From: National Speleological Society–Cave Diving Section Training
Date: 28 April 2022
Subject: Lights Out / Zero Vis Drills
We are sending this memo to each of you in an attempt to better standardize and
identify sections in our caves suitable for zero visibility/lights out drills. The need for
this standardization is primarily to promote safety and cave conservation.
Background: Over the years in cooperation with landowners, both private and public as
well as conservation groups we have tried to adhere to the wishes and directives of
these groups to help ensure long lasting access to the caves on their properties.
The State of Florida has issued directives to us as to where we can conduct drills in the
parks with caves that they both own and oversee. Various other landowners and
conservation groups have issued directives suggesting and indeed requiring we adhere
to specific areas where these type drills may be conducted.
Over the years we have expanded the list in such a way that we conduct drills in such
places to cause minimal damage to the caves.
We are sending this list to you in the hopes that each agency will send this list to all of
their cavern and cave instructors.
Cave Systems in North Central Florida
Little River from Table Rock out.
Devils’ Eye/Ear cave system – from the “Keyhole” to the beginning of the Gallery and
Catacombs.
Ginnie Ballroom is suitable for both drills.
Madison Blue: Martz jump out to the Godzilla room jump.
Peacock 3 – No sections are suitable for these drills.
Manatee – the first 300–400′ of upstream Catfish Hotel.
Peacock 1 – Just before the beginning of the Peanut Tunnel, adjacent to “The Mistake”
is suitable for a lost line drill. The entire Peanut Tunnel is suitable for zero vis/gas
sharing.
Orange Grove Sink from the Grim Reaper sign and out is suitable for zero vis gas
sharing, there is no other section in the entire system suitable for lost line.
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Mexico Cave Systems
Ponderosa
River Run mainline up to change of direction arrows.
All jumps off River Run line up to the first 90–degree corner
Little Joe Line up to cenote Little Joe Cavern Line
Second Jump off little Joe Line back towards Cavern Line
Marked Jump Left from Cavern Line to Chapel Line – first 200m
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Taj Mahal
Jumna River line
All Jumps off Jumna River line before the T
The Circuit Line towards the T
Cavern Line
Sagrado Line
Mangrovia Line
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