Scariest thing I ever watched.

[CT-Rich]

This was an absolutely fascinating series on the history of English cave diving. I away it was like watching the guy wrap himself up in a beltof fire crackers.... You can just imagine what is going happen, and then you are waiting to see him ignite...

This was either a really well done amateur film, or a rather dour BBC Program. Either way, it was fascinating watching some really terrible ideas evolve into the cave diving of the late 70s or 80s.

Here is a link to episode 1

 

[JMBL]

Thanks for the link !

 

[Blue Quaker]

It is based on the book "The Darkness Beckons" by Martyn Farr (foreword by Bill Stone), which give a "history" of British cave diving and the development of cave diving around the globe. An excellent read... ISBN 0-939748-32-0... published in 1991. No, my copy is not for sale .

 

[Trace Malinowski]

I saw Martyn (wearing a very distinct drysuit) at Peacock Springs approaching Olsen Sink from Challenge Sink while I was giving some cave students a walking tour of the park. I grabbed two cans of Java Monster and hoped they'd surface because I was going to give Martyn and his buddy the coffee and say, "Welcome to your mid-dive beverage service." They still would have the traverse to Peacock I to complete. Unfortunately, they kept swimming rather than surface in the woods. I told Martyn about it later. He was so disappointed! He thought that would have been one of his coolest cave stories ever.

He's a good bloke.

 

[JMBL]

I saw Martyn (wearing a very distinct drysuit) at Peacock Springs approaching Olsen Sink from Challenge Sink while I was giving some cave students a walking tour of the park. I grabbed two cans of Java Monster and hoped they'd surface because I was going to give Martyn and his buddy the coffee and say, "Welcome to your mid-dive beverage service." They still would have the traverse to Peacock I to complete. Unfortunately, they kept swimming rather than surface in the woods. I told Martyn about it later. He was so disappointed! He thought that would have been one of his coolest cave stories ever.

He's a good bloke.

Can vouch for that. Martin is indeed a terrific nice guy. Met him some years ago after a dive in St Sauveur (Lot, France) and had a nice chat with him, although I'm a nobody and he's quite a legend.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

The first thing that struck me watching the video is that a woman is again at the forefront of underwater exploration. I keep hearing about sexism in diving, but early history seems to paint a different picture. And, Balcombe's wife was supportive of his efforts and willing to tandem pedal a bike 50 miles each way!