Eagle Nest caves claim another diver.+

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Eagle Nest caves claim another diver.+ - 11/4/2009 10:17:29 AM

DocVikingo

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Requiescat in pace.

"Kentucky man dead, missing after cave diving accident in Hernando County

By Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writer
Nov 04, 2009

WEEKI WACHEE � Divers are searching for the body of a Kentucky man who died Tuesday evening while diving in underwater caverns in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

James D. Woodall II, 39, likely drowned accidentally, according to the Sheriff's Office. No foul play is suspected.
He and Gregory S. Snowden, 34, both of Richmond, Ky., came to Hernando County to go cave diving in the Eagle Nest Underwater Caverns, deputies said.

The caves there are known as the "Mount Everest" or "Grand Canyon" of cave diving for its stunning views, extreme depth and remote location. The area is miles from hard road and difficult to access without off-road vehicles.

The area was actually closed off to cave divers from 1999 to 2003, and few were allowed to dive there before that. However, that didn't stop divers from around the world from illegally accessing the caves.

According to deputies, Woodall and Snowden were at a depth of about 500 feet on Tuesday when Woodall experienced problems with his breathing apparatus.

Snowden tried to help his friend, deputies said, but couldn't. Woodall then drowned deep inside the underwater caves.
Snowden surfaced and called for help at 6:01 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office called in experienced cave divers from St. Petersburg and Citrus County to help recover Woodall's body. But the operation could take hours, deputies said, to find the diver's body and then bring it to the surface.
Woodall's family in Kentucky was notified of his death Tuesday.

Hernando County is home to some of the most challenging cave diving sites in the world � and some of the most dangerous.

In 1987, Jason Tuskes died while diving near Jenkins Creek. Before he died, the 17-year-old Springstead High School student used a knife to scratch a message to his parents and brother on his tank: "I love you Mom, Dad and Christian."

Two divers died in Hernando caves in 1990. Lloyd Morrison, 25, of Hudson drowned that May after being separated from his group. Brent Potts, 29, of Tallahassee, died three months later in 200 feet of water in an accident at the Eagle's Nest that left another diver injured.

In 1999, Italian tourist Guido Gaudenzi, 29, died in a sinkhole under the Sand Hill Scout Reservation after he accidentally sucked air from the wrong tank. He was wearing a tank of pure oxygen at 120 feet, which is toxic at that depth."

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DocVikingo

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RE: Eagle Nest caves claim another diver.+ - 11/4/2009 10:45:51 AM

TXDM

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From: Houston
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Very sad. I've dived that cave and hope to do it again. If they were at 500' deep they were somewhere in the cave I've never been. The deepest I've seen in there is 300'. At those depths even a little problem can get out of hand in a hurry if you don't take care of it. My thoughts are with the family, the dive buddy, and the recovery divers.

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RE: Eagle Nest caves claim another diver.+ - 11/4/2009 10:46:14 AM

dadsdream

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I was going to post this earlier Doc, but I was not comfortable that the details were correct (especially depth) as this system max's out at just over 300'. Most likely they had penetrated 500' at the time of the incident.

We will have to wait to see what the accident analysis reveals, as these guys were on rebreathers etc.

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"A view of the water is not a matter of life or death, it is something much more important than that."

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Some additional details. - 11/4/2009 11:21:07 AM

dadsdream

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The missing diver was recovered. My thoughts go out to their family.

The latest info says they were at 270' and 1000' of penetration at the time of the incident which is more consistent with the system. Now for the scary part. Current info says that at least the diver who experienced the issue was not cave certified and had only been rebreather certified for a just over a year.

This dive while known to be spectacular is certainly not for the untrained or not experienced in similar profiles and condition.

Lots of other questions remain regarding their choice of mix and scrubber effectiveness.

< Message edited by dadsdream -- 11/4/2009 11:24:39 AM >

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Jeff

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That's just outrageous. Thanks for the additonal info, ... - 11/4/2009 11:42:50 AM

DocVikingo

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(nt)

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RE: That's just outrageous. Thanks for the additonal in... - 11/4/2009 12:54:41 PM

Oceandiver1

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Very sad news....

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Very Sad News(+) - 11/4/2009 6:56:11 PM

tel52

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I just heard this story on the local news and checked the board to see if there were more details. The local news reported a 270' depth, but few other details.

While I didn't know James, he was an instructor at the local dive dive shop where I received my OW and AOW certifications ~ 18 years ago, and on rare occasions will still do some business. I will reserve comment on the possible lack of cave diving certification until all the facts are knows.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Tim

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Great followup my friend!(-) - 11/4/2009 8:48:21 PM

Johnoly

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..

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Ask your Doctor for a 64 slice cardiac heart scan & a fasting plasma glucose test. It's some killer scuba info!!

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RE: Eagle Nest caves claim another diver.+ - 11/4/2009 9:25:47 PM

fugu

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Eagle's Nest is deep. A few instructors have taken students lacking cave training to EN entrance room to avoid the expense & logistics of doing deep ocean dives. WTF ??!!

DecoStop post reports they used 18/30, not appropriate for that depth. Both on Inspiration ECCRB. Both had RB training Aug 2008. Not known if they had cave training.

My condolences to the family of the lost diver. RIP

Dive safely and within the limits of your training & experience !!!

< Message edited by fugu -- 11/4/2009 9:29:05 PM >

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