INCIDENT REPORT
DIVERS: Lucas (PADI Open Water Diver,14 dives logged), Marley (PADI Open Water Diver, 23 dives logged)
SITE: Spring basin adjacent to underwater cave in north Florida, 50 feet to basin bottom
CONDITIONS: Unlimited viz, mild spring flow from cave mouth, 72°F

Lucas and Marley had visited the basin before. On this dive, Lucas pointed into the cave, signaling, “Let’s go.” Using small dive lights, they began exploring, following passages and turns that looked interesting. After about 20 minutes, Marley signaled to head back.

Going out, it seemed they were swimming farther than they should have to. With Marley at 500 psi, they noticed a debris pile they’d already passed. They were swimming in circles, with the exit nowhere in sight. Searching with urgency, they again swam a circle but could not find the way out. Then, a dive light caught their eye. Two inbound cave divers revealed the exit, which was concealed by the topography. Swimming rapidly, Marley and Lucas found daylight. They ascended rapidly and skipped their safety stop. Marley’s regulator was breathing hard, and at the surface, his SPG read zero.

WHAT THEY DID WRONG
They entered the cave without the required training/equipment, and didn’t follow required procedures. They intentionally violated their training/certification limits.

WHAT THEY DID RIGHT
They did not panic or give up. Getting out alive was pure luck; hundreds of divers have died in such circumstances.

FIVE TIPS FROM THIS INCIDENT

1. STAY OUT unless properly certified and equipped. Cavern/cave divers rarely have cave accidents; OW divers in caves have diving’s worst safety record.

2. DON’T CARRY A LIGHT if you’ll be near a cave or cavern. Then you won’t be tempted to go in.

3. GET THE TRAINING if this kind of diving interests you. Start with the PADI Cavern Diver and TecRec Cave Diver Distinctive Specialty courses.

4. SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN by watching the video A Deceptively Easy Way to Die.

5. RESPECT YOUR TRAINING/CERTIFICATION limits. Exceeding one’s limits has a high association with close calls and accidents.

Go to the Training section of our website for training tips, more stories about scuba diving close calls, and dive medicine & health advice.