This is a re-scripted version of the first part of a four part series that I made for BBC Leeds in 1987- 1989.It was based on Martyn Farrs book "The Darkness Beckons" and tells the history of cave diving in Britain.
This is the most British thing I have ever seen. Men dressed like Wurzle Gummage cobbling together a life support system out of an old bike, to adventure into an life threatening underwater cave for no particular reason other than they wanted to see what was on the other side
lol... caving (whether under water or not), is for people who don't need that age old joke about Mt Everest explained to them. (The joke is: Why climb Mt Everest? Because it's there)
This is so great that you are sharing this project with the world now Sid- It is truly amazing. I will not forget how gracious you were in allowing me to use a bit in my project a few years back-- Thanks again and hope you are well!!
Balcombe was an absolute nutter. Remember this is before WW2 and the pioneering work done by the Italian Navy Gruppo Gamma and the human guinae pig experiments into oxygen hypoxia carried out at Portsmout by the Royal Navy in 1942. Even state of the art 'skin'diving kits were rebreathers that used potash to absorb CO2 and the diver had to top up using pure oxygen when they felt a bit 'iffy'. The casualty rate in training the men to use the human torpedoes, The Mialle (Pig) for the Italians and the Chariot for the British, the Italians severely damaged several capital ships in Alexandra harbour. Doing this in a cave with home made kit and no rebreather to absorb CO2... what a legend
That is an amazing document, great reconstructions! Thanks Sid for making it available online. I am still amazed how you did all of that on analog in pre-GoPro times :)
Good Stuff. I am a Diver. But I am now Retired with Injuries. But end of the 80's I started Commercial Fishing & as my Son & I would get Hot we started Freediveing & then we're Certified. & Most of our Dives were Spearfishing. & Most of them were in the middle of the Night. I love Flounder & I would Dive Around the Shipwrecks 14 to 22 miles offshore from Daulphin Island Al. At Night with nothing but a Pole spear &2 lights. & Stack Flounder up as I spear them & slid them up on Pole spear. Lots of people called me Crazy for this but I LOVE IT. I JUST WISH MY BACK WOULD LET ME GO AGAIN. I still have 2 Boats & miss it much
I forgot to mention my son and I did our Certification Dives in Cyprus Springs & Vortex Springs & we did a little Cave Diving there. Nothing that Extreme. But you can View them both on here. Most of my Dives were at Night for Flounder with nothing but a Pole spear 2 lights. & Stack them up like pancakes. Miss it
Amazing reconstructions and documentary! I can't believe the insane things they did with such primitive kit. I also can't believe you got to interview one of the Wookey Hole explorers.
one of the most fascinating documentaries i have ever seen, thanks for making this available. what else would you recommend to watch? I have now watched all parts twice!
I was in Swildon's many years ago with DSS. We bailed out a sump then 'free dove' through; I like a dying salmon, the fella behind as unconcerned as a swan. Once through, I asked: "Who did this first?" "Braver men than you and I, Gunga Din!" was his cheerful reply. Ain't that the truth. God bless 'em.
Looking forward watching you videos. Will you be up at Helwith Bridge again in June? I will be there for my birthday on the first Sunday of that month and probably there on the Saturday as well.
I've just seen that said by Rick Stanton in his new book as well. I'm a diver, who's potentially interested in getting into caving, so it sounds like I wouldn't be able to cut it at the top level!
Did they go into the cave with a suit? the equipment is simple but the cave and water still remain just wonder new technology nowadays... full of respect
I think I've figured it out. Ppl from the European region basically landed there. They are not from earth. They are from a very hostile elaborate difficult place. That's why things like sky diving and cave diving and just diving and meddling in general come so easy for them. Without yt ppl, we wouldn't know what the top or bottom felt like because we stay in the middle where we can breathe 😂
Love the fact that they had the best possible equipment.. A modern day re-breather ( a old cycle pump from the newly formed company... GRANDADS SHE'D...Also ( Raleigh) cycles.. We're at the cutting edge,, and far ahead of the diving equipment companies of the day... There 26inch inertube.. Was miles ahead in oxy tank design.. And there tandem the 4x4 of the day.. But by far the best equipment of the day was that they had bigger BALLS in their long john wet suits
World Wide. Although their were a few lone adventurous souls before hand, such as Martel* the oldest caving clubs in the world and also the first cave diving club, the CDG (Cave Diving Group) were all formed in England. It's where caving and cave diving were first established as an outdoor pursuit. These men were the Pioneers. I believe the BEC (Bristol Exploration Club) is the oldest caving club formed by students of Bristol University, closely followed by the Wessex, both based in the Mendips. Members of the Wessex also formed the SWCC (South Wales Caving Club) which is the 4th oldest caving club. Also known as 'Son of Wessex Caving Club' by Wessex Members!😁 The BEC's motto is 'The BEC get Everywhere'. The Wessex's motto is 'Ubiquitous Primus' (Everywhere first!). As you can tell there's a friendly rivalry between the clubs including various silly but fun competitions. *If you want to know more about Martel here's a link. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard-Alfred_Martel
what would be way more fun that this bullshit would be to take that yellow suit and hang out behind a bar and scare drunk people. now that's a good time!
