Hi Imgur - I am a Cave Diving Photographer!

Jul 15, 2021 11:48 AM

underthejungle

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157187

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2675

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20

Long time lurker, first time poster :) I am a flooded cave photographer, I run a cave diving center in Mexico, and Imgur is my favorite way to decompress after a long day of small business ownership, so I want to share some of my images with you! This is a photo I took of one of my divers recently at a cenote (flooded cave) called Ponderosa.

SECOND FP EDIT! Thanks so much for all the love. So many great questions and comments and too much to reply to. I will hop on next week and answer a few of them. Love you!

Question GUYS: My post was most viral on front page, then I made and edit and accidentally made it hidden, and then it republished an all the points and comments disappear! What do I do? Fixable?

**Front page edit: Can’t believe I hit front page on my first post! Wow guys! Keep asking questions in the comments and I will follow up in subsequent posts.

** I get to ask for something right? Send you best nature photos, or photos of annoying small dogs.

That last photo was near a surface, but this is waaay back in a flooded cave with another one of my former students. Some people think cave diving is scary, but I find it peaceful. Who doesn't want to escape from the world sometimes? I get to do it every day.

Some cave are really dark and mysterious. This is one of my former cave diving students in a dark cave called Minotauro, named after the labyrinth.

Some flooded caves are enormous (and bright if you carry a lot of lights!) This is a cave called Nohoch Nah Chich, which is part of the biggest flooded cave system in world.

And some caves are really tight! These are not for claustrophobic people, but they are my favorite type of cave to dive and explore.

Dog Tax! Because even crazy cave divers love chiweenies. This is Sausage, and she's not nearly as adventurous as me. I hope you like my photos! If you are interested in my life as a cave diver, ask my anything and I will try to reply in the comments!

staff_picks

Long time diver but I keep putting off getting cave diving trained. These amazing photos are great inspiration to go do it! Beautiful work!

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Best first post ever.... looking forward to more!!

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Be safe @op my uncle was one they'd call to retrieve cave divers and even he died doing it.

5 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

I have sadly been called.

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

This is terrifying and super cool

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Amazing photos! Although even looking at them makes it hard for me to breathe. I'd rather bungee jump or sky dive any day.

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I am actually scared pf heights.

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Haha me too. I’m just more claustrophobic than scared of heights. I’m positively phobia ridden! Phobiaphobia

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Such a marvelous, other-worldly surprise, thank you!

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Omg thats awesome x

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

More of this please.

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Fucking awesome, how is this your first post!

5 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 0

I couldn't do that, but those are amazing photographs!!

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Magic!!! Now you are obliged to post regularly

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I will aim for once a week or so.

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Amazing photos but you sir are out of your mind for enjoying that nightmare

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I haven't been in a cave for more than two years now thanks to corona, but your images are really inspirational and now I can't wait to go!!

5 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Also: Welcome to Imgur @op

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

No Descent comments? The squeezing and the limited air and the dark. I’ll live vicariously through OP.

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Deal. And yes the puns are lacking.

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I read about cave diving for 4 hours the other day. Fuck that shit completely no thanks.

5 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

How long do the bubbles stay trapped on the cave ceiling? Do you know if introducing air has any affect on the micro-environment?

5 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

You can contact imgur support and ask about the lost points/comments (my guess is that it's too late). Nice photos!

5 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Thanks! Martyn reached out and explained the system. Now I know!!

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I miss cave diving. making sure you have backups for your backups is so important.

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Oh I do.

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Wow, these are amazing! Could you share any stories or more pics? Porfavor

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Will do.

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

First time you post but you already mastered imgur!

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I did okay! Lurking for like 8 years helps!!

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

These are stunning photos! I've never been cave diving (and don't want to because it terrifies me) but these almost make me think I might...

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

15 years ago— I said the same

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You and @NarcosisIntoTheDeep ought to get along great.

5 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Met narcosis!! Yay!

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Its beautiful but I freak out just seeing someone in UNDERWATER caves

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh no! Sorry!

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Jesus Christ get straight to the front page where you belong

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

?1

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Quick question, did the comments get nuked? I remember there being more comments ?

5 years ago | Likes 59 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I messed up with fat fingers and hid the post when doing a front page edit! Live and learn.

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yeah something is screwey if the user has 1,786 points and their first post has only 45.

5 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 0

I messed up and hid the first post . Eek. New user.

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Yep, I think they accidentally hid the post and all of the comments/upvotes disappeared…

5 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

And that was earlier. This is again here with no comments from OP, which there were previously after accident.

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I was so bummed. I tried to front page edit all excited and it disappeared

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You should meet @NarcosisIntoTheDeep

5 years ago | Likes 96 Dislikes 0

An ambitious crossover in the making (unfortunately) (kidding, stay safe)

5 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

And I believe there's another guy who also does a podcast. Had a recent post about the Muddy Putty cave. Can't remember his name, though.

5 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

5 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

was just going to say this. I read he latest earlier this morning!

5 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

There is a cave not far from my home in PA called Tytoona. Apparently a diver died there (light died and she could not find her way out)

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Fuck. Imagine her increasing panic. Gruesome.

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It’s spooky being in there!

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Always carry 3 lights. One of the primary rules!!!

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

A good rule!

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Cave diving is for people who think base jumping has too good odds of survival.

5 years ago | Likes 523 Dislikes 1

Can someone explain (um to my friend) what it is about cave diving that makes it more dangerous? Is it just the risk of getting lost?

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Getting lost, kicking up silt, running out of air, nitrogen narcosis &/or oxygen toxicity (depending on depth), getting stuck, cave collapse

5 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Listen to @NarcosisIntoTheDeep ‘s podcasts, and learn:):) really interesting, even for a non diver

5 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Yeah, it’s a freaking awesome podcast even if it scares the shit out of me and makes me clench so hard I could make diamonds

5 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Cave diving is for people who enjoyed base jumping but forgot to pull their chute*

5 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Only if we start calling it base jumping when you tie a rope to your feet and just off the shed. Cave diving comes in many diferent forms, >

5 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 2

> from you'd have to be blind to miss that one huge opening, to how the fuck did you even get in there.

5 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

Title of your sex tape.

5 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Nah that was "No promises, no results, and no returns."

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Said the Pope to the bishop

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I used to live about 4 miles from the guy who has done the most cave diving saves in history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edd_Sorenson

5 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

I’m guessing more like “body recovery” than saves. I didn’t read the wiki

5 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Probably both. TBH.

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Some live ones, actually. He’s a superhero.

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

How did you become a Cave Diver?

5 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

Multiple certifications are recommended. PADI path would be Open-Water cert. -> Advanced -> cavern cert. before then going to cave cert.

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

+TEC or REC sidemount for bottomtime boost and flexibility when entering those narrow bits ?

5 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Not sure about OP but I got my scuba cert and just progressed to more and more technical diving. I love a challenge.

5 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

But is it as simple as get certified, then through word of mouth or internet go find caves?

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That would be a road to disaster. Training, experience, planning, and support teams are the only way to safely cavedive. Say goodbye to $$$$

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

So I guess my question is, after you become certified diver, where do you find these groups? Groups where you can learn.

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If you are serious about learning to dive then find a good dive center near you (google), they will have an instructor you will click with1/

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Great photos, and if I was anywhere in your area I'd definitely be one of your customers. Have done a little enclosed-space diving on reefs

5 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

in Australia, and would be up for more

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Where are you?

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Germany, but I come from Australia. Learned to dive on the Barrier Reef

5 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That's awesome I grew up free diving the caves in the springs here in Florida. I dive with a German cave diver. Ita a small world.

5 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0