Diving in caves requires training A man who drowned in a cave in the Chassahowitza River should not have been there in the first place, professionals say. By MOISES MENDOZA Published July 19, 2006

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CHASSAHOWITZKA - They're hardly the giant caverns that intrepid explorers sometimes find in the Withlacoochee State Forest.

But swimmers often squeeze into the small caverns and caves beneath the surface of the Chassahowitzka River, looking for a quick thrill.

Despite their tiny size, however, the Chassahowitzka's tiny caves can be dangerous, experts say.

Former Pasco County football star Jason Boyette found that out early Saturday morning when he snorkled his way into a cave near the Chassahowitzka River Lodge, got stuck and drowned.

He never should have been there, said Paul Heinerth, the owner of Scuba West, a diving shop and diving training center in Hudson.

"If you're going to go into any cave entrances then you definitely should have some extensive cave diving training," Heinerth said. "To me, it's safe if you go down to look at it, but don't go in it."

Heinerth said there are several cave systems in the Chassahowitzka River, but none are known as major destinations. Still, Chassahowitzka River Lodge owner Looty Milliman said many people explore them during the daytime.

"The caves are really too small to go scuba diving in," Heinerth said.

The tightness of the cave might have been Boyette's biggest problem.

Boyette was found lodged in a small underwater tunnel just off S Riviera Point in the Chassahowitzka River about 9 feet from the water's surface.

The tunnel was small, only 10 to 12 feet long and 2 feet in diameter, said sheriff's spokeswoman Gail Tierney.

To get inside, Boyette had to get through one of three holes that connected to the tunnel. It didn't help when the light on his single flashlight went out, she said.

Boyette didn't have scuba equipment or the training necessary to attempt such a dive. Without equipment, the friends who were with him couldn't help.

Heinerth emphasized Tuesday that diving is safe with proper supervision and training.

"If you're going to go into any cave entrances, you should definitely have specialized training," he said.

Moises Mendoza can be reached at mmendoza@sptimes.com or 860-7337.

[Last modified July 18, 2006, 19:55:19]

Submitted on 07/30/2006

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: St Petersburg Times July 19, 2

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Diving is rather risky, and we get relatively few stories about diving accidents. TWO FEET IN DIAMETER? Was this fellow out to see what it feels like to be a human drain plug? He was probably too large for the hole to begin with, and he should have known that. Finally, he chose to dive alone. BAD move! Enough stupidity here for a DA, IMO.

Fitzroy said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Yeah, this meets all the criteria by my judgement as well. Hopefully this will at least develop into a cautionary tale for others who might entertain such reckless thoughts.

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