This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------8B143DFEE1F17DDC1482C16C Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --------------8B143DFEE1F17DDC1482C16C Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Return-Path: dell@di*.co* Received: from mail.isgroup.net (mail.andersoncolumbia.com [205.216.76.4]) by i-2000.com (8.8.8/8.7) with ESMTP id QAA02744 for <dburlage@i-*.co*>; Mon, 25 Oct 1999 16:54:40 -0400 (EDT) Received: from dr8.isgroup.net ([205.216.76.71]) by mail.isgroup.net (Post.Office MTA v3.1.2 release (PO205-101c) ID# 0-59037U3000L300S0) with SMTP id AAA175 for <dburlage@i-*.co*>; Mon, 25 Oct 1999 16:50:00 -0400 Message-ID: <020201bf1f2c$16497c40$6c64a8c0@dr*.is*.ne*> Reply-To: "Dell Motes" <dell@di*.co*> From: "Dell Motes" <dell@di*.co*> To: <dburlage@i-*.co*> Subject: Forward to list Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 17:01:19 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_01FF_01BF1F0A.8EF4B8C0" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_01FF_01BF1F0A.8EF4B8C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Gordon and List, A subsequent dive was made upstream with a few more facts to add to the = scenario. The two reels that had been deployed were in good working order, neither = was jammed. The third was just laying there, in a stowed position.=20 The 900' permanent line marker arrow (upstream of the restriction) was = facing INTO the cave, obviously the wrong direction. This explained some = of the profile on the Niteks. It appears they made more than one trip = back upstream to verify their position, because of mirror images on the = profile. We have no way of knowing who did this, nor do we expect any one to own = up to it. There were several breaks and repairs in this area, and = someone made a hasty mistake in arrow placement.=20 Had this not been in the wrong direction, they may have made it out, = even with the other problems they had. This added to confusion and = burned up valuable time they did not have. The permanent line did not blow downstream, it was tied off right at the = downstream side of the restriction. They were tangled up in the slack = that had been in the restriction.=20 They did the line searches, they stuck together, they perished together. This is still a wake up call as to what can happen.=20 You have to use MORE caution when in such a high traffic cave, for = situations exactly like this. A large number of teams had been through = this area since the initial line patch. No one took the time to do = rectify this, and it became just one factor in many on this fatality. =20 You have to be constantly aware of all aspects, no matter how remote or = unlikely they may seem.=20 You have to make every dive like it's exploration, alert and absorbing = every thing you see and do. A permanent guideline is just a convenience, not a crutch. How many = people would use their reels with different size line and full of = patches ?? Very few, I believe. How good would your tie-offs and placement be if you knew you were = coming out in zero visibility? I'd say very good, or you get killed or = you wouldn't get very far, one of the two. =20 What kind of restrictions would you go through if you were the first = EVER to be there? Let me tell from experience, you consider very hard just how bad = you want to see what's on the other side.=20 Line arrows are cheap, but how many people deploy their own when they = see anything questionable? Your more likely to see them used in the = middle of nowhere, as a personal goal or "look I've been this far". Hell, I use arrows like Post It notes, but that doesn't mean carry 20 of = them on your harness all lined up nice and neat for appearances only. I = use them and remove them, very few are left in place and they are there = for a subsequent dive. This was preventable, not a mysterious occurrence that means revamping = cave diving techniques or line size. I'm glad to see that some good may come out of such a tragedy, because = several have said it scared them. Accident analysis is invaluable in = this respect, it causes people to look at themselves and the way they = dive.=20 Treat every dive with respect, use the techniques you've been taught and = use them often. You 'll get more fulfillment out of being the best you can, and above = all else you'll stand a much better chance of surviving something like = this.=20 Dell Motes Dive Rite 117 W.Washington St. Lake City, Florida 32055 =20 www.dive-rite.com =20 -----Original Message----- From: gordonjr <jrgordonsenior@em*.ms*.co*> To: techdiver@aquanaut.com <techdiver@aquanaut.com> Date: Saturday, October 23, 1999 4:09 AM Subject: Madison Blue Fatalities Dell, =20 Did the body recovery team produced a formal "accident analysis = report" for the deaths at Madison Blue, and if so could you please post = it to the lists. Additionally, if there is any further info on this = accident that you think might be educational or preventative, such as = John Strohm's question about the type of knot, could you also please = forward that to the lists.=20 =20 I hope this accident scares the hell out of every caver, I know it = does me. I can't remember the last time I checked the condition of a = knot when passing a main line splice? I know I won't soon pass one again = without inspection. =20 Dell thanks for your time and posts, =20 JR Gordon Los Angeles/Akumal ------=_NextPart_000_01FF_01BF1F0A.8EF4B8C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 = http-equiv=3DContent-Type> <META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff> <DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Gordon and List,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>A subsequent dive was made upstream = with a few=20 more facts to add to the scenario.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>The two reels that had been deployed = were in=20 good working order, neither was jammed. The third was just laying there, = in a=20 stowed position. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>The 900' permanent line marker arrow = (upstream=20 of the restriction) was facing INTO the cave, obviously the wrong = direction.=20 This explained some of the profile on the Niteks. It appears they made = more than=20 one trip back upstream to verify their position, because of mirror = images on the=20 profile.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT><FONT size=3D2>We have no way = of knowing=20 who did this, nor do we expect any one to own up to it. There were = several=20 breaks and repairs in this area, and someone made a hasty mistake in = arrow=20 placement. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Had this not been in the wrong = direction, they=20 may have made it out, even with the other problems they had. This added = to=20 confusion and burned up valuable time they did not have.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT><FONT size=3D2>The permanent = line did not=20 blow downstream, it was tied off right at the downstream side of the=20 restriction. They were tangled up in the slack that had been in the = restriction.=20 </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT><FONT size=3D2>They did the = line searches,=20 they stuck together, they perished together.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>This is still a wake up call as to what can happen.=20 </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>You have to use MORE caution when in such a high = traffic cave,=20 for situations exactly like this. A large number of teams had been = through this=20 area since the initial line patch. No one took the time to do rectify = this, and=20 it became just one factor in many on this fatality. = </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>You have to be constantly aware of all aspects, no = matter how=20 remote or unlikely they may seem. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>You have to make every dive like it's exploration, = alert and=20 absorbing every thing you see and do.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>A permanent guideline is just a convenience, not a = crutch. How=20 many people would use their reels with different size line and full of = patches=20 ?? Very few, I believe.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>How good would your tie-offs and placement be if you = knew=20 you were coming out in zero visibility? I'd say very good, or you = get=20 killed or you wouldn't get very far, one of the two. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>What kind of restrictions would you go through if = you were the=20 first EVER to be</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>there? Let me tell from experience, you = consider very=20 hard just how bad you want to see what's on the other side. = </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Line arrows are cheap, but how many people deploy = their own=20 when they see anything questionable? Your more likely to see them used = in the=20 middle of nowhere, as a personal goal or "look I've been this=20 far".</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Hell, I use arrows like Post It notes, but that = doesn't mean=20 carry 20 of them on your harness all lined up nice and neat for = appearances=20 only. I use them and remove them, very few are left in place and they = are there=20 for a subsequent dive.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>This was preventable, not a mysterious occurrence = that means=20 revamping cave diving techniques or line size.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>I'm glad to see that some good may come out of such = a tragedy,=20 because several have said it scared them. Accident analysis is = invaluable in=20 this respect, it causes people to look at themselves and the way = they=20 dive. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Treat every dive with respect, use the techniques = you've been=20 taught and use them often.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>You 'll get more fulfillment out of being the best = you can,=20 and above all else you'll stand a much better chance of surviving = something like=20 this. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2>Dell Motes<BR>Dive Rite<BR>117 W.Washington = St.<BR>Lake City,=20 Florida 32055 <BR><A=20 href=3D"http://www.dive-rite.com">www.dive-rite.com</A><BR> &n= bsp; </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><B>-----Original=20 Message-----</B><BR><B>From: </B>gordonjr <<A=20 href=3D"mailto:jrgordonsenior@em*.ms*.co*">jrgordonsenior@email.msn.com= </A>><BR><B>To:=20 </B><A href=3D"mailto:techdiver@aquanaut.com">techdiver@aquanaut.com</A> = <<A=20 href=3D"mailto:techdiver@aquanaut.com">techdiver@aquanaut.com</A>><BR>= <B>Date:=20 </B>Saturday, October 23, 1999 4:09 AM<BR><B>Subject: </B>Madison Blue=20 Fatalities<BR><BR></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE=20 style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 solid 2px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: = 5px"></FONT> <DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> <DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Dell,</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Did the body recovery team = produced a=20 formal "accident analysis report" for the deaths at = Madison Blue,=20 and if so could you please post it to the lists. Additionally, if = there is=20 any further info on this accident that you think might be = educational or=20 preventative, such as John Strohm's question about the type of knot, = could=20 you also please forward that to the lists. </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I hope this accident scares the hell out of every caver, I know = it does=20 me. I can't remember the last time I checked the condition of a knot = when=20 passing a main line splice? I know I won't soon pass one again = without=20 inspection.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Dell thanks for your time and=20 posts,</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">JR Gordon</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Los=20 = Angeles/Akumal</FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>< ;/BODY></HTML>= ------=_NextPart_000_01FF_01BF1F0A.8EF4B8C0-- --------------8B143DFEE1F17DDC1482C16C-- -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. 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