inletsurf
05-07-2007, 08:33 AM
This is a quick report of our advanced nitrox/deco/helitrox certification dives and thanks to Tampa Adventure Sports's Instructor Bert Wilcher.
There were up to 8 people in this class this weekend, but only Benjie and I were single-tank spearfisherman.
Friday dove manatee springs to determine working SAC rates. First the spring, then the catfish hotel. Spring was clear, with a couple of fish and snakes hanging out. Catfish Hotel had about 40 ft vis.
Saturday dove the 40 fathom grotto. They have renovated the place, put in new floating docks, dive racks, fences, and are in process of many more improvements. Vis was about 20 feet. Went to 145 on air, did some puzzle. Went back to 145 of 25/20 trimix, did the puzzle again. Honestly, I did feel a little slight buzz on air, maybe not a buzz per se, but like a very slight though constant distraction (if that is the right word for it). The trimix dive was different, my head was a bit clearer, however I didn't think it was incredibly different. PS, watch out for the DUI toy jeep driver down there at 145 feet, he'll run your ass over.
Last day was the eagle's nest. The Eagles' Nest is a circular pond about 200 feet in diameter filled with semi-clear water and disgusting pond scum, and is not an obvious karst feature to a typical diver. However, the clarity of the water, presence of limestone, and the location in the smack dab center of Florida's most active karst topography is a dead giveaway that this could be the cave-diving mecca of FL. The pond itself is only 30 feet deep and funnel-shaped like a classical sinkhole. However, the center of the bottom, like a bathroom sink, has a 15 feet long vertical drain tunnel that connects the pond to the underground cavern. Like an hourglass, the sediment pile that has sunk through the drain is directly below, with the apex resting at about 135 feet depth. The distinction of the clarity of the water in the cavern is obvious. The pond visibility is about 10 feet, once you shoot through the tunnel it is 100+ feet. The cavern itself is also shaped like the bottom half of an hourglass, with depths at the bottom edges varying and consisting of intricate cave networks. From 175 ft deep, you can still see the cavern entrance, although it looks like a tiny blue moonbeam from that distance.
The entrance to the pond signs and the grim reaper sign at the apex of the sediment pile lets everyone know that this is a highly technical dive, and nobody should dive this cavern without a cave certification, or under the instruction and direct supervision/guidance of a certified cave instructor.
Regardless of what anyone says about the Eagle's Nest not having gators, that is complete bullshit. I rolled right up on a 6 footer resting on the pond algae on the bottom. That didnt' bother me as much as the thought of the 'big daddy' that could be anywhere in that 2-4 foot thick pond scum layer on the top or bottom of the pond.
In any case, I'll have to say that Bert Wilcher of Tampa Adventure Sports is undoubtedly the coolest instructor I have ever dove with. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable, but he has a great sense of humor. If anyone here is considering deep-diving/deco/trimix/cave/etc certifications, do yourself a favor and call this guy to inquire about the next class dates.
I think my favorite part of the class was seeing the reaction everyone had when I told them that I thought buddy diving sucks. That, and showing up to the meeting place before diving Eagles' Nest and acting like I partied to 5 in the morning for cinco de mayo.... :D :D
There were up to 8 people in this class this weekend, but only Benjie and I were single-tank spearfisherman.
Friday dove manatee springs to determine working SAC rates. First the spring, then the catfish hotel. Spring was clear, with a couple of fish and snakes hanging out. Catfish Hotel had about 40 ft vis.
Saturday dove the 40 fathom grotto. They have renovated the place, put in new floating docks, dive racks, fences, and are in process of many more improvements. Vis was about 20 feet. Went to 145 on air, did some puzzle. Went back to 145 of 25/20 trimix, did the puzzle again. Honestly, I did feel a little slight buzz on air, maybe not a buzz per se, but like a very slight though constant distraction (if that is the right word for it). The trimix dive was different, my head was a bit clearer, however I didn't think it was incredibly different. PS, watch out for the DUI toy jeep driver down there at 145 feet, he'll run your ass over.
Last day was the eagle's nest. The Eagles' Nest is a circular pond about 200 feet in diameter filled with semi-clear water and disgusting pond scum, and is not an obvious karst feature to a typical diver. However, the clarity of the water, presence of limestone, and the location in the smack dab center of Florida's most active karst topography is a dead giveaway that this could be the cave-diving mecca of FL. The pond itself is only 30 feet deep and funnel-shaped like a classical sinkhole. However, the center of the bottom, like a bathroom sink, has a 15 feet long vertical drain tunnel that connects the pond to the underground cavern. Like an hourglass, the sediment pile that has sunk through the drain is directly below, with the apex resting at about 135 feet depth. The distinction of the clarity of the water in the cavern is obvious. The pond visibility is about 10 feet, once you shoot through the tunnel it is 100+ feet. The cavern itself is also shaped like the bottom half of an hourglass, with depths at the bottom edges varying and consisting of intricate cave networks. From 175 ft deep, you can still see the cavern entrance, although it looks like a tiny blue moonbeam from that distance.
The entrance to the pond signs and the grim reaper sign at the apex of the sediment pile lets everyone know that this is a highly technical dive, and nobody should dive this cavern without a cave certification, or under the instruction and direct supervision/guidance of a certified cave instructor.
Regardless of what anyone says about the Eagle's Nest not having gators, that is complete bullshit. I rolled right up on a 6 footer resting on the pond algae on the bottom. That didnt' bother me as much as the thought of the 'big daddy' that could be anywhere in that 2-4 foot thick pond scum layer on the top or bottom of the pond.
In any case, I'll have to say that Bert Wilcher of Tampa Adventure Sports is undoubtedly the coolest instructor I have ever dove with. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable, but he has a great sense of humor. If anyone here is considering deep-diving/deco/trimix/cave/etc certifications, do yourself a favor and call this guy to inquire about the next class dates.
I think my favorite part of the class was seeing the reaction everyone had when I told them that I thought buddy diving sucks. That, and showing up to the meeting place before diving Eagles' Nest and acting like I partied to 5 in the morning for cinco de mayo.... :D :D