UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY
National 5pelrological Society • Ca~ Diving S...uion ~ber/Ombcr, 1991 • Vol.18, No.5
Cow Springs - Photo by Bob Janowski UNDERWATER TABLE OF CONTENTS SPELE'OLOGY · 17tt officitll publication .of the Om! Dir1ing NEWS StdOr of the NatDtal Sptlt:dogiad Society, Inc. 3 NSS-CDS P.O. Box 9&) • Branford, Fl. 3201J8.()9&) Election'Platform Statements 5 NSS-CDS Wmter Workshop 6 Metritts Mill Pond Weekend Editor: H. V. GREY . 6 NACD Workshop P.O. Box 12 • Nokomis; FL 34274-0012 7 Sistema Natanjal Now Longest Underwater Cave (813) 484-7834 • (813) 484-6665 (fax) 7 New NSS-CDS Training Programs Available ..;:._ Kelly Brady · Board of Directors EXPLORATION · Cllainnan: FRANK HOWARD 9 Cave Divers Dive the Andrea Dorea - Bernie CJwux1hury 334 Portico Ct. • Chesterfield, MO 63017 (314) 46%133. 542-0838 (fax) SAFETY Vice-Chairman: MARK LEONARD 8 The Safety Line - Wmdy Shmt Rt. 14, Box 136 • lake City, FL 32055 (~) 752-1007 LETTERS lteasurer: BD..L FOOTE 6 The Sea's Gentle Hand PhilipS. 1433 S.E. 8th St. • Ckala, FL 32671 - Cuilla, Jr. 11 (~) 622-3488 Diepolders Article Brings Back Memories - Tom Halliwell 1l Letter to the Editor - Frrmk lmxliJee Secretary: H. V. GREY See contact infonnation above Copyright CO 1991 by the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society, Inc. 'liaining Chairman: JOE PROSSER All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written 7400 N.W. 55th St. • Miami, FL 33166 permission of the N$-CDS. Opinions expressed within are not necESsarily the official (305) 592-3146 (bus) • 966-0619 (res) policy of the N$-CDS. (305) 593-2225 (fax) Magazine Submissions- ~ wekome all news items, articles, Letters to the Editor, photos, slides, cartoons, and other items of interest or importance to the cave-diving com ~Leadership COOrdinator: DAN LINS munity from all members, subsaibers, and other interestOO parties. They should be sent directly to the Editor (see address on left rolumn). ~can also use text processed 916 SE. 13th Ave. • Q:ala, FL 32671 in most illM-rompatible fonnats. (Please rontact the Editor directly for details (904) 6'19.1)749 and anangements.) Advertising-The N$.CDS Board of Directors has approved ·the reinstitution of paid cornmertialadvertising for Underwrlter Speledogy. Please rontact the Editor for infonnation Director at Large: JIM BOWDEN and anangements (see address on left columil). P.O. Box 49461 • Austin, TX 78765 The NSS and Cave Diving-Founded in 1941, the National Speleological Society pins (512) 92.8-4727 together thousands of individuals dooicated to the safe study, exploration, and ronservation · of caves. The first cav~iving infonnation ever published in the United States was in a 1947 NSS Bulletin. In 1948, NSS divers were responsible for the first cave dives in the United Program Coordinators States using scuba. Prior to 1973, cave diving within the NSS was on a purely local leveL That year saw the creation off the NSS Cave Diving Section to provide a vehicle for Abe Davis Award ...... Werdy Short infor mation exchange. Today, with over 750 members, Accident Files ...... John Crea · the Cave Diving Section promotes safe cave diving through semi-annual Activities Coordinator ...... Pete Butt worl 2 • UNDERWJill'R 5PaEOLOGY • Vol. 18, No.5 • September/October; 1991 NSS-CDS ELECTION PLATFORM STATEMENTS tapled outside this issue are This is probably the most demanding doubtless make very good Board mem 5 renewal forms for subscribers, and difficult position on the eritire bers. It's too bad they can't all win be and renewals and election ballots for Board. We are extremely fortunate to cause it's going to be difficult to choose members. Ballots must be received at have one our mostexperienood instruc from amongst them. Please take a few the Section's permanent post-office box tors and past Board members, lamar minutes before voting to read through in Branford, Fl.. by Dec.15,1991 in order Hires, step forward to take on this their platform statements. This is to be counted in the election. You may tremendous responsibility. lamar has probably going to be a very dose elec mail your ballot separately as a post the full endorsement and confidence of tion and your vote could easily make card (requires 19t postage) or, if you retiring Training Chairman, Joe Prosser, the difference in who is elected. don't particularly care about secret bal and the process of transfer has already We wish to thank all of the can lot, youcanendoseitwith your renewal begun. A space for a write-in candidate didates for agreeing to run for these form and send them both back in the for 1laining has been included on the time-<:onsuming volunteer positions, reply envelope we have provided. ballot, but purely as a formality. and would like to encourage the two We have had elections in the past But with the election for the other gentlemen-whoever they end up where we ronsidered ourselves lucky three general Board positions, it's a being-who are not elected this time to have enough people running to fill whole different ball game. This year we not to give up, but to consider running the positions. Such is the case this year have a very fine list of candidates-all in the next election with the position of Training Cllairman. of whom are well qualified and would TRAINING CHAIRMAN CANDIDATE Lamar Hires perience of being a past BOD member will bring to the office the experience of familiar with the workings of the Board. an instructor in the field. I have piloted (NSS #23991) Lake City, FL I have been an active cave instructor many projects in the North Florida~, since 1984. During this time I have from the maintenance of main lines in andidate Statement: I am run trained hundreds of divers from cavern popular caves to the survey and ex C ning for this position because the to cave. I have been on the Training ploration of cave sites. present Chairman, Joe Prosser, is retir Committee, and active in the writing ing. I would bring to the office my ex- and compiling of training materials. I GENERAL BOARD CANDIDATES Kelly Brady ly working on "Devil's Ear Cave Sys our contact with the open-water agen tem" and ''Madison Blue" maps. Oc cies and the members of the diving (NSS #26061) Gainesville, FL cupation: Management Information community for even gmtter impact To Systems Specialist for a construction do this requires a plan, and consistent andidate Information: Origi firm. action and energy to move things for nally from Louisville, Kentucky. C Cmdidate Statement: fm not real ward. Resident of Gainesville, Florida. Cer ly interested in politics. But I am inter Cave-diving technology is increas tified open-water diver, 1900; NAUI In ested in the Cave Diving Section Ex ing faster than our training and under structor, 1986; NAUI Instructor Trainer, ploration, safety, conservation, and standing. How many divers are doing 1989; CDS Instructor 1987. NSS.CDS landowner relations are the main advanced scooter dives, oxygen de Wmter Workshop Coordinator, 1989. reasons thattheCave DivingSectionex compression, nitrox, deep dives on air, Authored approved CDS training ists,and these are the areas where I have and mixed-gas diving without any ad programs/courses: "Introduction to been devoting my energies since join ditional training in these areas? The ef Cavern Diving," "Cave Diver Refresher ing. fectiveness of our training can be Program," and "Introduction to Car Wf!ve made giant strides in getting measured in one way: What is the ac tography." Published CDS map: ''Tel out our safety message to the open cident rate, and is it increasing or ford Spring- Lower Section." Current- water community; we need to increase decreasing? We need to address these Vol. 18, No. 5 • September /O:tober, 1991 • liNDfRwAnX SPEuncx;y • 3 issues and do what is reasonable to cate of the use of maps in dive planning make training Mike Hanna for these activities avail and will rontinue to work for the ex able. (NSS #34528) Alachua, FL pansion of the inventory available to the Over the last six years I've seen a lot cave-diverrommunity. In 1991 we will of changes; many good, some bad. andidate Statement Recently, I add four maps. I hope to do the same Cave diving is becoming a little too C was quite flattered to receive a in1992 commercialized. phone call from Dan fve been a dry cavE!" Uns asking me to I believe that the N$-CDS should sinre 1985, and ronsider running I believe that promoting for a Board position play an active roll in the exploration and cave diving for the NSS-CDS. to the "mainstream" diving During the rourse of development of high-tech diving tech community is inconsistent our ronvei"Sation I with NSS advisEd Dan that I niques and procedures. Safety and policy. - was not a cave instructor and did not training programs that prepare CDS really want to Our dive sites are prone to dosing. be involved in dictating cave divers for participation in these ac We'velostsevemldivesitesinthereoont instructional policy to those who were. tivities must be developEd. past What plan of action do we have Dan assun!d me that the 'frainingCom As a Board Member I would ron for reopenirig sites? Retaining access to mittee was responsible for such policy tinue to support Section sponsorship of dive sites is not going to get easiEI". We making decisions, not the general exploration projects, the expansion of have to rontinue to cultivate our land Board. book titles available on high-tech diving owner relations actively by protecting Understanding that instructors and cave diving for self-study, the the landownel"'s interests, as well as our were going to be making instructional development of formal training rourses own. decisions, a position I feel very strongly in advanced diving techniques, and the Safety is our about, I was very happy to accept Dan's main priority. Conser continued professional training of vation and landownel" relations nomination. romes divers who seek basic training in cave next 1heCaveDivingSectionisagreat I have been diving since 1969, and diving. I will discourage any program organization, and have been involved in diving retail I want to help it that solicits open-water divers to enter achieve great things. since 1972. I have been instructing cave-divE!" training. I believe the initia open-water since 1974. Over the rourse Your vote is important. tive should rome from the diver who of the years I have been involvoo in a has the desire to enter underwater variety of diving retail stores, as well as caves. • • • automotive sales (nevE!" again), retail sporting goods, and have owned my own retail business. I am presently the • • • Terry M. Derouin General Manager for Ginnie Springs. (NSS #29395) Macon, GA I would like to bring to the NSS-C[)S a strong undei"Standing of general busi Mark Leonard andidate Statement: I have a ness practices, a desire to insure the ron (NSS #23292) Lake City, FL C varied and diverse background to tinued operation of the CDS in support offer the Section. As a Full Cave In ing the cave-diving rommunity, a andidate Statement I rontinue to structor, strong as well as an active open-water rommitment to promoting safe C stand for the principle that cave instructOr, I keep in touch with the diving practices to the open-water rom diving safety is best achievoo through needs of students munity, and new members to and the desire to help increase a strong training program, and that the the Section. I awareness am involvoo in explora of the necessity for proper NSS-C[)S is big enough-in all senses tion diving and scienre diving as well training and equipment of the word-to acrommodate both ex as recreational caving (both "dry" and plorers and line followers. If reelected, underwater). This keeps me in touch • • • I will rontinue to serve the cave-diving with the other experienced and active rommunity in support of our mutual cavers, giving me a perspective on new goals of the advancement of safe ex areas of development and weaknesses Frank Howard ploration, scientific study, and ronser within our CllJTent training programs, (NSS #27187) Chesterfield, MO vation. • areas to focus on for growth and progress. andidate Statement: I have been I also bring to the Section a fifteen C a membel"of the Board of Directors year experience in business ~d for the past two years, one year as Vice marketing. A soundly run Section will Chairman, and I CllJTently serve as the WANTED help preserve our dive sites for the fu Chairman for the C[)S. I have been A pair of 104 cf tanks ture, allow for safe and ronsistent train diving since 1969 and started cave ing for new cavers, opportunities and diving in 1983. I am a retired business without valves unless they advanced programs for trainoo cavers, executive from the high-tech electronics are Sherwood DIN manifold and thorough education and public industry. . Call Scott Landon relations programs. As an elected For the past several years I have (901) 353-7761 days member of the Board of Directors, I will served as the Section Cave Map Pro strive to acromplish this agenda. gram Coordinator. I am a strong advo- 4 • l.JNrBMrATI!R SPElmLoGY • Vol. 18, No. 5 • September /iliober, 1991 NSS-CDS WINTER WORKSHOP he NSS-CDS will be holding its pioration-North Aorida: Presenta oxygen equipment for use during T. Winter Cave Diving Workshop tion will include previously un the course. Friday-Sunday, December '17-'19, 1991 released, explosive video that will Prerequisite: CPR training in the in Branford, Horida The Workshop "-knock_your sox off!!" last 2 years. Fee: Pre-registration - Co-Chairmen were listed incorrectly in $50 for DAN members and $70 for thelastissueofUWS. • John Burge on the Bonaire Infact,NSSCDS nonmembers (includes DAN enroll Chairman Frank Howard is in charge Speleological Survey - Bonaire: ment). At the door - $60 for DAN of speakers,mini-workshops,and cour Slides and a report on neW-ly di!r members and sal for nonmembers. ses. N$-CDS Tn!asurer Bill Foote and covered underwater . caves on N01E: It will be very important to Eric Hutcheson are working tOgether Bonaire. Major penetrations at preregister for this rourse, not only on· the physical arrangements, which depths less than 25'. Vast speleothem for the considerable discount, butbe- include some nice surprises and disCoveries. cause a place in one of "firsts." (Terry DeRouin, who co the morning • Alan Riggs on De!il's Hole Ex or afternoon classes chaired the Spring Workshop, has can be guaran ploration- Nevada: A report and volunteered to help with the 1992 teed only to pre-registrants. photographs of dives into an Spring W>rkshop.) earth surfaoo fault-line aevioo by a scien • Nitrox Diving: The emphasis of this workshop is on Fee: $90 (includes tist with the u.s. Geological Smvey. exploration and training. W! will be materials and certification) Major exploration below 440' into sending out a separate pre-registration non-karst cave formations with • Side-Mount Diving: Oassroom flier in a couple of weeks, but in the speleothems. session on preparations and techni meantime, here's a brief summary of ques. · Bring BC to be used in what's in store. For those of you who have ever had sidemount and bring harness, if you The festivities will begin Friday eve- the opportunity to see any of these fine have one. ning with a couple of social gatherings cave explorers and scientists lecture, which, at press time, Bill and Eric were you know you're in for some fascinat • Stage Diving: Review of equipment still in the process of arranging. It looks ing acrounts of cave--diving discoveries, configurations, procedures and. like there may be a couple of parties, and spectacular slides and videos. To safety considerations. somefreecamping,andevenagianthot have so many first-rate, record--setting • Use of Oxygen for In-water: tub, a Ia NSS Old Tuners Conventions. exploration presentations at one Decompression: Exact details-times, places-will be workshop will be an incredible treat Review of equip ment requirements included in the pre-registration flier, but The details of Saturday evening are including regulators and plan on arriving early to join in the fun. still being finalized, but will most likely oxygen dive tanks, filling options Registration will open Saturday include more informal video and slide and techniques, morning at 8 at the Branford High presentations, possibly more sodal utilization limits, and d~mpres School. Frank Howard has prepared gatherings (and Bill hints at the pos siOn options. an impressive list of speakers: sibility of cranking up the hot tub • .Mixedi;as Use: Review of training again). needs and souroos of infonnation. • Jim BOwden on Big River Sump Sunday activities are scheduled to DiscUSSion of options, applications Diving- Belize: Video and slides of include a variety of NSS-CDS-instruc and advantages/disadvantages, sump-diving exploration in virgin tor guided cave and cavern dives for dive areas in Belize. equipment needs and sources of qualified divers of varying levels, and supply. mini-workshops • Bill Wilson on the Red Snapper and courses. Frank has arranged • DPV Cave Diving: Sink Exploration - Offshore the following: Review of tech niques, safety considerationS, and Aorida: A geologist's description • Oxygen First Aid in Diving Acci equipment options to include the and pictures of a mixed-gas dive into dents (the Divers Alert Network new Dive Rite DPY, which will be on an open-ocean sinkhole to a depth of rourse): Designed to familiarize all display. 445'. divers with the benefits of ad ministering emergency oxygen to • Jim Coke and Tom Young on the • Recovety Worl Vol. 18, No. 5 • September /O:tober, 1991 • UNi:;oa{wATIR SPEl1noGY • 5 MERRITTS MILL POND WEEKEND amar Hires sent some pictures from LMerritts Mill Pond taken over Labor Day weekend. Bill Foote and Eric Hutcheson had come up with the idea of having the Section's compressor available at a popular, but relatively remote, diving area such as the Mill Pond on a holiday weekend. 1he idea was that Section members and other cave divers would be able to get their tanks refilled without having to drive inordinate distances to get to the nearest dive shop. Lamar reports that the compressor ran Saturday afternoon until 10 p.m. (the quiet time at the campground), and then again on Sunday afternoon. About 30 sets of doubles were filled. Eric transported, operated and main tained the compressor for the weekend. This weekend was just an experi ment and wasn't planned in time to get .an announcement into the newsletter. But Lamar says that they will plan to Eric Hutcheson mllnning the compressor do it again. • NACO WORKSHOP: ThE SEa's GEntlE Hand rm told we all have come from the sea. That much I believe, for I spend much time SPELEO '91 guing into her beauty. That is c:erlainly the place for me; as I enderroor to dive deep into the serenity he National Association for Cave evening there will be a film festival with of her embrace. As I leave the world above T Diving (NACD)-in cooperation some of the best new videos and slides farther behind with t11Ch kidc with the Jerome Johns Hyperbaric on recent cave-diving activity. of my fin. I descend, I feel no danger, only peru:e and utter bliss. To furbtm this Facility at Shands Hospital-will be Sunday will offer a series of mini kind of amsummation would be a sin. As hosting its annual awe-diving work workshops including the DAN oxygen I break the surface, leaving the comfurting shop, "Speleo '91," in Gainesville, course, a nitrox-certification course, a touch of our eternal mother's hand, I reluc Florida, Fri. through Sun., Nov. 1-3, surveyI cartography workshop, a tantly re-enter my native word. HCTliJf!Ve1', 1991. Friday evening at 8 p.m. there barotrauma rescue and emergency she gives us a gift, t11Ch time we dioe. The will be a Welcome Reception at the oxygen workshop, CPR. DAN oxygen memory of a special place, which University Center Hotel in Gainesville. instructor certification, and several holds im ages, treasures, and adventures Registration begins Saturday morn repair clinics from various dive-in different for ing at 8 a.m. at the Medical Science dustry manufacturers. euery man. Yet, common to all, is the cer tainty of knowing we will return, another Building's Main Theater at Shands Registration at the door is $25, with day, perhaps another place, to share another Hospital on the campus of the Univer additional fees for some of the Sunday splendid moment in time. A transient join sity of Horida. The lecture program, courses and workshops. For more in ing with our very essence, featuring some of the cave-diving formation, contact one that can the NACO at P.O. never be denied. community's finest explorers and tech Box 14492, Gainesville, FL 32604 or nologists, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday Steve Gerrard at 904-877-8196. • Philip S. Ciulla, Jr. (NSS #32636) 6 • UNDFRWA'ffiR SPEl.oowGY • Vol. 18, No. 5 • September /O:tober, 1991 SISTEMA NARANJAL NOW LONGEST UNDERWATER CAVE im Coke wrote on Sept. 6 from won'tquit. Youbetwearehavingfun!" Woodville Karst Plain Project to Jim J Akumal, Mexico that "Exploration Parker Turner, Director of the Wood Coke and all members of the Quintana has been superb in the past few weeks. ville Karst Plain Project, wrote to say Roo Speleological Survey for having ex Weare rockin' and rollin' in Maya Blue. that he had just hean:i from fun and that plored and documented what is now Finding some really good leads and ex Sistema Naranjal now surpasses the the longest underwater cave in the quisite cave-right now there is 50,374' 48,754' surveyed length of the Leon world." • in the Naharon/Maya Blue System Sinks Cave System. Parker wanted "to (Sistema Naranjal) and the cave just extend congratulations on behalf of the NEW NSS-CDS TRAINING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE by Kelly Brady wo new training programs and a recently and wish to maintain theirslQ.ll computer-aided data reduction, verif)r Tnew rertification course have been level through review with a certified ing data and correcting for erron;. formally approved and are now avail cavern instructor. This one-day pro materials and supplies needed, a® able. gram contains a review of background transforming data into a finished map. information for safe cavern diving, A goal of this course is to develop in the INTRODUCTION TO limits for this level of rertification. acci student an ability to complete and sur dent analysis, stress, CAVERN DIVING and problem solv veying and map-making process, and ing. At least one cavern dive will be This is a non~cation program actually produce a map. It is recom conducted with the iitstructor. that allows a a!l'tified open-water diver mended that participants attend the the opportunity to dive a cavern and NSS-CDS "Basic Surveyor'' course "see what it is like" while under the INTRODUCTION TO prior to attending "Introduction to Car direct supervision and direction of an CARTOGRAPHY tography." • NSS.COS instructor. Divers who at This is a management-oriented cer tend this 4-hour program will learn to tification course which is designed to develop an ability distinguish between open-water and to draw maps of un Upcoming cavern zones, will be introduced to the derwater caves. While underwater ac hazards involved, and will learn to im tivities and techniques are discussed., no CErtification CoursEs underwater skill training or evaluation prove their profile underwater to Cavern Diver Nov. 23-24, 1991 eliminate "danglies." Accident analy is provided. Participants who would sis will be introduced, and the diver will like actual training indiving techniqUes Introduction to be lead on a demonstration cavern dive. and procedures should seek specialized Cave Diving Dec. 7-8 training. Additional training beyond Participation in this program does not Basic Surveyor and qualify the diver for diving in caverns this course is necessary for anyone wishing Introduction to or caves on his own, even if his dive to participate in actual, under water scenarios. Cartography Dec. 14-15 partner is a certified cavern or cave diver. Anyone with an interest in under Cavern Refresher water cave mapping may participate (FREE) Jan. 4,1992 and receive CAVERN REFRESHER certification; however, an assumption is made that participants Contact: Kelly Brady PROGRAM will have some knowledge of cave P. 0. Box 42278 This is a non-certification "update" diving and underwater surveying. Gainesville, FL-32613 program for certified Cavern Divers The course includes a brief review (904) 372-3819 who have not been cavern diving of surveying techniques, manual and Vol. 18, No. 5 • September /Ck:tober, 1991 • llNDERwAlm SPElmtoGY • 7 THE SAFETY -LI_N_E __&i} by Wendy Short (NSS #30BOi2), Safety Coordinator South any cave divers who are carefui from decompression diving. H not, decompressions even if you do not M and conservative during the tum on time instmd of air. anticipate it Sometimes unexpected dive have a casual attitude toward • H the decompression stop will be delays happen in a cave that keep decompression. You are more likely to longer than 15 minutes, post a you in the system longer than you get bent than to get lost in a cave. decompression stage bottle one stop had intended. Derompression may be the most haz deeper than your deepest planned • Use oxygen for your 15' stop when amous part of your dive if it is not done stop. ever possible. Be on it at least 20 correctly. Decompression Sickness • Don't dive if you're sick, hung over, minutes and have your buddy (I)CS) can happen to anyone. Your dehydrated, or really out of shape, or monitor you for oxygen toxicity diving skills or experience will not if you have other propensities that (highly urilikely at 15'). Go off for 5 prevent you from getting bent could cause DCS. Use common minutes and then back on. Remem We are the first generation (if you're sense! ber the fire hazard involved with over 40) of recreational divers that has • Know how much air you require do pure oxygen. You must use special been involved in long-term decompres 1!>, 30-, 60-minute (etc.) stops at dif regulators and 0-rings. Know what sion diving. In a way, we are guinea ferent depths. The next time you're you're doing when setting your sys pigs in a-living experiment No one is ''hanging out'' with nothing to do, tem up. quite sure what the long-term effects of write down how much air you used • Always have oxygen available for decompression diving are. At best, an for decompression. Have yi>u ever emergencies, even if you don't use it a.Qident is painful, inconvenient, and decom~ on your "emergen for decompression. expensive, and will keep you out of th.e cy" thirds? (H thirds tum-around • H using Nitrox, don't dive the Nitrox water for awhile. At worst, it can be pressure was 1000psi, you should tables, use the mix only as a safety tppPling or fatal. have 1000psi in your tanks AFIER Thereisalotof good literature about completing decompression.) margin. . ' • Remember that actUal decompression diving. Here are some • NEVER make two decompression bottom time is from the time. you submerge cOnsiderations from that literature: dives in one day (in a 24-hour until you reach period). The Divers Alert Network your first decompression stop. The open-water • Plan for decompression require has published a lot of statistics on the standam of ments just as carefully as you would hazards of multi-level, multi-day using the beginning of your asrent plan for any aspect of the dive. diving. does not apply in cave diving . • Always • 1hediveisnotoveruntildecompres • Always decompress a little deeper take a surface decompres sion is completed. All buddies than what your stop is (your gauge sion stop of 1/2 the time of the 10' should stay together until the end of could be off). H your stop is at 20', stop before exiting the water. This is the last stop. decompress at 25'. a good time to critique the dive or • Always add a safety margin of time. • H you use a computer, always com share highlights of the cave while Go to the next deeper depth or time pare your decompression require resting at the surface. Strenuous ac on the tables, or add time to your ments with the tables and use tivity after diving increases your computer. whichever is more conservative. chances of getting bent • Make a safety stop if no decompres (You should always carry tables for sion is required. Research has redundancy in case your computer Even doing decompression conser shown that a 3-!>minute safety stop malfunctions.) Reading the tables vatively and properly, you could still at 20' and 10' is more benefidal than during decompression on each dive get DCS. 1here are no guarantees, and a single 10' stop. will keep you refreshed on how to you need to accept that risk. This is very • Trytoplandives that will not require use them. basic here, but each diver needs a good any decompression. (This is impos • H your stop is very long, prepare for foundation for decompression diving. sible to do in some caves.) Remem it Use gloves, heat packs, or any Know and recognize the signs of DCS ber that decompression diving is thing to conserve heat Bring some in yourself an others. There are many beyond the level of a basic of intro thing to read, or a game,and glucose good articles written on this subject, cave diver. H you're not full-cave enriched liquids, like Gatorade, to from verybasictoveryadvanced. Edu trained, sticking to your thirds rule drink. cate yourself about decompression and of a single tank should prevent you • Always be prepared to make long keep up with the changes. • 8 • lJNJ::EMrA'IER 5PELB:JLoGY • Vol. 18, No.5 • September/ n the evening of Jtme Zl, 1991, a sight. After their dives, many divers 0 group of Full-Cave-certified di MOUNT were heani to exclaim, ''\'\bw! Did you vers and wteran wreck divers from the EVEREST see the size of that wreck? And the Northeast boarded the R. V. Wahoo on white growth all over it Impressive!" The wreck, commonly referred Long Island's South Shore. Destina to as Everywhere one looked and swam one tion: the wredc of the Italian luxury "the Doritt' by hardcoredivers, has long saw wreckage. ago been dubbed liner, .AndrtR Doria. "the Motmt Everest Divers used a variety of gear con of scuba diving." This expedition was organized by Mention of the name, figurations. For example, Roy Mat Andmz cave-diving instructor Steve Berman, Doria, brings to most people's thews used trimix doubles with two mind the images Captain Steve Bielenda (owner of the of Peter Gimbel's sal decompression stage bottles in order to vage efforts of the Wahoo), and the author. Also instru Bank of Rome Safe be totally self-sufficient Captain Billy from the Doria's debris-laden mental in the planning and logistics interior. Deans used a mini-Zepp. fm Baden Years ago, was Captain Billy Deans, owner of .Key a 1V special titled "Andmz and Chuck Schmidt used diver-to Doria: the Final West Diver. After one year of planning, Chapter" about diverI surface-communications units, Gimbel's salvage 28 people, 64 sets of doubles, 48 stage project was aired on complete with full face mask. Air was prime time. Millions of viewers bottles, 6 large oxygen-supply cylin waited the gas of choice for most divers. eagerly as George Plimpton and ders, and one mini-Zepp were on their Peter Oxygen for decompression was su~ Gimbel opened the safe. way for the 156-mile rotmd-trip jour plied from the surface, but many divers Armed guards ney. had replaced the carried their own deco gases. The New York Aquarium sharks as cus rough seas made for interesting and ex~ todians of the trnasures within the thick hausting decompression. steel box. Instead of priceless jewelry, One of the stark contrasts between THE PEOPLE the Safe yielded clumps of blackened the Team Doria '91 mmlbers and the paper The dive unit comprised fourteen money. The Doria can be like crew was seen in penetration techni: ~ that she divers who had dubbed themselves leads one on an enticing emo ques.. All Team members used guide tional roller coaster ''feam Doria '91." Alphabeti Vol. 18, No. 5 • September /iliober, 1991 • lJNDHMrAJFR SPruncx;y • 9 Some consolation was offered the and Randy Bohrer recovered hand next day as we dove the U-853, a Ger WE SHALL painted vases, dishes, a light fixture and man wwn submarine, referred to as a RETURN a full bottle of champagne. Warren U-boat. Inside the tight confines of the Mackey recovered ~ver bowls and a intact hulk, Randy Bohrer discovered Although we had less than ideal beautiful silver cream holder. The firsthand one of the hazards of wreck conditions, the dives we made were author and John Griffiths recovered diving: one of his low-pressure hoses enough to ronvinre most Team mem many dishes, saucers and rups in mint was sliced on a sharp protrusion, forc bers to return. We hope to have better rondition, in addition to hand-painted ing him to retreat into open wale!". weather next time. vases and an ashttay. Also, during a 1be final chapter of the Andrm Doria deep solo penetration, the author has not yet been written. I suspect it recovered a small, elegantly shaped will be a long time before it is. porcelain cream holder. This artifact ARTIFACTS did not have the '1talia" crest on it; One of the nire things about wreck POSTSCRIPT: Five members of doser inspection revealed a Bavarian diving is the possibility of bringing Tham Doria '91 (frm Baden, Randy Boh maker's insignia. home souvenirs. A number of interest rer, John Griffiths, Warren Mackey and 1be Doria lives on. ing artifacts were retrieved from the the author) went back to the wreck Doria. Gary Gentile, author of Andmz together, aboard the Seeker, as part of an SPECIAL niANKS TO: Captain Doria: Dille to an Em, came up with an unscheduled bip put together by Cap Steve Bielenda and the crew of R.V. intact dish, hand painted with an orien tain Bill Nagel. Although the weather Wahoo, Captain Billy Deans, Dive Rite tal design. was initially so foul the dive boat rould Manufacturing, Diving Unlimited John Griffiths found not leave harbor, the Team did not give a similar International, Samy Elashmawy, Cap treasure: a rare demitasse saucer with up and was rewarded with fine tain Bill Nagel and the crew of St!l!k.er, oriental design. The breathtaking weather after a day's wait and a rough Kevin OBrien, Pan-Aqua Diving, Inc. beauty of his prize caused John to ride to· the site. remark. '1' d rather have one or two of The boat anchored into the Cabin For more information about diving these than all the dishes I brought up (Second Clciss> area of the Promenade the "Andrea Doria," rontact the author before." That's a big statement ron Deck. Plentyofartifactswereretrieved. at (212) 865-0373. • sidering the John Griffiths/Warren The crew rerovered crystal glasses, sil Mackey team had retrieved ap- ver plates and silver.trays. Jim Baden . proximately 120 dishes, saurers and rups from Second Class only one week before. ~ Hank Garvin retrieved a small Bud dha statue. One would think Buddha a rarity on Italian shipwrecks. Randy TALES FROM THE CAVERN ZONE Bohrer recovered a small broken dish and an earring. Wings Stocks produced a 2''-tall brass letter opener whose handle had a relief of a male fig ure on one side and a female figure on the other. He also came up with an in tact, foot-long, white, wall-mounted vase with brass holder. Unfortunately, this piere was shattered as Wmgs was getting back onto the diveboat For tunately, he kept all the pieres and res tored it John Reeki.e made a deep penetra tion into the dining area and came up with a large, intact crystal bowl. Steve Berman brought up a number of per fume and wine bottles. Roy Matthews retrieved a beautiful crystal water pitcher, which was engraved with the '1talia" crest Warren Mackey brought up a number of silver cream holders to add to his burgeoning Doria artifact rol lection. Some of the cream holders came with lids and all were engraved with the Italia crest 10 • UNIE&/All'R 5mEoLoGY • Vol 18, No. 5 • September/CXtober, 1991 DIEPOLDERS ARTICLE ar~~~ BRINGS BACK MEMORIES ;._.,J Tom Halliwell wrote that he wry ~~~~ much ..enjoyed the "Team Die- Polder,'91: Our $tory'' article by Dustin Oesi and fun King in the last issue of UWS, and that it brought back some good memories of diving and exploring and finding new caves. Tom enclosed some pictures of Will Walters, one of the dive.rs who dis rovered DiePolders m, taken back in 1976. Tom says hello to everybody. • LEITER TO THE EDITOR July 24, 1991 This letter is in response to Wendy Short's 'The Safety Une," USW, Vol.18, No.3. (May/June). I also agree that many cave divers are pushing themselves beyond their training and experience (i.e., making complex jumps and gaps, staging, scootering, side-mounting, etc.). This is probably where most of our trained cave-diver fatalities are going to con tinue to occur. The NACO has considered dropped the IntroCaveCourse in order to induce divers to complete their Full Cave train ing. If this decision is passed, will the NSS..CDS also follow through? If anybody tells you, as an Intro If you are Intro-Cave trained and are Many cave divers are satisfied with Cave diver with plenty of cave dives beroming unsatisfied with your cave being Intro-Cave trained and cave under your belt, that taking a Full Cave diving and want to get into more ad diving within those training limitations. rourse is a waste of time and money, vanced dives, do get Full-Cave trained That is fine, as long as they are mature that is a bunch of bull! first! enough and have enough restraint to I ignored that advice from a diving If you later decide to go to even more cave dive within those limitations. buddy a ample of years ago and went advanced cave diving, such as staging, When the desire to make more com on to complete my Full-Cave training, scootering, side-mounting, etc., then get plex and advanced cave dives is after almost two years as an lntro Cave the proper training and cave dive with reached, then hopefully they will go on diver. Believe me, you will be surprised someone who is trained and proficient to become Full-Cave trained before as to how much you though you knew in those areas. making those dives. about cave diving, but really didn't. Some experienced cave divers tend Vol. 18, No. 5 • September/October, 1991 • UJ'..'DERWA"fffi Sm..BJWGY • 11 Some experienced cave divers tmd higher probability of gear malfunction, know and learn about, new and more to snub or ignore the less-experienced due to it sitting idle for so long, you will advanced equipment to use, new tech- cave divers who respect them for their have become rusty in your cave-diving nological and scientific data, etc. Your knowledge of cave diving and who are skills and your knowledge of eave training and experienre never really only attempting seek advire or have diving. You are oniy asldng Cor trouble. · stops. some question answered Safe cave di~ means making a --·. I would find it difficult and down solid rommitmeot to the sport. _It is a- ' Happy and safe cave diving! right unfriendly to ignore a beginning amtinual Ieaming proce;s;· :Jhere are _ or less-experien~ cave diver who always new cave systems tO dive and . Frank R. Lavallee (NSS #f2.7-82.9) wanted to know something abOut a master, new cavediving pmmi~ to Plant,aty, Florida cave system I was much more familiar with or about a piere of ca~ving equipment, or who maybe just wanll!d to d\at with a more experienced cave diver. If you are serious about and oom mitted to cave diving, then there should be no hesitation on your part in invest TALES FROM THE CAVERN ZONE ing in the proper cave-diving gear and cave diving on a regular basis. Evenifyoucan'tcavedive.often,Cor some reason, but do manage to do a lot of open-water diving, ronsider practi~ ing your cave-diving skills in open water, sud\ as Sdrills,. buoyancy am trol, 1rim, silt avoidanre, running areel, etc. You wor{t be cave diving, but you will be keeping your proficiency and skills.upto par. :. -. Don't be one of those divers who go cave diving only onre or twirea year rommonly refemrl to as "seasonal" or , ::''vacation" divers. Besides having a Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society, Inc. NON-PROm A IDfiiO/t st:ifnlfclftd ~"""**'~by ,_IRS ORGANIZATION P.O. Box 950 • Branbd, FL 32008-0950 U. S. Postage PAID Nokomis, Fl Permit No. 91-148