The pristine waters and caves at Blue Spring in Marianna attract thousand of divers from all 50 states and various countries. But what rivals the caves beauty and adventure, is the counties success rate at saving divers in distress.
Monday afternoon a pair of trained divers entered Blue Springs cave for an hour - hour and a half dive. However, two hours later one of the men emerged from the cave, knowing his friend was in dire need of aid. What happened was a combination of skill and luck coming together to save a one mans life.
The divers were separated in the zero visibility cave and when things took a wrong turn the diver knew exactly who to call. Just a mile from the spring nationally recognized cave rescuer and owner of Cave Adventurers, Edd Sorenson, was instantly notified with a phone call. "You know, 99.9% of the time when I get a call like this it's a body recovery." Said Sorenson. The diver was nearly two hours overdue from his dive and all his tanks were empty with the exception of one on low. On average it takes divers an hour to an hour and forty five minutes to put on gear. Sorenson and his team were able to get ready and into the water within 15 minutes. This quick response is necessary for distressed diver survival. Sorenson said he was entering the water prepared for a body recovery.
"I scooted along in the cave, looking up at the ceiling first then ahead. Then just a few hundred feet ahead of me I saw a light flashing." This was a signal of distress and a ray of hope that things would turn out ok.
"He was conscious, had functioning skills, and he could tell me that he was ok. However, he could not finish the job and get out of the cave."
Sorenson tried to communicate with the diver, "When I told him the way we had to go out, he acknowledged but wasn't moving."
Sorenson pulled the victim safely to the caves entrance and then to the surface. By that time, Jackson Hospital Life Flight on scene with the Sheriffs Department and Jackson County Fire and Rescue. Amazingly the diver was able to make a full recovery at the site and return home.
"It's very rare that somebody actually comes out alive." Said Sorenson.
Edd Sorenson has successfully rescued 4 divers in his career. This success rate has gained the hero national recognition but he doesnt consider himself a hero. If you ask him its just part of his job, "It's just great that I aided a friend and a fellow diver."
