[Kev Walker]

Early last year I dived Hodge Close with my regular buddy. Ive dived the full tunnel system (when you could still exit at 14mtrs) several years ago, fully kitted with 3 cyclinders, 3 torches, reels etc. On this dive I entered the tunnel system to show my buddy, who hasnt dived it before. We continued to swim in (which wasnt planned) with my buddy leading the way. Once out of the cavern zone I decided to hold into the line as we continued to penetrate. Next thing my torch went out (you guessed it, one torch). i imediatley stopped but kept hold of the line. I tried with my right hand to get the torch to work but without any joy (first time the torch has failed in 10 years). My buddy soon swam ahead and it became pitch black. First thoughts were "you idiot, look what youve got yourself into". Fortunatley Ive been diving a long time so I didnt panic and was quite methodical. I swapped hands and swam out on the line in total blackness. Eventually I saw the green glow of the main pool, the best sight in my diving career. I knew I was safe. Upon exiting the tunnel I had to wait for my buddy, hoping he would turn around. Eventually he did appear and boy was I relieved, and yes he also had a single torch . . . one of mine. I learned a lot that day and we laughed about it after but the thoughts "plan the dive, dive the plan" "dont panic" "dont get complacent" all spring to mind. Hopefully somebody will read this and think twice before being complacent.

 

[Two Hats]

Thanks for sharing. It shows how easy it is for things to go wrong, when it all seems so innocuous to start with.

Well done for staying calm, swimming a little further than we know we should has probably happened to a lot of us on here, it certainly has for me

 

[Kev Walker]

Apart from the fact that I should never have put myself in that position I am thankful for two things, 1) I decided to hold the line (at least that much of my experience kicked in, cannot imagine the situation if I hadnt) and 2) I didnt panic. In hindsight I did think it was funny that my imediate reaction wasnt "oh shit" but was "you idiot, what have you got yourself into". Anyway, lesson learned. The ironic thing is I always had a reputation for being thorough, I just got complacent, but fortunatley also lucky

 

[GLOC]

Well done for staying calm and thanks for posting here.

I would also say that whenever you are in an overhead environment with line laid, the diver who is in front has the line, this means that if you are ever in the situation like this again, you can both turn around and follow the line out together rather than leave the diver in front without a line.

I wrote an article about basic line-laying for Sport Diver a little while ago, I'll see if I can find it and post it up.

Regards

 

[Kev Walker]

The line was a fixed line already in the tunnels, when i previously did it "properly" we did run our own line and did do it in the way you advise

 

[David Tombs]

It also shows the value of multiple redundency for each diver. Good post ,and well done for staying calm,its not an easy experience at the best of times.

 

[robertryansofficial]

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