A Time to Live
Melody Hendrix
Fresh water cave diving
Diving fresh water is completely different than salt water. Lakes are not very exciting since there aren’t the colorful fish and plants like the sea. So I decided to try cave diving.
The Florida Aquifer has a massive underground system of limestone that looks like a honey comb. Many lakes, sinks and springs are formed when the surface of the land dissolves and falls into the aquifer below. This allows the diver to enter the system.
The temperature of the aquifer is a constant 72 degrees. The water is so clear, it looks like air. When you adjust your weights, so you don’t sink or float, you can fly like a bird in the air. It is the most wonderful feeling.
As soon as I dip below the water, I immediately feel as though I am in a giant aquarium. As I enter the cavern , I can look out and see the sun glistening in rays that move with the motion of the water. The only sound you hear are your bubbles and breathing. It is so peaceful and relaxing.
One day, there were three of us swimming down a long cave tunnel beyond the cavern. We had our safety line with us that would lead us out when we returned. We noticed an unusual formation off the main tunnel, and swam over to it When we got inside and looked around, someone got too close to the bottom and kicked up the silt with their fin. Silt is a layer similar to dust. When it is disturbed, will fill the area and block out your vision.
We could see the white silt starting to roll upwards and fill the area. It only took seconds to create a white out where we couldn’t see our hands in front of our face. Not only were we blinded, we didn’t know if we were upside down or not because we were weightless.
So we held our life saving line and I headed out first. I slide the line through my hands following its direction when I hit a wall of rock. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t go any farther. Panic set in. I couldn’t communicate with anyone because I couldn’t see them. Finally after taking a few breaths, my hand followed the line under the rock. It had slipped under it. I was able to go around and get my wits together. I could only hope everyone else would be able to follow the line and not panic.
I finally swam out of the silt and waited for my dive buddies to emerge. Everyone was shook up, but safe. That was the last time I explored a cave.
Welcome! I’m so glad you stopped in to visit. I am retired and enjoying life. My hobbies are my 5 grandchildren, son and daughter, and my loving husband. I am a photographer and extreme nature lover. I love spending time in my garden or in the wilderness connected to God my Creator.
Old Things R New 
Divoran, diving is truly a dangerous sport, and many have died..The beauty and adventure of the underwater world lures you. The cave beckens you to go a little farther. Such peacefulness of the water and weightlessness plus going where few have ever been makes one forget anything could go wrong. I often think of some that get lost or run out of air knowing they only have a few breaths left. It is so very sad about your friends son. Prayers for her grief.
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I love the springs, but I would never have the courage to explore the caves underneath. You were blessed to get to experience your adventure, you write a beautiful picture of it. As you know, though, some people do die in the caverns. I wanted to tell you about a family who lost their teen-age son that way. The mother and father were in our square-dance club and when we heard about their loss I went over to the house while Bill was at work to offer our condolences. When I got there, the mother took me into the son’s room and showed me the diving gear lying on his bed. It was one of the saddest things I have ever seen.
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