Deep Horizon Blog

The Cenotes of the Riviera Maya

January – February News – 2010

My arrival back home on December 21st from Oahu, Hawaii was met with tragic news as I was informed that my 13 year old dog – Joe T Cocker – past away the day before. I was devastated as one of the reasons staying home all winter was to spend quality time with Joe as I knew his time was near. Losing a loyal friend is hard to deal with, however life does go on. Because of my current life style being away in Hawaii and in Guam, Korea and Japan, I have resigned to the fact that bonding with a new dog is impractical. Wow! I have had dogs since 1980. However, if that “special” dog were to ever show up, who knows.

In addition, I am preparing for my USCG Third Mate exams.

During Wednesday, December 23rd I dived with Rogelio Mier at Cenote Zapote located 24 kilometers west of Puerto Morelos. There are three cenotes within a close proximity and all go deep to depths of 180 feet, but no cave. What makes them unique is at the 100 foot levels there are overhangs as the cenotes bell out
creating a ceiling. The attraction is these Christmas tree or bell shaped stalactites or flow stone from the ceiling or wall. Some are quite huge and very interesting to observe.

I started cave diving with Stefan Dreesbach of Germany during the week of December 26th. We were supposed to dive for six straight days, unfortunately Stefan caught a horrible cold on the flight from Europe and we ended up diving for only three days. We did do two Submerge pony DPV dives at Cenote Aktun Hu checking out the Northeast tunnel as it connects into the Cenote Outland upstream area. We pony ride upstream Cenote Dos Ojos and explored the passage that leads to a cenote heading south from the main line. I wish I could have done more dives with Stefan. I celebrated the New Year’s Eve with he and his beautiful wife Silke at their condo in Puerto Aventuras overlooking the Caribbean.

During the same time period I was able to do a few Submerge Pony DPV dives with my friends Rogelio Mier Ortega and Gustavo Fragoso. We made two dives at Cenote Aktun Hu diving the main line and the Northeast Tunnel. They were super impressed with the size of this power cave.

On Saturday, January 2nd I drove up to the Royal Hacienda Resort and dived with the DIVE BALAM dive store owned by Rogelio’s brother Marco. This dive was with the Bull Sharks as from late November to early March Bull Sharks congregate in front of Playa Del Carmen. They are all female Bull Sharks and usually pregnant. For this dive we had 12 sharks show up with the largest 12 feet in length. My camera system was down, however Rogelio graciously loaned me his camera system so that I could take photos. Gustavo Fragoso works as the shark feeder as the tourist divers are lined up in a row and sit on their knees while Gustavo (from a safe distance) has a special made container that holds a supply of “cut up” fish. The sharks are drawn by the smell of the fish and blood. They swim and circle around and Gustavo presents the fish for them to take. I was able to shoot over 100 images and touch the sharks as they swam by. One shark bumped my fins looking for food. It was a great experience and I saw no aggressive behavior by the sharks. I realize that with some folks this shark feeding is controversial. My observations are that the tourist divers were at a safe distance and no risk. Gustavo handled the fish with proper care. As we know, interacting with wild animals has its risks. An example is the Killer Whale at Sea World in Orlando. The Bull Sharks were responding to the scent of food as behaved as if dogs looking for a handout. To check out the photos, go to my photo albums on my Face Book page.

On Sunday, January 3rd I started a complete cave diving training course with John Crcek of Comox, B.C., Canada. What an awesome diver and nice guy. John is a Commercial diver working for a company that has these huge fish farms. They grow a species of the Atlantic salmon that is genetically designed not to breed if they get loose. We are talking thousands of tons of fish grown within the compounds of huge net pens at sea. It’s amazing the amount of fish grown for human consumption. Because John dives almost every day, his diving skills were superb, a very safe attitude and he did not behave like a diving robot, but as a real person. So…I spoiled him. We dived a total of 1195 minutes of bottom time with dives such Cenote Caracol at the Labna Ha Eco Park, Cenote Calimba traversing to Cenote Bosh Chen and back; we dive to the BLUE ABYSS at Cenote Pet Cemetary, the Grand Cenote swimming way beyond the “Trap Door” and almost making it to Cenote Philbanny. The best dive was a stage dive at Cenote Aktun Hu swimming 6500 feet up into Tunnel E. What a great cave passage as it reminded me of Little River Springs in Florida but five times bigger. Like I always say….you show up prepared and you are “MASTER” of the BCD, you will be rewarded.

On Sunday, January 10th and Monday, January 11th I had the great pleasure to teach a Side Mount specialty cave diving course for Mike and Mia Interrante of Brooklyn, New York. They owned the King’s County dive store in Brooklyn and had a mix group of divers staying at Villas DeRosa in Aventuras Akumal including cave divers, cenote divers and one student take his cave diving training from Fernando Nelson of Tulum. They both had the Oxychek Recon side mount harness & buoyancy systems that use the circle pillow design. I used my Dive Rite Nomad harness/buoyancy system. Mike and Mia were very prepared and fun to dive with. I do not consider myself an expert on Side Mount cave diving as teaching this course was a fun experience fine tuning my teaching skills as it was for Mike and Mia doing a great job with their equipment. We performed four dives and then they continued side mount cave diving the rest of their week with their cave divers. Our best dive was swimming to “The Chapel” in Sistema PonDerosa from Cenote Cristalino.

On Wednesday, January 13 through Friday, January 15th I taught another side mount for Bill Levine of San Francisco, California and Tim Corwin of South Hampton, Long Island, New York. Bill used my Dive Rite Nomad system while I use my Armadillo Harness system. Tim used an old Dive Rite Trans Pac harness with a Tec Wings BCD. Let’s just say that Tim had issues with his rig. We ended up switching to an Oxychek Single tank back mount BCD that helped considerably with the buoyancy and minimize a bulging BCD on the top. Our best dive was to the Southwest Sac Be passage at Cenote Cristal (Sistema Naranjal). We managed to do five dives and there is no doubt the guys learned much from the experience. I know I did!

Beginning the week of January 17th I began guiding cave diver Okie Soderholm of Finland. Okie and his wife Leena Vuorisala with their two sons (Age 6 & 4) are renting a condominium in Playacar (Playa Del Carmen) for three months (January 5th – March 31st). Okie was cave trained and certified at Sardinia, Italy by NACD Cave Instructor Thorsten “Toddy” Waelde who owns and operates the ProTec Dive Center on that beautiful Island. Leena had earned her NACD cavern diving certification with Toddy. The goal for Okie was to try to do as much cave diving as possible and for Leena to earn her Intro to Cave Diving training and certification and then see if she would continue with the Full Cave training program. Well…I decided I would immediately spoil Okie. He had already done several dives with NACD Cave Instructor Harry Gust. So our first dive was at Cenote Tuhs (Tux) Kapaxa where we used a stage bottle and traverse to the Cenote Sac Xquin area. The power size passages and the immense decorations really made Okie a very happy cave diver. We continued our cave diving with dives at Sistema Dos Pisos, Cenote Chan Hol, and several others. On alternate days I dived with Leena successfully completing her Intro to Cave Dive Training. Apparently, she was mentally abused in Finland with other courses that she had taken and was timid doing training drills and skills. However, with some TLC and gradually massaging her confidence she was doing everything asked as a true champion. So much that she eagerly wanted to continue with her Full Cave dive training.

During the week of January 24th – January 31st I had the great pleasure to dive with the Father & Son team of Peter and Anders Knudsen of Denmark. This was their third visit diving with me. Our goals for the week was to complete their PSAI Intro to Cave Instructor evaluations, Submerge DPV dive certain caves and swim dive other specified dive sites. That we did. We used double ponies and two stage bottles traversing from Cenote Dos Ojos to Cenote The Pit. Peter had already performed this dive with me in 2008 and wanted Anders to experience it. Anders was ecstatic about the dive as we performed superbly as a team. I used my 42 Amp “Bad Ass” Submerge DPV and it proved it could solely do the entire 20,000 feet dive and stay strong. I was impressed. We also Submerge pony ride at Cenote Aktun Hu motoring to the E Tunnel and making it past 8,000 feet in distance upstream. The guys were truly stoked on this cave passage and we scootered the downstream areas of Cenote Jailhouse. They loved the cobalt blue saltwater power passages. We dived Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, Cenote Chan Hol, Sistema Dos Pisos, Cenote Dos Palmas (Instructor in-water evaluations) and Cenote Pet Cemetery to the Blue Abyss. All goals were achieved and the seven days of diving (no diving on Thursday) was a huge success!
During the week of February 1st I finally paid off and obtained my new 10’10” Stand Up paddle board. My crew mate on the vessel I work on at Pearl Harbor – Tim Goodrich – is an avid surfer and owns and uses three SUP boards. He convinced me that is the sport to pursue. Tim lives at the town of Haleiwa on the famous North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii with his beautiful wife and two sons. When Tim is home he daily surfs and paddles the waves of this iconic area. My first day with board was a disaster as I practiced in the marina. Standing up was a continuous falling back down into the water. Talk about frustration and questioning “why” I got this board. The second day I took my board to Cenote Manatee that offers a 300 meter run through the mangroves. At least I had some privacy and not being embarrassed falling. After about 45 minutes I started to see some success as I now could stand up, paddle and sometimes be able to turn around. I considered the session a success and drove home a happy guy. With my next session I continued with improvement. Each day I practiced I saw my confidence grow and being more consistent paddling. Now I am paddling the marina pretty good as the trick is practice. practice, practice. The winter has been unusually cold for the Riviera Maya (this winter has been brutal in the U.S. and Europe) and there have been days of not being motivated to practice. I love this Stand Up Paddle surfing and I hope to reach a level where perhaps one day I can race in competition. We shall see.

During the week of February 7th I dived with Robert McKenna of Skiatook, Oklahoma. Robert completed his Cave1 or Cavern/Intro to Cave Diving training with me in 2007. This week our goal was to complete his Full Cave dive training and continue with two extra days of guiding. We began on Sunday, February 7th with dives at Cenote Dos Palmas. Monday morning we were diving Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom) and that afternoon Cenote Xunaan Ha. Let’s say that there were dives that got me wondering maybe Robert was not going to make it through this training. However, on Tuesday Robert starting to gel into a fine tune diving machine and we were able to expand the range of the diving sites. My Friday afternoon we completed dives at Cenote Chac Mool, Cenote Dreamgate, the Grand Cenote, Cenote The Pit and our final dives at Cenote Pet Cemetery to the Blue Abyss and the Dark Side of the Moon. I was very satisfied with Robert’s diving skills as he proved he could do what is necessary for technique and skills for safe cave diving. Robert was truly happy with the dives we performed. It was a great week of cave diving and a big success!

Beginning on Tuesday, February 16th I started guiding Dan Hartman of Cozumel and Okie Soderholm. I have been taking Dan cave diving for the past ten years.
Our first dive was at Cenote Xunaan Ha. We were the first divers and good thing as by the time we started our dive eight more cave divers showed up. What’s going on……over 300 miles of caves to dive and everyone shows up at this cenote? Our dive upstream was great as we got over 2500 feet in distance with the double 80’s we were using. This cave system is now over 96,000 feet of explored/surveyed passage. This past year these two young Italian guys – have been really kicking ass connecting the dots to other cenotes such as Cenote Palomita, Cenote Pitch, Cenote Chan Chemuyil Sur and others. Their web site is: www.filoariannadive.com/xunaan_ha.htm You can download their maps as it is quite interesting. That afternoon Dan, Okie and I dived Cenote Temple (Templo) as this was the cave I found a human skeleton with Tony Martin in 1994. There is a Maya Stone Temple located next to the dry cave as we were actually diving a sump. In fact, we had to crawl like pigs. INAH removed the human skeleton for study in 2006 as it was dated to be over 10,000 years old. On Wednesday we dived Cenote The Pit swimming upstream the shallow cave. Both guys loved this dive! That afternoon we tried to dive Cenote Luna Media (Half Moon) that is part of Sistema Aktun Chen at Rancho Alegre located behind Akumal, however the landowner was not home. We tried to dive Cenote 27 Steps, but access is closed from the power line road. It is now renamed Cenote Boo Tun and access is now from Rancho Palerma was closed and no one was home. So we called it the day. For Wednesday morning, we dived Cenote Mundo Escondido as it now reopened for cave divers. The land owner is Pepe Castro who also owns Cenote Dream Gate. The dive site fee is 200 pesos and you pay at the Dos Ojos Dive Center and receive a ticket. Directions to this dive site will be given. You will need a rope to lower and raise your equipment in the cenote shaft. Yes, it is a lot of work, but well worth it in my opinion. Dan and Okie loved this dive too! Thursday afternoon I took Leena Vuorisala to Cenote Chac Mool to begin her Full Cave dive course.

For Friday, February I was supposed to start a complete cave diving course for Greg Espicopia of New York City, however, he missed his flight to Cancun on Thursday night and he flew in on Friday morning. Because we lost a half day, it put a lot a pressure on Greg to catch up as we made eight dives over the weekend. On Monday, February 22nd Leena joined us and we spent the day at the Grand Cenote working on jumps and gaps. When the day was finished Greg and I came to the conclusion he was done as the stress and lack of diving experience for this level of training was too much. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be PREPARED for cave diving training. Leena and I continued on Tuesday as we dived at Cenote Carwash swimming to the Room of Tears, the Room of Tears basement and the Alux area. Man, she kicked ass and her confidence level really zoomed up. That afternoon we dived Cenote Minotauro where she practiced sharing gas/touch-contact drills through minor restrictions. Wednesday we took the day off as it was a very crappy day with rain and an unusual cold front. Thursday, February 25th we dived Cenote Fenemono traversing to Cenote White River, which both are part of Sistema Aktun Hu. These cenotes have recently opened up for cave divers. The passage from Cenote Fenemono to Cenote White River is a huge power cave. You can do the traverse in 45 minutes and there is a third cenote close to White River. We observed a very large ancient Maya pot that is in the cave. Our second dive was entering at Cenote White River and swam upstream about 2200 feet in distance. This area becomes like swiss cheese as there were multiple lines throughout. The land owner is Eduardo Romano whom I’ve known for over twenty years. He is building an Eco Park with zip lines on the property. He has seven cenotes on his land and there are over 25 cenotes in this area. The Sistema Aktun Hu, as of February, 2010, has 98,000 feet of explored/surveyed passages containing 20 cenotes. What makes this cave system so special is the number of huge power passages and the “Black Hole” that drops down to 197 feet in depth. The “Black Hole” is an archeological gold mine with a huge animal skeleton and human skeletons. You can swim to the “Black Hole” 46 minutes upstream from Cenote Outland. For Leena’s graduation day we dived at Cenote Pet Cemetery swimming to the Blue Abyss Room and our second dive to “The Dark Side of the Moon”. Her performance was excellent. Now she can join her husband Okie for more cave diving during their last month living in the Riviera Maya.

On Sunday night, February 28th I am flying to Miami, Florida for as three day trip. I must get a physical examination and drug test for renewing my United States Coast Guard Mariner license, pick up more goodies from Rodney and Suzie Nairne at Submerge DPVs in Jupiter, Florida, find my brother who is missing and deliver books to my shipper and pick up four more rolls of GOLD LINE in Englewood, Florida. I return Wednesday night, March 3rd.

I will be home for another two months as I am booked for most of those weeks with students and clients.

SAFETY NOTES.

I received four more $100.00 donations for braided nylon GOLD LINE for the Riviera Maya from Danny Allen of New Hampshire, Chuck Cleland of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Dr. Jim A. Pickar of Springfield, Pa. and Rick D Brohman of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The following people have made donations:

Danny Allen $200.00
Rick Brohman $100.00
Ron Carmichael $ 50.00
Steve Clabuesch $50.00
Charles Cleland $100.00
Steve Gerrard $500.00
Darryl Harris $ 50.00
Dan Hartman $200.00
Jim Horvaka $ 50.00
Dr. Harry Mariniskis $100.00
Michael Munduno $ 50.00
Dr. Jim Pickar $100.00
Dan Orr $ 50.00
Richard Yost $100.00

Total so far: $1700.00

If you wish to contribute money to this cause for SAFETY please send your donation to:

STEVE GERRARD
2828 South McCall Road
SUITE 32
ENGLEWOOD, FLORIDA 34224

There is GOLD LINE ready to replace the old gold line upstream Cenote Carwash. However, Dennis Weeks – NACD Regional Safety Officer/Coordinator informed me that he extended the line closer to the cenote, as approved by the Q. Roo Safety Officer Committee, only for it to be cut back by Cave Diving Instructor Bil Philips. In addition, twice the line from the Paso De Lagarto passage at the Grand Cenote has been brought closer to the main line by Dennis (from 70 feet to 25 feet), as approved by the Q. Roo Safety Officer Committee, only to be cut back by Bil Philips. Also, Bil has admitted to Dennis that he has vandalized over eighty safety line arrows by cutting the tips off. The joke in the Riviera Maya is “what is the point”? The answer is “There is no point”. Anyway, Dennis is trying very hard to convince Bil that is actions are detrimental to the safety for cave diving in the Riviera Maya.

On positive observations for SAFETY for cave diving all the offshoot guidelines that were positioned with a very short distance to the “main line” in Cenote Chan Hol have been cut back to a reasonable safe distance. In addition…a #45 braided white nylon guideline was installed for the entrance line into the cave system and the minor restriction was enlarged for safer entry and exit.

Braided white #36 nylon guidelines have been installed to replace twisted #18 guidelines in Cenote Minotaura and Cenote Taj Majal by cave divers living in Playa Del Carmen.

The 10 inch jump from the main line circuit of Cenote Minotauro to the Cenote Estrella offshoot guideline has been cut back to a safe 12 feet.

These actions are examples of showing that cave divers are stepping up to the plate and making positive actions for safety for everyone to enjoy the beautiful cave systems of the Riviera Maya.

Cenote Aktun Koh is open for cave diving after 2:30 P.M. if the gate is unlocked.

On a sad note, there was a diving fatality at Cenote Chikin Ha with student participating in a cave diving training course during the Christmas week. Apparently, the student was participating in drills in the cavern zone and suddenly passed out. The two other students were taken to the surface and the cave diving Instructor returned to bring the victim to the surface. An ambulance was summoned and the victim was taken to the hospital in Playa Del Carmen and pronounced dead. No autopsy was performed. No investigation or report was made by the Quintana Roo Cave Diving Safety Officer Committee.

Thank you and be SAFE!

STEVE GERRARD
La Costa #103
Xel Ha Avenue
Puerto Aventuras, Q. Roo
77750 MEXICO

stevegerrard@cavediver.com

www.steve-gerrard,com

Drawing the Line on Safety

By STEVE GERRARD

Six months ago (April, 2009), I wrote an article titled “SAFETY IS ALWAYS FIRST” that outlined some of the safety issues surrounding cave diving in the Riviera Maya. One of the problems is that the cave diving sites that were once impossible or difficult to visit are now easily accessible to everyone. A second problem is the resistance to change on part of some of the local cave diving community. Explorers who put in the time and effort to explore and survey these caves are, in some cases, finding it hard to let go, and accept the changes necessary so that these caves can accommodate more divers. I am speaking specifically about the need for improved guidelines for navigation, which are critical for diver safety, particularly in the light of increased traffic.

Though improvements to the existing line system have been agreed to, and implemented by the Riveria Maya Safety Officer Committee, which consists of officers from the NACD, NSS-CDS, GUE, and IANTD and TDI, over the last few months, I believe there are further improvements to guidelines that need to be made, in addition to a change of attitude on the part of the apparent disgruntled minority. I would like to discuss both of these issues in this article.

As several of my cave diving friends have pointed out to me in recent years, I am “old school.” What I’ve learned and practiced during 35 years of cave diving is that improving potentially hazardous guidelines is a matter of common sense and good judgment on the part of individual divers. My sincere belief that every cave diver has the responsibility to correct, improve or remove a potential guideline danger when we find encounter it.

If you find a broken line, you fix it. If a guideline has been placed in a fragile part of the cave passage or hazardous location such as a line trap, hidden intersection or very silt area, you change the location. If the guideline is worn, frayed or difficult to follow visually because of size or discolored, you make it better, make it safer. Fortunately this philosophy has been practiced by the majority of cave divers for the last forty years and has gone a long way to make cave diving safer and better for everyone too. It should be a very simple process!

However, as our community in Florida and Riveria Maya has grown, we have also increasingly come to rely on committees, in addition to individual actions, to discuss safety problems surrounding guidelines and access, and hopefully decide and implement what will best serve the community as a whole far as diver safety. This approach has its own frustrations as committees can sometimes act more slowly, if at all, than individual acting alone, as well as being influenced by politics.

The situation has become critical in Riveria Maya, which is one of the reasons I wrote the “Safety if Always First,” article and also made specific recommendations to the local Safety Officer Committee earlier this year. Though myself and other concerned individuals have made improvements to guidelines when we have encountered potential dangers, our actions have been met with strong emotions, and some bizarre acts by disgruntled cave divers. In recent months, for example, one or more individuals have begun cutting the tips off safety arrows in various systems in an apparent act of displeasure. It is hard to argue that this kind of action serves our sport and the community well.

This November, NACD Safety Office Dennis Weeks came to my house to review and discuss the notes from the Riveria Maya Safety Committee meeting and the actions that they agreed to take to improve the guideline situation (see Appendix

1). Overall, I am very happy with the response to my recommendations as many were accepted and agreed upon.

Respectively however, there are still a few more items that I think can be improved. The following are my additional recommendations that I believe will help make cave diving SAFER in Riviera Maya.

The Safety Officer Committee felt that the larger #45 braided nylon line is inappropriate in the caves. The argument is that there is no stretch or “give” when placing directional line arrows or making repairs or changes with this size of guideline. I always thought bigger meant it was safer to follow visually and or physically. However, I cannot dispute that there is no stretch of the chosen braided #45 nylon guideline. The solution is use a different type of braid and not a diamond braid. Another choice is use a smaller braided size line such as #36.
I do not agree that twisted lines are a safe alternative in popular and/or small passages, though the twisted #18 line is popular among cave explorers because it is in expensive and readily available.

Two months ago I wrote a letter to John Haugen who represents the E. L. Elwood Company of Stoney Brook, New York which manufactures and distributes a wide range or cords and ropes. The National Association for Cave Diving and the Riviera Maya GOLD LINE working group buys “gold line” from this company. I asked John for his professional input on twisted versus braided cords. This is what he had to say:

FACT: Twisted rope of like materials will be stronger than a braided cord. To what percentage depends on the braid configuration. Some braid constructions are stronger than others. Twisted rope has a tendency to “hockle” or kink in some applications and a braided cord is then desired as those properties are lesser. Twisted rope may also spin it’s suspended material unlike a braided cord. If you are using “travelers” or clipping on to the line, braided cord is usually desired as well.

Twisted rope is typically the inexpensive workhorse and is seen of a kind of “throw away” item, where braids are more application specific. Abrasion resistance…Twisted rope is typically three (3) strand. Once a (1) strand is compromised, it puts an uneven load on the other two, lessening the strength and can lead to rapid failure. All nylon fiber hates being rubbed on sharp edges, rocks etc. whether it’s twisted or braided. Braided cord deploys better and with a smoother profile, will typically resist snagging and abrasion tendencies better.

Virtually every cave diving manual and text states that braided nylon is the preferred and safer type of guidelines used for cave diving. Once a twisted string is nicked or cut, it becomes UNSAFE. That’s why I don’t understand why the Riveria Maya committee believes this kind of line is appropriate. I must add that Dennis Weeks supports braided cords 100%, however, the majority of this committee decided on recommending twisted string. Go figure. It has been said from a few members of our local cave diving community have stated that the original twisted exploration guidelines have a historical value (at least to the divers that laid them). That may be the case, but does this value exceed the value of a cave divers life? Perhaps they can be placed in a museum or put on eBay where at least they won’t put a fellow cave diver in harms way.

I am very pleased that the committee agreed that a braided #24 nylon line color line be used for the upstream waterfall line at Cenote Taj Mahal. In addition, they installed a braided #24 line downstream to the Room of Cheers.

I do NOT, however, understand why GOLD LINE is considered inappropriate for upstream CENOTE NOHOCH NAH CHICH. During November, 2006 the landowner – Don Pedro Rodriquez – gave permission for gold line to be installed to designate the main line in the huge delta area. The gold line was donated by the NACD for that purpose. In December, 2006 Daniel Riordan ripped it out convincing the eldest son it was inappropriate. Dennis Weeks fully supports gold line for NOHOCH, however the majority of this committee was against it. In my opinion it is the superior alternative for diver safety. Isn’t that the most important thing?

This concludes my report. I have one request please. I ask for comments, input and/or suggestions debating the twisted versus braided guideline issues and your “thoughts” for GOLD LINE designating main lines for popular caves in the RIVIERA MAYA.

THANK YOU. BE SAFE!

stevegerrard@cavediver.com

Appendix 1: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GOLD LINE.

During the Labor Day holiday first weekend of September, 1988 a young 21 year old woman certified as a Basic Cave diver was diving with her boyfriend upstream Orange Grove Sink – Peacock Springs Cave System, Suwannee County, Florida. After swimming pass a hairpin curve in the cave passageway they called the dive on Thirds and turned around to exit. Just as they swimming through the hairpin curve her primary light became dimmed (failed). They stopped and corrected the situation with a back-up primary light clipped to a “D” ring on her tanks. Because they were visually distracted with the task they had no visual contact with the permanent line. Located a short distance on the north side of the hairpin curve was an identical nylon string heading upstream an offshoot passage. When the couple completed their task and began to look for the permanent guideline, their eyes found the offshoot guideline not realizing it was the wrong line and began following it. Approximately, 300 feet into the passage the boyfriend realized they were NOT on the “main line” exiting the cave. He wrote a note on a slate informing the woman of the problem. They turnaround and began swimming back. As they passed another offshoot passage with clear water, the young lady bolted into it in total fear and anxiety. The boyfriend tried to catch her but failed and finally exited the cave. Her body was recovered the next day.

It was the first fatality of a “Basic Cave” trained cave diver with the NSS-CDS training program. This accident initiated the beginning a tremendously very successful and popular SAFETY program by installing large diameter GOLD NYLON BRAIDED lines in popular caves of North Florida. The intent was for this distinguishable and larger color line to designate the “main line” from all other guidelines for inexperienced cave divers or cave divers NOT familiar with the cave system. It was so popular that the NACD followed suit with their Gold Line program several years later. Today there are underwater caves all over the world with donated gold lines. The following cenote cave and caverns of the Riviera Maya have gold lines installed.

1. Cenote Aktun Koh. The main line completing the circuit through the Cenote Bear’s Den. This cave is no longer available for cave diving.
2. Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom) –The Madonna Passage, the Coliseum Room and through the Hall of Giants Room.
3. Cenote Caracol (Labna Ha Eco Park) – the main line.
4. Cenote Carwash – upstream to Adrianna’s Room.
5. Cenote Chac Mool – upstream mainline 1500 feet/454 meters. Down stream to the Monster Room and past 150 feet/45 meters.
6. Cenote Dos Ojos – The downstream traverse to Cenote Dos Palmas to Cenote High Voltage to Cenote Tapir’s End to Cenote Monolito.
7. Cenote Eden. The River Run Circuit back through Cenote Zacil and Cenote Little Joe. The downstream passage to the Chapel Room air dome.
8. Cenote Mayan Blue – The “A’ tunnel 400 feet/121 meters past the Battleship Room. The entire “B” tunnel.
9. Cenote Taj Mahal – The Jumna River passage and towards Cenote Buena Vista.

The following cavern zones have gold lines installed:

1. Cenote Chac Mool.
2. Cenote Dos Ojos including the Bat Cave.
3. Cenote Eden.
4. Grand Cenote.
5. Cenote Taj Mahal.
6. Cenote Dreamland.*
7. Cenote Pet Cemetery.*
• Recently installed.

THE RIVIERA MAYA GOLD LINE WORKING GROUP

There is a continuous difficulty in acquiring GOLD LINE for the caves of the RIVIERA MAYA. In the past the NSS-CDS and the NACD have generously donated GOLD LINE. The challenge in recent times is getting the GOLD LINE here to the RIVIERA MAYA. In addition, the COSTS of the BRAIDED NYLON GOLD LINE is now $79.00 per 1000 feet. This past summer I organized the RIVIERA MAYA GOLD LINE WORKING GROUP. The intent is to acquire the necessary funds to purchase and ship the GOLD LINE to the RIVIERA MAYA.

The following people have graciously donated money to this SAFETY cause:

Ron Carmichael $ 50.00
Steve Clabuesch $50.00
Steve Gerrard $500.00
Darryl Harris $ 50.00
Dan Hartman $200.00
Jim Horvaka $ 50.00
Dr. Harry Mariniskis $100.00
Michael Munduno $ 50.00
Dan Orr $ 50.00
Richard Yost $100.00

Total so far: $1200.00

I would have at least another $1000.00 in donations, but several folks were very leery that the GOLD LINES would be ripped out of the caves by the few.

$750.00 was spent for the first 9,000 feet GOLD LINE as it was delivered on Friday, October 23rd. The GOLD LINE was installed by LUIS LEAL for the cavern areas of CENOTE DREAMLAND and the cavern area for CENOTE PET CEMETERY.

DENNIS WEEKS has suggested with their committee approval that the upstream CENOTE CARWASH GOLD LINE be replaced and there are several sections of the CENOTE DOS OJOS downstream traverse to be replaced.

The first week of January, 2010 another 9,000 feet of BRAIDED NYLON GOLD LINE will arrive in the RIVIERA MAYA.

WE are still seeking MORE funds to acquire more GOLD LINE in making the underwater caves SAFER. As long as good communication is maintained with the various personalities, there will be NO ripping GOLD LINES out of approved caves or caverns.

If you wish to contribute money to this cause for SAFETY please send your donation to:

STEVE GERRARD
2828 South McCall Road
SUITE 32
ENGLEWOOD, FLORIDA 34224

PAYPAL: Go to www.deephorizon.info making contribution specifying gold line for the Riviera Maya.

Appendix 2: Notes Safety Officers Committee Meeting at the ProTec Dive Center in Playa Del Carmen Fall, 2009

Hello All,

Sorry for my dropping the ball with producing the notes from our meeting at Protec many moons ago. I am sure everyone understands that sometimes life and business get in the way of our volunteer past times.

Attached is a word document summarizing our meeting we held to discuss Steve Gerrards’ suggestions for changes in the area.

I have spoken to Steve Gerrard about his suggestions and told him that I am responsible for the delay in a response to these suggestions. If everyone can review my notes and make changes/suggestions where needed I will change the meeting minutes and then forward an official copy to everyone.

I look forward to your comments,

Dennis Weeks

Cenote Calimba

Concern that the current line is worn and requires replacement with a new thicker line: The RSO agreed that the line should be replaced and that the line would be a twisted knotted #24. The replacement of the line took place from the entrance to the tee junction. All arrows and markers remained in place.
A thick white line (#45) was removed from Calimba as inappropriate as the line has no stretch to it. A twisted and knotted #24 (approx) was installed to the T intersection.

Cenote Carwash.

Concern that the permanent line upstream starts too far back was discussed. Keeping in mind that many cavern courses are conducted at this site and that many open water divers continue to frequently dive the area, the following was agreed, that the permanent line going upstream towards Lukes Hope would be extended closer the entrance reducing the length of line required to make the connection from open water. The line would be extended with #24 twisted line out to the an area behind the stop sign just before the descent through the narrow area and approximately at the same depth as the sign.
The line was extended toward the entrance and tied off well beyond the stop sign and at the same depth of the stop sign.

Cenote Cristal /Naharon

Concern that that the #45 line was taken out from the upstream area leading to Chacs Room:
The line was taken out because the line was unsafe; it floated towards the ceiling when the line came loose.
Concern that the line leading to Chac’s Room is stained and hard to see and that and the line be one continuous line to Chac’s Room:
It was agreed that the line should be replaced (and may need to be replaced on a more regular schedule due to tannin staining) with a #24 braided line. It was discussed that the configuration of the line be such that line running in the Halocline passage is configured with a gap on both ends and that the mainline be configured as a continuous line into and beyond Chac’s Room.

Cenote Dos Ojos

Concern that the upstream line “Imax” be changed to a continuous Goldline to the Air Dome.
Replace the goldline running downstream on the River run to Cenote Monolito
Agreement that Dennis Weeks apply to the NACD for 6000’ of gold line to replace this upstream line.

Cenote Eden

Concern that the line past Cenote Zacil to Cenote Repair shop is worn and damaged.
Agreed that the line should be replaced with a #24 line.

Sistema Dos Pisos

Concern that the line in the entrance series is worn and damaged.
Agreed that the line should be replaced with a #36 braided line

Grand Cenote

Concern that the gap from the Grand Cenote/Cenote Ho Tul traverse line to the line leading into Paso de Lagarto is too much distance and should be shorter making the jump easier.
Agreed that the line leading to Paso de Lagarto should be extended bringing it closer the Grand Cenote/Cenote Ho Tul line.

Cenote Jailhouse

Concern that the guide line is stained brown/black making it difficult to maintain visual contact with the line.
Replacement of the line to the T with a #36 line and all other lines is replaced with a #24 line as required.

Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich

Concern that a #45 goldline was stolen from the cave.
The goldline was removed from the system as requested by the land owner. The goldline was used to replace the worn and damaged lines in the cavern zone at Dos Ojos.
Concern that a goldline should be used as the mainline in the upstream passageway of Nohoch:
Discussion was held to the merit of a goldline as the mainline in Nohoch. It was the consensus of the group of RSO that a goldline is not required due to the excellent visibility and the passage configuration.
Further discussion was held as to the distance of jumps and gaps in the Nohoch system.
After discussion, it is recommended that all jumps and gaps in the Nohoch system be a minimum of 2 meters and when possible located 3m apart.

Cenote Minotauro

Concern that the line was worn and damaged.
It is recommended that the line be replaced with #24 twisted and knotted line.

Cenote Pet Cemetery.

Concern that #18 line is unsafe and that the recently installed #45 line will be removed. It is recommended that the #45 line be removed from the passage leading to the Blue Abyss as the line is unsuitable for a cave environment – it has no stretch and is virtually impossible to install markers or to repair tie off points that have come off. The line should be replaced with a #24 twisted line.

Cenote Regina

Concern that the line is that the current line is too small to adequately provide a visual reference while exiting in silty conditions.
Recommended that the line be changed to #36 for the first 200 feet of passageway.

Cenote Taj Mahal

Concern that the line to the waterfall room be changed to a line that is more easily referenced in the halocline.
Recommended that a braided #24 line be placed in this area of the cave.
Concern that the line downstream is worn and damaged and should be changed.
Recommended that the line be replaced with a #24 braided line.
Additional notes: The line before the first restriction past the Chinese Gardens has been cut back. The passage way is very unstable and diving is not recommended in this area.

Cenote Xunaan Ha

Concern that the line be changed to a #45 because the passage is smaller.
Recommended that the lines stay the same. There is current survey and exploration work taking place and any concern can be revisited in the future.
In addition to Steve Gerrard’s suggestions for changes the following items were discussed.

Sistema Chac Mool

The line leading past Cenote Pakal will be cut back creating a gap. The reason for this is the passageway is very unstable providing a very unsafe environment.

Additional Notes:

Dennis Weeks will apply to the NACD for the NACD “Stop” sign for installation in numerous systems where the signs need replacing. He will also check with the NACD to see if there is any problem to print the NACD “Stop” sign here in Mexico, saving shipping costs.

No permanent line arrows in the cave systems should be removed, replaced, defaced or damaged in any way. Doing so adversely affects the safety of all cave divers. Please strongly discourage this practice if seen or heard of. Damaged arrows may be replaced as required.

There is a Safety Officer Committee in the Riviera Maya. They consist of the following individuals:

Steve Bogearts – National Speleological Society – Cave Diving Section
Fernando del Valle Prieto – International Association for Nitrox & Technical Diving
Daniel Riordan – Global Underwater Explorers
Chuck Stevens – National Association for Cave Diving
Dennis Weeks – National Association for Cave Diving

Harry Gust – Technical Diving International. Harry “politely bowed out” of the committee as did not agree with some of their actions.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER REPORT – 2009

Good morning from the Island of GUAM at the U.S. Naval Base.

I arrived from Cancun on Sunday morning, November 15th at 2:30 A.M. with stops in Dallas/Ft. Worth and Tokyo, Japan. Sunday late afternoon we went out into the Pacific Ocean for night time special OPS.

I was supposed to arrive home from GUAM in Puerto Aventuras on October 8th; however TYPHOON MELOR that hit the Philippines and closed the Navy Base just as we had arrived from Korea. Therefore, our crew change was delayed until October 15th. That delay caused a problem as I had a complete cave diving course scheduled for that week for ESA VUOPPOLA of Finland. Luckily, Dennis Weeks covered me and taught the course. I was able to dive with both ESA and HEIKKI TEPPO of Finland their last three days and take them to the Room Of Tears in CENOTE CARWASH, CENOTE CHAN HOL, the Blue Abyss Room at CENOTE PET CEMETARY along with CENOTE TUHS KAPAXA. Their ten days of diving a big success and – man – I am relieved it all worked out good.

On Tuesday, October 20th I guided RON FOSTER of Edmonton, Canada as we dived SISTEMA DOS OJOS at CENOTE TIC NE HA (High Voltage). It was a great day of cave diving for Ron.

On Thursday, October 22nd I took the newly wed couple JOSH & ALEXA GAY of Pensacola, Florida diving at CENOTE DOS OJOS. One cavern dive for Alexa and one cave dive for Josh as he is Full Cave trained & certified.
They were staying at the Catalonia Resort in Puerto Aventuras. Josh is manager of the MBT Dive Surf Store in Pensacola and is a FELLOW mighty SEMINOLE. Go NOLES!

On Friday, October 23rd I picked up my buddies BOB THORPE and KEN BOSKO of Traverse City, Michigan. Beginning Saturday, October 24th for eight days we were cave diving. Saturday we motored with the SUBMERGE PONIES in SISTEMA DOS OJOS. Saturday night we had a great BBQ dinner at my home with Bob, Ken, Harry Gust and his girlfriend Erika along with Dennis Weeks, Sunday we scootered with the SUBMERGE PONIES in SISTEMA NARANJAL at CENOTE JAILHOUSE. Monday we swam the traverse from CENOTE TUHS KAPAXA to CENOTE SAC XQUIN enjoying the huge power passages. Afterward, we met at Leo’s Pizza with Dennis Week’s cave diving group from Edmonton, Canada. Tuesday we went back to SISTEMA DOS OJOS to scooter to CENOTE KENTUCKY CASTLE. Wednesday morning, October 28th we dived CENOTE SAC BE HA shooting photos with my Nikon camera system. In the afternoon we dived at CENOTE TOH HA. Thursday we did a DPV dive at CENOTE MAYAN BLUE traversing to CENOTE CRISTAL, which is part of the NARANJAL cave system. Friday we went diving with the SUBMERGE DPVs in the massive CENOTE AKTUN HU (Cave Iguana) system. In my opinion, these passages are the biggest in size in the Riviera Maya. We found the room known as the “BLACK HOLE” that goes to 185 feet in depth. It shaped as a circular pit and appears very dark looking down. On Saturday we dived at CENOTE REGINA doing a photo shoot for INAH with Jeronimo Aviles of Puerto Morelos taking images of an ancient animal bone site – a camel. On Sunday Bob and I returned to CENOTE OUTLAND and we scootered to the BLACK HOLE in 18 minutes. The immense tunnels size was mind boggling. Some of the BEST DPV cave diving I’ve seen yet in 35 years of cave diving. We dived to the bottom of the BLACK HOLE as the line ends at 156 feet with three arrows placed by Beto, Alex and Franco. The maximum depth is 186 feet approximate.

NOTE: As of Thursday, November 12th CENOTE OUTLAND is now blocked off with fence, gate and lock. No cave diving allowed. It will open once the GUE Elite finish their exploration.

Bob & Ken had a wonderful time cave diving and using the SUBMERGE DPV ponies as we really experienced some awesome cave diving.

During Monday, November 2nd and Tuesday November 3rd, I was diving with JF HUARD of OAK HILL, VIRGINIA as we finished up his Full Cave training and then continued with more cave diving for him to gain experience. We dived CENOTE DOS PALMAS, CENOTE of the SUN and CENOTE CALIMBA. Wednesday we dived CENOTE CHAC MOOL swimming downstream to CENOTE MOJARRA and in the afternoon we dived at CENOTE CRISTALINO swimming to the “CHAPEL ROOM’ in SISTEMA PONDEROSA.

Thursday, November 5th we took the morning off and then we dived at CENOTE OUTLAND swimming to the BLACK HOLE Room in 45 minutes and twenty minutes further. Spectacular caves passages everywhere!

Friday we dived the GRAND CENOTE and almost made it to CENOTE PABILANNY, which is way beyond the Trap Door. Our second dive was a photo shoot in the CUZAN NAH Loop area.

On Saturday, November 8th we dived at the CENOTE PET CEMETARY swimming to the fabulous BLUE ABYSS Room.

JF HUARD really enjoyed his week of cave diving as I spoiled him royally. He deserved it as his skills and gas consumption were superb! You do a good job with your swimming and buoyancy and I WILL reward you.

On Tuesday, November 11th, I taught an INTRO TO CAVE Course for RICK SMITH who owns the TOUCAN DIVE STORE in Lake Villa, Illinois. We dived CENOTE CHAC MOOL. Wednesday we dived CENOTE DOS PALMAS and CENOTE CALAVERA. We had a great time talking football as Rick played outside linebacker at Cal State University in 1972 along with Pete Carroll who is now the head coach for the University of Southern California. Rick will return this spring to finish up his Full Cave training.

I was home 28 days and dived 23 days. No bad, heh?

On November 24th, we will begin a 14 day journey back to Pearl Harbor at Oahu, Hawaii.

I will be getting off the vessel on December 26th and flying to Austin, Texas to visit my sister Mary and her family and then returning to Puerto Aventuras, Mexico on December 28th.

I will staying home ALL WINTER teaching and guiding until May 15th, 2010.

Well, I hope all is going great with you!

Be safe.

Maintain,

STEVE

stevegerrard@cavediver.com

www.steve-gerrard.com

2828 South McCall Road
PMB 33
Englewood, Florida 34224

La Costa Condominiums #103
Xel Ha Avenue
Puerto Aventuras, Q. Roo
77750 MEXICO

USA PHONE: 941 – 380 – 0455
MEXICAN CELL #: (011-52) 984 127 1550

sg

SAFE CENOTE DIVING

The ASOCIACION DE PRESTADORES DE SERVICIOS ACUATICOS DE LA RIVIERA MAYA A.C. (A.P.S.A.) is very concerned about the use of the popular local cenotes used for scuba diving activities. The 60+ members of the association also share these same concerns. They are:

1. Open water training being conducted in the cenotes involving the
overhead environment.

2. Cavern diving tours being conducted by unqualified cenote guides
and/or not performing the duties and responsibilities within the
standards established.

3. Respect for the environment of the cenote and a thorough
understanding of the history, conservation, and geology of the
cave. (i.e. “Tour only on the existing gold cavern guidelines,
graffiti and defacing on the walls and silt floors, exceeding the
limits of a safe cavern dive.”)

WHAT IS A SAFE CENOTE DIVE?

Any scuba diver who plans or intends to dive a cenote should understand the difference between a safe cavern dive and an open water dive. Open water simply means any body of water using SCUBA which allows a direct ascent to the surface. A cavern dive in a cenote means going diving into an overhead
environment which does not allow a direct ascent to the surface. To safely dive the cavern zone the scuba diver must either be trained or certified as a cavern diver to be qualified or participate in a cenote dive with a qualified professional cavern diving guide.

The international scuba diving training agencies such as PADI, NAUI, SSI, NASDS, YMCA, PDIC, etc. asserts specifically in their training standards that no open water instructor may take a student into any type of overhead environment. One alarming problem that exists are open water instructors using the local cenotes (i.e. Cenote Eden, Grand Cenote and Cenote Carwash) and taking their open water students into the overhead environment. This is a serious and direct violation of the international certification agency’s training standards.

Another intolerable dilemma developing in the cenotes of the Riviera Maya are open water divers not trained and certified in cavern or cave diving and bringing underwater lights with them and diving the cavern and cave zones of the cenote. This unsafe conduct can lead to drowning accidents.

During 1998 we have one drowning accident involving an open water diver from Veracruz, Mexico that took place at the Grand Cenote on April 11th. The unqualified open water diver broke several of the cardinal rules for safe cenote diving that the international open water, cave and technical training agencies abide by known as ACCIDENT ANALYSIS. These five sacred rules for safe cavern and cave diving are:

1. TRAINING. Before pursuing cavern or cave diving, please seek proper
training and know your limitations.

2. GUIDELINE. Always use a single continuous guideline from outside the
Cave and throughout the cavern or cave system.

3. AIR/GAS. Always use at least 2/3′rds of your beginning air/gas to EXIT
the cavern or cave.

4. DEPTH. Do NOT dive DEEPER than the limits of your training and
experience.

5. LIGHTS. Always use a minimum of THREE LIGHTS per diver. For
cavern diving, the sun and at least two battery powered
lights.

In the state of Florida of the United States, sinkhole and spring diving is very popular in north Florida. One solution to the problem of unqualified divers going into the caverns and caves is the:

“THE NO LIGHT RULE”

All of the state parks, national forests, private camp grounds and several land owners who have underwater caves on their property apply this very successful rule of diving in the overhead environment. If the diver is not certified in cavern or cave diving, they are not allowed in the water with a light. When the diver arrives at these dive sites, posted signs and/or written waiver forms carefully explain this policy. Divers are asked to show their certification qualifications. If
qualified, then they are allowed to take lights into the caverns or caves. This simple rule has made a tremendous difference in reducing accidents and saving lives during the past twenty years. It is a huge success!

THE CAVERN DIVING COURSE

What is involved in the cavern diving course? The cavern diving course is a minimum of two days of training developing the minimum skills and knowledge for safe cavern diving. The course describes the dangers involved with cave diving. It also covers planning, the environment, procedures, techniques, problem solving and other specialized needs.

Problem solving covers buoyancy control, body positioning, emergency procedures, guide line following, and swimming techniques. Specific importance on this particular environment includes silting, entanglement, disorientation, and equipment modifications.

Classroom instruction cover the contents of safe policies of cavern diving, the environment, accident analysis, psychological aspects, equipment, techniques, body control and emergency procedures. During the course both land and open water drills will involve the use of guidelines, following the guideline as a navigational tool, following the line with no visibility, and emergency procedures including sharing air.

A minimum of four cavern dives will be conducted using a minimum of three different caverns.

During these dives the following will be performed:

a. Safety drill (practice sharing air and equipment check on each dive).

b. Demonstrate proper buoyancy control and body positioning with
minimum weighting and distribution.

c. Demonstrate good propulsion techniques.

d. Guideline awareness and the use of the reel and line.

e. Enjoy and explore the cavern gaining confidence and being
comfortable.

The safe limits of a cavern are:

a. Natural daylight.

b. 200 feet/60 meters linear distance.

c. 100 feet/ 21 meters maximum depth

d. 40 feet/12 meters minimum visibility.

e. No decompression diving.

f. No restrictions.

Certified cavern divers must use all necessary equipment considered appropriate for open water diving but also include two battery powered lights and a reel and guideline. The snorkel is considered not necessary.

THE PROFESSIONAL CENOTE GUIDE

If an open water diver participates in a cavern dive with a professional cenote guide, the guide must meet these minimum qualifications: Cavern tours are offered by qualified certified full cave diver who holds a rating of open water instructor or certified divemaster minimum.

PROCEDURES:

1. Detailed briefing before each dive

2. Explanation and review of rules for cavern diving

3. It is not necessary to go through extensive equipment modifications for
the cavern tour because it is considered a controlled experience. Minor
changes may be necessary, such as the addition of alternate air source,
removal of snorkel, and proper weighting.

4. Use of the guideline is essential to ensure a safe dive and demonstrate
proficient skills. It is recommended that the guide demonstrate proper
overhead protocol at all times.

5. No diver participation is mandated

6. Definitions:

a. speleogenesis and hydrology

b. cavern/cave environment (unique and fragile)

c. accident analysis

d. problems

7. Techniques

Brief review of:

a. buoyancy control

b. finning techniques

c. light use and signals

8. Review of basic communications

a. “OK”

b. “Stop or Hold”

c. “Dive is over, exit”

d. “Out of air”

e. Instructor’s choice for additional hand signals

9. Dive Plan

10. Complete post dive review:

A Guide should stress that divers on a tour are under supervision and in a controlled experience Urge the divers to participate in a cavern course if they wish to pursue cavern diving.

1. Equipment:

Equipment is the same as for a cavern course. Standard open water scuba equipment with two battery powered lights.

The popularity of the cenotes has transformed THE RIVIERA MAYA into a major destination for divers from all around the world. As more and more divers hear about and discover the tranquil beauty of these pristine “windows” to the underwater world, the number of divers will increase the pressure and impact on these precious and fragile ecosystems. Safety and awareness of the environment are paramount in educating both the cenote guide and the visiting divers.

WHY THESE RECOMMENDATIONS

Safety is always the first issue for anyone who recreationally participates in a “high risk” environment. If there is no understanding or control of the risk then accidents will become frequent and the danger of closing or denying access to the cenotes becomes very real.

Responsibility and image also play a very important role in maintaining safety and protecting these environmental wonders. If accidents occur or the cenotes become trashed or permanently damage, then people will stop diving, snorkeling or visiting.

Any diver who takes other divers into an “overhead environment” must be TRAINED and QUALIFIED with a minimum amount of experience. Several deaths have been reported with unqualified guides.

Following the recommendations for qualified guides makes sense. It is not only for safety but for integrity and moral responsibility. Any compromise is not acceptable. Those who wish to dive the cenotes on their own should seek training and become a certified cavern or cave diver. Another approach is not to take a light with you on the dive. THE NO LIGHT RULE in Florida, USA has made a major difference in minimizing accidents or close calls.

The land owner has a major responsibility to safety and protecting their fragile cenotes. Only the land owner can enforce the rules and regulations for safe cenote diving. Only the land owner can provide the access and use to the cenote which allows safe entry into the water and minimal impact on the cenote environment. During the past year, the land owners have stepped forward to declare their concerns for SAFETY and PROTECTING the cenotes. Several of the land owners have have posted signs expressing their desires. The land owners do care and understand the important responsibilities for safety and the environment of the cenotes.

STEVE’s 2010 WINTER SCHDULE

During the months of January, February, March and April, 2010 I will be available to teach safe cave diving, side mount, DPV or guide cave diver’s to the best underwater cave sites. If you are planning a trip to the RIVIERIA MAYA during these months and desire professional Instruction or guiding, please email
At:

stevegerrard@cavediver.com

JANUARY 2010

Week of December 27 – January 5, 2010

Guiding Stefan Dreesbach

Week of January 3 – 9, 2010

Full Cave Course with Mark Walter.

Week of January 10 – 16, 2010

Side Mount Training Courses with Mia & Mike Interrante

Week of January 17 – 23, 2010

Week of January 24 – 30, 2010

FEBRUARY 2010

Week of January 31 – February 6, 2010

Week of February 7 – 13, 2010

Week of February 14 – 20, 2010

Week of February 21 – 27, 2010

MARCH 2010

Week of February 28 – March 6, 2010

Week of March 7 – 13, 2010

Week of March 14 – 20, 2010

Week of March 29 – April 3, 2010

APRIL 2010

Week of April 4 – 10, 2010

Week of April 11 – 17, 2010

Week of April 18 – 24, 2010

Week of April 25 – May 1st, 2010

stevegerrard@cavediver.com

NITROX

Nitrox refers to any gas mixture composed (excluding trace gases) of nitrogen and oxygen; this includes normal air which is approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, with around 1% inert gases, primarily argon. However, in SCUBA diving, nitrox is normally differentiated and handled differently from air. The most common use of nitrox mixtures containing higher than normal levels of oxygen is in SCUBA, where the reduced percentage of nitrogen is advantageous in reducing nitrogen take up in the body’s tissues and so extending the possible dive time, and/or reducing the risk of decompression sickness (also known as the bends).

Nitrox cylinder marking
Nitrox is mainly used in scuba diving to reduce the proportion of nitrogen in the breathing gas mixture. Reducing the proportion of nitrogen by increasing the proportion of oxygen reduces the risk of decompression sickness, allowing extended dive times without increasing the need for decompression stops. Nitrox is not a safer gas than compressed air in all respects: although its use reduces the risk of decompression sickness, it increases the risk of oxygen toxicity and fire, which are further discussed below.
Breathing nitrox is not thought to reduce the effects of nitrogen narcosis, as oxygen seems to have equally narcotic properties under pressure; thus one should not expect a reduction in narcotic effects due only to the use of nitrox. For a reduction in narcotic effects trimix gases which also contain helium are generally used.
There is anecdotal evidence that the use of nitrox reduces post-dive fatigue, particularly in older and or obese divers; however the only known double-blind study to test this found no statistically significant reduction in reported fatigu. There has, however, been some suggestion that post dive fatigue is due to sub-clinical decompression sickness (DCS) (i.e. micro bubbles in the blood insufficient to cause symptoms of DCS); the fact that the study mentioned was conducted in a dry chamber with an ideal decompression profile may have been sufficient to reduce sub-clinical DCS and prevent fatigue in both nitrox and air divers.
Further studies with a number of different dive profiles, and also different levels of exertion, would be necessary to fully investigate this issue. For example, there is much better scientific evidence that breathing high-oxygen gases increase exercise tolerance, during aerobic exertion. Though even moderate exertion while breathing from the regulator is a relatively uncommon occurrence in scuba, as divers usually try to minimize it in order to conserve gas, episodes of exertion while regulator-breathing do occasionally occur in sport diving. Examples are surface-swimming a distance to a boat or beach after surfacing, where residual “safety” cylinder gas is often used freely, since the remainder will be wasted anyway when the dive is completed. It is possible that these so-far un-studied situations have contributed to some of the positive reputation of nitrox.
Naming
Nitrox is known by many names: Enhanced Air Nitrox, Oxygen Enriched Air, Nitrox, EANx or Safe Air. The name “nitrox” is sometimes capitalized in English; in this article the uncapitalized convention will be used except when specific mixtures are referred to (such as Nitrox68) – Nitrox68 contains 68% Nitrogen, 32% Oxygen. When one figure is stated, it refers to the nitrogen percentage, not the oxygen percentage. The original convention, Nitrox68/32 became shortened as the second figure is redundant.
In its early days of introduction to non-technical divers, nitrox has occasionally also been known by detractors by less complimentary terms, such as “devil gas” or “voodoo gas” (a term now sometimes used with pride).
Although “nitrox” usually refers to a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen with more than 21% oxygen, it can refer to mixtures that are leaner in oxygen than air. “Enriched Air Nitrox”, “Enriched Air” or “EAN” are used to emphasise richer than air mixtures. In “EANx”, the “x” indicates the percentage of oxygen in the mix and is dropped when the percentage is known; for example a 32% EANx mix is called EAN32. The two most popular blends are EAN32 and EAN36 (also named Nitrox I and Nitrox II, respectively, or Nitrox68/32 and Nitrox64/36).
These percentages are what the gas blender aims for in partial-pressure blending, but the final actual mix in such cases will be unique, and so a small flow of gas from the cylinder must be measured with a handheld oxygen analyzer, before the diver breathes from the cylinder underwater.
Richness of mix
The two most common recreational diving nitrox mixes contain 32% and 36% oxygen, which have maximum operating depths (MODs) of 34 metres (110 ft) and 29 metres (95 ft) respectively when limited to a maximum partial pressure of oxygen of 1.4 bar (140 kPa). EAN32 is common because it is the mixture with the maximum concentration of oxygen that allows the diver to go to the full depth of recreational diving’s “No Decompression Limit” for all divers. Divers may calculate an equivalent air depth to determine their decompression requirements or may use nitrox tables or a nitrox-capable dive computer.
Nitrox with more than 40% oxygen is uncommon within recreational diving. There are two main reasons for this: the first is that all pieces of diving equipment that come into contact with mixes containing higher proportions of oxygen, particularly at high pressure, need special cleaning and servicing to reduce the risk of fire. The second reason is that richer mixes extend the time the diver can stay underwater without needing decompression stops far further than the duration of typical diving cylinders. For example, based on the PADI nitrox recommendations, the maximum operating depth for EAN45 would be 21 metres (69 ft) and the maximum dive time available at this depth even with EAN36 is nearly 1 hour 15 minutes: a diver with a breathing rate of 20 litres per minute using twin 10 litre, 230 bar (about double 85 cu. ft.) cylinders would have completely emptied the cylinders after 1 hour 14 minutes at this depth.
Nitrox containing 50% to 100% oxygen is common in technical diving as a decompression gas, which eliminates inert gases such as nitrogen and helium from the tissues more quickly than leaner oxygen mixtures.
In deep open circuit technical diving, where hypoxic gases are breathed during the bottom portion of the dive, a Nitrox mix with 50% or less oxygen called a “travel mix” is sometimes breathed during the beginning of the descent in order to avoid hypoxia. Normally, however, the most oxygen-lean of the diver’s decompression gases would be used for this purpose, since descent time spent reaching a depth where bottom mix is no longer hypoxic is normally small, and the distance between this depth and the MOD of any nitrox decompression gas is likely to be very short, if it occurs at all.
Cylinder markings
Any cylinder containing any blend of gas other than the standard air content is required by most diving training organizations to be clearly marked. Some organisations, e.g. GUE, argue that it does not make sense to have a permanent marking on a gas tank that can be filled with any gas.
The standard nitrox cylinder is yellow in color and marked with a green band around the shoulder of the tank, with “Nitrox” or “Enriched air” marked in white or yellow letters inside. Tanks of any other color are generally marked with six inch band around the shoulder, with a one inch yellow band on the top and bottom, with four inches of green in the middle. This green band will also have the designation of “NITROX” or something similar inside, in yellow or white letters.
Every nitrox cylinder should also have a sticker stating whether or not the cylinder is oxygen clean and suitable for partial pressure blending. Any oxygen clean cylinder may have any mix up to 100% oxygen inside. If by some accident an oxygen clean cylinder is filled at a station which does not supply gas to oxygen-clean standards it is then considered contaminated and must be re-cleaned before a gas containing more than 40% oxygen may again be added. Cylinders marked as not-oxygen clean may only be filled with enriched oxygen mixtures from membrane or stick blending systems where the gas is mixed before being added to the cylinder.
Finally, all nitrox cylinders should have a tag that, at minimum, states the oxygen content of the cylinder, the date it was blended, the gas blender’s name, and the maximum operating depth along with the partial pressure this depth was calculated with. Other requirements may be made as to what is marked on the cylinder, but these markings are considered standard and safe by the diving community, and any cylinders lacking these markings should be considered possibly unsafe. Training for nitrox certification suggests this tag be verified by the diver himself by using an oxygen analyzer.
Dangers
Oxygen toxicity
Diving and handling nitrox raises a number of potentially fatal dangers due to the high partial pressure of oxygen (ppO2). Nitrox is not a deep-diving gas mixture owing to the increased proportion of oxygen, which becomes toxic when breathed at high pressure. For example, the maximum operating depth of nitrox with 36% oxygen, a popular recreational diving mix, is 29 metres (95 ft) to ensure a maximum ppO2 of no more than 1.4 bar (140 kPa). The exact value of the maximum allowed ppO2 and maximum operating depth varies depending on factors such as the training agency, the type of dive, the breathing equipment and the level of surface support, with professional divers sometimes being allowed to breath higher ppO2 than those recommended to recreational divers.
To dive safely with nitrox, the diver must learn good buoyancy control, a vital part of scuba diving in its own right, and a disciplined approach to preparing, planning and executing a dive to ensure that the ppO2 is known, and the maximum operating depth is not exceeded. Reputable dive operators and gas blenders insist on the diver having recognised nitrox training (which appears as an extra notation on a certification card) before selling nitrox to divers.
Some training agencies teach the use of two depth limits to protect against oxygen toxicity. The shallower depth is called the “maximum operating depth” and is reached when the partial pressure of oxygen in the breathing gas reaches 1.4 bar (140 kPa). The second deeper depth, called the “contingency depth”, is reached when the partial pressure reaches 1.6 bar (160 kPa). Diving at or beyond this level exposes the diver to the risk of central nervous system (CNS) oxygen toxicity. This can be extremely dangerous since its onset is often without warning and can lead to drowning, as the regulator may be spat out during convulsions which occur in conjunction with sudden unconsciousness (general seizure induced by oxygen toxicity).
Precautionary procedures at the fill station
Many training agencies such as PADI, CMAS, SSI and NAUI train their divers to personally check the oxygen percentage content of each nitrox cylinder before every dive. If the oxygen percentage deviates by more than 1% from the value written on the cylinder by the gas blender, the scuba diver must either recalculate his or her bottom times with the new mix, or else abort the dive to remain safe and avoid oxygen toxicity or decompression sickness. Under IANTD and ANDI rules for use of nitrox, which are followed by most dive resorts around the world, filled nitrox cylinders are signed out personally in a gas blender log book, which contains, for each cylinder and fill, the cylinder number, the measured oxygen percent composition, the signature of the receiving diver (who should have personally measured the oxygen percent with an instrument at the fill-shop), and finally a calculation of the maximum operating depth for that fill/cylinder. All of these steps minimize danger but increase complexity of operations (for example, personalized cylinders for each diver must generally be kept track of on dive boats with nitrox, which is not the case with generic compressed air cylinders).
Fire and toxic cylinder contamination from oxygen reactions
Diving cylinders are usually filled with nitrox by a gas blending technique such as partial pressure blending or premix decanting (in which a nitrox mix is supplied to the filler in pressurized larger cylinders). A few facilities have begun to fill cylinders with air which has been enriched with oxygen by a pre-mixing process, so that it is pressurized as nitrox for the first time in the diving cylinder. The pre-mixing is accomplished either by a membrane system which removes nitrogen from the air during compression or by a ’stick’ blending technique where pure oxygen is mixed with air in a baffled chamber attached to the compressor intake.
With the use of pure oxygen during “partial pressure blending” (where pure oxygen is added from a large oxygen cylinder to the nearly empty dive cylinder until it reaches 300–500 psi (21–34 bar) before air is added by compressor) there is an especially increased risk of fire. Partial blending using pure oxygen is often used to provide nitrox for multiple dives on live-aboard dive boats, but it is also used in some smaller diver shops.
However, any gas which contains a significantly larger percentage of oxygen than air is a fire hazard. Furthermore, such gases can also react with hydrocarbons or incorrect lubricants inside a dive cylinder to produce carbon monoxide, even if a recognized fire does not happen. At present, there is some discussion over whether or not mixtures of gas which contain less than 40% oxygen may sometimes be exempt from oxygen clean standards. Some of the controversy comes from a single U.S. regulation intended for commercial divers (not recreational divers) years ago.[3] However, the U.S. Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and two international nitrox teaching agencies (IANTD and ANDI) now support the standard that any gas containing more than 23.5% oxygen should be treated as nitrox (which is to say, no differently from pure oxygen) for purposes of oxygen cleanliness and oxygen compatibility (i.e., oxygen “servicability”). However, the largest training agency – PADI – is still teaching that pre-mixed nitrox (i.e. nitrox which is mixed before being put into the cylinder) below 40% oxygen does not require a specially cleaned cylinder or other equipment. Most nitrox fill stations which supply pre-mixed nitrox will fill non-oxygen clean cylinders with mixtures below 40%. For a history of this controversy see Luxfer cylinders.
History
During the 1920s or 1930’s Draeger of Germany made a nitrox backpack independent air supply for a standard diving suit.
During World War II or soon after, British commando frogmen and work divers started sometimes diving with oxygen rebreathers adapted for semi-closed-circuit nitrox (which they called “mixture”) diving by fitting larger cylinders and carefully setting the gas flow rate using a flow meter. These developments were kept secret until independently duplicated by civilians in the 1960s.
In the 1950s the United States Navy (USN) documented enriched oxygen gas procedures for military use of what we today call nitrox, in the USN Diving Manual.
In 1970, Dr. Morgan Wells, who was the first director of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Diving Center, began instituting diving procedures for oxygen-enriched air. He also developed a process for mixing oxygen and air which he called a continuous blending system. For many years Dr. Wells’ invention was the only practical alternative to partial pressure blending. In 1979 NOAA published Wells’ procedures for the scientific use of nitrox in the NOAA Diving Manual.
In 1985 Dick Rutkowski, a former NOAA diving safety officer, formed IAND (International Association of Nitrox Divers) and began teaching nitrox use for recreational diving. This was considered dangerous by some, and met with heavy skepticism by the diving community. In 1992 the name was changed to the International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD), the T being added when the European Association of Technical Divers (EATD) merged with IAND. In the early 1990s, the agencies teaching nitrox were not the main scuba agencies. New organizations, including Ed Betts’ American Nitrox Divers International (ANDI) – which invented the term “Safe Air” for marketing purposes – and Bret Gilliam’s Technical Diving International (TDI) gave scientific credence to nitrox.
Meanwhile, diving stores were finding a purely economic reason to offer nitrox: not only was an entire new course and certification needed to use it, but instead of cheap or free tank fills with compressed air, dive shops found they could charge premium amounts of money for custom-gas blending of nitrox to their ordinary moderately experienced divers. With the new dive computers which could be programmed to allow for the longer bottom-times and shorter residual nitrogen times which nitrox gave, the incentive for the sport diver to use the gas increased. An intersection of economics and scientific validity had occurred.
In 1996, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) announced full educational support for nitrox. While other main line scuba organizations had announced their support of nitrox earlier, it was PADI’s endorsement that put nitrox over the top as a standard sport diving “option.”[14]
Nitrox in nature
Sometimes in the geologic past the Earth’s atmosphere contained much more than 20% oxygen: e.g. up to 35% in the Upper Carboniferous. This let animals absorb oxygen more easily and influenced evolution.

CENOTE NOHOCH NAH CHICH
Sistema Sac Aktun

By STEVE GERRARD

Once internationally known as the world’s longest underwater cave system, Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich (the Giant Birdhouse) stands out as one of the most beautiful underwater cave areas in the Riviera Maya. First explored and surveyed during the summer of 1988, it annually grew in size from the efforts of the CEDAM exploration teams directed by Mike Madden. Each year from 1989 – 1996, Madden organized a group of cave divers to gather together for periods of two weeks to a month exploring and surveying the cave passages. As each year passed underwater cave maps were produced beginning with the basic line maps and the final two beautiful cartography maps were produced by the talented Eric Huchenson. The final illustration was in 1994 representing over 126,000 feet/38,182 meters of underwater cave passages. The culmination of this map evolved from the first time use of underwater video footage assisting with the drawing. The cave grew to over 200,000 feet/60,606 meters in explored and surveyed passages before being connected into the immense Sac Aktun cave system during February, 2006. In addition, Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich was the focal point of an Italian film cave diving documentary during 1994 and the USA television series called Explorers narrated and participated by Ken Curtis in 1995. From an underwater cave photographer’s viewpoint, this cenote cave region offers some of the most stunning features to capture as images. Probably considered as some the best underwater cave photography ever taken, the partnership of Mike Madden and Ron Winiker using the technique of painting with a strobe flash with a Nikonos V camera with a wide-angle 15 mm lenses anchored on a tripod was an outstanding success of underwater cave photography.

Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich is located on Rancho San Felipe two kilometers west from Highway 307. If driving south from the Akumal area you pass the entrance for Xel Ha Laguna Park on the east side and the entrance roadway to Cenote Dos Ojos on the west side. Continue driving further south on Highway 307 for two kilometers. From Tulum, drive six kilometers north on Highway 307. You are looking for the banner and the Information Center for the Labna Ha Eco Park/Cenote Caracol. Turn into the parking lot and drive to the rear to the one lane dirt road. It will merge into the sascab road heading west into the jungle. Drive for 1.5 kilometers and look for the blue gate on the right side with the sign Rancho San Felipe. Follow the road for 200 meters and enter into a parking area. For cave divers, it is asked to park as far back left of the main palapas.

The dive site fee is 150 pesos per diver. There are two ways to get your equipment down to the wooden platforms. One is to lower the gear by rope by the near-side edge of the cenote rim as a rope and pulley is provided. Or you can carry your equipment all the way around the left side to the backside of the cenote and use the wooden stairs. Most cave divers assemble their equipment at their vehicle. Once in the water swim to the right where there is a huge overhang into a half-filled with water and half air area. Swim on the surface for about 100 feet/30 meters and submerge swimming at 10:00 o’clock facing in. The permanent guideline is located approximately 75 feet/23 meters on the far side of a huge flat rock. There is air above you the entire distance to the permanent guideline.

During November, 2006 The National Association for Cave Diving (NACD) paid and installed a #45 gold braided line in 2006 with permission of the land owner Don Pedro Rodriquez to designate the main permanent guide line from all the confusion of the many offshoot guidelines. Unfortunately, the GUE divers of the Zero Gravity dive store led by Daniel Riordan ripped the gold line out of the cave and replaced it with #18 twisted guideline convincing the eldest son this was the proper thing to do. Afterward, sadly, Don Pedro passed away from a cancer illness before the situation could be rectified.

The first 2500 feet/757 meters of the upstream area is a huge delta area of offshoot passages. There is Charlie’s line, Ron’s (Ron Winiker) line, the Bill Carlson line, JJ’s (Juan Jose Tucat) loop line, Joanie’s (Joan Patrick) line, Parker’s (Parker Turner) line and Alberto’s (Alberto Rodriquez) line. Swim upstream on the main line 800 feet/240 meters and there is an air dome with a wooden deck platform (installed in 1994 for an Italian film company production) with a ladder to the surface. Today this site is used for the snorkel tours too. Swim another 100 feet/30 meters and you will swim between two massive and impressive formations appropriately named Heaven’s Gate. The next 300 feet/90 meters is known as Disneyland. All of the offshoot passageways are beautiful and inspiring. My favorite passage is Ron’s line that has several formations of halactites. These are spurs pointing upward formed by blowing wind through the cave when it was once dry during the last ice age. The entire cave area is a fabulous place for underwater photography and videography.

The Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich is primarily used by the giant Alltournative Adventure Company as they bring a continuous flow of tourists from all the All-Inclusive resorts along the Riviera Maya coast for snorkeling tours. The adventure tour starts with a ride in a 4×4 all-terrain vehicle that takes you to the Rancho San Felipe. The tourist snorkelers take part in an snorkeling adventure into the fresh waters of this underground river, swimming deep inside the cavern where they will observe stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations above and below this crystal-clear water.
Afterward a walk through the jungle is offered to view the animal prints from the species that live there, the cenotes, and the variety of flora and fauna. Arriving at Cenote Yax Muul, a beautiful natural underground swimming pool for more outstanding snorkeling is available. A traditional Maya lunch is prepared by the women of this community that awaits you back at San Felipe Ranch. After lunch you will have the opportunity to visit the ranch and its inhabitants, a small Maya family that have lived in this remote jungle location for the past 30 years.
Cenote Noch Nah Chich represents one of the best cave diving and snorkeling experiences of the Riviera Maya. It offers shallow depths of 30 feet/9 meters or less, crystal clear water and an incredible amount of decorations to observe, enjoy and record with still or video cameras. It is an underwater experience you will not forget.

SAFETY IS ALWAYS #1!

The definition for safety is to free or minimize something from danger or risk. It is a natural act that we all do each day. When you drive a car safely you follow the proper speeds, wear a safety belt and perform the necessary maintenance in order for the vehicle to operate in a safe manner such as tires, brakes and basic mechanical functions. The same thing is true with cave diving. To minimize the risk or danger we acquire training, follow a set of basic rules, learn to properly use and take care of the equipment necessary to execute the dive to see and enjoy the cave and use a few tools for the most important aspect of safe cave diving – navigation. That means always be sure of your exit out of the cave. That makes the guideline the highest priority for safety. It is used as a visual aid and only in emergencies – lack of visibility – necessary to become a physical tool to find your way out of a cave.

During the past ten years Mexico’s Riviera Maya has dramatically changed from a very remote and secluded jungle area into a modern and bustling international tourist destination with a rapidly growing population. The cave dive sites that were once impossible or difficult to visit are now becoming easily accessible. One of the problems is a cave that was once only a few have visited or explored are now available for everyone. Another problem is change. The few explorer cave divers who made the time and effort to explore and survey a cave are seeing their little world change. It is tough to let go of something you possessed and now have to share with the many. The act of tradition and the excuse of a string having some type of historical value have no place for the benefit for safety. It happened in Florida and the transition is happening in the Riviera Maya.

The following are suggestions whose aim is to make unsafe situations safer and better for cave diving. There is no right or wrong, only ideas to put forward for consideration. Because is it not every cave diver’s responsibility to make cave diving safer?

CENOTE CALIMBA

This very popular cave dive site is a small, windy passage that has a few minor restrictions along the route to the Paso De Lagarto line of the Grand Cenote. The line is frayed and beat up in many places, broken and repaired in one particular location. If any line needs to be replaced, this cave passage should be a high priority.

CENOTE CARWASH

Why does the permanent gold line upstream begin over 350 feet/ meters from outside the cave? During the past twenty years there has been countless number of complaints and frustrations from visiting cave divers trying to find the permanent upstream guideline. There are arguments such as tradition and a few local cave Instructors desiring the need for students practicing running the primary reel. So when does the needs of a few outweigh the needs of the many? Why can’t the permanent guideline begin closer?

The offshoot guideline known as the Madden/Turner passage leading to the Room of Tears was replaced in 2003 with a knotted #36 braided white nylon guideline.

CENOTE CRISTAL – NAHARON

During 1995, Jim Coke (before moving back to Texas) replaced the stained #18 twisted upstream main line with a larger braided white line all the way to Chac’s Room. He did this because the guideline had become dangerously stained dark brown and very difficult to visually follow. You can say that Jim really cared for safety. During the next eight years that guideline gradually became stained dark brown again. During 2003 the dark stained guideline to Chac’s Room was replaced again and another 800 feet/ meters added further. Two years ago the #45 guideline was ripped out and replaced with a #18 twisted line. Why?

It is recommended that the #18 twisted line be replaced (again) with a safer #45 guideline. It is also suggested that the jump from the main line to the Halocline Room line be eliminated and that the main line be one continuous guideline into Chac’s Room. There is no need for a jump at this location as it regarded as the main line.

CENOTE DOS OJOS

The upstream passage beyond the cavern zone is known as the IMAX passage. It passes by Cenote Tak Be Ha and reaches a very shallow water air dome before continuing further to several other outstanding areas of this cave system. The line is a #18 twisted string. This cave passage is a very popular dive for cave divers. A #45 gold or white guideline installed all the way to the air dome would be the proper solution in making this dive safer.

CENOTE EDEN

The upstream passage past Cenote Zacil on its way to Cenote Repair Shop is a section of cave that is small and consists of worn & damaged #18 twisted string. It is a popular route to traverse to Cenote Chickin Ha or reverse. This line should be replaced with safer and more dependable guideline.

SISTEMA DOS PISOS at CENOTE PIG

This cave is located 7 kilometers south of Tulum on Highway 307 on Rancho Campesino. The land owner is Roberto Canche Camara. A year ago a road was constructed all the way to this cenote making the accessibility much easier and convenient.

The beginning 300 feet/90 meters is a very low and silty (clay) passage that is #18 twisted line. It is frayed and worn in several places and repaired in one location. The configuration of the cave passage forces cave divers to have physical contact. As this cave continues to become popular, it is recommended that this unsafe line be replaced with a safer and more dependable #45 braided white or gold nylon guideline.

THE GRAND CENOTE

The upstream main line from the Grand Cenote to Cenote Ho Tul ends. There is a 60 foot/18 meter gap to the next line, which goes to the Cuzan Nah area. In the past, Cenote Ho Tul was accessible and a viable entry point into the cave system. During early 2008 an 8 foot/2.7 meter high green chain link fence was installed blocking all access to the cenote. Therefore, why is there need for a long gap? It is recommended that a continuous guideline be established eliminating the need for using a reel or spool to fill in the gap.

The jump from the main line to the Paso de Lagarto passage has been a long 70 feet/21 meter distance since 1990. Why is there such a need for a long distance in a big and wide-open area? This junction area has been the center for controversy for many years. Because of the tremendous popularity of this underwater cave, why have a long distance jump?

It is recommended that a short distance of 21 feet/7meters or less be established for a jump or better yet, make this junction area into a permanent intersection properly marked with directional arrows making this area safer and easier for all visiting cave divers.

During early November, 1990 Jim Coke replaced the exploration #18 line with a white braided #45 guideline between the Grand Cenote and the Cenote Ho Tul. In addition, he eliminated the jump between the two cenotes and made it into a jump to the Paso De Lagarto passage.

CENOTE JAILHOUSE “The Muknal Siphon Area”

This cenote was once very difficult to reach requiring a 6 – 8 minute hike to carry your equipment to the water. Not many cave divers had dive this site as it was not very well known, challenging and hard to find. Today, the land owner has made the cenote easily accessible with a very short distance to walk to the water and plenty of parking for vehicles and now very popular for cave diving.

The downstream passage leads the cave diver to some of the most gorgeous power saltwater cave passages in the Riviera Maya. To swim to these areas the cave passages are located in the shallow fresh water zone. The entire Naranjal cave system is fed by a huge swamp drainage area located ten kilometers further inland, thus a continuous feed of tannic acid. After so many years, the once white guidelines become permanently stained dark brown. Because the fresh water cave passages are also stained a dark brown to black colors, this makes following the guidelines visually very difficult. It is suggested that periodically the stained #18 twisted lines be replaced with fresh white #45 or #36 guidelines in making the navigation safer.

CENOTE NOHOCH NAH CHICH

From 1988 – 2004 this cenote was only accessible by hiking 40 minutes from Highway 307 with all equipment carried by horse or burro for cave divers to enjoy the cave. It was established as a business for the benefit of the Don Pedro Rodriquez Maya family and a dive store business in Puerto Aventuras. All cave divers who chose to dive Cenote Nohoch Nan Chich were always under a guide system program provided by the dive store business. The dive store business was sold and a huge Outdoor Adventure company based in Playa Del Carmen obtained the concession to Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich to organize and conduct snorkel group tours for tourists from a long list of hotel resorts under contract. Because of the volume of people to use the cenote an agreement was made with the Rodriquez family and the Ejido Jacinto Pat to make the trail into a drivable road financed by the Outdoor Adventure Company. Once that road was completed, Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich was easily available for all cave divers to dive and enjoy.

The physical characteristics of the cave system are similar to a huge river only underground. As the water drainage approaches Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich the cave passages spread into a huge delta area, thus a vast network of exploration lines. There have been a countless number of comments of frustration and confusion from cave divers in trying to determine where was the main line.

During the summer of 2006 the National Association for Cave Diving graciously donated $500.00 worth of braided #45 gold guideline to be installed into Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich as has been previously done is several other cave systems in the Riviera Maya. Due to a few logistical problems with delivery the gold line was finally installed with the blessing of the land owner Don Pedro Rodriquez in early November, 2006. A month later the gold guideline was ripped out by a local dive store business and replaced with #18 twisted strings.

The cenote continues to one of the more popular cave dives in the Riviera Maya and establishing a safe guideline designating it is the main line would be the right thing to do for safety.

CENOTE MINOTAURO

The upstream cave section begins as a very shallow and small passage with a few minor restrictions and was consisting of a worn and frayed #18 twisted line. Twice during the past two years the unsafe line was replaced with a #45 braided guide line with approval of the land owner. As of March, 2008 the second generation #45 braided white guideline was still in place.

CENOTE PET CEMETERY

This cenote was entirely inaccessible since being first explored during 1993 and 1994. During the past three years, the land owner has invested thousands of dollars in making this cenote accessible. His goal is to develop the site into a popular snorkeling and outdoor eco area for tourists and locals to use and enjoy at a modest admission fee. The plus side for cave diving is gaining access to more beautiful underwater cave. What is quickly developing and will become one of the premier cave dives in the Riviera Maya swimming to the incredible Blue Abyss Room. This dive is a 45+ minute swim that requires negotiating three jumps and two minor restrictions from Cenote Pet Cemetery.

The permanent line to the Blue Abyss Room was a cheap #18 twisted string. It has been broken and repaired in several places. As of May 2008 the entire route to the Blue Abyss Room was replaced with a #45 braided white nylon guideline. Their have been threats to rip out the safer guideline and put back in place a twisted #18 line.

Luis Leal – co-owner and operator of the Aqua Caves Dive Center located at the Dos Ojos road entrance has been put in charge of the cave management of Cenote Pet Cemetery and many other cenote cave dive sites. He fully supports safer guidelines for the popular cave passages.

CENOTE REGINA

This cenote is located 4.5 kilometers south of Tulum at Rancho La Herrencia. The basin to this cenote is a nasty algae and extremely silty area. The permanent guideline begins at the surface tied to a tree stump. It leads vertically down to a ledge and mid-size opening at 15 feet/4.5 meters depth. The silt conditions are horrible while exiting. It is recommended that a #45 braided guideline be installed the first 200 feet/60 meters to make entries and exits for cave divers safer.

CENOTE TAJ MAHAL

The cave passage beyond the cavern zone leading to the jump to the Chinese Garden room areas was a worn and frayed #18 twisted exploration string. This passage meanders all the way to a feature known as the “water fall”. The passage is very white and in the middle of a halocline in some areas. The passage leading into the two rooms known as the Chinese Garden area begins with a minor restriction, craggily limestone and some halocline. Twice safer #45 guidelines replaced the old #18 twisted lines; these two locations are now returned back to #18 twisted strings. A safer and more dependable guideline would be the safe solution.

The downstream passage to the Room of Cheers is used by many Cave Instructors for many training drills and the line is a worn and frayed #18 string. This cave passage could benefit with a safer and dependable guideline.

CENOTE XUNAAN HA

This cave dive site is located behind the village of Chemuyil near the power lines. This cenote offers easy accessibility and is a great site for cave diving training. The upstream line consists of a #18 twisted line. Beyond 700 feet/225 meters the passage becomes very small. It is recommended that this unsafe line be replaced with a safer #45 white or gold guideline.

THE GOLD LINES PROGRAM

The gold line program was initiated by the National Speleological Society – Cave Diving Section during the fall of 1988 after the drowning accident of a certified Basic Cave Diver on September 6, 1988 at Orange Grove Sink part of the Peacock Springs Cave System. The purpose of the gold Kerman tile guidelines and years later changed to a braided #45 gold guideline is to designate the main line of the cave system that leads straight out of the cave with a larger size and/or different color. The intent of this program is to help navigate inexperience cave divers or cave divers not familiar with the cave to better understand what is considered the direct way in and out of the cave system. Within a few years all the popular underwater caves of North Florida had gold lines installed. Years later the demand for gold guidelines for caves in the Bahamas, Missouri and Mexico followed. During the late 1990’s the National Association for Cave Diving jumped on the band wagon with their Safety Officer program supplying requests from cave divers who desired gold lines for underwater caves.

The following caves of the Riviera Maya have gold lines installed designating the main line of the cave system.

1. Cenote Aktun Koh. The main line completing the circuit through the Cenote
Bear’s Den. This cave is no longer available for cave diving.
2. Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom) –The Madonna Passage, the Coliseum
Room and through the Hall of Giants Room.
3. Cenote Caracol (Labna Ha Eco Park) – the main line.
4. Cenote Carwash – upstream to Adrianna’s Room.
5. Cenote Chac Mool – upstream mainline 1500 feet/454 meters. Down stream to
the Monster Room and past 150 feet/45 meters.
6. Cenote Dos Ojos – The downstream traverse to Cenote Dos Palmas to Cenote
High Voltage to Cenote Tapir’s End to Cenote Monolito.
7. Cenote Eden. The River Run Circuit back through Cenote Zacil and Cenote
Little Joe. The downstream passage to the Chapel Room air dome.
8. Cenote Mayan Blue – The “A’ tunnel 400 feet/121 meters past the Battleship
Room. The entire “B” tunnel.
9. Cenote Taj Mahal – The Jumna River passage and towards Cenote Buena
Vista.

The following cavern zones have gold lines installed:

1. Cenote Chac Mool.
2. Cenote Dos Ojos including the Bat Cave.
3. Cenote Eden.
4. Grand Cenote.
5. Cenote Taj Mahal.

This is a great program that has proven itself in making cavern and cave diving safer and better for everyone. The NSS-CDS performed a magnificent job of initiating this safety program and establishing safe guidelines in the underwater cave systems. The NACD followed up with their contributions. However, both organizations have become weary and frustrated with the bickering and fighting in Mexico along with their own problems in the State of Florida, USA. Several members of both organizations have stated why Mexico cannot take care of its own problems. I totally agree.

THE MONEY TO OBTAIN SAFE GUIDE LINES

Nothing comes free. Luis Leal has asked me many times if I could obtain the safe gold #45 guide line for the Dos Ojos cave system and a few other locations. That is easier said than done, as this braided nylon safe guideline is not cheap.

I will recruit the necessary money. I can pledge a minimum $5,000.00 as many friends and supporters have informed me they are willing to donate to the worthy cause of making the underwater caves of the Riviera Maya safer. I personally pledge $500.00 to start this fund. As my friend Dan Orr – CEO and President of DIVERS ALERT NETWORK wrote me stating he would be very willing to donate money in the cause for safe cave diving. Because the majority of cave divers are from out-of-country, it would be appropriate if cave divers help make the cave safer. If you wish to help fund this worthy cause contact me at:

stevegerrard@cavediver.com

If you already know that you wish to donate$10.00, $25.00 or $50.00 to this GOLD SAFETY LINE for making cave diving safer in the Riviera Maya please send a check to:

STEVE GERRARD
2828 South McCall Road Suite 32
PMB 33
Englewood, Florida 34224

I will be sending out emails and letters asking for help. An accountant will certify all monies donated and all expenditures will be verified. A certificate will be issued to each person acknowledging his or her contribution.

Because is it not every cave diver’s responsibility to make cave diving safer?

SISTEMA DOS PISOS

“THE TWO FLOORS CAVE”

by STEVE GERRARD

Several years ago I met Don Roberto Canche Camara who owns the Rancho El Campesino as I was seeking permission to dive a cave system located on his land. I was given the consent, however diving the cave system was very challenging as there was no road to the main cenote. This required a 50 minute hike on a narrow path three kilometers into the dense jungle from the ranch house. However, there was a closer cenote half the distance named Cenote Pig. It got this name as diving it necessitated entering into a shallow and muddy pool of water and swimming a very low and silty passage for the first 250 feet/75 meters.

I was first told about this cave by Gunnar Wagner who explored and surveyed the cave during 1999 – 2002. At that time Gunnar owned and operated the Aktun Dive Center in Tulum, Mexico. He was trying to establish a few cave systems that were too far away for easy access, but offer an expedition adventure style set-up where equipment had to be moved to the cenote site by sharpas and everyone had to hike into the jungle to the main cenote.

This worked for some cave divers seeking an exciting activity. However for most cave divers they preferred easy access that required little time and short distances and there were far too many other cenotes and cave systems for them to dive that gave them an easy access. This proved not to be the lucrative business for Gunnar’s dive store had hoped for. The exploration was fantastic and a huge feather and an amazing accomplishment for him. Attracting cave divers on a consistent basis to dive this cave was not to be.

This cave system is very shallow and highly decorated. The majority of the cave passages are twenty feet or less. There is one passage that drops down to eighty feet/24.4 meters, thus the name Two Floors – Dos Pisos. Gunnar encouraged me to dive this cave several times. My opportunity to dive it during those first few years was not available as my schedule was quite busy with teaching and guiding plus I took up a new job working offshore in the Gulf of Mexico in the oil industry.

During the past two years dramatic changes have taken place at Rancho El Campesino. The ranch forman (guia) is Carlos Sandres who is from the Maya town of Carrillo Jose Puerto. The once dormant ranch is being transformed into a productive diversity of produce beginning with a commercial fish farm. The fish being grown for market is called the “mojarra tilapia” or a species of fresh water bass. Grown from hatchlings, the fish are moved from tank to tank during the early stages of growth as the fish mature each month in an amazing rate of development. The fish are ready for market after five months. The amount of fish produced vary from 1000 – 1500 each month. The water is changed every five days to maintain healthy conditions and a daily source of viable food is fed on a daily basis. In addition, a stable supply of turkey, chickens, geese are being grown with plans to add rabbit and squirrel for market. A small drove of brahma (cesus) cattle and horses are included into the mix. That is not all as preparations are focused on growing lemon, papaya, orange and coconut trees for an annual fruit harvest.

Because of the huge tourism business from the Riviera Maya the ranch is in the expansion stages of building a unique waterway system of spring fed water from the underground cave for swimming and fishing. Also included is the intent to offer bird watching and horseback riding along with the cave diving for the Sistema Dos Pisos.

There is no doubt this is one of the prettiest cave systems in the Riviera Maya! To find it drive south of Tulum on Highway 307 about six kilometers in distance. You are looking for a small sign on the right side that says Rancho El Campe at kilometer marker 220. This will be opposite of a giant land quarry on the left side. Drive in on the sascab road until you reach the ranch house. The road veers to the right (watch out for little dogs tied to trees) and stop past the corral and stalls for cattle. Pay the dive site fee of 150 pesos per diver. Proceed further past one gate, the road turns to the right and past several fish farm circular tanks. You will negotiate another crude barb wire gate (to hold cattle back) as the young workers will help you with the gates. Proceed onward past a third gate then you will encounter an intersection. Turn left and continue on into the jungle on the newly laid sascab road. Another intersection will appear and veer to the left. Finally you will reach the end of the road at a clearing in the jungle called a milpa. Park your vehicle and find the sascab path to the right. Follow it for 30 meters/100 feet as it splits in two and turn right. Follow the path down into the dry cenote. You will see where cave divers are entering the water at the edge of a limestone rock overhang. Walk into the water and make your way to the left. Look for the permanent guideline that begins at the surface in four feet of water.

As of June, 2009 the total amount of cave passages explored and surveyed stands at 27,524 feet/ 8,404 meters. A total of five cenotes are part of the cave system with a maximum depth of 80 feet/24.4 meters. The first 250 feet/75 meters of the cave passage is low and silty. In two places you will probably have to belly rub along the cave floor. There are parts of the cave bottom that is clay silt so expect bad visibility for the #3 or more team members. Do not worry as there is a flow of water and it clears up in a few minutes. The further you swim upstream the bigger the cave becomes. Be gentle as this is a fragile cave, very white and 22 feet/7 meters maximum depth in this area of the cave system. Be assured as you swim further into this cave you will pea your wetsuit/dry suit from the sheer beauty. For those with good air consumption, you can traverse all the way to Cenote Dos Pisos located nearly 3,700 feet/1,121 meters upstream on a set of double 80 cubic feet tanks. Really! You will thoroughly enjoy this dive and there are several offshoot lines to explore. It is a magical experience.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Hola

Greetings from the Country of South Korea at the coastal city of Busan. This is my second visit to this beautiful city. It is the 5th largest and busiest shipping port in the world. The N SEALS told us yesterday we will be staying here until September 7th. Really cool. I am going to do some sight seeing on my off time. Yippe Kai Yeah!

Today on my offtime I visited the International Shopping area of Busan and viewed the city from an incredible view on a observation tower. Photos on my FACEBOOK.

We arrived Monday afternoon after a seven-day voyage from GUAM.

My week in GUAM was good as I was able to do five open water dives.

They were GAB GAB Beach #2 reef located about 200 meters offshore from GAB GAB Beach. This reef is used by a tourist shallow water submarine as there is a school of seven trevelly (jacks) fish averaging about 25 lbs each, two nice size snapper, two turtles and a huge variety of reef fish to view.

A Thursday night dive at Gun Beach located on the north side of Tamron Bay diving with John Schubert and Jonathan Duboise. The first minute we had a huge Manta ray swim underneath us. It was an enjoyable 80 minute dive and afterward a great chicken & ribs at the Jamaican Grille in Hagatna.

A late Friday afternoon beach dive at Dadi Beach located on the south side of the Navy base. I shot over 125 images on that dive.

On Saturday I took a two dive boat trip on the MDA (Micronesia Diving Association) dive store diving in the ARPA Harbor (because of bad weather on the outer reefs). We dived the Hidden Reef located near the Ammunitions Pier and the Navy Seebee junk pile containing three bulldozers, a few trucks, pipes and other debris from the 1940’s. In truth, it was a very interesting dive and for the day I shot over 200 images.

I was quite satisfied with the five dives I was able to do.

On January 9th, 2009 I sent to the United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center located at Martinsburg, West Virginia my Third Mate Unlimited license application along with my Doctor’s signed physical exam and drug testing papers. No word for three months. I called the NMC and they had no record of my application and my 70 assessment papers. Frustrated, I had a bad feeling that my application and assessment papers were lost. That was a sick feeling as I spent two years getting all the assessment papers signed off and, as a dummy, I did not make copies (I usually do). While I was in Japan at the Naval Base of Yukosaka during June I faxed a letter the NMC with a copy of my original letter asking again if they could find my application and the assessment papers. I was pretty much resigned to the fact that I would have to start all over with the assessment papers. Very depressing.

When I returned to GUAM on Saturday night, August 15th the Captain had mail for me from Hawaii. Sure enough I had three letters from the USCG NMC dated June 30th, 2009 and the letters acknowledged that USCG NMC did receive my application and my assessment papers. I tell you…that was some of the best news I have received in a long time. Six months of total frustration now gone.

Anyway, there were eleven more assessments they wanted me to have signed off. There particular assessments should have been signed off from my ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Assessment) course that I took in Ft. Lauderdale in June, 2006. I have written a letter to the Maritime Professional Training School requesting that these assessments be signed off and be sent to the NMC. Hopefully and soon…I will finally have everything checked off to be approved to take my exams and earn the Third Mate Unlimited tonnage Officer license.

I am beginning to see little bit of “daylight” at the end of a long tunnel pursuing this goal. This process has involved over 21 courses ($20,000+ including hotels, rental cars, etc), 81 assessments and six years of fortitude.

In regards with the continuing saga of “SAFE” lines for cave diving in the Rivieria Maya I was informed that my article … “SAFETY IS ALWAYS #1” … had somewhat of an effect. Several people tended to agree with my points and suggestions. Though Steve Bogearts still insists that a #18 twisted guideline was better and safer most folks like the #45 lines and/or the gold lines. It seems that a compromise was agreed upon using a #24 braided line. What will be implimented remains to be seen. I do know and always have (35 years of cave diver egos teaches you this) that getting everyone on the same page cannot happen in cave diving.

I do know this. At Cenote Pet Cemetary (Mystic River) to the “Blue Abyss” Room the #45 line was not compromise and the land owner – Arturo Vargas – wants it to stay that way. At Cenote Taj Mahal the line to the “Waterfall” and the Chinese Garden area remains being the #45 line though I am told there are a few people who want to change it to a colored line. At Cenote Minotauro the #45 line was replaced with a #18 twisted line for the third time for the upstream circuit dive. With the help of Tommy Harden on one dive I changed it all back to a braided #45 line. Yes, I am stubborn but I am making a point for safety. At Cenote Cristal (Naharon) I changed the #18 twisted line back to braided #45 (for the second time) all the way to Chac’s Room and 400 feet beyond. Cenote Jailhouse I replaced the #18 twisted line with #45 braided at the two shortcut passsages to the downstream saltwater power passage for the third time.

I will be sending out my second SAFETY article in a few days. The contributors for GOLD LINE at this time are the following:

Doug Chappell $10.00 Darryl Harris $ 50.00
Steve Gerrard $500.00 Dan Hartman $200.00
Jim Horvaka $50.00 Dr. Harry Marinakis $100.00
Dan Orr $50.00 Richard Yost $100.00
John Delaney $50.00 Michael Menduno $ 50.00

TOTAL so far is: $1,110.00

I thought I was getting donations from three other inviduals but nothing has been received yet. I am hopeful they will come through. I am still asking for donations as the GOLD LINE is expensive.

PLEASE SEND TO; 2828 South McCall Road – Suite 32 PMB 33, Englewood, Florida 34224.

I have ordered the first boxes of GOLD LINE spools from the E. L. Wood Braiding Company (same company the NACD orders their gold line). I will receive them in October. The first requests for GOLD line is Cenote Mystic River (Pet Cemetary) and Cenote Dreamgate.

Oh, I now have my very own STICKER. Bogearts and little Robbie Schmittner made up an eight sided STOP sign with the same message as the T-shirt. The money spent on this is incredible. I have only seen three stickers and I autographed two of them and placed a heart on it. No one is wearing the T-shirts. When Larry & Debra Green were visiting and conducting the NACD IEC the first week of August I gave them one T-shirt and they got two T-shirts from Robbie. The publicity from this is priceless from a marketing viewpoint. My FACEBOOK friend list spiked and several local folks have expressed taking specialty courses from me or diving with me. Man…I LOVE IT!

I return to Puerto Aventuras, Mexico around October 8th. I am teaching a cave diving course with a student from Finland during the week of October 10th. I will be diving with Bob Thorpe and Ken Bosko of Traverse City, Michigan during the week of October 25th.

I have asked to take one hitch off from my vessel for this coming winter of 2010. I was granted permission from my coordinator. Therefore, I will have FOUR months available to teach and/or guide cave divers. I have set up THREE DAY specialty cave diving courses – with SIDE MOUNT and DPV. JANUARY – MAY 2nd, 2010. These specialty courses may get several folks interested in coming down to the Riviera Maya for the winter of 2010. Let me know ASAP if you know of anyone who may have an interest.

I hope all is going great!

Be safe,

STEVE

stevegerrard@cavediver.com

LA COSTA #103
PUERTO AVENTURAS, Q. ROO
77750 MEXICO

sg