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Since this subject has been posted over to techdiver, I hope no one will
object to my posting of this, as I understand many techdivers take
some cave training these days..

Pull-and-glide                  by Paul Smith NSS14385F

        An article about diving in the beautiful and delicate caves 
of Akumal, Mexico contained the phrase "pull and glide techniques are 
not appropriate here".  In a decorated cave it is obvious that the 
delicate speleothems should not be touched. However, many cave divers 
are surprised to learn that basic conservation techniques apply to 
all caves, even our Florida "big five". The most basic conservation 
ethic is that we never touch or mark the cave unless it is 
absolutely necessary.   One of the biggest advantages
cave diving has over regular caving is that it is 
rarely necessary to touch the cave at all- we don't even have to 
leave footprints!  Think about this- if it's possible to glide, 
it's not necessary to pull.

        The concept of "pull and glide" is an anachronism, something 
that has been passed along through generations of books without being 
examined.  It is an outmoded concept that is against our conservation 
ethic.  It should be removed from books except as an example of bad 
technique.  It implies that "coasting" through a cave by pulling on 
any handy rock is OK. If the current is very strong it is sometimes 
necessary to pull along the rock walls.  If a diver is careful not to 
pull on delicate projections, this is not a problem, except for marks
which might be left.  Careful divers will try to stick to previously 
used holds, similar to walking in the leader's footprints.  Notice in 
this case we do not "pull and glide" - we pull and pull to make 
progress against the high flow.  If it is possible to "glide", it is 
not necessary to pull, we can kick in various ways.  Sometimes a 
diver will try to cheat and pull along the cave to keep up with a 
faster buddy.  This is no justification for practising unacceptable 
technique.  It is your buddy's responsibility to stay in contact with 
you.  If he complains about your slowness you can increase your 
physical training or find a buddy who is more pleasant to be with.  
Sometimes a diver has such poor trim and technique that what he 
thinks of as "pull and glide" is actually a process of "falling" 
through the cave from one hand hold to another, constantly attempting 
to restore his balance.  An instructor once 
told me that one of the most common problems of newly certified divers 
is that they have their equipment set up in a state of unbalanced 
trim.  Wes Skiles once told me that the easiest way to check your 
trim is to get in a  calm, open water area and just relax your body. 
If you end up in a head low or feet low position some adjustment of 
the harness or BC in relation to the tanks is in order.  Sometimes a 
diver will struggle along for years without knowing how pleasant a 
technically good dive can feel.   If anyone sees someone 
in this condition, I hope they will take some time in open water 
helping them to get things sorted out.  

        The whole idea of "pull and glide" is associated with 
laziness and inattention.  Our training books should be updated to 
cite it as an example of bad technique.                  

        Learn to be a good swimmer and take 
advantage of the eddy currents. Carefully pull your way through 
Little River.  Pull your way through Devil's Eye touching only the 
white areas. A more advanced technique is to make use of eddy 
currents which can actually pull you forward into the cave. As you 
become more efficient, you will feel less desire to touch the cave. 
Try to go through Peacock or Telford without ever touching the
cave or stirring the silt.  Doing a perfect dive is a                     
very rewarding feeling.  Sometimes I hear people complain about 
"doing the same old caves".  I'll bet they haven't tried the 
challenge of doing them all with perfect technique....

        In a low flow cave there is just no excuse for grabbing a 
handful of rock.  
                      CAVE SOFTLY...

%%%%%   Safe Cavin, Paul NSS14385   afn20573@fr*.uf*.ed*  %%%%%

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