Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
Its a great idea to have a video to show to prospective openwater students the hazards of venturing into an overhead environment (cave or wreck). Congratulations to the NSS/CDS or NACD (whoever is sponsering the video) for working towards providing this video. I hope it is rather graphical and explicit about the dangers; however knowing the mentality of the retail diving training business, I suspect it will be rather neutral, or at least it will not be shown. Wouldn't want to scare off customers. 'But on the subject of videos, how many people have seen "Cave Fossils" by John Stoneman? (I think I got the title and spelling of the name correct, maybe not). It was one of the Discovery Channel's diving series videos (supposed to be a factual documentary); I think it was also sponsered by Rolex, USA (you know the ones who sponser DAN safety awards). Well if you have seen the video and know anything about cave diving, especially in Florida caves, you will quickly recognize the content of the video to be complete bullshit. Their "expedition" team first makes their way through the difficult Florida terrain (Peacock State Park) carefully guided by one member on foot into the parking lot area of Peacock. You can see the roadbed under their vehicle. They spotted this cave system by helicopter going probably >100 mph aided by an old map of a previous explorer (Lewis and Clark perhaps?) They are going to explore for fossils. They find several, including a sabre toothed tiger (?) complete with fangs. One of the expedition members (I think someone named Adam Ravenge - probably misspelled but oh what a name) brings it to the surface by one of the fangs. I almost laughed to death. Most of the fossils (filmed in situ) were sitting on top of smooth rocks. If you pay attention to the video you will also see footage of Ginnie Springs; I think Catfish Hotel at Manatee Springs State Park, and maybe Madison. Of course they are all supposed to be at only one location, the lost caves of Peacock State Park (I added this last bit of artistic license). Now this cave system is supposed to have three distinct chambers, the last of which is several hundred feet deep, and too dangerous for humans to dive. So they bring in the ROV (remote operated vehicle). Of course this ROV is now filming the deep chamber (<200ft)as you watch it scurry here and there; but who is filming the ROV as it is filming the deep chamber? 'And then the killer: you can see the novice cave line (apx. 15ft deep) located in Ginnie Springs cavern in the background!!!! The video goes on and on and on. Several funny parts. 'BUT WHAT IS NOT SO FUNNY is the gear and diving methods the actors suggest is proper for cave diving. Standard openwater setups with dangling octopus, consoles, single tank with NO, ZERO, ZIP redundancy. They go on to say that these divers are specially trained. Right! Oh they do have a stage bottle, only it is a bare cylinder someone carries in their arms and drops off. People, crap like this on national TV may be funny, but it is extremely dangerous. People watch these shows of "experts", see their gear configurations and techniques and then they convince themselves they have all the proper gear and skill and go out and get killed. I would have hoped sponsers of trash like this would more carefully examine the recipients of their funding (including the safety award toting ROLEX of USA). Oh you may have seen other expedition films by this operation, each one of course has its Lance Manyon (sp?) perils of danger to spice up the show. Several wreck adventures including one of the Lauralie (terribly mispelled). But I know there is at least one individual on this list who knows the details since he was in it ( we could see the surface about 20 ft away when you were supposed to be at 200+). My disclaimer is simple: everything I have said in this post is my opinion and I invite you to look at the videos and form your own opinion. Don't believe everything you see or hear just because it is published. Doug Chapman
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]