Spelunking Geniuses 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
I filled a position of Search and Rescue Diver for several years (late 80’s/early 90’s) in a Southeastern Georgia Fire Department. As we were one of the few well-equipped dive teams in the area, we often supported the surrounding communities. One afternoon, I received a call to respond to a popular Cave Diving site in Northern Florida. 2 divers were reported overdue. After retrieving both divers, 1 deceased and 1 in critical condition due to lack of oxygen, it was found that they had next to no experience, and had both just recently received their first open water certification. The second diver later regained consciousness, but sustained significant brain damage and was reduced to a grossly lower mental capacity. (if possible) Both divers were in their mid 20’s, and each had around 1200 lbs of compressed air left in their tanks, but had succumb to panic and lost their regulators.
This particular cave has security in place to check the credentials of prospective divers, so it was quite a surprise to discover their lack of experience. Apparently, they had decided that their 20 odd years of “worldly knowledge” was sufficient to allow them a safe diving experience in this dangerous underwater environment, and had falsified documentation in order to get admitted to the dive site.
I’m sorry, I can’t remember names or exact date, but I’m sure it was reported in the Jacksonville, FL area newspaper at the time. (Around summer of 1994)
Submitted on 10/28/2002
Submitted by:
Anonymous
Reference:
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