Warning Signs at Chassahowitzka Springs

Recently, there was another tragic loss of life at Chassahowitzka Springs. Sunday, April 16th, 22-year-old Amy Ryan was attempting to swim between two openings and failed to surface. This death as well as several others at this location made us realize that it was time we installed warning signs at both of the swim-through locations.

Myself and Eric Deister constructed and installed the signs with the support (and boats) of Mike Ward, Steve Buhler and his son Lance. Without their support it would have been much more difficult and not nearly as quick. We are greatly appreciative for the National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) and the National Association for Cave Diving (NACD) generously donating the warning signs. The signs were positioned such that it is hoped that they will block easy access to small dead-end sections of the each swim-through. These dead-end sections could possibly hamper the ability to surface successfully and is believed to be where Amy's body was recovered.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Amy's family and hope that the installation of these signs will help prevent the death of other swimmers.

Below is an interview I did with Bay News 9 reporter Melanie Snow. We discussed why we wanted to install the signs and why we feel it is important.