Deep Horizon Blog

     We began the SUBMERGE DPV course on Sunday, November 19^th with an open water training session at CENOTE MANATI (Manatee) located on the Tankah Beach adjacent to the Casa Cenote.  This 300 meter spring run through a mangrove swamp is the perfect recipe to begin a SUBMERGE DPV course as it exactly resembles an underwater cave passage with no ceiling.  Both cave divers own their UV 18 SUBMERGE DPVS at home.  However, they were impressed that the transition to the longer DPV was easier than expected.  We practiced towing techniques involving a disabled DPV and a second DPV, sharing air, carrying a stage bottle and other techniques.   The only thing I regret for that day was not adding a second stage bottle to the open water practice.
      After the dive session we had a great BBQ buffet lunch at the Casa Cenote Restaurant that over looks the spring outlet that empties into the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
 

     Our afternoon dives were at CENOTE CHAC MOOL scootering upstream to CENOTE PIKAL in 24 minutes (3600 feet/1091 meters) scooter time and back in the same amount of time.  Our second dive was a 13 minute run (1600 feet) downstream to the MONSTER ROOM and 12 minutes back.  The dive session was a success with both cave divers becoming more comfortable with the machines in the cave environment.
 

     On Monday, November 20^th, we drove out 8 kilometers on the Chemuyil Road for a DPV dive at SISTEMA TUHS XUBAXA AKTUN.  I wanted to dive this power cave passage while everyone was physically fresh as the cenote required to haul our DPV machines over 412 feet/125 meters.  We used my new carrying devices – aluminum back plates with a slot using cam straps that I bought at Sam´s Club.   They worked like a charm as carrying these heavy machines on our backs much easier.  Michael and Micael were amazed with the size of the trunk passage and the bonus of observing the mastodon bone site.  We carried one stage bottle for safety using 900 psi total in our doubles.
 

     For our afternoon session we traveled to CENOTE TAJ MAHAL for a run on the Jumna River main line to CENOTE BUENA VISTA.  On our return in the huge room section of the Jumna River gold line section, we practiced various techniques in order to gain more confidence of being in command of the DPV machines.
      Our third day of the SUBMERGE DPV course was a double session with the morning dive session at SISTEMA CAMILO entering at the CENOTE MUCHACHOS entry point.  We carried one stage bottle for safety.  Both Michael and Micael were amazed with the power size of the main passage.   We ventured 1000 feet/303 meters on the Black Hills line on our return run.  The last 600 feet/182 meters out on the main passage, we practiced towing a disabled DPV situation(s).    For lunch we ate at the Tulum Beach at the Mayan Grill Restaurant content with the beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea.  Our afternoon dive was at CENOTE CHICKIN HA diving downstream into the SISTEMA PONDEROSA.   However, Michael Koltz chose not to dive as we discovered his mask, fin and Wings BCD were missing.  We later determined that they must have blown out of my truck on our drive on Highway 307 from SISTEMA CAMILO though I thought the truck was properly packed.  Therefore, Micael Malmberg or known as Mike 1 and I made a DPV dive to CENOTE EDEN and to THE CHAPEL  We practiced gas sharing techniques on our return to CENOTE CHICKIN HA.
 

     Our remaining three days were planned one session dives as we were now using two SUBMERGE DPVS apiece and two stage bottles each.  The logistics with so much equipment makes it impossible for more than one dive site per day.
We chose CENOTE MAYAN BLUE with our planned dive to scooter B tunnel, to E tunnel to F tunnel to G tunnel and onto the A tunnel beyond the Battleship Room to the ¨T¨ intersection on your way to CENOTE NAHARON and back using only the stage bottles and no back gas.  However, as we began the dive on the B line it was very obvious both men were struggling with the addition of the second stage bottle and towing the second DPV.  We called the dive 400 feet/121 meters in and return to the open water.  After a lengthy discussion, we determined the halocline was a major part of the problem.  We decided to cut the dive in half the planned distance and not use the second stage bottle or DPV.  The dive worked like a champ!  After the DPV dive, both Michael (II) and Micael (I) practiced for an hour in the open water practicing carrying the second stage and towing the second DPV.  It paid off handsomely as our dive the next day at SISTEMA DOS OJOS to the LSD area was a huge success.
      With our graduation dive at CENOTE NOHOCH NAH CHICH to the BLUE ABYSS, the DON PEDRO RODRIQUEZ UTIZEL family treated me with gracious respect and warmth.  I was overwhelmed by their help with all our equipment for the dive to be performed.  Our dive was text book perfect as we reached the Cenote Dinner Hole in 35 minutes.  We clipped off our first DPV and first stage bottle at this point. We reached the ¨X¨ line eleven minutes later, the Pablo Diaz line in seven minutes and the final jump to the BLUE ABYSS at the 32^nd minute on our second DPVs.  We entered the BLUE ABYSS room at the 77^th minute of total time underwater.  Both Michael and Micael were stunned by the drop off and the descent into this beautiful saltwater, blue tinted geological wonder.   Before we exited the room at the 40 foot level, Michael Koltz swam over to me and shook my hand.  That was my reward after a very hard working and successful week of using the SUBMERGE DPV machines.  Our exit back to CENOTE NOHOCH NAH CHICH was flawless with a total time underwater of 180 minutes.
 

     After our great dives and saying our goodbyes to the DON PEDRO family, we stopped at the famous LEO´S PIZZA for our PIZZA LEO extra Grande and our satisfying refreshments.  On the way back to Puerto Aventuras we stopped by VILLAS DEROSA/AQUATECH to visit with Paul Heinerth and his group of ten cave divers.  They were sat down at the dinner table sharing their stories of a great week of cave diving.  They were diving the CENOTE NOHOCH NAH CHICH the day before as was a team of three GUE I cave divers from Norway.¼br /> On Saturday early morning I drove Gary Lemme of New Port Richey, Florida who was part of Paul Heinerth´s group and an old friend of the past and MICHAEL KOLTZ a ride to the airport as both men had early departure flights back home.  I returned to Puerto Aventuras to pick up MICAEL MALMBERG as we performed easy, fun dives at CENOTE OF THE SUN of the SISTEMA NARANJAL and CENOTE CHAN HOL.  We were planning to dive CENOTE JAILHOUSE, however, two teams of cave divers with a total of six were already there so we opted for a downstream dive at the CENOTE OF THE SUN making it deep into the WHITE RIVER line.  While diving at the CENOTE CHAN HOL, we witnessed the birth and the impact of over a billion grass hoppers crawling about.  Grass hoppers everywhere!  Micael was super impressed with the cave system!
      I was very proud and satisfied with the results of the SUBMERGE DPV course and the performance of Michael Koltz and Micael Malmberg.  An excellent job despite the frustrations we had at CENOTE MAYAN BLUE and the lost equipment of MICHAEL II.  I learned much with the experience of having two DPV students as I will continue to make changes and improvements to the course structure and content.  I wish to sincerely thank ALEX ALVAREZ of Tulum and owner of the ACUATICA TULUM DIVE CENTER and DENNIS WEEKS of Paalmu and owner/operator of DIABLO DIVERS for their help with the RODNEY NAIRNE SUBMERGE DPVS.   A superb DPV machine for cave diving that now is convincing several GAVIN DPV owners that it is now time to switch.