Workshop dates and location:
Social: Sept. 16th
Workshop: Sept 17th
Location:
CJ Muggs
101 West Lockwood Ave
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Registration
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-nss-cds-midwest-workshop-tickets-25722428476
Speakers
Forrest Wilson- TAG cave and sump exploration
Forrest, a pioneer of cave diving known for the invention of the line arrow, relentlessly continues to explore caves. He enjoys spending time in TAG exploring caves, as well as sump diving. Forrest heads many cave diving projects and is a mentor to many looking to get into exploration. His lecture will discuss the progress on current exploration projects.
Lamar Hires- Underwater cave rescue and recovery
“Lamar Hires, CEO of Dive Rite, is passionate about cave rescue and recovery. Being Regional Coordinator in Florida for the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery, Lamar knows first hand about the difficulties involved in rescuing and recovering cave divers. Lamar will discuss the the practices and procedures associated with underwater cave rescue and recovery.”
Dr. Peter Buzzacott- Expedition level injury prevention
“Dr Peter Buzzacott – Divers Alert Network, Durham, NC: Dr Buzzacott is Director Injury Monitoring and Prevention and a Life Member of the NSS-CDS. He has dived caves from Australia to Norway and from Florida to China. Drawing on these rich experiences Dr Buzzacott will tell tales of adventure in remote places with a focus on expedition-level injury prevention.”
Terry Hall- Basics of underwater cave survey
“Terry has been diving for almost 20 years and has been a part of numerous exploration projects. He currently holds the EOL for the largest underwater cave in Alabama.Topics will include survey tools, techniques, misconceptions, knotting line and more.”
Kelly Jessop- Population dynamics of troglobitic species in a Florida cave system
“For the past 10 years Kelly has been under permit for performing fauna counts and water quality survey at several Florida state parks with the NFSA, doing a process that he developed. In the process they have been able to document a better understanding of the interaction of stygobites with their ecosystem, and this data will be presented in a scientific paper in the future.”
Michael and Josh Thornton
“Not all caves are created equal. Some include difficult approaches including snowmobiles, steep climbs, skiing and dealing with ice and snow inside the cave. This is all before the divers enter the water! Alpine cave diving includes logistical issues such as: climbing after diving, cold water equipment problems, vertical caving while hauling dive gear and high risk excursions with little to no chance of rescue.
When exploring alpine caves that involve diving there are several unique challenges that must be navigated and overcome:
- Remote locations
- Transporting the dive gear to the water
- Staying dry (at least as dry as possible!) and warm
- Physical exhaustion
- Equipment selection, use and upkeep
- Long strenuous dives in near freezing water
Come learn more about alpinist (or “alpine style”) techniques, gear considerations, team planning and the complexities, dangers and unique challenges of alpine caving and cave diving. Josh Thornton and Michael Thornton will share lessons learned (sometimes the hard way!) from current and ongoing cave exploration projects including Ricks Spring, Main Drain Diving Project (MDDP), Pole Creek, Sheep Creek and others.”
Hotels close to the venue:
Wayside Motel
7800 Watson Rd
St. Louis, MO 63119
Duplex Motel
7898 Watson Rd
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Chippewa Motel
7880 Watson Rd
Webster Groves, MO 63119
There are others in the area but these are the closest.
Raffle
We would like to thank our sponsors for graciously donating prizes in support of the conservation efforts of the NSS-CDS.
Dive Rite is donating a LX20 light.
Shearwater Research is donating a Perdix computer.
XDeep is donating their Stealth 2.0 Tec Sidemount Harness.
Pigeon Mountain Industries (PMI) is donating two 300ft pit ropes.
The WINNER of the Raffle will be drawn at the awards ceremony of the 2016 NSS-CDS Midwest Workshop held in Webster Groves, MO on September 17, 2016. Winner need not be present to win. No purchase necessary. Suggested donation for tickets.
Diving
Roubidoux Cave
Roubidoux Spring
Waynesville, MO 65583
You must sign in and show Certification at the Waynesville 911 station on route 66 E to dive Roubidoux.
Video of Roubidoux: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrf0LAH3yfo
A Super 8 hotel in St. Robert’s is very close to this cave in case you plan to arrive Thursday night. Address is: 107 McKinnon St, St Robert, MO 65584
Cannonball Cave
Poplar Bluff is the nearest town about 20 miles south of Cannonball (Blue Davidson Spring is official name) in Lake Wapapello State Park. GPS coordinates can be given on request.
A Super 8 is located in Poplar Bluff at the following address: Highway 67 North, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 Phone number: (573) 785-0176
Cave atlas link: http://www.caveatlas.com/systems/sys…p?ID=830&co=US
YouTube video from last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf57lXmZOlk
Mine La Motte
This is an option for some, however I believe access is limited. Here’s a thread concerning the Mine.
http://www.cavediver.net/forum/showt…Off-Sets%29-MO
Logistics
Folks usually stay Friday night in a motel local to the venue, attend the workshop, then dive Cannonball or Mine LaMotte on Sunday.
GAS FILLS
Roubidoux can get nitrox and O2 fills with notice Odyssey Scuba 227 Historic Rt 66 E, Waynesville Mo, 65583, (573)774-3483
Cannonball- Suggest using Y-kiki divers Friday before the social working out a time with Bjorn to get them filled before Sunday.
TRIMIX and Oxygen
Bjorn Loftis works at Y-kiki divers and will be doing O2 and Trimix fills for those that want them. Please make sure all tanks are up to date on hydro and VIP.
Dive Shop Info
Y-Kiki Divers Creve Coeur
13001 Olive Arcade Plaza
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 469-8722
Air fills, Nitrox
Y-Kiki Divers South County
9936 Kennerly Road
Saint Louis, MO 63128
(314) 843-0354
Air fills, Nitrox
Odyssey Scuba
227 Historic 66 E, I-44BUS
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 774-3483
(Oxygen and Air fills only)
