Daft question - sorry in advance

Divingniknaks · December 27th, 2005, 11:08 PM

On another board (TDS) I see references to Ginnie Ballroom and the grate.

Is that the bit that is often referred to as Ginnie Cavern ?

Curious as I was in there with Mr Miller a cpl of weeks ago, and now I see reports of a near drowning in what "I think" is the same thing. Amm I right or is it somewhere else ?

Hope someone can clear up my confusion.

Cheers

***Bob Cooper*** · December 27th, 2005, 11:22 PM

Phill

Yes, the Ballroom is the same place as the Ginnie cavern. The place where open water divers can go with lights. There is a thick line in there and a grate with some noticeable flow.

Bob

Divingniknaks · December 27th, 2005, 11:28 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

Phill

Yes, the Ballroom is the same place as the Ginnie cavern. The place where open water divers can go with lights. There is a thick line in there and a grate with some noticeable flow.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

Now I'm even more curious as to how someone could nearly drown in there.

Cheers

PfcAJ · December 27th, 2005, 11:36 PM

Even though its "open water safe", the Ballroom is extremely overhead. Its not a even gradual slope where swimming up and out will take you to open water.

Parts of the Ballroom have zero natural light on the far left side, and even a restriction that requires some crawling to get through. The exit to open water is kind of wide and about 4-6 ft high, but from the grate to the opening is about 100 or so feet (give or take). The celing has many domes and pitts that a diver could get caught up in if he/she loses their weight.

The Ballroom is no joke.

***Bob Cooper*** · December 27th, 2005, 11:40 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by PfcAJ)

Parts of the Ballroom have zero natural light on the far left side, and even a restriction that requires some crawling to get through. The exit to open water is kind of wide and about 4-6 ft high, but from the grate to the opening is about 100 or so feet (give or take). The celing has many domes and pitts that a diver could get caught up in if he/she loses their weight.

The Ballroom is no joke.

Yes, agree entirely.

It's funny how, in these days of litigation and "blame culture", Ginnie Springs can condone (and even positively encourage) open water divers to ignore their agency's recommendations and dive an overhead environment.

Bob

*JohnKendall* · December 28th, 2005, 01:55 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

Yes, agree entirely.

It's funny how, in these days of litigation and "blame culture", Ginnie Springs can condone (and even positively encourage) open water divers to ignore their agency's recommendations and dive an overhead environment.

Bob

Well without the Cavern, what is there at Ginnie? I did a 45min dive in the cavern in november, but the only reason the dive lasted more than 5 was because I was trying to take photos (trying being the operative word)

I'd have been bored silly if I wasn't cave qualified and could dive the "real" sites there.

J
(However I do totally agree that Divers with No overhead training should be in there, It is dark in there and there are a load of places where you can't see the exit)

gecko3s · December 28th, 2005, 04:56 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall)

Well without the Cavern, what is there at Ginnie? I did a 45min dive in the cavern in november, but the only reason the dive lasted more than 5 was because I was trying to take photos (trying being the operative word)

I'd have been bored silly if I wasn't cave qualified and could dive the "real" sites there.

J
(However I do totally agree that Divers with No overhead training should be in there, It is dark in there and there are a load of places where you can't see the exit)

I totally feel your pain! I'm only an hour away and have only been there twice..once to dive it and once for the Fundies swim test.

Everyone was always talking about how great Ginnie is as a dive- yes, the water is crystal clear and thats great, but as an OW diver, I found it to be somewhat boring. Even the ballroom wasn't as cool as I expected.

I'll go back when I get my cavern and cave, for sure, but I have a hard time justifying 30 bucks to dive there until then.

PfcAJ · December 28th, 2005, 08:20 PM

I agree, Matt. Its hella boring without cavern/cave. But the Devil's system sure is cool!

December 27th, 2005, 11:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Daft question - sorry in advance On another board (TDS) I see references to Ginnie Ballroom and the grate. Is that the bit that is often referred to as Ginnie Cavern ? Curious as I was in there with Mr Miller a cpl of weeks ago, and now I see reports of a near drowning in what "I think" is the same thing. Amm I right or is it somewhere else ? Hope someone can clear up my confusion. Cheers __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

December 27th, 2005, 11:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper) Phill Yes, the Ballroom is the same place as the Ginnie cavern. The place where open water divers can go with lights. There is a thick line in there and a grate with some noticeable flow. Bob Thanks Bob. Now I'm even more curious as to how someone could nearly drown in there. Cheers __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

December 28th, 2005, 04:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
gecko3s(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 26	Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) Well without the Cavern, what is there at Ginnie? I did a 45min dive in the cavern in november, but the only reason the dive lasted more than 5 was because I was trying to take photos (trying being the operative word) I'd have been bored silly if I wasn't cave qualified and could dive the "real" sites there. J (However I do totally agree that Divers with No overhead training should be in there, It is dark in there and there are a load of places where you can't see the exit) I totally feel your pain! I'm only an hour away and have only been there twice..once to dive it and once for the Fundies swim test. Everyone was always talking about how great Ginnie is as a dive- yes, the water is crystal clear and thats great, but as an OW diver, I found it to be somewhat boring. Even the ballroom wasn't as cool as I expected. I'll go back when I get my cavern and cave, for sure, but I have a hard time justifying 30 bucks to dive there until then. __________________ Matt

December 27th, 2005, 11:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Phill Yes, the Ballroom is the same place as the Ginnie cavern. The place where open water divers can go with lights. There is a thick line in there and a grate with some noticeable flow. Bob

December 27th, 2005, 11:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
PfcAJ(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 139	Even though its "open water safe", the Ballroom is extremely overhead. Its not a even gradual slope where swimming up and out will take you to open water. Parts of the Ballroom have zero natural light on the far left side, and even a restriction that requires some crawling to get through. The exit to open water is kind of wide and about 4-6 ft high, but from the grate to the opening is about 100 or so feet (give or take). The celing has many domes and pitts that a diver could get caught up in if he/she loses their weight. The Ballroom is no joke.

December 27th, 2005, 11:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Quote: (Originally Posted by PfcAJ) Parts of the Ballroom have zero natural light on the far left side, and even a restriction that requires some crawling to get through. The exit to open water is kind of wide and about 4-6 ft high, but from the grate to the opening is about 100 or so feet (give or take). The celing has many domes and pitts that a diver could get caught up in if he/she loses their weight. The Ballroom is no joke. Yes, agree entirely. It's funny how, in these days of litigation and "blame culture", Ginnie Springs can condone (and even positively encourage) open water divers to ignore their agency's recommendations and dive an overhead environment. Bob

December 28th, 2005, 01:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,097	Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper) Yes, agree entirely. It's funny how, in these days of litigation and "blame culture", Ginnie Springs can condone (and even positively encourage) open water divers to ignore their agency's recommendations and dive an overhead environment. Bob Well without the Cavern, what is there at Ginnie? I did a 45min dive in the cavern in november, but the only reason the dive lasted more than 5 was because I was trying to take photos (trying being the operative word) I'd have been bored silly if I wasn't cave qualified and could dive the "real" sites there. J (However I do totally agree that Divers with No overhead training should be in there, It is dark in there and there are a load of places where you can't see the exit)

December 28th, 2005, 08:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
PfcAJ(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 139	I agree, Matt. Its hella boring without cavern/cave. But the Devil's system sure is cool!