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From: <ThreeMixDiver@ao*.co*>
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 21:18:44 EST
Subject: GUE Cave 1 Trip report
To: techdiver@aquanaut.com

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This is my trip report for GUE cave 1, hope you like it.
 Kevin Robinson.

Last Tuesday I headed south from Tennessee to Branford Florida for a GUE Cav=
e=20
1 with David Rhea as instructor. I arrived Tue evening about five o'clock fo=
r=20
orientation at Dave's. Dave has a house for classes and students in Branford=
,=20
which I will describe later. There were three people scheduled for class.=20
Myself, a guy from Ireland, and a guy from Panama, who couldn't make it. Dav=
e=20
prefers a class of three, for convenient buddying.
=20
=C2=A0 Class orientation began Tuesday night with some general cave informat=
ion=20
and a video tape of the =E2=80=9CRescue 911=E2=80=9D show about a cave rescu=
e/recovery that=20
involved the actual death of a diver. Class would consist of 5 days of study=
,=20
40 hours of class and minimum12 cavern/cave dives (we did 14) at three=20
different cave systems. We dove Ginnie, Peacock, and Little River. 8 of the=20
dives must be beyond the daylight zone.
=20
=C2=A0 Dave bought a centrally located house, not his primary residence, jus=
t for=20
teaching scuba. Its not required that you stay, but much cheaper and more=20
beneficial then staying in a motel. Classes and a wealth of information are=20
exchanged during and after meals. He has a compressor and nitrox filling=20
station at the house, which we used when convenient to the days schedule. He=
=20
also has a variety of rental gear that is acceptable to GUE standards, in=20
case you need anything. This includes Doubles setups of several capacities,=20
cave lights, fins and other things.=20
=20
=C2=A0 Wednesday morning we started after breakfast (Dave's wife Tina cooks=20=
an=20
excellent breakfast to order) at 08:00. The first thing Dave does is a very=20
thorough individual gear check. My gear is very DIR oriented. As a side note=
,=20
some time ago David Rhea used to own our local dive shop in Maryville, TN.=20
"Rheas dive shop." The new owner, Alan Williams, is a former student of=20
Dave's, and my and Popeye=E2=80=99s Instructor for NAUI DiveMaster. Alan is=20=
an avid=20
cave diver and WKPP member, but does not instruct because he doesn't want=20
cave diving to be work. Because our local shop is cave oriented, my gear was=
=20
very squared away for the inspection. Dave pointed out that some of my brass=
=20
boltsnaps needed to be upgraded with stainless steel units (I was to get a=20
graphic demonstration of why in the next few days) and I switched my primary=
=20
mouthpiece to facilitate air sharing.
=20
=C2=A0 The other student, Dave the Irish guy, had a BP/Wing combo and Apex r=
eg's=20
like me, and Dave pointed out some hose configuration problems. He removed a=
=20
drysuit inflator hose, and a transmitter for his Uwatec computer, to be used=
=20
as a bottom timer for this class. He also removed a fairly large knife from=20
his calve, and added a Z-knife to his harness. Dave also had him switch to=20
rubber fins. Plastic fins are not allowed by GUE, due, I believe, to length=20
and buoyancy issues.
=20
=C2=A0 He inspected our lights for function. I had a new pro 14 HID. And Dav=
e the=20
student (henceforth to be known as SDave) got a Pro 6 Halogen light from the=
=20
rental fleet.
=C2=A0 For backups, I have two Scout lights (3AAA) that Popeye got me for my=
=20
birthday, before he sobered up. SDave had two new Scout lights as well.
=20
=C2=A0 Dave checked out our reels and spools to make sure they up to snuff.=20=
I had=20
a large primary reel and a safety spool from EE. SDave had an OMS reel and E=
E=20
spool. Dave then inspected my tanks for Hydros and VIPs, and nitrox markings=
..=20
Nitrox is not required for the course. We also had to bring spare burst disc=
s=20
assemblies for school. Other required gear includes tables, Wetnotes, spare=20
zip-strips for gear configuration and two pencils. Also, I brought a Dive=20
Rite thigh pocket, which is not required but highly advisable if diving wet.=
=20
A tool kit also included wrenches, o-rings and lube, and port plugs.
=20
=C2=A0 After lunch, we went to Ginnie for a swimming skills test, to distanc=
e=20
swim, and breath hold. During my breath hold swim, I surfaced in the middle=20
of another cave class, and had the opportunity to meet Tamara Kendall,=20
another local GUE instructor.
=20
=C2=A0 We then geared up for a cavern jaunt, where we learned to insure our=20=
buddy=20
has all his gear, and check its configuration. We checked all air sources an=
d=20
valves, did a bubblecheck, dangle check and S-drill for air sharing.
=20
=C2=A0 David then explained the objective of this dive, running the reel, li=
ne=20
placement and propulsion techniques. Three consecutive dives allowed=20
demonstration by the instructor, and then repetition by each student. After=20
each dive he critiqued us, then we, each other.
=20
=C2=A0 Then home for dinner and lectures. Of course diving is the subject of=
 the=20
day, and by staying at the house, and taking meals there, we had a lot more=20
time to squeeze Dave for scuba knowledge. Also being in that continual=20
proximity, were absorbed many scuba related things not primarily related to=20
cave diving. Dave is a Scuba- pro rep, a member of the WKPP team, an=20
instructor for GUE, ANDI, CMAS, IANTD, NAUI,PADI, YMCA,=C2=A0 NSS/CDS and NA=
CD (he=20
no longer instructs for several of these agencies). He has been instructing=20
for 20years. So the experience and information flows continually. We had=20
class till around 10:30 PM.
=20
=C2=A0 Thursday morning, I woke at 06:30 to find Dave already well into his=20=
day.=20
After breakfast, we went Peacock Springs for our last two cavern dives. In=20
the morning, we practiced the basics that we had learned the day before,=20
while David watched. We then debriefed above water. Dave was thorough but=20
never overbearing, his first question always =E2=80=9CWhat did we do wrong o=
n that=20
dive?=E2=80=9D Each and every dive included the unprompted preparation check=
s and=20
S-drill learned the day before.
=20
=C2=A0 Then, for the afternoon, our first cave dive. Still at Peacock, our f=
irst=20
cave was =E2=80=9CPotholeline,=E2=80=9D part of the Peacock 1 system. I was=20=
the primary reel=20
man, the first inline. At this phase of training, Dave begins minor task=20
loading. The first problem of the dive turns (ends) the dive. One thing I=20
learned was that students travel on a rule of sixths, not thirds, during GUE=
=20
Cave 1 tenure. On the way back out, Dave will present you with a variety of=20
tasks. These tasks multiply and become more complex as training progresses.=20
Some of the tasks are fixable (regulator swap) and some are not. He may=20
remove a given piece of gear, and you must finish the dive without. For=20
training purposes, if he turns off alight, its done for the dive. Although a=
=20
wide variety of OOA drills are simulated and practiced, Dave states clearly=20
that he will never turn your air off in the cave. This, in my opinion, is tw=
o=20
fold, a confidence builder on one hand, and so you will be aware that any OO=
A=20
situation is the real thing. =C2=A0=20
=20
=C2=A0 Two things to mention. One is that Dave is the stealthiest diver I ha=
ve=20
ever seen. His ability to hide in plain sight or wedge himself in a small=20
crack is limitless. He will take gear off your kit and hang it on someone=20
else's without warning. He can turn your light off from behind, or clip your=
=20
reel line to a fellow diver, or hook it to a stationary object.
=20
=20
=C2=A0 The second and most profound thing is to explain how you feel when yo=
u=20
enter a cave for the first time. Watching the daylight disappear behind you=20
is an inexplicable exhilaration. You feel trained and confident, but you=20
realize you are in an unforgiving place. You become very aware of your gear=20
and the physical aspects of your body. You remember that you can go into the=
=20
cave, but you donut have to come out. I have never experienced this degree o=
f=20
self-awareness before. I also realized that my life had taken a turn from=20
which there was no egress.
=20
=20
=C2=A0 The last dive of the day was on the =E2=80=9CPeanut line=E2=80=9D in=20=
Peacock. This time=20
SDave was the first in, the primary reel man. After each dive we would=20
thoroughly dissect the dive, and any mistakes we had made. Home for dinner=20
and classroom, till around 11:00 PM. We also saw a film by Lamar Hires, abou=
t=20
cave recoveries, and his experiences of how people spend there last moments=20
while lost and drowning in caves. It makes you think.=20
=20
=C2=A0 Friday, we are up and off to Peacock again. This would be SDave=E2=
=80=99s last day.=20
The dives are all similar, with Dave observing your technique, and then, at=20
the turn of the dive, testing your new problem solving capabilities. I was=20
the reel man for the third dive on the Peanut line. We turned after a sixth,=
=20
and did an OOA drill. SDave got a mouthful of water from his backup, and was=
=20
coughing very hard. He may have been thinking he had an actual regulator=20
failure. My first response was immediate; I turned and did a long hose=20
donation. He was very anxious as I approached, and visibly relieved to get m=
y=20
reg. He had a hard time getting settled and calm. I was unaware of his=20
specific problem until after the dive. He did complete the next dive, but=20
then withdrew from class. We were supportive, and instructor Dave was=20
compassionate. Student Dave said that he was out of his comfort level at tha=
t=20
time, but intended to pursue this class in the future. He did stay till the=20
end of class, but didn't dive again.
=20
=C2=A0Friday night: dinner and class till late. When we were leaving the div=
eshop,=20
my truck wouldn=E2=80=99t start. I called Popeye that night, and we made som=
e plans=20
for a telephone rescue for Saturday after the dive.
=20
=C2=A0 Saturday morning: Little River. Since Dave and I were the only divers=
, I=20
got a great deal of instruction. The most memorable dive of the entire trip=20
was in Little River, at100 ffw, and 1200 feet in, we turned the dive and cam=
e=20
all the way out with no light, while air sharing. Wow. There is no correct=20
description of the color black until you've done something like this. True=20
Zero Vis. There is no way to describe the satisfaction of being able to=20
handle a task like that. My bottom timer (Vyper) later showed it took over=20
twice as long to get out as it did to get in, and that was with the directio=
n=20
of flow.
=20
=C2=A0 It is important for me to mention that SDave stayed the length of the=
=20
course; including studying for and taking the written test. I admire his=20
tenacity.
=20
=C2=A0 Saturday afternoon, we topped off our tanks and resuscitated my truck=
.. This=20
involved 4 calls to Popeye, a voltmeter and a new fuel pump. The GUE=20
instructor was right beside me under the truck getting greasy. Now, that's=20
service. Dave was pretty impressed that Popeye could fix a truck over the=20
phone. If he only knew=E2=80=A6=20
=20
=C2=A0 Saturday afternoon, we went back to Peacock for one more school dive,=
 task=20
loading, blind diver training, and general practice. This dive took over an=20
hour. It was a twisty,turny dive that was generally tight. We did no light=20
air sharing all the way out again.
=20
=C2=A0 Saturday night-lecture, test, beer!
=20
=C2=A0 Sunday morning at Little River, my last school dive, and did nothing=20=
but=20
train the entire dive. This was my performance test, and I was moving quick=20
throughout. I did lost diver, panicking diver, lights out and sharing air.=20
When we were done he said: Good Dive!
=20
=C2=A0 We were then joined by non other than Alan Williams, JetFinSid Erdman=
, and=20
the lusty dive wenches Terry and Renee (from my shop in Tennessee). They wer=
e=20
down for the week and had been diving around the area. I asked Dave if I=20
could dive with them and he said =E2=80=9CGo Dive, Have Fun!=E2=80=9D That w=
as my first dive=20
as a graduate, and also the first dive I actually got to leave the cave with=
=20
my new light on!
=20
=C2=A0 That's it for the class. I cant begin to thank everyone involved. Ala=
n and=20
the guys from the shop, who selflessly helped me prepare, or Dave for=20
providing a level of instruction that I had never before experienced, and fo=
r=20
Dave, SDave and Popeye helping me fix my truck so I could get home. And my=20
wife Rachel, for letting me buy all this stuff, and giving me GUE Cave 1 for=
=20
Christmas. =C2=A0=C2=A0=20
=20
=C2=A0=20
=20
=C2=A0=20
=20
=20


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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><FONT  SIZE=3D2>This is my trip
report fo=
r GUE cave 1, hope you like it.
<BR> Kevin Robinson.
<BR>
<BR>Last Tuesday I headed south from Tennessee to Branford Florida for a GUE=
 Cave <BR>1 with David Rhea as instructor. I arrived Tue evening about
five=20=
o'clock for <BR>orientation at Dave's. Dave has a house for classes and stud=
ents in Branford, <BR>which I will describe later. There were three people s=
cheduled for class. <BR>Myself, a guy from Ireland, and a guy from Panama, w=
ho couldn't make it. Dave <BR>prefers a class of three, for convenient buddy=
ing.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Class orientation began Tuesday night with some general cave info=
rmation <BR>and a video tape of the =E2=80=9CRescue 911=E2=80=9D show
about=20=
a cave rescue/recovery that <BR>involved the actual death of a diver.
Class=20=
would consist of 5 days of study, <BR>40 hours of class and minimum12 cavern=
/cave dives (we did 14) at three <BR>different cave systems. We dove Ginnie,=
 Peacock, and Little River. 8 of the <BR>dives must be beyond the daylight z=
one.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Dave bought a centrally located house, not his primary residence,=
 just for <BR>teaching scuba. Its not required that you stay, but much cheap=
er and more <BR>beneficial then staying in a motel. Classes and a wealth
of=20=
information are <BR>exchanged during and after meals. He has a compressor an=
d nitrox filling <BR>station at the house, which we used when convenient
to=20=
the days schedule. He <BR>also has a variety of rental gear that is acceptab=
le to GUE standards, in <BR>case you need anything. This includes Doubles se=
tups of several capacities, <BR>cave lights, fins and other things.=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Wednesday morning we started after breakfast (Dave's wife Tina co=
oks an <BR>excellent breakfast to order) at 08:00. The first thing Dave does=
 is a very <BR>thorough individual gear check. My gear is very DIR oriented.=
 As a side note, <BR>some time ago David Rhea used to own our local dive sho=
p in Maryville, TN. <BR>"Rheas dive shop." The new owner, Alan Williams,
is=20=
a former student of <BR>Dave's, and my and Popeye=E2=80=99s Instructor for N=
AUI DiveMaster. Alan is an avid <BR>cave diver and WKPP member, but does not=
 instruct because he doesn't want <BR>cave diving to be work. Because our lo=
cal shop is cave oriented, my gear was <BR>very squared away for the inspect=
ion. Dave pointed out that some of my brass <BR>boltsnaps needed to be upgra=
ded with stainless steel units (I was to get a <BR>graphic demonstration
of=20=
why in the next few days) and I switched my primary <BR>mouthpiece to facili=
tate air sharing.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 The other student, Dave the Irish guy, had a BP/Wing combo and Ap=
ex reg's <BR>like me, and Dave pointed out some hose configuration problems.=
 He removed a <BR>drysuit inflator hose, and a transmitter for his Uwatec co=
mputer, to be used <BR>as a bottom timer for this class. He also removed a f=
airly large knife from <BR>his calve, and added a Z-knife to his harness. Da=
ve also had him switch to <BR>rubber fins. Plastic fins are not allowed by G=
UE, due, I believe, to length <BR>and buoyancy issues.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 He inspected our lights for function. I had a new pro 14 HID. And=
 Dave the <BR>student (henceforth to be known as SDave) got a Pro 6
Halogen=20=
light from the <BR>rental fleet.
<BR>=C2=A0 For backups, I have two Scout lights (3AAA) that Popeye got me fo=
r my <BR>birthday, before he sobered up. SDave had two new Scout lights as w=
ell.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Dave checked out our reels and spools to make sure they up to snu=
ff. I had <BR>a large primary reel and a safety spool from EE. SDave had
an=20=
OMS reel and EE <BR>spool. Dave then inspected my tanks for Hydros and VIPs,=
 and nitrox markings. <BR>Nitrox is not required for the course. We also had=
 to bring spare burst discs <BR>assemblies for school. Other required gear i=
ncludes tables, Wetnotes, spare <BR>zip-strips for gear configuration and tw=
o pencils. Also, I brought a Dive <BR>Rite thigh pocket, which is not requir=
ed but highly advisable if diving wet. <BR>A tool kit also included wrenches=
, o-rings and lube, and port plugs.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 After lunch, we went to Ginnie for a swimming skills test, to dis=
tance <BR>swim, and breath hold. During my breath hold swim, I surfaced in t=
he middle <BR>of another cave class, and had the opportunity to meet
Tamara=20=
Kendall, <BR>another local GUE instructor.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 We then geared up for a cavern jaunt, where we learned to
insure=20=
our buddy <BR>has all his gear, and check its configuration. We checked
all=20=
air sources and <BR>valves, did a bubblecheck, dangle check and S-drill
for=20=
air sharing.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 David then explained the objective of this dive, running the reel=
, line <BR>placement and propulsion techniques. Three consecutive dives allo=
wed <BR>demonstration by the instructor, and then repetition by each student=
.. After <BR>each dive he critiqued us, then we, each other.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Then home for dinner and lectures. Of course diving is the subjec=
t of the <BR>day, and by staying at the house, and taking meals there, we ha=
d a lot more <BR>time to squeeze Dave for scuba knowledge. Also being in tha=
t continual <BR>proximity, were absorbed many scuba related things not prima=
rily related to <BR>cave diving. Dave is a Scuba- pro rep, a member of the W=
KPP team, an <BR>instructor for GUE, ANDI, CMAS, IANTD, NAUI,PADI, YMCA,=C2=
=A0 NSS/CDS and NACD (he <BR>no longer instructs for several of these agenci=
es). He has been instructing <BR>for 20years. So the experience and informat=
ion flows continually. We had <BR>class till around 10:30 PM.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Thursday morning, I woke at 06:30 to find Dave already well
into=20=
his day. <BR>After breakfast, we went Peacock Springs for our last two caver=
n dives. In <BR>the morning, we practiced the basics that we had learned the=
 day before, <BR>while David watched. We then debriefed above water. Dave wa=
s thorough but <BR>never overbearing, his first question always =E2=80=9CWha=
t did we do wrong on that <BR>dive?=E2=80=9D Each and every dive included th=
e unprompted preparation checks and <BR>S-drill learned the day before.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Then, for the afternoon, our first cave dive. Still at Peacock, o=
ur first <BR>cave was =E2=80=9CPotholeline,=E2=80=9D part of the Peacock 1 s=
ystem. I was the primary reel <BR>man, the first inline. At this phase of tr=
aining, Dave begins minor task <BR>loading. The first problem of the dive tu=
rns (ends) the dive. One thing I <BR>learned was that students travel on a r=
ule of sixths, not thirds, during GUE <BR>Cave 1 tenure. On the way back out=
, Dave will present you with a variety of <BR>tasks. These tasks multiply an=
d become more complex as training progresses. <BR>Some of the tasks are fixa=
ble (regulator swap) and some are not. He may <BR>remove a given piece of ge=
ar, and you must finish the dive without. For <BR>training purposes, if he t=
urns off alight, its done for the dive. Although a <BR>wide variety of OOA d=
rills are simulated and practiced, Dave states clearly <BR>that he will neve=
r turn your air off in the cave. This, in my opinion, is two <BR>fold, a con=
fidence builder on one hand, and so you will be aware that any OOA <BR>situa=
tion is the real thing. =C2=A0=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Two things to mention. One is that Dave is the stealthiest
diver=20=
I have <BR>ever seen. His ability to hide in plain sight or wedge himself in=
 a small <BR>crack is limitless. He will take gear off your kit and hang
it=20=
on someone <BR>else's without warning. He can turn your light off from behin=
d, or clip your <BR>reel line to a fellow diver, or hook it to a
stationary=20=
object.
<BR>=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 The second and most profound thing is to explain how you feel whe=
n you <BR>enter a cave for the first time. Watching the daylight disappear b=
ehind you <BR>is an inexplicable exhilaration. You feel trained and confiden=
t, but you <BR>realize you are in an unforgiving place. You become very awar=
e of your gear <BR>and the physical aspects of your body. You remember
that=20=
you can go into the <BR>cave, but you donut have to come out. I have never e=
xperienced this degree of <BR>self-awareness before. I also realized that my=
 life had taken a turn from <BR>which there was no egress.
<BR>=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 The last dive of the day was on the =E2=80=9CPeanut line=E2=80=
=9D in Peacock. This time <BR>SDave was the first in, the primary reel
man.=20=
After each dive we would <BR>thoroughly dissect the dive, and any mistakes w=
e had made. Home for dinner <BR>and classroom, till around 11:00 PM. We also=
 saw a film by Lamar Hires, about <BR>cave recoveries, and his experiences o=
f how people spend there last moments <BR>while lost and drowning in
caves.=20=
It makes you think.=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Friday, we are up and off to Peacock again. This would be SDave=
=E2=80=99s last day. <BR>The dives are all similar, with Dave observing your=
 technique, and then, at <BR>the turn of the dive, testing your new
problem=20=
solving capabilities. I was <BR>the reel man for the third dive on the Peanu=
t line. We turned after a sixth, <BR>and did an OOA drill. SDave got a mouth=
ful of water from his backup, and was <BR>coughing very hard. He may have be=
en thinking he had an actual regulator <BR>failure. My first response was im=
mediate; I turned and did a long hose <BR>donation. He was very anxious as I=
 approached, and visibly relieved to get my <BR>reg. He had a hard time gett=
ing settled and calm. I was unaware of his <BR>specific problem until
after=20=
the dive. He did complete the next dive, but <BR>then withdrew from class. W=
e were supportive, and instructor Dave was <BR>compassionate. Student Dave s=
aid that he was out of his comfort level at that <BR>time, but intended to p=
ursue this class in the future. He did stay till the <BR>end of class, but d=
idn't dive again.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0Friday night: dinner and class till late. When we were leaving the=
 diveshop, <BR>my truck wouldn=E2=80=99t start. I called Popeye that
night,=20=
and we made some plans <BR>for a telephone rescue for Saturday after the div=
e.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Saturday morning: Little River. Since Dave and I were the only di=
vers, I <BR>got a great deal of instruction. The most memorable dive of
the=20=
entire trip <BR>was in Little River, at100 ffw, and 1200 feet in, we
turned=20=
the dive and came <BR>all the way out with no light, while air sharing. Wow.=
 There is no correct <BR>description of the color black until you've done so=
mething like this. True <BR>Zero Vis. There is no way to describe the satisf=
action of being able to <BR>handle a task like that. My bottom timer (Vyper)=
 later showed it took over <BR>twice as long to get out as it did to get in,=
 and that was with the direction <BR>of flow.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 It is important for me to mention that SDave stayed the length of=
 the <BR>course; including studying for and taking the written test. I admir=
e his <BR>tenacity.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Saturday afternoon, we topped off our tanks and resuscitated my t=
ruck. This <BR>involved 4 calls to Popeye, a voltmeter and a new fuel
pump.=20=
The GUE <BR>instructor was right beside me under the truck getting greasy. N=
ow, that's <B><BR>service</B>. Dave was pretty impressed that Popeye
could f=
ix a truck over the <BR>phone. If he only knew=E2=80=A6=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Saturday afternoon, we went back to Peacock for one more school d=
ive, task <BR>loading, blind diver training, and general practice. This dive=
 took over an <BR>hour. It was a twisty,turny dive that was generally tight.=
 We did no light <BR>air sharing all the way out again.
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Saturday night-lecture, test, beer!
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 Sunday morning at Little River, my last school dive, and did noth=
ing but <BR>train the entire dive. This was my performance test, and I was m=
oving quick <BR>throughout. I did lost diver, panicking diver, lights out an=
d sharing air. <BR>When we were done he said: Good Dive!
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 We were then joined by non other than Alan Williams, JetFinSid Er=
dman, and <BR>the lusty dive wenches Terry and Renee (from my shop in Tennes=
see). They were <BR>down for the week and had been diving around the area. I=
 asked Dave if I <BR>could dive with them and he said =E2=80=9CGo Dive, Have=
 Fun!=E2=80=9D That was my first dive <BR>as a graduate, and also the
first=20=
dive I actually got to leave the cave with <BR>my new light on!
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0 That's it for the class. I cant begin to thank everyone involved.=
 Alan and <BR>the guys from the shop, who selflessly helped me prepare, or D=
ave for <BR>providing a level of instruction that I had never before experie=
nced, and for <BR>Dave, SDave and Popeye helping me fix my truck so I
could=20=
get home. And my <BR>wife Rachel, for letting me buy all this stuff, and giv=
ing me GUE Cave 1 for <BR>Christmas. =C2=A0=C2=A0=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=C2=A0=20
<BR>=20
<BR>=20
<BR></FONT></HTML>

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