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Had my first "oh shit" moment while diving the other day

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DrewMcGee

DrewMcGee

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May 18, 2016
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#1
Drove out 2 hours from my home to a Floridian spring in Jacksonville called Ginnie Spring. The place is absolutely gorgeous when it's not surrounded by 20-somethings day drinking and dicking around. I was eager to explore the cave, so I bought a cheap-o flashlight from the check-in area. I've been free diving for all of about a month now, and I quit smoking 2 months ago. My lungs aren't nearly where they need to be for diving, but I still push my limits anyway.

The "oh shit" moment happened my 5th or 6th dive in to the cave. I go down, start looking around the cave, and something just seems to pull me in. The awe of the mysterious darkness and the single dull strobe of light casting itself in to the void of the unknown cave. So I keep swimming. Deeper. And Deeper.

I snap out of it and realize it's time to turn back around, so when I do a 180 and glance in the direction of where I just came form, my heart drops. I'm too far back. I don't think I can make it out of here.

This brief panic episode lasted all of about a second of a half, and then a sweeping calm filled my head. I started to slowly kick and smoothly glide my way towards the entrance of the cave. It felt so peaceful. Like I was in a Zen forcefield. I surfaced and immediately felt a sigh of relief. It was one of he most terrifying, calming, exhilarating feelings I've ever had.

I was filming the whole thing, so you can check out the video here (skip to 1:23 to see the dive I was referencing):

 
#2
Cave freediving is a very high risk activity so I'd recommend you do just look and not enter any caves. In many caves there is also a lot of loose silt/sand that gets whirled up and it reduces visibility to almost zero. Getting lost on breath hold diving isn't fun...
 
#4
I would site the age old basics of freediving. Never, ever freedive alone. Diving alone also encompasses the concept of not having a backup diver that is competent enough to preform a rescue. I have had a few moments like this spearfishing, but we are lucky because we are both here to share the stories. The bottom line to safe freediving in any environment is accomplished through proper training in combination with proper safety. Many people die every year because of a lack of these two elements in there freediving process. I would caution you to be more careful in the way you dive and explore some training options that would give you the proper knowledge and expertise to dive safely and effectively while minimizing the potential risks.
 
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#6
I'm going to be free diving Ginnie springs soon so I'm keeping your story in mind hahah..

That "zen" force field you felt is the last sensation before a blackout btw. You're very lucky my friend. Dive with a buddy!!!!


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#10
DrewMcgee glad you made it. I'm going to be that random dick on the internet for a minute - not because I know anything about diving but because I spent a fair while in a different extreme sport when I was young and carefree. Any time you're thinking to yourself that the dive, jump, climb, whatever is going to be a "look at my balls" story, it's a good time to back off a bit. Especially if you're a beginner. Push your limits by finding awesome instructors and working hard to learn the stuff they have to teach you. My previous sport has broken and killed a lot of nice young men and women who thought everyone else was a little uptight. Good luck and have fun out there.


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#12
Jo_duiker said:
Caves or "crevices", that doesn't really matter: an "oh shit"-moment is an "oh shit"-moment. I'm glad they guy lives to tell about it.
Click to expand...

Ugh.. it totally does matter. Blacking out where no one can see you and blacking out in open water are two different devices.

Sorry I don't understand your logic. I'm also glad the OP is ok. I'll be diving a cave in Blue Springs Thursday so I'll post a video for anyone interested.


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#13
dcj said:
DrewMcgee glad you made it. I'm going to be that random dick on the internet for a minute - not because I know anything about diving but because I spent a fair while in a different extreme sport when I was young and carefree. Any time you're thinking to yourself that the dive, jump, climb, whatever is going to be a "look at my balls" story, it's a good time to back off a bit. Especially if you're a beginner. Push your limits by finding awesome instructors and working hard to learn the stuff they have to teach you. My previous sport has broken and killed a lot of nice young men and women who thought everyone else was a little uptight. Good luck and have fun out there.


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Click to expand...

What was your previous sport?
 
#16
Frenzyfinder said:
Ugh.. it totally does matter. Blacking out where no one can see you and blacking out in open water are two different devices.

Sorry I don't understand your logic. I'm also glad the OP is ok. I'll be diving a cave in Blue Springs Thursday so I'll post a video for anyone interested.


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Click to expand...

I only wanted to say that blacking out is blacking out whether it's in a cave or in crevices: the point is to try to avoid blacking out at all times. Of course it's always safer if your buddy can see you so yes, if you can only choose between caves or crevices, crevices seem preferable. But I wouldn't call them safer. Only less dangerous. The point is there are more choices besides caves or crevices. But don't mind me, I have trouble getting to -16m so, I'd be shitting my wetsuit if I had to freedive into a cave. So, I guess I don't have any right too state my opinion, being an unexperienced nitwit... :-)
 
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#17
Royce808 said:
OOOOOO Shit! That's a sport I'd prolly pass up if I had the opportunity. I give you guys props for doin that madness lol. Even the squirrel suits are super cool
Click to expand...

The squirrel suits (wingsuits) are the perfect example of a shiny new thing that kills people who want to race into it without spending enough time building up their skills. They sure are cool though : )
 
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#19
I had a near miss when bodyboarding in crazy conditions against a harbour wall with no way out once, I see it as the sea let me live but told me never to do it again. Taking a chance is a risk, not listening when allowed out is mad! Just my opinion ;)
 
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#20
....the video is not showing anymore, would be nice to see it....
well, you have a story to tell....because you are alive. you may learn the lesson and keep it that way....
in freediving and spearfishing the edge between a great story and an inglorious dead is often very sharp....
....but then again , your story wasnt even all that great....dive safe..have fun....
 
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