By Neicy McGrath

Team Vinzant and the McG’s gathered together this past Monday for a day of diving at the world famous Hospital Hole. If you have ever spent time with Woody or the boys you have heard of Hospital Hole! During the time that I was going through my open water certification, I remember Woody talking about this site. Being that I never wanted to go past 30 feet I never thought I would join Team Vinzant for the dive of the year. Just having finished my carven course I knew that I was ready for the depth and the low visibility. This dive is certainly an advanced dive and I recommend at least having cavern certification prior to attempting this site.

Driving to Hospital Hole we stopped to take a look at Joe and Mary’s sink, Woody has dove these sites and the temp reaches 57 degrees. This is way too cold! Woody said he going to take me there one day. Whether it’s dry caving or just going down a river for a day of boating with our families, Woody has taken me to the neatest places that I didn’t even know existed. Having been in different situations with Woody I trust him or Leigh without question. Being with my favorite diver my spouse, John it was dive time! We arrived at the boat launch and gathered our gear for a day of diving.

The dive site is only about a 10 minute ride from the dock Woody briefed us and developed our dive plan. I was ready, knowing the training that I have received has prepared me for this dive. Woody was going to be the team leader and I would follow him. Behind me was John and Andy. Tying the reel off to the anchor down we went. I was so focused on Woody’s fins I never even seen the sulfur layer! Going deep doesn’t take long. I like to say it’s only about five fins kicks and your past 100 feet. Once past the layer no sun light comes in therefore its dark! I realized the training that Ken Hill gave me would all come into play. The importance of running a reel, having three lights, the proper gear and training can not be over emphasized.. This is the first dive that I have done and thought things could go wrong in a hurry, if you didn’t have the proper training. The dive plan called for reaching the bottom and turning around. Our team leader had to give the turn around sign three times before I realized that it was time to turn the dive. My head was spinning! I had never experienced being narced before! Ascending in the darkness it is hard to determine if one is really moving. On the way up I finally saw the sulfur layer! Once through this layer, the carven part of the dive is unbelievable! From the bottom up, this opens up to one of the neatest dives I have done yet. We spent the rest of the dive exploring the cracks and cervices and looking at the fish in this hole. This dive is certainly one of my favorite dives! I am certainly looking forward to my Intro to cave class and diving with Team Vinzant once again.