on 5/8/00 3:06 PM, John R. Rose at rose@CS*.SC*.ED* wrote:

> As long as you have a working light and there is water flow, you will have
> visual cues. Hold the light right up to your mask. No matter how chocolate
> babyshit whatever, the light right up against your mask will allow you to
> see the movement of particles. Certainly if there is no perceptable water
> flow then this is a mute <sic> point. This is not hearsay. This is my
> experience.

John,

So your advice to a cave diver is to hold a HID up to his face? Eyes open or
closed? <g>

Determining water flow by blinding oneself does not sound like much of a
solution.  If, as you suggest, you're looking for "cues" to flow in a medium
to high flow cave aren't there better ways? Can you think of any?

How would one determine flow in a medium to high-flow cave in zero
visibility?

More to the point, my solution has been to get on the line in the proper
orientation, get in touch contact with my buddy and either continue if the
vis was planned for or negotiable or exit if not. During the progress in
either direction the vis is likely to improve unless one is "riding the
cloud" in which case there are likely going to be moments of swirly vis that
pops up. During which any light might help. You contend that the HID light
is useful under these conditions. I have to wonder if the backscatter in
near-zero vis trying to find vis might not do more harm to one's vision than
good.

Not having dove an HID light in zero and/or low vis I'll rely on your
experience in this area. I think suggestions that can impact one's ability
to keep breathing should be that accurate.

Later,

JoeL

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]