Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: cavers

Message Display

At 03:11 PM 09/13/1999 EST5EDT, Chris Elmore wrote:
>Jeff,
>	I thought you would take some flack on this but you are absolutely correct. 
>There is a time and place for solo diving but not nearly as often as many
out 
>there belive. 

Hello Chris,

I really don't mind the flack, I enjoy humor as much as the next guy.

 My reasons for replying to this thread at all are actually two fold.

Firstly, This list consist of people of various experience levels. There
are those who are at the top of the game as far as exploration techniques
are concerned. Groups such as the WKPP, The Ozark Cave Diving Alliance,
NEST, and a few other groups out there trying to further the study of caves.

Then there are the Cave Divers who are relatively new to the "sport" of
Cave Diving. As you mention, these divers fall into the recreational diving
catagory.

Divers in this latter group, or perhaps both these groups, May in fact not
be able to understand the difference in regards to "Solo Diving being
reserved for strokes", and the need to use proper techniques when they are
warranted.
If I remember your diving background correctly, you got into the "Sport" of
Cave Diving much the same way as I. Inasmuch as you were first a caver that
after having exhausted every other avenue of exploration, began to use
scuba as a tool to further the known reaches of the cave. Therefore you are
in the know regarding this subject.

When I replied to the thread "Solo Diving Article" I thought it import to
clarify the points that I had already read from others. Views that to
people (such as myself) who did not read the actual article, might not be
able to discern between the disdainful responces that seemed (at least to
me) to have been a blanket statement in regards to the subject.

Sump exploration in body tubes takes a lot of mental committment 
>and I just don't think I have that anymore (I'll stick to the big stuff).
The 
>diving you're doing is so far from "recreational cave diving" that it is 
>virtually a completely different activity. The solo diving everyone is 
>discussing is BS bravado and what you do shouldn't be compared to it.

I agree and as stated, I thought that needed clarification.

 I really 
>think that there is a basic agreement about solo diving out of necessity 
>and safety vs the I-don't-need-no-stinkin'-buddy mindset.

Points well taken, But is there ever really a necessity? Not really, one
could always choose not to explore.....But then sometimes you just know it
is there....Awaiting. So yes, for those who need to know, I agree it is a
true necessity. (Sorry my conscious just acted up;)

This brings us to the second reason for my response... Since I do have the
"need to know" and I do want to do it safer. I asked (in my original
response) for input from Sump Divers as well as others who were doing
similar dives to comment. 
I did recieve quite a few responses with some good evidence that confirmed
what I already suspected. Many, after experiencing like obstacles to what I
have encountered found that Solo is safer and as such should be utilized.

I had hoped that many of the responses that I recieved would have been Cc,d
to cavers. I thought that many made valid points (such as yours) and would
have added to useful discussion on this list. 
I however understand and respect the many who choose not to do so.

Now if I seemed to have used this list for personal gain then so be it.

Thanks, best to you and yours


"SILT HAPPENS"JD   JEFF DISLER
  SAFE CAVING       NSS 26000

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]