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MLAVA SPRINGS
In March this year the Triton diving Tim decided to visit
the Mlava springs and to explore it's cave system. After
we got information's about previous expeditions we asked
the authorities for permission to dive on this location.
In the meantimewe made a plan for the dives. We knew that
the deepest point that was reached was at app. 70m, and
that it was impossible to go further using air. We decided
to make this dives on mixed gases.
At last
on 30th of March 2003. equipped with all necessary gases
and equipment we started our journey to Petrovac. After
a short break in Zagubica and a visit of the local police
station we arrived at the dive site.
We looked
around and asked the locals questions about the well. The
fact that the well was relatively active concerned us more
than the fact that many divers lost their life's diving
in this cave.
We started unloading the gear from our cars, and kiting
up the first dive pair. Their were assigned with the task
to find the entrance of the cave and penetrate as far as
safely possible. At the end their had to tie the line so
the second dive pair, diving on TRIMIX, can progress further
with out loosing time.
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Zika nad Dejan kited up, and carrying all the necessary equipment
went to dive. We tied the beginning of the line to a tree.
After a few moments they disappeared in the muddy water.
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After
40 minutes they are back at the surface. We were afraid that
the well can be very active. It was through. The visibility
at some parts was under a half meter. The water temperature
was 8 degree centigrade. The divers were lucky to wear dry
suits. In such circumstance's it was not easy to orientate.
The first pair succeeded to lay the line to a depth of 30m
and app. 60-70m from the entrance.
It was time for the second pair to get ready.
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After the assembling of equipment and a briefing we went to
dive. At the shallow water the visibility was approaching
0 m. The current raised up the silt. After 10 or 20 meters
the visibility improved somewhat but the current became even
stronger. The tunnel got narrower, so we could penetrate further
only by puling ourselves at the bottom.
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The
thought that the cave could be closed crossed our minds. After
reaching a depth of 34m and a penetration of 70 m the tunnel
suddenly ended. The mistake to turn my self lateral to the
current I made only once. Like gravel by a invisible hand
I was tumbled along the tunnel. With the stage bottles and
all the equipment I was to big to be able to resist the current.
After I managed to establish balance again I saw Vlatko watching
me with surprise in his eyes.
This was definitely the end of the tunnel. On the bottom I
could see somebody's permanent line disappearing in the gravel.
The thought that somebody might be left on the other side
of the line scared me and made me think to turn around and
go back. We slowly started swimming back along our line. We
again come to the part with the murky water. This was the
place (depth) where we had to start decompressing. Because
of the use of TRIMIX we had to decompress even from this relatively
shallow depth. We become very disappointed. All the preparation,
equipment, gases, the trip... We finished our decompression
and routinely packed our equipment.
After a warm tee I the local hotel we felt that the good mood
is coming back. Not every expedition can be finished successfully.
We decided to come back and hope that we will have more luck
next time.
After a few mounts another group of diver from Belgrade tried
to dive in this cave. They reported that the cave is still
closed
*This
dives are executed by professionals. We do not suggest untrained
and wrong equipped divers to tray to make such dives. In
this cave a dozen of divers died including open water instructors.
It can happen to you!
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