PA/NJdiver
Contributor
I recently completed my Cave 1 class taught by Tyler Moon in High Springs, Florida. The class was fantastic! I never thought I would have so much fun in a cave class. There were only two of us in the class, which was really nice. I found out that I like two person teams better than three person teams.
On day 1, we started off with a lecture and then moved into gear configuration. Both my buddy and I were set with our gear configurations. We did review the whys about gear configuration. One thing I want to point out is that it doesnt matter what color or brand of gear you use (except for bungie wings). This is not what DIR is about. Its about why we use the configuration we do.
After the gear configuration review, we did some line drills.
Day 2 was spent at Ginnie Springs. We started the day with more line drills following the line, crossing the line, touch contact, etc.
We then did a dive in Ginnie cavern and basin. The first dive was demonstrating different types of kicks in the cavern. Our next dive was for one of us to run the reel into the cavern. I volunteered to do this since I knew this was going to be a weakness of mine. After this dive, we had to follow a line run by Tyler around Ginnie basin. The first time we had to follow the line with our eyes closed, then no mask (eyes closed again for me because I wear contacts) and then air sharing with eyes closed.
Day 3 was back at Ginnie. This time we would be diving the Devils system. I was both nervous and excited. I know the flow is strong, and I was a little nervous about that. Tyler ran the reel the first time into the ear. My initial thought trying to get into the Ear was what the hell was I doing?? This is nuts!!! But after I finally made it in and relaxed, we swam to the Lips. I thought it was very cool! I couldnt believe how comfortable I felt.
On our second dive, my buddy ran the reel, and we went to the Lips again. During our debriefing, Tyler gave us some hints about diving in here with the flow so this dive went much better. On our third dive, I ran the reel. I had some problems with the reel and the current, but managed to do it. BTW, on the way in, the dives are ours, but on the way out, anything can mysteriously happen
We did a couple of drills on our dives (Ill keep you guessing on these; I wouldnt want to spoil the surprise if others are thinking of taking this class) and that was the end of day 3.
On day 4, we went to Peacock 1. I love this system!!! There was no flow. I forgot to mention that at this point, my fingertips on both hands were so sore from pulling and gliding in the Devils system that I was so happy to be in a system that I didnt have to pull myself into (I learned after my first day of diving that I was pulling incorrectly, but the damage was already done.) Our first dive was to Pothole. I thought that was an excellent dive. Again, we did some drills, ended the dive, and debriefed.
Our second dive was to the Peanut tunnel. I had seen video before of the Peanut tunnel, and I was a little nervous about this. But when I got there, I couldnt believe it. The tunnel was bigger than I thought! We made it to the Breakdown Room. I loved this dive as well. It was my favorite of all the dives I did. When we turned this dive, we did the no lights, OOA drill. I loved it!! I felt so relaxed doing this drill even going through the Peanut Tunnel that it really surprised me. I hope I can remain this calm and relaxed if the s*** ever really hits the fan
Our last day was back at the Devils system. My fingertips now are pretty much raw. Its amazing the stuff you can do with just your thumb and pinky! We had another diver with us on our dives so that we could have the experience of diving in a three person team. And did I learn a lot on these dives!!! I dont want to ruin the experience for others, but I did learn quite a bit. Our last dives were through the Eye. I like going through the Eye better than the Ear even though it takes longer to make it to the mainline (I think when I gain more experience this may change, but for now, I like the Eye.)
Tyler is an excellent instructor. He is very relaxed and laid back. He thoroughly explained to us in class and at the dive site how each drill was going to go. There was never any question on what to expect during a drill. During our debriefings, Tyler never made me feel like I was an idiot for anything I did incorrectly or could have done differently. I was much harder on myself than Tyler ever was.
I was able to do four fun dives after the class (two at Peacock and two at Ginnie), and I cant wait to go back and do more and then take Cave 2. Im another diver crossing over to the dark side.
Stacey
On day 1, we started off with a lecture and then moved into gear configuration. Both my buddy and I were set with our gear configurations. We did review the whys about gear configuration. One thing I want to point out is that it doesnt matter what color or brand of gear you use (except for bungie wings). This is not what DIR is about. Its about why we use the configuration we do.
After the gear configuration review, we did some line drills.
Day 2 was spent at Ginnie Springs. We started the day with more line drills following the line, crossing the line, touch contact, etc.
We then did a dive in Ginnie cavern and basin. The first dive was demonstrating different types of kicks in the cavern. Our next dive was for one of us to run the reel into the cavern. I volunteered to do this since I knew this was going to be a weakness of mine. After this dive, we had to follow a line run by Tyler around Ginnie basin. The first time we had to follow the line with our eyes closed, then no mask (eyes closed again for me because I wear contacts) and then air sharing with eyes closed.
Day 3 was back at Ginnie. This time we would be diving the Devils system. I was both nervous and excited. I know the flow is strong, and I was a little nervous about that. Tyler ran the reel the first time into the ear. My initial thought trying to get into the Ear was what the hell was I doing?? This is nuts!!! But after I finally made it in and relaxed, we swam to the Lips. I thought it was very cool! I couldnt believe how comfortable I felt.
On our second dive, my buddy ran the reel, and we went to the Lips again. During our debriefing, Tyler gave us some hints about diving in here with the flow so this dive went much better. On our third dive, I ran the reel. I had some problems with the reel and the current, but managed to do it. BTW, on the way in, the dives are ours, but on the way out, anything can mysteriously happen
We did a couple of drills on our dives (Ill keep you guessing on these; I wouldnt want to spoil the surprise if others are thinking of taking this class) and that was the end of day 3.On day 4, we went to Peacock 1. I love this system!!! There was no flow. I forgot to mention that at this point, my fingertips on both hands were so sore from pulling and gliding in the Devils system that I was so happy to be in a system that I didnt have to pull myself into
(I learned after my first day of diving that I was pulling incorrectly, but the damage was already done.) Our first dive was to Pothole. I thought that was an excellent dive. Again, we did some drills, ended the dive, and debriefed. Our second dive was to the Peanut tunnel. I had seen video before of the Peanut tunnel, and I was a little nervous about this. But when I got there, I couldnt believe it. The tunnel was bigger than I thought! We made it to the Breakdown Room. I loved this dive as well. It was my favorite of all the dives I did. When we turned this dive, we did the no lights, OOA drill. I loved it!! I felt so relaxed doing this drill even going through the Peanut Tunnel that it really surprised me. I hope I can remain this calm and relaxed if the s*** ever really hits the fan
Our last day was back at the Devils system. My fingertips now are pretty much raw. Its amazing the stuff you can do with just your thumb and pinky! We had another diver with us on our dives so that we could have the experience of diving in a three person team. And did I learn a lot on these dives!!! I dont want to ruin the experience for others, but I did learn quite a bit. Our last dives were through the Eye. I like going through the Eye better than the Ear even though it takes longer to make it to the mainline
(I think when I gain more experience this may change, but for now, I like the Eye.)Tyler is an excellent instructor. He is very relaxed and laid back. He thoroughly explained to us in class and at the dive site how each drill was going to go. There was never any question on what to expect during a drill. During our debriefings, Tyler never made me feel like I was an idiot for anything I did incorrectly or could have done differently. I was much harder on myself than Tyler ever was.
I was able to do four fun dives after the class (two at Peacock and two at Ginnie), and I cant wait to go back and do more and then take Cave 2. Im another diver crossing over to the dark side.
Stacey
