How many local cave divers do we have?

[Atlaua]

So, I am, as of yet, a lowly cavern diver. I've been wating for an opportunity to get GUE training before I go cave.

However, I'm curious. I know here in Missouri, we have an incredible karst system, possibly rivaling that of Florida. My understanding is the big drawback to diving here vs. Florida is a governmental issue.

The State of Florida considers it's caves to be a natural resouce to be used by the public. As so it has set aside many parks around the entrances to these systems to allow (and to protect) cave/cavern divers access to the caves.

The State of Missouri has considers it's caves to be a natural resource to be protected from the public. With a couple of exceptions, the caves in Missouri either lie on private or "protected" public land.

So how many of us here have taken the opportunity to explore the caves in the Midwest? I'd bet Brando has...

I'm waiting for my GUE training and my dry suit training....once I have both of those I hope to do some local cave diving, After all the caves here are 10 degrees cooler than in Florida...

[steve2281]

Well, I'm not even a lowly cavern diver, but I do have some interest in learning. I would be interested in doing cavern/intro this year if I could find a class and work out the scheduling. I think a trip or two a year to N FL and some Missouri diving would make it worthwile. Are Cannonball and Rubydo (spelling) the only Missouri caves with access???

[Atlaua]

Well, I'm not even a lowly cavern diver, but I do have some interest in learning. I would be interested in doing cavern/intro this year if I could find a class and work out the scheduling. I think a trip or two a year to N FL and some Missouri diving would make it worthwile. Are Cannonball and Rubydo (spelling) the only Missouri caves with access???

Roubidoux Springs is probably the most popular. All you have to do to access it is sign in at the Waynesville police station. Besides Roubidoux and Cannonball there is also Mine LaMotte (or the Offsets), Blue Water Lake, Black Jack Mine (Kansas). I believe there are some others that can be accessed as long as you are friendly and check in with the property owner.

James

[nauifins73]

At this time I voted that I really don't have an interest in cave diving - but so many of the types of diving that I said a big NO to I have done or want to; so I am learning never to say a definate no.

Where/what is Black Jack Mine in Kansas?

[Atlaua]

At this time I voted that I really don't have an interest in cave diving - but so many of the types of diving that I said a big NO to I have done or want to; so I am learning never to say a definate no.

Where/what is Black Jack Mine in Kansas?

Here is the information I have:


Black Jack Mine in Galena, Kansas, near Joplin, is another excellent cave dive. It is made unique by the fact that it was hand mined, which makes it look more like a cave than a mine. Although the south tunnel is currently being filled in, good relations with the land owner have preserved the more scenic north tunnel for us cave divers. Black Jack Mine has many side tunnels that can be explored and old mining tools still lay scattered throughout the mine. Especially noteworthy is the old winch which was used to pull the mining carts. With a maximum depth of 80 feet and visibility up to 70 feet and more, one can spend long enjoyable dives in Black Jack Mine. Entering the mine has been made easy by stairs that lead down to the entrance and continue about 12 feet below the surface. The owner is very friendly and, although he does not charge to dive there, it is customary to give him $5 per diver.

[Atlaua]

I also came across this sad but interesting article:

http://www.joplinglobe.com/story.php?story_id=154985&c=87

Seems that divers were looking around the area mines for the body of a teen believed to have been dumped down a mine shaft in 1991.

[theskull]

The screen says "I may not vote in this poll". Oh, well. I have dived many of the MO caves.

Who said the MO caves are 10 degrees colder than Florida? Try 20. Average FL cave is 70 F, and the average MO cave is 50 F. Can be done wet, but is far more comfy in drysuit!

GUE training is definitely NOT required to become a cave diver, and is difficult to come by in MO. The GUE standards are very much tailored to Florida diving, and therefore include restrictions on depth and visibility that cannot be met in MO caves. For this reason, most MO cavers whom I know are IANTD trained. Please note that I am referring to training standards only--once a cave diver is certified by GUE (probably in Florida) he is certainly qualified to dive in the MO caves.

We are blessed with some of the most beautiful UW caves in the country, if not the world, and the handful of Florida cavers who have come up here to brave the cold water will tell you the same.

Y'all have already named the most popular cave dives, although there are a handful of others that can be done on a limited basis. Some limited by time of year that access is allowed, and others limited by permission from the authorities which can be had with a little homework and the right group of divers.

Would be happy to answer any additional questions as best I can.

theskull

p.s. In addition to IANTD and GUE, cave training can be had through NSS, TDI, and ANDI. And a few other lesser-known agencies.

[Atlaua]

The screen says "I may not vote in this poll". Oh, well.

You probably saw that before you posted your intro. You should be able to now, if not let me know and I will look into it.

James

[theskull]

You probably saw that before you posted your intro. You should be able to now, if not let me know and I will look into it.

James

Thanx.

All fixed. I voted.

theskull

[SLIM]

I got to Vote also, Skull, you konw that I just joined so that I could vote and we the few can have a chance to kep things going.


SLIM

[DeepDiverBob]

About another 6 weeks, and I should be able to vote yes.

[nitroxbabe]

I'm not a cave diver, but I also am interested in taking this training.

Does anybody know of a good instructor (I'm open to suggestions for the agency) in the northern IL or southern WI area?

Are there even caves around Chicago? Hmmm...

MO isn't too far away at any rate... :)

[theskull]

I'm not a cave diver, but I also am interested in taking this training.

Does anybody know of a good instructor (I'm open to suggestions for the agency) in the northern IL or southern WI area?

Are there even caves around Chicago? Hmmm...

MO isn't too far away at any rate... :)

I haven't heard of any UW caves in that part of the country; alot of folks from your area pop down here to dive in Roubidoux and Cannonball.

You couldn't ask for a better instructor for Cavern and Intro Cave than our new member on the board, SLIM. That would be an IANTD certification, not that anyone really cares what agency the card is from once you're a cave diver. E-mail or PM him if you're interested in getting certified here in central MO. If you care to travel all the way to N Florida to get certified you'll have another 30 or so instructors from whom to choose, and will also have the option of getting it through a number of other agencies as well--NSS, NACD, GUE, TDI, IANTD, etc.

If you're at all uncertain about becoming a true cave diver, just take the Cavern course so you can get a taste of it and learn the most basic of the skills. You can always come back to do Cave later on.

theskull

[nitroxbabe]

I haven't heard of any UW caves in that part of the country; alot of folks from your area pop down here to dive in Roubidoux and Cannonball.

You couldn't ask for a better instructor for Cavern and Intro Cave than our new member on the board, SLIM. That would be an IANTD certification, not that anyone really cares what agency the card is from once you're a cave diver. E-mail or PM him if you're interested in getting certified here in central MO. If you care to travel all the way to N Florida to get certified you'll have another 30 or so instructors from whom to choose, and will also have the option of getting it through a number of other agencies as well--NSS, NACD, GUE, TDI, IANTD, etc.

If you're at all uncertain about becoming a true cave diver, just take the Cavern course so you can get a taste of it and learn the most basic of the skills. You can always come back to do Cave later on.

theskull

Thanks for the info!

Coming down to Missouri might be do-able (certainly more so than going to Florida!). I'll have to look into this.

Given how much I like wreck penetration, I think I'll like caving too. :) I've been admiring cave photos & videos for some time. Seems like it'd be a natural progression in my training, although I want to do tri-mix also... maybe cave first. I don't know if I can afford to buy mix until I get a REAL job again... :)

[scububa]

A "lowlier" cavern diver here, as of a week ago. Motivated to get better and advance learning and equipment. I too have been working with Slim and give him both thumbs up.

[theskull]

A "lowlier" cavern diver here, as of a week ago. Motivated to get better and advance learning and equipment. I too have been working with Slim and give him both thumbs up.

Welcome to the Overhead world, scububa!

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

okay, I can vote yes now.

[wallace]

Are you sure Black Jack is open??

I heard it was closed due to falling rocks due to lower levels of water cause of tunnels being filled in. This info is from 5-8 years ago. Heard it was a nice dive when all the tunnels were water filled. Also saw some footage and the viz was 80-100' going in 10 or more years ago.