Tue, July 4, 2017 Dives: 1 Bottom Time: 47 minutes Max Depth: 81-90ft/25-27m Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m Water Temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C Weight: 0 Exposure Suit: Fullsuit - 5 (Hood, Gloves, Boots) Tank Type: Twin Steel - 85cf/12L Gas Type: Nitrox Dive Type: Cave Dive Buddy:   Scott Butsch, Cameron King Jess’ Hole Fort White, FL Water Type: Fresh Entry Type: Shore

Tues. July 4th, 2017 - Had a better opportunity exploring this beautiful cave system, without my camera this time, as Scott gave us a tour. The vis was far better than it was this time last year. Water levels were up from spring feed. Last year it had more river intrusion, and was green and hazy. This year it was more bluish. While the bats were not there, the Pallid Cave Crayfish were out in abundance.

The downsides to the dive: The mosquitoes looked like bears, and were out in force, as were the ticks. Plus, the entry/exit setup for accessing the water, 45 ft. down a shaft, is raw and crude on a steep, muddy embankment, without any safety harnesses or safety leashes for divers or the bottles, making the process quite dangerous, as was evidenced when one of my bottles slipped out of my buddy’s hand as he removed the rope from the pulley, and plummeted 45 ft. back into the depths of the water after crashing into the shaft, and the painter’s scaffolding, just missing the landowner below.

After retrieving my bottle, came the damages: the tank valve knob on my steel 85 was sheared off, and my Scubapro G260 second stage was injured as well, demanding it to be sent off for servicing and repairs.