Negotiating tiny restrictions on my 100th cave dive

For my 100th cave dive I decided to go to Woody's Room, a large underwater room located behind some of the tightest restrictions I've ever considered going through.
Join us underwater and see what it feels like to try to reach Woody's Room at Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park in Florida.
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[@lvl0adventurer910]

I like how he tried to encourage you because you hadn't thumbed the dive but as soon as the thumb went up he turned and headed for the exit with no more words.

[@FeliciaLim]

I think it's awesome that you thumbed the dive even when you both really really wanted to go. It's an excellent example to set for us less experienced divers

[@genejasper4091]

Woody Jasper here. That was my line probably #24. I started cave exploring laying #18 but that was too 23:30 fragile/sketchy. The discovery of Woody’s Room was a solo night dive from challenge in 95’s dual side mount. There was a moment about 10 meters from the Room in that low kinda wider room when I said to myself “if I can’t find a decent tie off here/now I am turning around”. I was elated only a minute later to pop up in a substantial room. God I loved exploring.

[@DIVETALK]

WOOHOO! Thanks for chiming in Woody!

[@Finis08]

I can only imagine what it would feel like to explore that portion and come into that room for the first time after making it through that restriction.

[@datdudeinred]

​@@DIVETALKpin this comment gus or woody(dive talk woody 😂)

[@datdudeinred]

What a legend you are & this comment made the whole woody's room even legendary. Thank you for all the tings you did woody 👏🫡

[@maximumeffort78]

@@DIVETALK should definitely pin this ❤️❤️❤️

[@Jcc411]

You had a fun dive, made it further than last time and most importantly returned safely. Doesn’t sound like a failed dive to me! Love watching these.

[@vitigaymer1053]

That's what she said

[@Chic_Ken]

🤣🤣

[@mountfairweather]

Beat me to it

[@ConquerYou]

Lol.

[@SM-McKraken]

I thought of that one, as well as : Title of your sex tape!

[@Solon_The_Lich]

6:00 "It's Small and Nasty"

[@user-zt2vf6vx7p]

Congrats Gus, big milestone there. You really do set a great example for everyone. I ran into a situation recently where I felt I needed to turn around during a surface swim due to too much weight in a new gear configuration and I foolishly carried on, sucking water the whole time. We all hear the rules and think we understand, but it's so easy to stay committed at your own detriment. I had a second wave of foolishness wash over me watching this video and I really want to thank you for setting a good example for us, I needed it, that's for sure.

[@gnomie2.0]

Congratulations, Gus!! 💯!! Nice teamwork there, too, Benjamin! It’s always a complete success when you live to do what you love another day! 🎉 Thanks for sharing the video with us.

[@hatboxghost735]

One more thing, I’ve been wrong in the past. I assumed because I was with a renowned tech diver, I was safe making dives in zero visibility for Megalodon teeth in Savannah. I will say this, it is nothing like training properly for this type of diving. Just being with a good diver is not enough, you are also putting their life at risk. I had to eat that humble pie and stop, and I begin my tech diving classes next year. Thanks to Dive Talk, Gus and Woody for always emphasizing the importance of being properly certified, and having a diving partner you can plan properly with. I had a bad situation tangled on a tree at 45 ft , nothing is worth losing your life over when you can train for these scenarios properly. The medal you had made reminds me of Momento Mori, always reminding us of our mortality. Great medal for your 100th dive to remind you to accomplish your dreams while you can!!! Again, congratulations and thank you.

[@anchopanchorancho]

Sounds like someone should organize a line replacement project. I vote Gus.

[@kristianmckenzie5634]

Hey Gus, would youse be open to a dive talk 2 or something of the sorts for Full unedited dives, even some with no Commentary, I absolutely love watching you're personal dives, woody too, longer the better, especially after a long day and needing to wind down. Thanks for all that you do!

[@davidreitsmajr1140]

Great content as always congrats on 100th cave dive Gus

[@DIVETALK]

Thank you 👍

[@visual8029]

Man, I love your guys' stuff. You guys are so interesting and funny, I never get bored with your videos. I'm a non-diver, and you guys have piqued my interest regarding diving. Keep it up!

[@damiannogamusic]

That’s 100 more then I will ever do!

[@thegreengreenie5879]

Loving the break from your usual reaction videos (which are awesome as well) and seeing you guys dive up close and personal. Thanks you so much

[@bootsie5396]

35:35 you gotta get a nikonos V! this would look so good on film! i brought one diving in hawaii and its one of the best investments ive made from a creative perspective.

[@falknuts2120]

Congrats on your 100 dive! Love your videos! I’m not a cave diver but watching your videos is always so interesting and entertaining. Thank you for taking me along on the adventures I would never be able to do myself! 👍 ❤

[@levicox9611]

It didn't hit me how small that tunnel actually was till Benjamin was in front, so that restriction is sketchy as hell!

[@blakepetersdiving]

Congratulations Gus on the 100 dive! Sorry you guys didn’t make it all the way, but there is always a next time.

[@stevedenruyter4902]

There is no shame in calling the dive. My hats off to you for trying this, also to Jeremy, although he tried to reason with you to try again, the moment the thumb goes up, no more argument let’s go out there 👍👊👊👊

[@rattus7455]

You should get a 3D artist to make you a similar grim reaper with an air tank or two on the back and a 2nd stage in his mouth :D

[@TheMuhaAdventures]

A curious question, would it be possible to dredge all that silt out of that cave . I know there are companies that use very long hoses and essentially vacuum lake and river bottoms . Just curious

[@DIVETALK]

I guess so, but why?

[@TheMuhaAdventures]

@@DIVETALK make the tunnels bigger I don’t know lol

[@Yggdrasil42]

That's like flattening a mountain to make it easier to climb. Pointless.

[@hit1664]

​@DIVE TALK to make it easier to pass man what is brain

[@hatboxghost735]

Now this is a great dive and show of humility in these systems. Love it, congrats

[@PrinceDuCiel7]

I love how you say it’s narrower than it looks… as if it wasn’t narrow enough already! This feels like my recurring nightmare of getting stuck in a cave is gunna ad water in now that my brain has the imagery. 😂 Congrats on the 100th dive!

[@hyd119]

I enjoy the dive very much, Gus. Sorry about thumbing up the dive but it is a good example of risk management.

[@haleywidiker7743]

THE END MEME EDIT OF COWBOI SUPER DIVER 😂 IM DEAD ☠️ 😂

[@haplon33]

Congrats on the Big 100!! Very glad you didn't push beyond your comfort limits. There's always next time! :)

[@playmaka2007]

Love watching your dives, even if you don't make the objective I still learn something. Personally I wouldn't want to dive something that tight, but the crystal caves would be amazing!

[@philsey6913]

Now you have experience with what that restriction looks like. You can now consult other divers who have gone through and get their advice on which way to go when you try (and succeed) again.

[@LoveCaveDiving]

I know what you mean about old line. I was following a line and it was broken. It was in the deeper part of the cave in the salt water. Salt is hard on stuff. As I was repairing it, it kept snapping as it was rotten. I got it fixed. I reported it and then I was asked to replace it. So after 2 dives the whole cave has a new line. 😁

[@DIVETALK]

Thank you for doing that.

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Damn i was claustrophobic just watching!.... I think im more of a cavern type of diver if i ever learned the skill....

[@jugganaut33]

I know someone from Poole (SBS) that made it to woodys room by taking gear off at the last chamber. Where there’s room then push a side mount tank through. There’s no other way. I think you need to consider it on your next dive. Just lung bouyancy and brass balls.

[@vvogt4252]

This is a great video! I've been in some tight places when I was a firefighter. A year before I retired I was under a house in a crawlspace. and discovered I have a bit of claustrophobia. My Helmets off to you Brother. That tunnel brings back some claustrophobia just watching. I'm good in the larger sections. Great editing and explaining what you did. You made the right choice.👍

[@joannagomuko6411]

You're amazing guys! And that grim reaper is cool ☠️📿

[@slawekkarczewski5754]

Its probably a natural scare of getting stuck Guss, everyone have it, its similar to scare of heights. You should try squezzing through similar restrictions in shallow places to practice. Great video content by the way 😉

[@Scrogster]

Good effort guss lad I’m quits new to watching your channel finding it fantastic we don’t have so many good faves here in Scotland I’d love to come over there and dive train in the beautiful waters u have it looks awesome !!!

[@sjldfilms5126]

Of course Woody Jasper would know who you are. Your big heart, desire to keep your sport safe and your undying admiration of those who have dove longer than you does not go unnoticed.

[@LodgeMan2011]

If you’re diving in a cave, and ascend inside of a dry room “pocket”, does that count as one dive? Or do you have to exit the cave completely to be a single dive

[@jonathongreen7317]

Wasnt that instructor in the movie bigger stronger faster as a bovine farmer saying stop buying nike?? Lol thats him

[@DaraM111]

100 dives! Wow thats awesome congrats 👏 :) I loved the communication. I also felt like it was still very successful for yall to get to that point. There were areas that were tiny!! Great footage as always

[@ariaraman]

Thanks Gus for this great video and even greater narration. Also great to see how important is to make the tough calls to end the dive and stick to it and not to change it even with peer pressure presents. I think it shows true safe diver behavior and spirit.

[@espinal557190]

I love your content man! I’m not a diver yet! But you definitely inspire me to do some dives.

[@yojayoung]

Do you guys memorise the map when you are planning for the dive?

[@DroneMee]

Can't wait to see you get that restriction now that you have trimmed up 😅

[@devon9308]

It was great running into you yesterday at Peacock!

[@devon9308]

​@Benjamin Woodill Yes! Dives were fun - I haven't spent a ton of time in Lower Orange, so poking around that cavern area was fun, and getting used to diving aluminum in tec is interesting. I am learning SM for a trip to Mexico in early April (I learned full cave in doubles), but so far, SM seems much more enjoyable. I can actually look around and diagnose issues easily.

[@DIVETALK]

It was great to meet you Devon!

[@devon9308]

​@Benjamin Woodill That would be great! Just shot you a follow on Instagram - let me know if there's a better platform to communicate on!

[@pamelaholt6269]

Those flippers are almost as bright orange as my car!

[@katywalczak9839]

Congrats Gus, cool reaper, just saying, I've got some battle axe earrings that would go with it 🙂👍

[@agnesadamus363]

Good call for not getting stuck! 😮

[@samdilworth1989]

Have you ever heard stories of tunnels collapsing? If there is only 1 way in and out of Woodys Room I would worry about a collapse.

[@DIVETALK]

It’s one of those risks we accept as cave divers.

[@serfranklin6022]

Have you spotted that air bubble that was talked about in that resque video on Woody Jasper rescuing those three guys who entered this cave against their instructor's advice? One of the guys was found by Jasper with his head up in there I remember

[@DIVETALK]

That rescue was in a different cave system

[@nr875]

I think this may be the first time I have seen you not able to negotiate a restriction

[@libertine5606]

YES! That is the way you have to do it! In flying I always was more conservative with passengers. Not because their life was worth more than mine but because of the subconscious extra pressure that can cloud your judgement. They, not knowing the risk, expect to reach the destination and it is up to me to keep it safe. When I am alone I understand the risk and know that you don't always make your destination and don't have that pressure. And then I have had pressure of passengers saying "you can make it"! Right at that point I diverted and told them "how do you know that I can make it"? You're not a pilot, you have no idea of the risk. The retreat should be almost automatic there will always be another day. I could really see how wanting to reach your goal could really cloud your judgement. That if he did make it and you got stuck? He couldn't help you get out and he would be blocked from getting out. If he panicked I could see him trying to rip your stuff off trying to get you out of his way! A person can be a very calm person until the survival instinct kicks in. SCARY! Drowning sucks! When things go bad they can go really bad fast. In flying, many weather related accidents get investigated the next day in perfectly good weather.

[@Vingul]

Very reassuring comment for me to read as a potential passenger, lol. You just pulled back the curtain right there!

[@helene6295]

Congrats on your 100 th cave dive🎇respect u made the right dissistion I always say say dry caveing if in doubt turn about grea dive guys god it's tight giving me. Anxiety🙄one scary cave

[@brandonmcgee1678]

that was a baby crawfish lol

[@SupernaturalBeingsofEarth]

Nice chain my man. 😊

[@JustJaneOYVEY]

We have the best spots here in Florida.and Yuk Tannin.. very mucky water

[@hdors13]

Congratulations Gus!

[@Plo2101]

Cowboy clip at the end was genius hahahaha

[@kanzlerbueffel]

Could you make a video about the destroyed nordstream pipelines and how it would be possible by 2 or 3 tech divers (maybe rebreathers) in 80 m to destroy them? All equipment and explosives transported on a small boat... That would be an amazing video for your community and even interesting for many Journalists

[@scuba_julia]

Oh what are you guys doing to my bank account? The idea of doing some tech diving in the future was on my mind already and after binge watching all your videos the last week… its not optional anymore 😄 Wanna get those rebreather times and maybe even try cave diving one day. There goes my money 💸 Congrats on 100th 🙌🏻 great to see such nice cave video

[@hatboxghost735]

Yes similar to what we fossil hunt in, but when near phosphate, it’s a complete white out where the limestone exposes the phosphate. But if you carefully navigate, you can find amazingly preserved shark fossils, and other animals.

[@rattus7455]

Respec! Saying no to something you want to do is never easy. Good on you for acknowledging that it was a disappointment for yourself. That you're ok with the disappointment because you survived the dive. Congratulations on your 100th safe cave dive!

[@amandalynification]

Totally the right call, Gus, but it’s funny to me that you still say “at my size”. It can’t be my eyes deceiving me that you’ve shrunk down a significant amount. I took a break from the channel for a while and came back yesterday to watch the reaction to Mr. Ballen’s Caribbean Disaster Story. I noticed right away how trim you’re looking. There is no offense intended in my pointing it out. I hope I haven’t broached a sensitive topic. It’s just interesting me, as someone whose weight fluctuates by a wide margin, that sometimes I don’t have a realistic idea of how large or small I actually am. It is when I see a photo of myself or surprise myself by fitting into or doing something I thought I couldn’t that it will hit me out of the blue. Again, fully support and applaud your decision to turn around. I agree with everyone else here that you set a great example and I really look up to you as having fantastic sensibility in diving. Found this video because I had to know at what point you began wearing that awesome necklace I have seen in your most recent videos. Congratulations, if you ever see this. 🫶🏻

[@toriedwards126]

Yes Gus!! Congratulations man on the 100th Cave dive! Great job keeping safe and comfortable!!!

[@Pnwdive]

Hey Gus my unit it’s orange as well I also got my orange kiss rebreather shirt today wife got it for me for my 30th bday on the 15th an early gift and I love it!

[@DIVETALK]

Awesome!

[@Pnwdive]

@@DIVETALK thank you!

[@Yggdrasil42]

Cool video guys. I pushed my limits too a bit last weeks in Mexico. Getting better at not silting out restrictions.

[@tiascot6541]

Congratulations on your 100th cave dive 🎉🎉 Thank you for taking us with you 😍

[@rozalinenelhams8307]

Congratulations on the 100th cave dive.

[@ja5435]

You should try using a metal detector down there

[@DIVETALK]

Why?

[@bootsie5396]

damn thats sick gus you gotta bling it out when you get to 500

[@yankee9736]

Translucent shrimp.

[@DIVETALK]

@Benjamin Woodill ew

[@Devo1987]

What you do to keep you nevk from getting sore looking up all the time ?

[@DIVETALK]

Dive a lot...your neck and your back get used to it

[@Devo1987]

@@DIVETALK cool video thanks for sharing :-)

[@djohnson9083]

Congratulations Gus! Really enjoyed the video.

[@hacmrn]

Negotiations or navigation? Can I pass for two shekels

[@NEO_MusicProductions]

Two Videos in one day? Is it christmas already? :D

[@JulzWz1]

Congratulations on your 100th cave dive Gus! So cool. 🐙

[@1985rbaek]

Congrats on the 100th cave dive. Anyways, there was one guy in the chat who had about 70 dives, who was considering technical diving, wondering if he was ready for it. I would say that there are a few things to consider: - How is your SAC rate? If you burn through your air as it was nothing, you should probably consider getting that under control first. - How is your lifting ability, going from recreational diving, you usually only have one flask, but in tech diving it's 2+ tanks (maby double on the bank and a staging flask), it's heavy. As far as I know, the usual reason for people to fail a tech diving course isn't the theory, but your general conditioning. But I would like to open it up for anybody who wants to add something for self checks whether you are ready for tech diving

[@Yggdrasil42]

Yeah general fitness is important. Lifting 2 or more tanks, getting geared up in a drysuit with undergarments under the burning sun can be exhausting. Being fit also improves how fast you recover from increased respiratory rate when working hard. I'd add being very comfortable is varied dive conditions. If those 70 dives are all in similar conditions the diver may become stressed when he ends up in bad viz, current, whatever. Tech divers often *have* to follow the profile so need to keep their calm. Most important is probably good BTP (buoyancy, trim, propulsion). Doesn't have to be cave diver level at the start of your tech career but know how to be horizontal in the water without moving your fins, no runaway ascents and descents, no flapppy hands. Doesn't need to be perfect yet but the start should be there. Improving that is a major part of tech diving.

[@AbbieTheStarWarsStory]

I will be there it’s early but I can do it. I have a big day tomorrow so I need to get up early anyway so this makes it 10 times better. Love you guys have a good night see you tomorrow morning. ❤️❤️❤️

[@DIVETALK]

Woohoo!

[@mr.t308]

congrats on your 100th dive Gus. thanks for the great content!

[@billybuttons4298]

I've done all my training and diving in the Mexico cenotes and have no experience in the FL caves. Do the boys at Cave Adventurers do guided dives?

[@DIVETALK]

Definitely

[@brandonhenman6796]

We only do recreational snorkeling and pick up whatever trash we find . My girls call it treasure 🤣 but I’ve found being under the water helps me with a past trauma experience, something about the sound of the underworld that helps me get through each day

[@silentwalk1768]

I don't dive but I always find these videos interesting got a lot more nerves than I got for an extremely dangerous sport congrats you 👍 made it

[@Yggdrasil42]

Statistically cave diving is actually safer than alpine skiing for example. It does take some nerves, but a lot of it is training. Don't go beyond your training and always follow the rules and it'll be quite safe. That said, it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[@tee5210]

Congrats👏

[@edwardkirkland686]

Congratulations 👍👍

[@chrismcgee6051]

That chain is badass

[@Pnwdive]

Congratulations Gus! 🎉

[@BurhanMuntasser]

What kind of a camera system did you use? How do you hold it, mask mount or in your hands with a tray?

[@DIVETALK]

Neither. It’s a “pistol” grip made by BigBlue

[@BurhanMuntasser]

@@DIVETALK What camera? Go Pro?

[@DIVETALK]

@@BurhanMuntasser no. Sony. They don’t make it anymore.

[@BurhanMuntasser]

@@DIVETALK Thank you!! Best wishes from warm Libya!

[@madLphnt]

why is it ok to hang that toy skeleton in the middle of the cave? i thought you werent supposed to do stuff like that. must be an exception.

[@DIVETALK]

You are not supposed to deface the cave...like some clowns who will carve their name on a rock, but this doesn't do anything to the cave, it's just something interesting to look at. It's not like they drilled a hole in the wall to hang it. I'm cool with that. Other examples of this in Florida are "the bats" at the Devil's Cave System, and the "Godzilla Room" at Madison Blue...it's harmless and it's fun for cave divers.

[@madLphnt]

@@DIVETALK ok cool, i was just thinking lf you accidentally bump into it or get tangled. I would have assumed that it would be frowned upon to put an unnecessary obstruction anywhere in a cave, it's already a natural obstacle course. Im not arguing with u i agree its playful and basically out of the way it just seems incongruous to all the work that goes into being so strictly safe and aware. I'm guessing the divetalk crew probably wouldn't do stuff that extreme as far as leaving items in caves. Keep up the great work dudes, love the direction the channel is heading.

[@LoveCaveDiving]

I have 38 cave dives and my tanks are filled for the 39th. Due to lack of funds I'm only an open circuit diver. Your dive reminded me of "La piscina" here in the Dominican Republic. I got really close to the floor because the tunnel was tight and twice I stuck my arm down and it sank in like 10 inches and didn't hit bottom. I thought man you could silt this up easy. The three of us did good though as we never silted up the cave. Love your channel thanks.

[@Yggdrasil42]

Nothing wrong with Open Circuit. I just got my Stage Cave Diver training which increases your range by bringing more tanks. Suddenly we're doing 3-3.5 hour cave dives (at least the shallow ones). Eventually I might switch to CC but only if I want even more time or want to go deeper.

[@LoveCaveDiving]

@@Yggdrasil42 Awesome! I have done a couple of stage tank dives. Go for it man! 😁

[@artwarentertainment]

Gus, how many dives did you have before going cave?

[@DIVETALK]

Good question...I'm not sure...close to 500 I think

[@artwarentertainment]

Thanks for replying! That’s really interesting to know 🤿❤️

[@TheRealGrimmfury]

Gus, congrats on #100!!!

[@6sixtysix]

El smallpo

[@jailhousephilosopher3309]

If there isn’t, there should be a class on “dismount remount tank cave travel”.

[@Yggdrasil42]

Stage Cave Diver class gets you really comfortable with taking off and putting on tanks in a cave.

[@dannywooten7882]

Idk that’s a bummer all that just to turn around I feel like since you were with a great Diver you should’ve attempted the squeeze but hold the line and I think he was thinking about it the whole way out like damn

[@DIVETALK]

I know you would've done it, because you are a better diver than me.

[@Yggdrasil42]

No need to second guess cave divers. It always feels different than it looks on video. I've been in situations where you're a bit barked, you're nearing your turn pressure, your gas is going quickly due to depth and your negotiating a tight passage of sharp rock that feels like it wants to keep you out. Wanted to pass the restriction but it just didn't feel good. Trusting your instinct or gut feeling is an important skill for a cave diver. You can always talk about it on the surface, but going on just because you set yourself some goal isn't smart.

[@dannywooten7882]

@@DIVETALK No need to get offended I was more routing for you then anything with this comment you just took it the wrong way also I’ve followed you for 2 years and never thought a comment would make you feel some type of way. All I was saying being with someone you trusted is a good reason to just give it a try and I’m saying that because I believe you could’ve made it and I believe your dive buddy did as well that’s why you was asking again

[@DIVETALK]

@@dannywooten7882 it didn’t make me feel any type of way. You said you would’ve done it differently, and I’m just saying that’s because you are a better diver. That’s all.

[@dannywooten7882]

@@DIVETALK ok that’s good. But I wasn’t stating that I’m a better driver at all Gus, I was simply saying it because I believe you could’ve done it because you are better then you believe and your dive buddy thought you could too. Well you went back so we will see if you made it this time I bet you did cause you could’ve on the 100th dive as well.

[@brandonhenman6796]

Hey guys 👍 first time commenting long time watching 😣 I wanna buy a blue nomad for me and my two daughters to do some shallow water dives picking up trash in our river here on the Gold Coast Australia. I’m wondering what you’re thoughts are on the nomad system as safety is my major concern with my girls ? If I ask a supplier they only will tell me what I want to hear so I thought I’d ask the pro’s

[@DIVETALK]

I’m not a big fan of hookah systems

[@chris24861]

Freaking awesome

[@dickstryker]

It takes a lot of gumption to navigate spaces that small witb balls that huge