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The question was asked if the name of the blue hole that these two divers
killed themselves in was named "Zoo Hole". This is correct.  I checked
with my husband Rob Palmer and he has  varified this.  

It is most unfortunate that people who have learned to cave dive and have
received some form of cetification feel that they have the experence and
the skills to dive in caves anywhere.  Anyone going into an ocean blue hole,
which Zoo Hole is, not knowing
anything about Bahamian Blue Holes, can pretty much sign their death
certificate before entering these places because they most likely will not
come back.
Many of these ocean blue holes are tidel meaning that they can suck or
blow depending on the stage of the tide.  I know of no one who is such a
good swimmer that they can swim against 6 to 7 knot currents.  Some of
these suckers are so stronge that it has been reported and seen where small
boats have been sucked down into these underground voids.
I have just returned from a 1 month field expedition to Grand Bahama where
Rob and I have been diving Lucayan Caverns and Owl's Hole, an inland blue
hole (article in this months Scuba World).  Current meters were put into
place to observe what the water flow is doing in these systems and I tell
you, there is nothing simple about any of it. Depending on what part of
the system you are in, you can be pulled in or shoved out. 

Rob and I only hope that as a result of people getting themselves killed
in these wonderful places, that excess to these cave will not be taken
away from those who are responsible cave divers.  Yes, these are very dangerous
places, but with the proper training and time spent with someone who has
experence in these types of environment, these places can be visited and
enjoyed without the loss of life.

Stephanie Schwabe

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