Cave Snorkeling Death

[L Roebuck]

Man dies in Fla. snorkeling accident

ASSOCIATED PRESS
and WKMG Local 6 News

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A 22-year-old died while cave snorkeling with friends near Crystal River on Saturday, according to authorities.

Jason Boyette and three friends were taking turns putting on a single set of snorkeling gear and diving with a flashlight to explore underwater caves on a nearby river.

Friends said Boyette was the last to go in and never came up. They called authorities at about 3:30 a.m.

Sheriffs Office divers found Boyette's body stuck in an underwater cave over five hours later.

Article: www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060717/BREAKINGNEWS/60717002/1086

[L Roebuck]

Diving in caves requires training
A man who drowned in a cave in the Chassahowitza River should not have been there in the first place, professionals say.
By MOISES MENDOZA
Published July 19, 2006

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CHASSAHOWITZKA - They're hardly the giant caverns that intrepid explorers sometimes find in the Withlacoochee State Forest.

But swimmers often squeeze into the small caverns and caves beneath the surface of the Chassahowitzka River, looking for a quick thrill.

Despite their tiny size, however, the Chassahowitzka's tiny caves can be dangerous, experts say.

Former Pasco County football star Jason Boyette found that out early Saturday morning when he snorkled his way into a cave near the Chassahowitzka River Lodge, got stuck and drowned.

He never should have been there, said Paul Heinerth, the owner of Scuba West, a diving shop and diving training center in Hudson.

"If you're going to go into any cave entrances then you definitely should have some extensive cave diving training," Heinerth said. "To me, it's safe if you go down to look at it, but don't go in it."

Heinerth said there are several cave systems in the Chassahowitzka River, but none are known as major destinations. Still, Chassahowitzka River Lodge owner Looty Milliman said many people explore them during the daytime.

"The caves are really too small to go scuba diving in," Heinerth said.

The tightness of the cave might have been Boyette's biggest problem.

Boyette was found lodged in a small underwater tunnel just off S Riviera Point in the Chassahowitzka River about 9 feet from the water's surface.

The tunnel was small, only 10 to 12 feet long and 2 feet in diameter, said sheriff's spokeswoman Gail Tierney.

To get inside, Boyette had to get through one of three holes that connected to the tunnel. It didn't help when the light on his single flashlight went out, she said.

Boyette didn't have scuba equipment or the training necessary to attempt such a dive. Without equipment, the friends who were with him couldn't help.

Heinerth emphasized Tuesday that diving is safe with proper supervision and training.

"If you're going to go into any cave entrances, you should definitely have specialized training," he said.

Article: www.sptimes.com/2006/07/19/Citrus/Diving_in_caves_requi.shtml