to the normal pick-up prove unsatisfactory, then for an additional newsletter issue and produced by a separate ,editorial fee all letters can be forwarded directly to the staff. This was unanimously approved by the BOD. Section corresponding secretary (V. Grey). Valerie Grey and Joe Prosser volunteered to co-edit New receipt books have been obtained and distri the 1986 membership edition, modeling it after the buted to both Publications and Training. These' books NSS membership edition. To offset the added costs are to be used for additional tracking of incoming outlined above, Joe Prosser proposed (seconded by funds. Wayne Marshall) that advertising rates be established Vice-Chairman's Report: Mark Long said that for camera-ready adds. The rates charged to be consi announcements were mailed to various publications stent \"ith those of the NSS, our circulation (about regarding the upcoming workshop. In the future 500), and production costs. This was approved with announcements for workshops must be mailed immeoi Joe and Wayne to report back to the BOD by the ately after each workshop. Most publications require Spring Workshop. at least 90 days notice. Safety Committee: Mark Leonard reports that safety Publications: V. Grey reports that sales of Basic signs have been installed in nearly all of the more Cave Diving continue brisk., Over 300 of the original popular Suwannee River dive locations except Madison 1,000 re-ordered last year have been sold., The NSS Blue Springs. A sign was stolen from Peacock I Cave Diving Manual sales are at a slower rate"there Springs and another washed out of Royal Springs. fore, plans for reprinting will likely not be Although the Royal sign vas recovered it was in required until next year. 'The Instructor's Manual extremely poor condition. Henry Nicholson added that originall,. introd.uced to the Section at $45.00 each signs at Manatee Sta,te Park are also in poor condi will continue to s~ll at this price. Those few tion. F~rther, the state park rangers prefer the members that sent $50.00 received a one-year exten "Prevent Your Death" signs over others. With only a sion of their membership dues. Sale to non-members single sign remaining, Joe Prosser proposed (seconded will continue at $65.00 each. However, due' to by Wes Skiles) that the Section repurchase up to 10., increased products, she may no longer have the room signs or $600.00 (original purchase price). This @!Illliill at 'her house to store the excess. Wayne Marshall approved by the BOD. \li\dW proposed (seconded by Wes Skiles) that Val be autho Dale Purchase (safety-North US) added that Dave rized to rent suitable space for storage. This was Porter of the Missouri Geological Survey has indicated approved by the BOD. a desire for s'igns for several popular Missouri loca The CDS supply of T-shirts has dVindled to a very tions. Although a written request in is order. it Vol. 12, No.3 UNDERWATER SPELbVLUGY
April 6 BOD Meeting Minutes (cont'd) is in order. Joe Prosser proposed (seconded by Wes Skiles) that all money received by the Section for does begin to show the growth of awareness among booths at this and future workshops be given to Bran '.. "~cerned groups on cave diving throughout the U. S. ford High School. Although this has been the practice C Abe Davis Report: Mark Leonard reports that to in the past, in order to eliminate any potential date nine (9) people have submitted the required controversy regarding commercialization of th~ work documentation for this award. A ceremony is planned shop, it should be so stated in our, minutes. Further for the Spring Workshop to recognize these indivi more, a revised rate schedule for early booth regis duals. Milledge Murphey related to the Board on his tration was proposed by Joe. 'This was unanimously research into another category of safe cave-diving approved by the BOD. The CDS slide show is to be award. This should be for 1000+ cave dives. The donated to the school library. This was approved quantity of dives required makes it most unlikely previously but not acted upon. Wayne Marshall will that anyone would be induced to match this goal process this at an approximate cost of $50.00 to the strictly for an award. The Board approved the Section. concept, but suggested that :.. Milledge and Henry Nich Training Chairman's Report: ,Wes Skiles reports that olson investigate a proper name for the award. updating the CDS instructor list is near,completion. Rescue and Recovery: Henry Nicholson reported on Final updates and a meeting of NSS instructors to the recent Jamaica recovery. A recovery of an open review the Instructor's Mantial is planned for the water diver from Radium Springs (GA) was recently Spring Workshop. completed by Paul DeLoaCh, but details have not been A joint meeting of the Training, Committee of the forwarded at this time. Briefly, the death in South NSS-CDS and NACD was held iriMarch at the request of Africa of a sump diver (reported in the February RO'b Anderson of Ginnie Spr1t1gs. The purpose was to issue of NSS News) was discussed but no additional develop a joint cavern-diver certification standard details have been uncovered. Henry pointed out that for recommendation to the National Training Agencies. eight of the last ten reported accidents have This was a huge success. Although, different slightly occurred outside the state of Flo.rida. in context from either NSS or NACD standards, these Recovery Workshop: Henry plans another workshop to jOint standards were intended to reflect the more be held immediately following the Spring ,Workshop. conservative needs of National Organizations. This This will be at Ginnie and the CDS will not charge information was jointly transmitted to the above and any registration fees, only a five-dollar processing warmly received; . fee for the card. Sign up (cave~diver certified During,this meeting, the possibility of a Cavern only) is at the workshop. Problems with interna Diver'Student Manual was ,discussed. Wes pointed out tional recoveries'will be discussed this year. that John Zumrick had already developed much of the ( Wayne Marshall proposed (seconded by Steve '. manual on his own.' Steve O. proposed (seconded by , _L"meroid) that the manifold damage suffered by Henry Mark Long) that the Section request John ,to undertake during the Jamaica recovery be reimbursed ($150.00) ,this project. Pending his approval, an initial review by the Section if other funds are not located. This for content would be completed by Spring Workshop and was approved by the BOD. approval by- the BOD to continue would be issued. Henry adds that the Section's compressor is conti A proposal by Joe Prosser (seconded by W. Skiles) nuing to ,be plagued by breakdowns. In seeking aid that both John Zumrick and Sheck Exley receive an from Mako, he has found that several key parts are Instructor's Manual at no charge. Both individuals miSSing and the engine is in need of work. Estimates, either have been or are currently,involved with every are pending. Steve O. proposed (seconded by Mark Long) student-related text utilized by the'Section. This that funds as necessary be available if in Henry's was approved by the,BOD. Publications is to hantlle opinion the repairs are merited. This was approved the presentation. by the BOD. Future use of the compressor (proposed The sump-diving program is progressing W~~l, but by Steve O. and seconded by Mark Long) be limited to more slowly than originally anticipated. John Zumrick only officially sanctioned functions of the Section. has offered his expertise to edit a separate ,manual on or NCRC needs, or Jacksonville Sheriff's Department sump diving directed to dry cavers. The cavern requirements. Applicants must direct a written project is likely to take priority and more input is request to the NCRC Diving Officer (Henry Nicholson) sought by experienced sump divers'. Therefore, action for approval to use the compressor. It is not is delayed at this time. However, a special project intended (according to Mako) for routine filling of coordinator (Dale Purchase) was named to head this 100 cubic-foot cylinders. This was approved by the project. A meeting of sump divers is planned in BOD. conjunction ' with the'NSS Convention in Kentucky. Training Coordinator: Joe, Prosser reports that the Convention Planning Session: Steve O. will head completed Instructor's Training Manual was sent along the Section's efforts this year. The CDS has been with both Section textbooks to PADI and NAUI head offered a minimum of one half day and a pool to run quarters. The training directors of both organiza seminars. More detailed plans are forthcoming at the tions warmly received the manuals. Ron Menke, Spring Workshop. The Section will be represented to Training Director for NACD and YMCA Cave Diving Coor vote its block of votes (the single largest within dinator, was presented with a manual at the past the NSS) at this year's Congress of Grotttis. dm9'Jinter) Workshop. Joe adds that as other duties he Peacock Spring Sale to Nature's Conservancy: A ~Imlliis assumed within the Section increase, his capacity full report is expected at the Spring Workshop. I"'to serve as TIC decreases. Effective with obtaining Discussion of Hiring an Executive Secretary: a replacement, Joe can no longer serve in this Consideration of hiring someone to record meetings, capacity. transcribe notes, etc., and see to day-to-day business Spring Workshop: Milledge Murphey reports that all of the Section was discussed. At ~his time, we do not Vol. 12, No.3 6 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY
Joe April BOD Meeting Minutes (cont'd) NSS-CDS INCOME STATEMENT - MAY 31, 1985 6 Prosser believe that this will benefit the Section. Income: 3579.13 Membership: Wayne Marshall reports that as of Publications •••.•...••• ··$ '" March 31, 1985, the Section has over 300 .paid members. Training Committee •....•• 914.00 , , 506.74 Two additional members have joined since then. Over CDS Dues .••....••...••• ·· C 21.50 34 new members since the NSS began its current recruit Subscriptions •.• ; ••..•.•. 710.00 ment program. We continue .to lead as the largest Workshop ..•••. : ••••...••. internal organization within the NSS. For the first Contributions ...... •...• 20.00 time ever, over 52% of the CDS membership lives NSS Dues (collected) •.•.. 427.50 Excess Payments .•••.....• 5.00 outside the state of Florida. $ 6.183.87 NSS Building Fund: Wayne Marshall proposed that the CDS buy off the final mortgage owed on the NSS head Expenses: quarters up to $1,000.00. This was not seconded and C-Card Processing •...•••• $ 177.23 229.59 discussion ended. Training* ••••••...•••••.. NSS Dues (transferred) ••. 427.50 The meeting was adjourned at midnight by Steve Publications** •..••••••.. 832.92 Ormeroid. seconded by Wayne Marshall. Office Expenses .•••••••.• 171.89 * Bank Fees •••••.••••••..•• 7.00 * * Refunds •••••••••••.•••••• 5.00 Workshop .••••••••••••••.. 215.77 $ 2.066.90
NET INCOME (YTD) $ 4.116.97 CASH SUMMARY Net Income (YTD) •.••••••• $ 4,116.97 Funds Transferred (Brandon)...... 12,000.00 C. D. 's Purchased...... 11,000.00*** Checking Account (Mi~mi). 5,116.97 Checking Account (Brandon) ••••..••••.• 400.00**** Advance to Training Chairman ••••.•.•••... 50.00 ( Current Cash Position •••• $ 5.566.97 * Those expenses associated with training other than C-cards ** All CDS publications except the newsletter *** $3,000.00 in a 90-day CD, due 7-31~8S; $8,000.00 in a 180-day CD. due 10-29-85 **** Estimate provided by S. Fehring 5-20-85
First NEW design by Terri Skiles Short-sleeve (TAPS Graphic Designs). $8.50 + $lp/h L - T's Orange, Green; long sleeved Light Blue Long-sleeve M long-51 Lt. Blue, Teale $10.50 + $lp/h blue S - long-sleeve Light Blue (These have gone very fast! We hope "to 'be printing more very soon. TBA.) • Old-style DIRT SHIRTS design. $6 + $l(p/h); CDS logo on pocket, design on back. XL - Tan, Navy Blue L - Tan M - Tan, Navy Blue, Orange, Yellow S - Navy Blue, Gold Ladies - XL Light Blue ------.
Vol. 12, No.3 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY 7
AQUA ZEPP ..... West German Diver Propulsion Vehicle comparison with the TEKNA DPV, it was like night and day. If the term "left in the dust" were applicable. by Steve Gerrard then this European machine did just that with the -C_-' ~n Sunday, May 26, 1985, it was my pleasure to be TEKNA. ~ted by Paul Heinerth to go out in the Gulf of Now. in view of another popular DPV used by many Mexico off Hernando Beach, Florida on Dick James! 26' serious cave divers ••. THE FARALLON VI ••. the advantages Bay1iner to spearfish. Our location was a huge and disadvantages are narrowed. but because of the one construction crane that fell off a Misner Marine hand operation and the hydrodynamic-engineered design construction barge during a storm several years ago, ••...• the Aqua Zepp 714-TS glided through -the water that lies in about 55 feet of water 30 miles offshore. with ease and rated higher in practical use for cave Three miles out we had boat problems so it was diving. . decided to scratch the trip and go back in. Now, because of the economic feasibility of obtain With our day of spearfishing shot we voted to go ing or owning a DPV --;ts more available and affordable make a freshwater dive and for me to try two types of by divers. the new TEKNA EPV will, no doubt. begin a diver propulsion vehicles now available for the Ameri .new era and change American cave diving forever. With can sport-diving community. One was the new TEKNA this machine, thE Aqua Zepp, and the Farallon series of DPV that, no doubt, will catch the sport-diving public SPVs, hopefully the cave-diving community can address like a storm in popularity and use! -Also, this DPV this new concept and establish safe criteria before will drastically place Florida cave diving into an cave divers learn the hard way through mistakes and entirely new level of techniques and safety rules bad judgment. , that need to be addressed by the cave diving commu For more information concerning the-Aqua-Zepp DPV nity! (That's another story!) machine contact Paul Heinerth at SCUBA WEST, Hudson, But what turned out to be sheer fun and excitement FL (813) 863-6911. is a DPV that has been available for divers in Europe for many years. (Perhaps you are familiar with the Vital facts: ones used by the French cave-diving teams in Length: approximately 6' (1.8 meters) Australia's Cocklebiddy Cave System.) Of several Weight: approximately 100 lb. (60 kg) models manufactured. the one I had the privilege of Diameter: 230/340 mm using was the largest, -called "Aqua Zepp 714-TS." Battery: 4 x_12 v, 24 amp, sealed lead-acid batteries First. let me explain that Paul Heinerth, through (niaintenance-free) Scuba West in Hudson, Florida. has recently obtained Diving depth: 90 meters or 300 ft •. exclusive distribution rights to the Aqua Zepp's DPV Thrust: 10 15 30 40 kg f-0m the manufacturer in Munich, West Germany, and Speed: 2.5 -3.5 5 6 km/h ( has them available for cave divers. Motor: ' I kilowatt , Our destination for this experience was a site Operating time: 7 hours at 2.5 km/h that offered crystal clear water and plenty of open '5 hours at 3.5 km/h area to maneuver this 'piece of equipment. Going It hours at 5 km/h through an introduction and familiarization session, . 1 hour at 6 km/h Paul carefully explained the performance and use of the machine. The length is approximately six feet, which involves an aluminum~cast nose cone held by four European-style and well-engineered locked latches and sealed by a capture "0" ring to the main body, that is constructed of a PVC material. -The prop or rear section is also made of an aluminum cast which houses the motor. On the nose cone section is located your detachable "winged" rudder mechanism, along with the on-off trigger handle that is placed on a stem section when in use! Located on the dorsal' side (top Side) of the main body square in the middle is your T-strut. On the port. side of the main body close to the rear are your two switches which control the four different speeds available. - To ride the machine one must straddle the main body. which is 230 mm in diameter with the T-strut behind your "fanny. In use, you are actually laying on top with the trut between your legs. The on-off button that fits onto the stem of the rudder. is controlled UPDATES ON RECOMPRESSION CHAMBER NUMBERS by one han~ making your other arm 'and hand free for Gainesville (Shands) - (904) 392-2834 any use or purpose! Riding this machine is pure fun! Controlling it West Palm Beach - (305) 689-1360 - or 911 and ask fo West Palm Beach Emergency Medical Service through the water is a· dream as operating it is easy l1i!!i!k learn and quic~ to. master. ~si~g the winged rudder -Miami NOAA - (305) 271-8996 %(~;:i'1_ng _up or down 1S s1mple. as 1f 1 t were the eleva tor Or the Supervisor of the Watch (305) 596-8576 on the tail on an airplane. To bank or turn one just U.S. Coast Guard Miami (305) 350-5611 rolls his or her body to the side and for fine tuning, RadioHF - 2182 simply use your hand or-fins to adjust. I found myself Radio VHF - Channel 16 able to hug the limestone wall of our dive S1Le W1LnOUL NOAA (VHF) - Channel 9 any difficulty with bumping or crashing into a wall or Panama City (Bay Memorial) - (904) 769-1511 x521 object. At fourth speed. the power is incredible. In BUT BEST TO CALL D.A.N. FIRST - (919) 684-8111 8 UNDER\vATER SPELEOLOGY Vol. 12, No.3
B 803 -.AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL FLORIDA DIVING INSTRUCTORS - standards for purity of compressed air. Y Bob Friedman (Reprinted fromNACD News, Vol. 17, No. 3-5) B. Commercial air stations must submit samples of their compessed air to the state in state-approved containers and a In 1973, House Bill 520 SF was proposed by Representative summary of fees Charged for compressed air. If their sample arl Dixon in an attempt to reduce the number of diving acci meets air-purity standards they will receive a certificate of ents occurring in the north Florida cave-diving area. compliance. Al though the bill was well-intentioned, experi.enced diving C. No station shall provide compressed air to any perso!'" . nstructors from the state felt that legislation was not the without a .current certificate evidencing its compliance wit ". est approach to accident prevention. Therefore, an organiza air-purity rules. ion--the Florida Diving Advisory Committee (FloDAC)--was D. Any air station rece1v1ng notice that its air sample is ormed to alleviate this problem. contaminated must immediately cease operation of the station. After one meeting to select officers and discuss our point f view, a meeting was set up with Representative Dixon. At OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN: he time he agreed to "hold action" on the bill. and allow uS A. No person shall operate a vessel within 300 feet of a o effectively use education as a means of accident prevention. diver's down flag at speeds exceeding a "no-wake" speed. At this time there is a new legislation pending. Senator B. This law will take effect on OCTOBER I, 1985 •. ohnson has proposed SB 803 which will affect all diving insti .utions, stores, and the sport-diving industry in general. It .5 a very broad, sweeping law which we must take action on NOW! FLORIDA SCUBA SAFETY ACT, BILL 803 - The following is I, therefore. propose that we re-activate FloDAC and make a letter from Walt Hendrick. Sr., National Training Iny necessary membership changes which would be required to more Director of NAUI. to Florida State Senator Bob Johnson, accurately reflect the national programs and/or to better 'epresent the Florida diving community. concerning the Florida Scuba Safety Act of 1985. . If you were a member of FloDAC but would like to reSign, or Legislative Bill 803, the intent of which is to create Lf you think you and/or your organization fhould be represented, and implement a program to, re-test and license certi )lease inform me •. Please understand that it is not reasonable fied diving instructors, and to establish quality ~o have a representative from every dive .store on the committee. standards for testing compressed air for recreational Jut we will work with you and keep you informed. We certainly divers. leed your support. May 24. 1985 Bob Friedman (305) 253-5353 Dear Senator Johnson: FloDAC Secretary 18578 SW 89th Place I have just read the proposed Florida Scuba Safety Act of Miami. FL 33157 1985 and wish to present a significantly different interpre tation of the observations presented by Preston Colby. along A SUMMARY of the Provi~ions of Senate Bill 803: with some additional information, perceptions and questions BOARD OF SCUBA INSTRUCTION TO BE CREATED: for your consideration. A. A 7-member Board of SCUBA Instruction shall be created I have dedicated thirty years of my adult life 8S a sport within the Department of Professional Regulation. diver and professional 'diving instructor to promoting safe B. BSI to be made up of 5 SCUBA Instructors of 5 years diving practices, and have personally trained more than ten experience or more. and 2 residents of the state who are not thousand sport divers without a single diving accident. (r currently SCUBA Instructors.. . Today, I am the National Training Director for the Nationa . C. No member of the BSI shall be a person financially Association of Underwater Instructors, an organization of '. connected with the manufacture, or wholesale distribution of some three thousand active instructors, who take great pride SCUBA eqUipment or to a SCQBA Instructor training school. in our motto, "Safety Through "Education." I am ultimately ALL SCUBA INSTRUCl'ORS TO BE LICENSED: responsible for the training of our instructors. A. License fee to be up·to $50. Training instructors and sport diverS_is HAUl's business. B. All instructors to be 20 years' or older. We have trained more than eight thousand instructors and C. All instructors will be subject to an examination by the certified almost two million sport divers since 1960 and have BSI not less than 4 times yearly. . been instrumental in helping to create and enforce training D. License to be renewed biennially. standards and safe diving practices across the nation. We E. Any person over 18 years of age who pays the fee not to believe that scuba diving is one of the most organized and exceed $50, may be registered as a SCUBA instructor's assistant. best self-governed recreational activities in America. F. Assistants will NOT teach SCUBA diving except to give The intent of Bill 803 is to enhance the safety of all oral lectures under the superviSion of the Instructor. sport divers within the State of Florida by creating and G. Person licensed for 1 year by another state may take the implementing a program to re-test and license certified written and practical performance evaluation to be licensed by diving instructors and to establish quality standards for the state of Florida. testing compressed air used by recreational divers. The H. Persons licensed by another state may be refused examina justification for this proposed legislation is purportedly tion if the other state does not extend the same reciprocity to based on the number of diving fatalities which occur in licensees of this state. Florida due to the alleged incompetence of certified diving instructors. SCUBA TRAINING SCHOOLS TO BE LICENSED: It's apparent that a lot of work wen~ into drafting this A. The BSI may set provisions for curriculum, faCilities, proposal, and no one can debate that " ••• The value of one sanitary reqUirements, financial responsibility, etc. human life is incalculable. " But, the' inherent power of such B. Applicant must issue surety bond to be set between an inflamatory statement can incite certain emotional $10,000-$25,000. responses that. make it difficult for reviewers to separate C. It will be unlawful to emply any person to give SCUBA facts from conjecture and opinion. instruct ian unless the person holds a valid license. Approximately 7,000 swimmers drown annually. Most of them D. It will be unlawful to own or operate an unlicensed SCUBA drown in shallow water', close to shore. Many of them are Instructor Training school. children and adults who haven't learned how to swim. Accom E. Each licensed school shall send to the department a monthly plished swimmers also drown and contribute to these statis statement of each student's total hours of study. These records tics. It would be wonderful if we could prevent these deaths. will be kept on file for a least 5 years. It would be equally rewarding if we could prevent the thou F. The BSI shall adopt rules governing enrollment in schools sands of traffic deaths on our state and city highways. 6iiF;\~l and enrollment permit fees. My nineteen year old son was killed in an auto acciden~t\HiH) G. The BSI may adopt rules prOViding for periodiC inspection Mother's Day in 1968. He was an excellent, licensed driver~ of schools. His mother cares nothing about statistiCS or that he is only one of thousands LO be killed this way every year. The value STANDARDS FOR COMPRESSED-AIR PURITY: A. The Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Services shall set of his life was incalculable, but she does not blame the driving instructor for his fatal accident. vol. 1 L, I~O. 5
Letter from Walt Hendrick to Sen. Bob Johnson (cont'd) Here again, I request that YOu refer to the Training Manual I have enclosed, and to the training standards for each level of certification. The question is not whether we want to save lives or not. Thanks to the collective efforts of Florida's boat captains, Of course, we do. It is whether we are observing an unexpec dive masters, training agencies, dive store owners and !f""'-,umber of fatal accidents for a specific kind of activity managers, the well trained and conscientious certified instruc ~ his case, scuba diving deaths in Florida), and if these tors, diving equipment manufacturers, leading diving publica ac~~dents are directly or indirectly caused by incompetent tions--like Skin Diver Magazine--and to the millions of certi training of sport divers and/or their diving instructors. fied divers who dive Florida waters and abide by safe diving Our records show a total of 6 NAUI diver accidents in the practices and principles, Florida is a safe and fun place to state of Florida in the past four years. We average about 7 dive. fatalities per year across the world. The accident records NAUI and all of the instructor training agencies are dedi maintained at the University of Rhode Island reflect fewer cated to making sport diving a safe and enjoyable recreational than 100 diving fatalities across the nation, and that the activity for the millions of enthusiastic people who make up , num,ber of fatalities has steadily decreased as the sport the sport diving community. We also recognize that the certi diving community has grown, almost exponentially, from a few fied diver must assume some of the responsibility for his/her thousand divers to more than five million. These statistics own safety. don't devalue the importance of one life. But, they do infer Every day people are trained, tested and licensed to drive that some effective safety procedures are already in place. on Florida's highways. They are not trained to drive at 80 Florida, with its hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline miles per hour, nor are they advised to d~ive recklessly once and easy access. to "great diving environs, It attracts more they satisfactorily complete training and receive their sport divers than any other state. ' Although tens of thousands official drivers license. In fact, they do everything of divers visit and dive Florida waters every year, the nUmber correctly, or the certified examiner does not issue the of diving fatalities is relatively low. ' license. But, what happens once they are in possession of a Hr.' Colby states that training agencies claim to be capable state drivers license? Some speed, cut corners, pass cars on of producing qualified instructors in seven days or 80 hours, corners and at intersections, and drink and drive. ' and implies that only one of these agencies has recognized These are the same people that partiCipate in scuba train the need to ,evaluate instructor candidates. This is a vola ing. They follow directions and perform training exercises tile statement, devoid of truth. properly'. They dive with instructors and within their perfor I respectfully ask that you refer to the NAUI Blue Book mance limitations. Then they receive their certification enclosed with this letter and observe the prerequiSites for credentials and go off on their own. becoming an instructor candidate. It is a long educational This human phenomenon can be observed in every kind of and experiencial path from certified diver to certified activity that requires training and licensing. Scuba diving instructor. The 80- to lOO-hour Instructor Training Courses is no different, with the significant exception that, on a are designed to examine and evaluate the knowledge, diving large scale, we have been successful in impressing students skills and instructional abilities 'of qualified candidates. with a pr,~found respect for the environments they will be There is not a recognized training agency today that will diving in •. accept new divers as instructor ,candidates in their 80- to, We are not perfect. There is always room for improvement. lQO-hour instructor training courses. At the very minimum, Identifying the problem is the first step. I d9n't believe ( ~ are ten-week programs of full-time instruction to accel that Mr. Colby has ~dentified the correct pro~lem, only the ~, ~ the development of qualified certified divers, aspiring symptoms. to become instructors. We stand ready and willing to do whatever we ca'n as an Instructor training is a complex, comprehensive program. instructor training agency to help identify and resolve diving Candidates must have knowledge in diving physics, physiologY, related problems. We don't believe that Bill 803 or state or medical aspects; dive tables, marine and aquatic environments, federal legiSlation is the best way to support the,public's and demonstrate water skills requiring strength and endurance, interest or safety in scuba diving. and document openwater experience. Mr. Colby uses percentages rather than actual numbers when Sincerely, fOCUSing on diving accidents, does not point out that tens of Walt Henrick, Sr. thousands of ,certified divers enjoyably a'nd safely dive (You may write to Bob Johnson at the following address: The Florida waters every year, and avoids identifying viable Honorable Senator Bob Johnson, The Florida Senate, 254 Senate quality control networks which help make sport diving as' safe Office Building, Tallahassee, 'Florida 32301. EDITOR'S NOTE; as it is. Bob Johnson is a scuba diver o( some 20 years experience and The Diving Equipment Manufacturers ASSOciation, the Under has been very supportive of the Warm Mineral Springs ~rchaec water Society of America, the major instructor training logical Project 13 mi. SE of Venice, FL. Johnson nas made agencies, the Undersea Medical Society, the Professional Dive several dives in WMS with the archaeologists and has been very Stores of America and the thousands of conscientious certified instrumental in securing state funds for the project.-), diving instructors offering scuba training in the United States all work together to develop the best equipment, provide quality training, maintain clean air stations, and to enhance the attractiveness of this exciting recreational aquatiC activity millions of people are discovering. The We're *.he re9ulator collective work of all these agencies and organizations has re~ir experls. Why, been so effective over the last decade, that it's virtually we ve fixed lhis mans impossible for a non-certified diver to purchase compressed air at a dive store. re9ulator 16 lirne~ Non-certified divers cannot dive from charter dive boats, alone. unless accompanied and guided by certified diving instructors. Charter boats have experienced Dive Masters. Certified divers must show certification credentials and are required to use inflatable jackets, called buoyancy compensators, which are capable of supporting their head and part of their shoulders above 'the water when inflated, or they are not 6W!ij:~'itted to dive. 'llhk::ertified divers are trained in basic techniques of self and buddy rescue. They are advised and cajoled to participate in continuing education programs and to abide by the safe diving practices they learned in entry-level training Courtesy of Wes Skiles programs. 10 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY Vol. 12, No.3
A NEW DRILL USING CLIPS - bv Ron Menke The primary problem with negotiating intersections During a cave class all students must go through of cave lines under these conditions is the lack of several drills. It is the objective of these drills to light. If all intersections were lighted, then the __ teach the student hew to follow lines, buddy breathe, problem of mistaking an intersection for a tie-off c( and also just how much stress the diver can cope with. not occur. This solution would entail carrying severi:..·~ Instructors are always looking for new drills to make additional lights. Such lights must be compact, ~urn their students better and to give them the chance to for sufficient duration to last through the dive, and screw-up without killing or drowning themselves. Some~ be easy to emplace. times it is best if a drill does not go as smooth as I have found such a light, which has been modified by silk for each student. If everything went smoothly the making it into a line clip. It is actually produced for student would or might get the idea that mistakes are the commercial fishing industry for use in long-line not in his course of events. The student may soon fishing. As such, it is designed for use at depths over develop the attitude of "nothing can go wrong." 500 feet. In all the wisdom of looking for new and different The light is reasonably sized--4t" long and 1" in ways to do drills and ways to simulate needed tasks, a diameter at its widest point. It is made of either new drill was tried. At least, I think it is new! When clear or luminescent plastic, and is o-ring sealed by you have your students' masks blacked out, have them screwing the two halves together. This same action wait on the line while you place clips on the line. turns the light on. It will burn for 24 hours on a These clips should be felt by the student before place single AA-sized battery. emitting a light visible in ment, and the exit-indicating side should be felt and blackout conditions to over 50 feet away. depending on explained to each student. Now place these clips on the water conditions. It does not, however, produce nearly line in whatever position you choose. The student must enough light to be used as an adequate secondary light. follow the line and when he comes to the clip, the The bulbs are also available in a variety of colors: student must feel .the clip to find which way to go for clear. blue. red, and.green •. I have used only the the exit. The instructors can use as many clips and as clear bulbs in cave environments. many different kinds as desired. The drill should allow In order to attach the light to a line, I tied a the student to encounter at least 12 clips or indicators. small stainless-steel clip to the stainless-steel There will be two benefits to this drill. One bene swivel in the base of the light. This I clip to my BC fit will teach the student to use enough care on the pocket edge before entering the wa~er. and can easily line so the clip won't become "knocked off" when the unclip and transfer to the line intersections as students finds it.· The other is so the· students must _needed. Five of these light line markers will fit into recognize the marks and proper direction with feel only. my small BC pocket. The primary disadvantage seems to This drill also.backs up_the instructor's message about be that they are slightly negatively buoyant, and th'-- secondary lights and using caution when using line- . hang on the line in a light-down position. ( following techniques. and makes the student "think under There are several other uses fora light of this stress." sort. One could be clipped or tied to expensive gear Hopefully. no cave diver will ever have to use this such as cameras, making it easier to locate should it skill on a dive. But, if it ever comes down to it, at be dropped or set down during a cave dive or in a least the diver will or may be able to think back to night-diving situation. They could also be used as his training days and repeat what he _learned in referencing aids during exploration or surveying dives training. ,in large rooms. Finally, with the variety of colors I hope this drill will improve your class and if you available, in open-water night diving they could be are not in a class, then it may be the drill you·and used to distinguish buddy teams apart, replacing the your buddy could try to see how it feels to have total use of single-color cyalume stickS. They are not as dependency on your hands as your brains. bright as cyalumes, however. «Ron Menke is NACD Training Director and YMCA The lights ·are avalable from most commercial fishing Cave & Cavern Chairman.)) outlets for prices ranging from $4.50 to $5.00. They are manufactured by Hy-Seas. If you cannot find a THOUGHTS ON A NEW LINE MARKER - by Jeffrey Bozanic fishing supply house that carries them, you can alter natively write me to order some. I ·purchased a minimum Picture the situation: You and your buddy are several quantity of fifty at a commerCial-fishing exposition, hundred feet back in a cave, when your last.light fails. and would be happy to sell the excess I have. Price is You are already in the Rimbach position on the line, but between you and air lie many tie-offs, several of which $5.00 each plus $1.00 for postage. Write me at: P.O. are also intersections with other lines. Making your Box 4?0462, Key Biscayne, FL 33149-0462. Any other way to safety depends on correctly following the line questl0ns or comments would also be welcomed. Good diving! through these intersections, only now you must do it in the dark. As yan-know, as t~ained cave divers we are all taught to cope with this type of situation. By using a combi nation of line markers and clips, it is possible to safely exit the cave. However, it is also possible to inadvertantly miss one of these intersections, and deal w~th it as if it were merely a tie-off. By missing- a llne coming off a rock or stalagmite in our groping in the dark, it would be possible to transfer to a line leading away from air. In most cases this would merely delay our exit, realizing when we hit the next line marker what had occurred. But in a worst-case scenario (for example, one partner also being out of air) this ("'t..,...,rr,r rf"'lnl rI 1 n":'1~ t-,...., ~ ,-l.,...f"\I.fn-i,....., ...... ((\\.11;11-;:,y OF ....\01 IN ZliMRIC.l: Vol. 12, No.3 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY 11
DIVING RIGHT: MARK LEONARD as its National Sales Representative. Mike Pool by Milledge Murphey, Ph.D. completes the team in the production employment area with Mark. Debbie Leonard keeps all the records and :, -,~ On December 8, 1984, I traveled to Lake City, does the bookkeeping for Dive-Rite and began diving (,, ,orida, to visit the manufacturing facility owned by in 1971. She is a YMCA and PAD I instructor and is a Mark Leonard. Having been diving with Mark and Registered Nurse. She has accompanied Mark on a attended an NSS-CDS-ITC where he was a staff member, variety of dives in many different environments. I wanted to visit with him and tour his newly incor On a more personal note, Mark won two international porated diving-equipment manufacturing company. As awards for his underwater cinematography during 1976 we talked, I decided to record some of my observations and 1978 at Our World Underwater in Chicago. He has in the belief that they would be of interest to NSS also served as a speaker at Our World Underwater \. CDS members. during 1979 - his subject was, quite naturally, cave Mark's interest in diving began in 1952 when he. saw diving. the movie, Frogman, starring Kirk Douglas, at a local Mark has trained more than 1000 students in all YMCA near his childhood home in Chicago. The movie' types of diving and has personally logged more'than p~rtrayed a salvage operation including bolt cutting' 2000 dives. He has experienced scuba underwater in', on a damaged submarine. Mark was fascinated by this 38 states and in three Great Lakes, two Oceans, off experience and his interest in diving continued to the Central, American coast, and in the South China grow until 1960. Sea. At this time he bought many rolls of 1960 pennies Mark enjoys' all types of overhead-environment for 50 cents per roll on a hot investment, tip. diving in both wrecks and caves. He, like many cave Several months later he sold the rolls for $17.00 divers, likes the challenge of, "laying new line" and each and used this "first big profit I ever made" to seeing new passage. He is fascinated by the precise purchase 'his first scuba gear (this was during 1961, and technical aspects of scuba diving and, with his when he purchased tank, backpack, boot, and, regulator tenure in the sport (1952-1985), he has seen and been all for $92.00 from Divers Supply in Indianapolis). a part of the complete evolution of sport diving in He immediately began diving in a local swimming its entirety. While we were talking, Mark stated that pool and was self-taught (with the guidance of a local no matter how many dives an i~dividual makes at a schoolteacher friend regarding the safety aspects of, ' site, there are always new and different challenges diving). During his early , years in diving, his there. ' brother would drive him to various Indiana dive sites No information about Mark would be complete because he couldn't drive as he wasn't old enough to without mentioning details of his business endeavors have a driver's license. He dived in quarries, lakes, and his personal philosophy. March, 1984 saw the '" 'vers, and the great lakes all in and around his ( beginning of his bUSiness which is a diving-equipment .tdiana home. During, 1964 he took a dive trip to company, not exclusively a cave-diving equipment Bimini and continued recreational and exploration, company. Presently,' his efforts ,have resulted in a diving in Indiana. From 1966-1970 Mark served in the 100+ product line and accounts with 75 retail outlets U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter crew chief 'in Viet including Virginia, Indiana. Wisconsin, OhiO, North , Nam and he later worked as an Indianapolis police Carolina, South Carolina. Georgia, Alabama. and Texas, officer (1971-1976). in addition to Florida. During 1972 he became a PADI and YMCA instructor, The business is expanding at a rate of'30%, per and began cave diving with a trip to Florida. where month now, and Mark states that he loves his work. he initially explored Ginnie and Peacock. In 1976 he He has numerous innovative ideas on the drawing board took NACD training from Mary Melton Brooks, and later ~ one of interest to cave divers is a scooter design that year became a YMCA cave-diving instructor. Then - and many people are already, familiar with his_ from 1976-79 he was owner and operator of a dive shop unique, maintenance-free cave-diving light.. __ The tube in Richmond, Indiana. type head used ,on this light, as well as the battery Mark moved to Florida during 1980 (from Richmond, pack, have received favorable comments from many Indiana), and began working as, a cave-diving instruc seasoned cave divers. tor at Branford Dive Shop. During this time he also Mark's philosophy is summarized well in selection worked for the Florida Department of Corrections of a name for. his company. He fla.tly states, "If you where he remained for four years until he began his don't di-ve right, don't dive." He is a safety present bUSiness, Dive-Rite Manufacturing. Following oriented diver and instructor, who has staffed NSS-CDS his move to Florida during 1980, Mark became an NSS lTC's and presently serves as Safety Coordinator for CDS instructor (1981) and he has continued instructing the NSS-CDS. students since that time.' As of this, writing, the last time I saw Mark, he Mark is certified to teach cave diving by the NSS was entering 'the cave system at Madison Blue Springs CDS. He formed his teaching philosophy during this on a single-stage dive with two other divers. At the training and is a widely experienced instructor and time, I was teaching a cavern student outside the cave cave diver. He believes in using a reel in cavern system and as they smoothly swam by we waved to e2ch diving and in making all of his training knowledge other - me wishing I was with him, and he obViously and experience available to his cavern/cave-diving looking forward to another good dive. ~l)l;!'ltudents during his courses. G1Jiiil'!r During 19~2, Mark :ealize~ a life~long d~eamwhen .. .. -~e and his wlfe, Debble, declded to lnvest In and The Cave Diving Section currently has 21 votes to caSe initiate their own diving-equipment manufacturing at the NSS Congress of Grottos, which is up from the 18 recently reported in NSS News and mote than any company. The business currently employs both Mark and other internal organization of the NSS. Also, at Debbie' and NSS-CDS Cave Diving Instructor Lamar Hires present more than 52% of the CDS membership lives outside of Florida. 12 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY Vol. 12, No. 3
MASSIVE DESTRUCfION TO NEW CAVE BY "CAVE DIVER(S?)" or the virgin and heavily trodden and littered areas. In [HE RAPE OF BONNET SPRING - by Roger Werner fact, the Orange Grove or, Olsen to Peacock tunriel might be especially appropriate for such dives. since one do~~ Anyone who has ever wondered why someone would keep have the worst of the worst in both. By showing the ( secret a new find, or buy a cave and then not let anyone student dead-end pockets rather than clean tunnels go ioit (even "qualified" cave divers), need only dive (which he will some day have to see the erid of) his any of the first 100 to 2000 ft. of the main line in potential for destruction is limited. Such emphaSis on Bonnet Spring (Suwannee County, FL). It is difficult to not touching the cave will do little good if at the same believe that in only October of 1983 the cave was virtu time the student is'nottaught HOW not to touch (no ally virgin. At that time the maximum penetration was danglies ~old your pressure gauge up when going through about 1000 ft., but it was virtually virgin clean,on the low areas!). good balance). Also. in order not to floor--a place to be extremely careful. touch the ceiling or floor, one must be able to SEE them ,I Now, starting from the beginning of the line, for the both. Good cave diving is in fact an art from. As we first 2000 ft., there are continuous tracks in the floor know so well. it only takes one mediocre diver to ruin .. here poor divers have dragged dang lies through the silt the visibility for all.' For this reason I would advo pressure gauge, etc.). Sprinkled on top of these cate never diving in groups of greater than three ':racks is a continuous trail of debris knocked from the (preferably not greater than two). I 'wonder how many ceiling (like a trail of bread crumbs!). At one point take care to screen those they show a new place before it looks like several months ago someone dragged (not taking them there? carried, but dragged) a stage bottle for several hundred -For the public: On the same signs as we post the feet--all this in a tunnel with a good 3 to 4 feet from safety rules, we might add something to the effect of floor to ceiling: plenty of' 'foam for a comptetent diver "Caves are a beautiful but limited and unreplenishable to carry a stage bottle without touching the floor ,or resource. Look but please do not touch--to ding the :eiling. Much of the littered tunnel reminded me of cave is worse than deeply scratching the paint on a new ~any of the heavily-traveled sections of Peacock car (there are fewer caves and they can't be repaired (Orange Grove, Olsen to Pot Hole). Indeed, if one could either!)" and "Dive only in groups of three (3) or ::ount on good visibility, there would be no need for a less." guide line this first 2000 ft. It was hard to believe that only a year ago nobody had ventured beyond 1000 ft. The diver or divers who have done this are apparently HORSESHOE CRAB SINK: "A DUngeon of Death" able to cope with the basics of air management and following a line (it looks like they probably had to in by Steve Gerrard and Paul Heinerth many places!). Anyone who has negotiated the resctric On the morning of November 22, 1979 (Turkey Day)" ted mini muddy rocky horror from p. 500' to p. 1000' ~an we set out in our ~ing~y, propelled by a 1962 9!- hp( also appreciate that such diver(s) can survive restric Johnson motor. nav~gat:Lng' ,the canals of Hudson, " tions. Hence, we can probably count on them not to Florida out into the Gulf of Mexico flats. Our goal repeat one of those'idiotic mistakes which make our cave was to explore strange, new caves; to seek out new fatality records such monotonous reading. However, they systems; and to boldly go where no man has gone before. also apparently have no appreciation for the beauty of For months, we had planned and organized our trek the unlittered and undisturbed silt. At one point the to this destination of vast potential--a SInk-spring Lunnel forks to two parallel tunnels. Whoever has in the Gulf of Mexico! Realizing our poor choice of =_ommitted the atrocity in this cave has at least had the timing (lowtide), we struggled acroSS the water, ~ood sense ,to leave one of these branches alone (OCT sometimes pulling our craft cautiously, avoiding. 1984). The contrast between the two is striking. stingrays, and other times not caring what we hit With the increased diving of all cave sites in with our motor as it gouged the ocean bottom, sput Florida, we must act now to curb such wholesale cave tering and aheaving. With no compass (we forgot it) vandalism. If an avid diver with techniquE such as the and a meek memory of what landmarks to line up in one(s) who has/have done the damage to Bonnet ever moves finding this sink, despair and frustration began to to the North Florida area and starts diving the sites creep over us. Failure was something we could not there regularly (or worse yet--heaven forbid--starts accept!, We kept searching. looking; until finally ••• "teaching" such techniques in formal cave-diving there it was! Surrounded by eel grass, a small, courses), we soon won't have much left. Despite the shallow basin with a shaft of about 5 ft. in diameter; fact that new places are still being found, they ARE in we hoped this would lead to something spectacular. fact LIMITED. I submit that public on-site instruction The adrenalin began to flow, our spirits were and formal in-class instruction of divers to ,LOOK BUT magnified by the thrill of exploring virgin territory. DON'T TOUCH is not emphasized strongly enough. The We prepared our equipment. checking every piece, concept of wear and tear on caves was mentioned in the making sure ev,erything worked properly. ,We discussed one cave-diving course which I have taken, but it was our dive plan for the final time and submerged.- We not stron~ly emphasized. I would not suggest for a began our descent, tying off our guide line and moment (and would vigorously oppose) taking 'students to slowly sinking through the shaft 'til we emerged in virgin areas to SHOW them the difference between clean what was obviously a huge subterranean room. Follo and littered tunnels. Bonnet was not widely known, and wing the ceiling, we found the beginning of a wall still suffered drastically in only one year. and continued our descent. At approximately 30 ft.111'1:' What can be done about it? Two ideas come to my the water appear~d to become darker with ViSibil~t~hii mind. For our cave-diving courses, there are occa at 30-35 ft. max~mum. And then, we began to not:Lce I, sional pockets in the walls of commonly traveled a rank odor--hydrogen suphide~-the smell of rotten tunnels where there has been no damage (even the Orange eggs. Our hopes not dimmed, we followed the wall Grove tunnel last time I looked). A dive could be slope downward, deeper and deeper to 75 ft.--90 ft.~ dedicated to showing the student the contrast between 125 ft.--140 ft.--final1y the bottom at 165 ft. We Vol. 12, No. 3 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY 13 swam along, following the wall with only our' lights to guides through this inky, dark environment. There was something strange about' this place, a quiet feeling, as if no life existed: ·····<;earching the bottom, we found a ·lifeless horse- (. ~ crab, and then another and another. As we combed the bottom, we realized the size of the hole was immense, but because of the 'limited visibility the scope of what we were exploring was hard to comprehend. We found more horseshoe crabs, all life less forms. Some were upside down; you could see where others crawled through the silt and then stopped dead in their tracks. Hundreds upon hundreds of horseshoe crabs; .the more we explored the more we found. What we were witnessing was a graveyard for the 'horseshoe crab. . Now it was obvious that our dreams of 'finding crystal clear water, whi·te limestone walls, and huge, unique cave formations with a maze of tunnel systems TRESPASS LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA to explore was just that--a dream. What we had found was a huge' room of stagnant water with hydrogen Chapter 810, Florida Statutes, defines trespass as sUphide throughout it and no oxygen to support biolo the willful entering of property 'when notice against gical life. A trap-~a unique geological dungeon of such action is given by voice command, posting"fenc- death for anything that innocently fell into its ing, or cultivation. . depths! "Posted lands" must have signs placed at intervals It was time to turn the dive and return to the of 500 feet or less along and at each corner of the surface. Maximum depth reached,was 180 fL, visibi"" property boundary. Signs must display, in letter~ at lity remained the same througout and the size is least 2 inches high, the words "No Trespassing" and really unknown--just big! As we went'through our the name of the owner or lessee of the property. Eacr decompression, satisfying thoughts of our discovery . sign must.be placed in such a mannner that it is filled our minds. The thrill and excitement of clearly visible from outside the property. Notice by. exploring something new was really our true goal and posting is not required of land five acres or less on that had been fulfilled. The human adventure is just which a dwelling is located. (j-.,..~inning! "Cultivated land'~ means land planted with crops, groves, pasture, trees, or fallow land between crops. . I~E CAVE RESCUE .... Cultivated land does not require the posting of signs. "Fenced land" consists of any fence of substantial construction of at least three feet in height or a boundary formed by water. Fenced land does not require the posting of signs. If the offender defies an order to leave the property personally given by the owner or an authorize( person, or if the offender opens any gate which exposes animals to freedom or crops to damage, he is guilty of a misdeamnor of the first degree, punishable by up to one year in the ~ounty jail, $1000 fine, or both. If the offender is armed with a firearm'or other dangerous weapon, he is guilty of a -felony of the third degree, punishable by up to five years state NCRC CAVE RESCUE SEMINAR prison, $5000 fine, 'or both. Any act to remove or reduce the legibility of '8 legally posted notice is The National Cave Rescue Commission held a week-long unlawful and a misdemeanor of the second degree, cave-rescue training seminar for basic arid advanced punishable by up to 60 days in the county jail, $500 students at Carter Caves State Park, KY, June 15-22. fine, or both. There were several Cave Diving Section members in atten dance: Henry Nicholson (NCRC Diving Officer, Level II student), John Zumrick (NCRCMedical Officer, instructor), Noel Sloan (Asst. Medical.Officer, Central Region Coor dinator, instructor and seminar coordinator), Steve Hudson (Asst. National Coordinator and Southeastern Region Coordinator, instructor), John Evans (Northeastern Region Coordinator, pre-NSS Convention visitor), Dave Lawrence and H.V. Grey (both Level I students). During ~~~ final Mock Rescue, John Zumrick was one of the fijii!iJj}ums; Henry Nicholson, as an advanced student, helped ~'Jpervise the rigging of the world's shortest Tyrolean traverse; Noel Sloan was an instructor "rock" or "guar dian angel"; Dave Lawrence was one of the exploratory scouts; and John Evans played the part of a reporter and was literally tackled by zealous security people. UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY Vol. 12, No.3
Possible new item for Publications: CAVE DIVER'S EXCUSE SHIRT. The Mad Prankster has offered its original shirt design to the BOD for use as a potential item for publications. Shirts would continue to be white printing on some outlandish color. All proceeds to go to the Section. CAVE DIVER'S EXCUSE SHIRT Can't go cave divin~ because • can~ find dud:. iape • ii"s dark- oui • fourth backup regula-l:or no! been overhauled in lasi ~wo weeks Juprber aligned with Mars cave is closed cave ;:00 5111all -Tor doubl. sUgang o hundreds only Tined to 3GOO psi o losi snorkel • can~ -Find velcro chess set Tor decompression • dry suii leaks Second NEW design by Terri Skiles (TAPS Graphic Designs). • wet 5uii leaks- o spent all my money having ~hesel' (Not yet available from Publications) stupid t-shir1s pritrted up (\ • people. say ii"s erB%Y © THE NA/J PRNIKSTlR. Also for consideration by the BOD: :::ollared Sports Shirts (logo and pocket on front) Milledge Murphey has $12.00 (plus $lp/h)-. "Navy Blue - XL, L, M. Only one investigated HUGE patches and Large White shirt left. decals - 10" patches. 8 or 10" decals, 7/8" diameter pins with Decals - $1 Patches - $3 clutch hack. Section retail price "I Support Safe Cave Diving" Bumper Stickers - would probably run somewhere in Orange - $1 Yellow - $2 the neighborhood of $10 for the ~SS Cave Diving Manual - $10.95 (1-4 copies), $7.50 big patches, $6 or $7 for the (5-29 copies), $7.00 (30-plus copies). Add 5% p/h giant decals, and $2 for the pins. minimum of $1. These are just on the drawing Basic Cave Diving - $2.50 (1-9), $1.75 (10-plus) board, so don't go ordering them from Publications!!!
(.O'TIe wa. ... 50 how We") I INSTRUCTOR'S TRAINING MANUAL - $45.00 yol4. don't ho.lte Qfra;J SOme.h..Jy G\t1 ((I 5k pporf Sak tniJI,t deciJe.. h, C'we D""'V-I",) "help me SltF'f"r t BACK ISSUES OF UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY - $1 (includes bumper !Jicler sa.fe Cc,vc Ji"'i~- post/hand); order through NSS-CDS Pubs., POB 575, 1;1-(.. m;~? by 5feali~ "'1 Venice. FL 34284-0575. et,",ipmenf. - 1974 V. I 1,2,3,4,5,6 80 V. VII 1,2,3,4,5,6 75 II 1,2,3,4,5.6 81 VIn 2,3,4,5 , 6 'fNh 76 III 82 IX 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 • 6 (i1iW:~~; 77 IV 5,6 83 X 1,2/3,4,5/6 "-l~it~· 78 V 2,4,5,6 84 XI 1.2/3.4,5,6A,6B 79 VI 1,2,3,4,5,6 85 xn 1*,2,3 *(not in possession of Pubs. at this time) Vol. 12, No.3 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY 15
WARM MINERAL SPRINGS RECEIVES ADDITIONAL FUNDING "HELPFUL HINTS FROM HELOISE" - by Gordon Smith After much legislative haggling, the word came from To aid in my knowing where I am diving during a cave FL State Sen. Bob Johnson June 11 that the Warm Mineral dive, I have prepared a waterproof map. I'm sure"there SIf'""'1S Archaeological Project (13 mi. SE of Venice, are better ways, but I dOUbt as inexpensive! Add this to Fil Juld receive an additional $300,000 in State "El Cheapo Equipment For Cave Diving"! fu~'ding. At present the dive team, which consists of Take a standard 3".x 5" file card. Cut a piece of clear chief underwater archaeologist Sonny COCkrell, his wife contact paper about 1" larger on all sides of the file Barbara, assistant underwater arch. Skip Wood, and card (4" x 6"); cut two additional pieces of clear contact consultant Col. William Royal, has been excavating paper the same size; lay these to one side (do not remove along the 45-foot ledge, which is where the major finds backing paper on any of these as yet). were made ten years ago. ,Their ultimate goal is to With any type of fine or medium-point pen, make a , ,excavate the debris cone, which begins at 120 feet and rough or detailed tracing of the part of the cave yOll extends to a depth of below 200 feet. will be exploring. Place first sheet of contact paper (backing removed) NEW UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT TO BEGIN OFF over drawing and fold corners and edges to back of file VENICE BEACH card. Remove backing of one more sheet and lay smooth One of the cardinal rules of modern-day archaeology side down, sticky side up. Carefully place file card is that "one archaeologist a find does not make." And flat on paper-be Sure it is pretty close to the center. , 50, when the excavation ten years ago at Warm Mineral Finally, take third sheet of contact paper, place it on Springs of a burial site containing remains of an table as ,you did the second (sticky side up). 'Place 11.000 year-old aboriginal man was begun in earnest. other side of file card on paper and press all'edges Sonny Cockrell called in additional authorities to smooth. Trim edges that are not even, but not close to help corroborate and authenticate the find. One of the edge of file card. That's it. You chould have a these was Dr. Reynold J. Ruppe' of Arizona State double thickness on drawing side with a flange around University. Dr. 'Ruppe I became interested in the exis the circumference. tence of offshore sites along the west coast of Florida , Cost: about 10~. This has been watertested on four and performed research both off Venice Beach a~d in the dives at 40 minutes per dive and to a depth of 140 feet Chassahowitzka River. He has been able to obtain with no leaks! grant money for a project to test techniques for loca FLANGE ting inundated underwater sites using remote sensing - - ... devices (side-scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler), and FILE CARD I will be working off the beaches around the Venice area du~ing late summer and early fall of this year. the WMS project, Ruppe' is not plagued with U~ ~ " problems and plans to make generous use of i~\."".ance ------... local volunteer divers.
Have you let your Section membership or subscriptioh to UWS lapse? Or are you reading UWS for the first time and interested in subscribing or joining the CDS?
NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY CAVE DIVING SECTION Membership/Subscription Application
NSS membership $22.50 First Name Initial Last Name CDS 5.00 (must be NSS Address member)
Newsletter 7.00 City State Zip subscription only
Home Phone Amount enclosed
Make checks payable to "NSS-CDS" NSS # (if applicable) and mail with application to: Treasurer. NSS-CDS, POB 950, Branford~ FL 32008-0950 ,'."'_.,-_._-,------"_.----_._---- . ..' --:.: :,': .".. . .", ~ '. '~~ .. ;.
16 UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY Vol. 12, No. 3
Milledge Murphey iACD~~~-~£~Wi~~i~±~~:~~";~~p~~~~~~by Sunday~' February 24. 1985. immediately followi'ng COID ., ,):l~~irig-~~~ai!!.:n~~f~l!~1>~ommen,ts _regarding the NACD' .' pletion of the ITC.· As I review my notes," I am ('" cave~diving training,;pfogram. Lloyd Bailey and I decided impressed with the enthusiasm'of Ron Menke and St t.o look into., the .,recently completed' NACD - ITC. ,Upon' Gerrard. and the quiet competence of Ron Abner. In .:orrespondingand talking'with Ron Menke and Steve my personal Qpinion, these men are dedicated and Gerrard, '1,..e!.were ,both,favorably impressed and attended skilled cave-diving instructors. and all are. of the. four':':'day institute during February. 1985. ' . course. competent cave divers. The ITC was profession- . 'The training'was initially conduCted at the Branford '. ally conducted and the information provided was valid Dive, Cem:'!!t: an~Li~tle, ~iver Springs. Following an and appropriate from any viewpoint • excellent~'~totally'open~- honest and. unbiased introduc . The myths of the past p,roved to b~ just that~ Lloyd • tion"to NAcn mater:i.alsand training methodology, by and I compated'notes and discovered that there were no St~Y~~\~~~J;'a:r:~~ .:~~.~
NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL Bulk Rate SOCIETY, INC. U.S. Postage Cave Diving Section PAID P.O. Box 950 Permit No. 849 Branford, FL 3200S'()950 MIAMI. FL