Back on Jan 24/25 I was in-water support diver for this project, this was for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service , to map and study the water flow of this system. This system sits about 4 miles from any road and our team is given special permission to drive there. There is only one way to do this type of study. Woodville Karst Plain Project (WKPP) is a non-profit, all volunteer group. This is the write up and video/pictures:

Operating under special use permit from St Marks National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), WKPP divers have resumed exploration, mapping and documentation of Shepherd Spring. This dynamic and magnificent system to-date has more than 2 miles of confirmed passage including 3,500ft of passageway explored and mapped in 2019. The proximity to the Gulf Coast along with upstream factors are influencing water quantity and water quality in the cave system including salt water intrusion, hydrogen sulfide layering and tidal factors. WKPP divers conducted 2 dive operations on Jan 24/25 to sonar profile the first 3,500ft of the main passageway and then capture HD footage of the passage. Thanks to a great team: David Rhea, Steve Cox and Terry Koritz. Surface and In-Water Support John, Andrew, Tina, Ian, Max, Matt, Chris, Mark, Marcelo.

Its like a whole other world down there. Cool video.

Incredible video and excursion.

Michael

That is incredible. Thank you for sharing.

There's a lot of crazy crap you might read of me dying doing one day.

Cave diving, however, is not one of them. Hard to see how they stay buoyant with those massive balls they have to have.

That's equal parts amazing and terrifying.

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
That's equal parts amazing and terrifying.

I've always thought scuba diving looked like a lot of fun. But I never pursued it because I'm not a very good swimmer. But this? I'm just claustrophobic enough to to know that there's no way in hell you would ever get me into a place like that.

It's cool to watch, but no caves for me! I've been a diver for about 20 years now, but only open water. Some of the best cave divers in the world have perished doing what they loved. My hat is off to those with the skill and bravery to do this.

Nope, and hell nope. With a double side order of nope, smothered in nope sauce.

H&K-Guy

Absolutely amazing, congratulations on being part of such a neat study.

I could never do it. Claustrophobia and drowning are two of my greatest fears. I fear fire less than drowning. No way in hell would you get me down there.

I'm an experienced swimmer and skin diver. I grew up on the ocean. Just don't put anything over my head when I'm down there.

I dive and I very much enjoy touring well-established and stable caverns. Filled with air. On (or in) dry land.

While cave diver might be a kick ass certification to have, I can assure you I would never, never, ever use it.

Also, I've seen Sanctum too many times.

-Rob

Seems like a great job for an unmanned mini submarine thing-a-ma-bobber

Cool. But my mild claustrophobia needle was definitely pegged!

Amazing.

But honestly, I'd rather take a bath in a tub of spiders.

Pretty cool. But like Artie, I could never do it.

After watching an MMA fighter talk to Joe Rogan about his experience I knew for a fact it would be something I will never experience. I really can't think of a much worse situation for me to be in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvi7y10yNyg&t=3946s

Starts at 1:08 - 1:24

Not for me, either.

quote:

Originally posted by H&K-Guy:
Nope, and hell nope. With a double side order of nope, smothered in nope sauce.

Good way of putting it.

I'll stick with diving amongst the kelp forests.

Not claustrophobic but, the silt stirring and disorientation possibilities I couldn't deal.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
After watching an MMA fighter talk to Joe Rogan about his experience I knew for a fact it would be something I will never experience. I really can't think of a much worse situation for me to be in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvi7y10yNyg&t=3946s

Starts at 1:08 - 1:24

FYI, that video is a master class of what not to do. My Cave 1 instructor had a saying "poorly trained skills are the first lost". That guy did everything wrong and I mean EVERYTHING. I truly cant believe someone was cave diving with that little skill level. Sort of like shooting yourself in the head at a gun range but claiming you are an expert. In cave vernacular he is someone we would call a "Stroke".

Another time and place, assisted the state geologic survey team in mapping a substantial length of the Cumberland Caverns (dry spelunking), and would never have the nerve for cave diving. Props to you and the team.