2 divers to challenge the most difficult caves in history.
Under the water, 271 metres away, a dead companion was encountered.
They made a stupid, but hot, decision: to take their people home.
To that end, they were well prepared to set up a recovery team at their own expense.
However, accidents followed.
Until, the worst costs happen.
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Zero-one.
October 2004.
Dave Shaw decided to do a big thing.
He’s going to challenge the limits of his body and break his previous 240-metre deep submersible record.
So he’s meeting his partner Don Shelly.
They came to the third deep freshwater cave in the world: the Bushman Cave in South Africa.
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Old Tai’s got a head start, and he’s getting on with it.
Soon, he dived under 271 meters.
Suddenly, an accident happened!
As the lights move, a man walks through the darkness!
It’s a shock to the old man.
Is he blind?
He’s standing there and he’s not moving.
Half a minute later, the old man wore a hard scalp to re-route the light.
There’s a body in front of us!
And this body is staring at him in a weird way!
The old man’s head was buzzing, flying through a series of questions:
Why is there a body here?
Whose body is this?
You know, at the bottom of the Bushman cave, it’s 283 meters from the water.
An ordinary man would never come here.
Because the Bushman Cave is the third deep freshwater cave in the world.
It is at the bottom of a cliff lake, with very few people involved.
On the lake, there is a thick green plume that floats from year to year.
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To get into a cave, you have to dive under a lake.
No one can find the entrance.
And the whole cave shape, like a vase.
To enter the inner cave, there is a narrow and bottlenecked passage.
There’s only one person in this tunnel at a time.
After entering the tunnel, a 40-metre dive is required to reach the inner cave.
Unprofessional divers can’t get through the first level.
Inside the cave, there’s a huge space.
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There’s no living creature here. It’s awful quiet.
There’s endless darkness all around.
So let’s summarize:
Bushman Cave, position is very hidden.
Also, it’s 283 meters deep, and narrow passages that make the whole cave dangerous.
So, the body that appears here is certainly not an ordinary person.
Dai tried to overcome his fears and try to calm himself down.
He tried to identify the body.
At that time he did not know that the body would have changed his life in such a way that it would have changed.
02 Meeting across a decade
Old Day swam fast towards the body.
He pointed the light on his head at the body.
At that point, Dai saw the body.
The body, to be precise, is already a remains.
His head and hand were exposed to water, leaving only bones.
The dive mask, still firmly anchored on its head.
The lower part of the chest has been covered with mud.
Broken submersible, still wearing it.
Which means this guy must be a diver.
Old Dai suddenly remembered what he saw by the lake and guessed the identity of the remains!
Before we went in, he saw a gold sign by the lake.
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It says:
Remember our son, Dwayne.
He brought sunshine and laughter to our lives.
But happy times are always so short.
If anyone sees our son’s body, beg you to bring him out.
Old Dayton understood.
He actually found the cave explorer who disappeared 10 years ago: Dwayne.
Dwayne, like Old Day, is a diver.
In 1994, he had an accident while he was exploring the Bushman Cave.
After that, Dren’s body was never found.
His parents even launched a drone to salvage.
Still, nothing.
Ten years later, two divers met in this way.
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Di was very sympathetic to what happened to Den.
As a companion, he could not bear to see the remains of Dane, forever in this dark cave.
I can’t bear to see the parents and never get the kids home.
After careful consideration, he made a bold decision:
Get Dwayne home!
Old Dai tried to pull the remains out of the mud.
But, 10 years of mud, it’s thick.
Old Tai had failed, but also provoked a silt.
His horizon is blurry.
However, there is much more to the problem.
Respiratory frequency is increased when the force is increased because of the use of closed-circuit respirators.
He’s breathing, he’s getting rushy.
And that’s what closed-circuit respirators do!
However, Dai has many years of diving experience.
This little trouble for him is nothing.
He’s in the mood right now. He’s trying to breathe.
At this point, it’s been a long time.
If he does not return, he will need to spend longer time decompressing.
There’s no other way.
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But Old Dai did not return immediately.
In the caves, there are many guidance ropes left by previous divers.
Old Dailian was busy placing a lead line on the remains.
In this way, the next recovery can quickly locate the remains.
After all this, old Tai started to float.
He floats very slowly in order to prevent the onset of depressive diseases (a disease caused by the rapid change in external stress on his body).
Eight hours later, Old Dai surfaced.
The whole dive, he spent nine hours and 40 minutes.
The good news is that old Dai has succeeded in breaking his own deep-seated record.
The bad news is that he failed to bring Dwayne’s body back.
After reaching the surface, he contacted Dwayne’s parents.
Day promised to bring their son home.
But, under water, 271 meters to salvage, it’s very difficult!
It is not simple simply to drag the remains out of the sand.
Besides, we have to take it out of the narrow passageway.
But who is our old man?
He’s a diver!
Old Dai has over 300 dive experiences.
These issues, in his view, can be resolved.
Old Dai has full confidence in his dive technology.
However, reality is cruel.
Soon, he’s about to get punched in the face.
Three hundred and fifty-three.
Old Dai did not act quickly, but prepared a well-planned plan.
The first recovery failed because the remains were crushed by mud.
David doesn’t know if Dyne’s body under the mud is completely rotting.
He was busy consulting with the forensics.
This particular underwater environment, however, is one in which forensics cannot be inferred with precision.
As a precaution, Dai needs a bigger body bag.
To that end, he quickly sought help from his wife.
Subsequently, Dai and his wife produced a bag to carry the remains.
Then he came to the dive centre.
Here, Dai has had another underwater training.
Until he was able to carry the object in a bag in the water with skill.
And it’s getting shorter and shorter.
There’s a loader, and what’s missing is help.
It’s not going to work for you and Don alone.
Old Day quickly called his friends, rocked people.
As a big man in the ring, he could say it was a perfect response.
After a fine selection, Dai succeeded in forming a 9-person recovery team.
Among them was a female diver who had made a world record in Guinness.
This team, it’s called diving all-star.
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It’s called a professional!
How can we not have enough equipment when we’re all in this?
Old Dai intentionally prepared the state-of-the-art deep submersible: MK15.5 Circulator.
It was the world’s top respirator.
Of course, the price is top.
You know, during that dive, open submersibles were still commonly used.
That is, oxygen metabolism occurs in the air through gas cylinders.
During metabolism, divers use only very little oxygen.
The rest of the oxygen will be released into the water with carbon dioxide.
This has led to a large amount of oxygen being wasted directly.
The MK15.5 respirator, on the other hand, perfected this flaw.
It has a system that allows breathing to recycle.
When the diver exhales carbon dioxide, the closed-circuit respirator absorbs it.
The system will then be replenished with some oxygen, which will then be inhaled by divers.
This has significantly saved oxygen use and avoided waste.
The divers also stayed underwater longer.
Also, there are no bubbles around closed-circuit respirators and better visions.
At 283 meters deep in the Bushman Cave, MK15.5 respirators are the first choice for the recovery team.
In order to avoid a sudden situation, Dai stepped in advance.
He’s got 35 spare oxygen bottles in the water.
On shore, he also brought a doctor on standby.
Not only that, but it has developed a perfect salvage programme: a tornado.
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Recovering team nine, working together, working together.
Old Dai was in charge of the most difficult step in the whole recovery plan.
And that was the first time he had failed.
In other words, the remains of Dren were removed from the mud.
Once this step has been completed, he will also need to put his remains in a ready bag.
Finally, old wear can drag the remains and slowly depressurize.
He’s known his partner Don for years.
And he went down to the Bushman Cave once.
So Dai decided to have his partner Don come in 13 minutes.
He’ll float in 20 minutes, meet the divers, finish the handover.
So, old Dai’s work is done.
Others, in turn, dive to the specified position and respond.
It’s like a game, a relay race.
It’s just, they changed the baton to a body bag.
Other members of the team will deliver oxygen bottles to him during the floating process of old wear.
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On 8 January 2005, all arrangements were made.
Old Day is leading the recovery team.
By the time Dai arrived near the cave, it was surrounded.
In addition to Dwayne’s parents, there are divers who come to help.
The local media, moreover, set up multiple shooting slots.
They followed it all the way, recording a significant dive in history.
When Dai’s finished warming up, he jumps and starts diving.
At the other time, he was filled with warm blood and full of confidence.
Soon, he’s going to finish this great recovery.
Ten years under the water, Deun, we’re about to meet our parents!
However, the imagination is full and the reality is strong.
Meet him at the bottom of the abyss.
– 04, no one moves.
Thirteen minutes later.
According to the plan, it’s time for Tang to go in.
He’d been wearing his diving equipment long ago.
When the time came, he jumped right into the water.
It’s the second time Don’s dived into the Bushman Cave.
He’s got it all figured out.
Don’s excited.
He’s involved in a great cause.
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When he dived down 50 meters, he saw a little light.
It’s the light from the light on the old head.
At the depth of the water, the light appears to be very weak.
Despite this, Don is still inexorable.
He looked in the bright direction and continued to dive along the line.
If there’s no accident, he’ll be with Old Day soon.
Because it is planned that, regardless of the success of the recovery, Dai will float over the prescribed time.
But the next second Don realized something was wrong.
He’s staring in the bright direction and afraid to breathe.
How come the old lights never moved?
Under normal circumstances, Dai is either carrying a bag or floating.
Anyway, he’s in activity.
Well, the lights on his head are moving.
Now, the light’s still, isn’t it…
Don’s in a hurry!
Did something happen to your partner?
This idea gave Don a chill.
He was so anxious he wanted to get down there and check it out.
But we’ve been through this before.
“If anything happens to me, don’t come and save me, and don’t go on. I’m sorry.
At this moment, Don hesitated.
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He knew that Old Day was taking care of his safety.
But, leave old Dai alone. He can’t do it!
Don’s mind, there’s two little people.
One said to go down and save people, and the other said no, it’s important to protect yourself.
After a brief struggle in mind, the old Donso turned his head.
He chooses to take care of himself, save his teammates!
Tang bites his teeth, dives fast and ready for rescue.
Maybe it’s just a coma.
He’s going down now, he’s probably waking up.
At this moment, Don has only one thought in mind!
“Dai, please don’t hurt yourself! I’m sorry.
However, you never know which one comes first tomorrow and the accident.
Old D’s shadow was almost dead before he saw it.
Just as he dived to 250 meters, the horror scene appeared.
Don’s diving equipment, something went wrong.
Also, the manipulations on his hands began to break.
And that’s what’s caused by the huge underwater pressure.
You know, for every 10 meters of water, you have to have an extra atmospheric pressure.
250 meters underwater, equals 26 atmospheric pressure.
Any mistake in this situation could be fatal!
Don’s in such a hurry.
He won’t give up, keep diving.
He won’t give up until he has to!
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Don vowed to save his partner.
And the next second he cried out.
A bigger crisis has emerged.
Suddenly, a sharp explosion came from the ear.
Don’s in shock.
I don’t know, it’s a shock!
The cycling respirator’s oxygen pipeline valve exploded!
In order to ensure his breathing, he could only manually inject oxygen into the respirator.
Moreover, he had to monitor the oxygen content of the respirator at all times.
Don now, it’s mud over the river.
If you keep diving, you’re dead.
Don’s eyes are sore, tears come out.
Once again he looked in the direction of the old.
That faint light was out when the accident just happened.
It was as if he had been told in silence.
Don knows he has no choice but to retreat now.
Nor is it easy to float.
More difficult, still waiting for him.
05, life on the line.
Oxygen pipeline valves are broken, causing gas to be consumed too fast.
Tang’s blood and muscle tissue have formed bubbles.
He’s got a serious breakdown in his body.
There’s a strong sense of dizziness coming in.
He’s dead to grab the rope and try to balance himself.
However, despite his strong restraint, the situation had not improved.
At that point, he was no longer at risk of depression.
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It will be possible to survive only if it rises and reaches the surface as soon as possible.
At 50 meters from the surface, Tang formed a bubble in his left ear because he was rising too fast.
He can’t help but spin around the water and vomit.
And Tang, with his hand on the rope, lost his strength.
That moment, he felt like he was dying.
In despair, the rope slipped out of his hand.
In a coma, Tang saw two lights above.
It’s the teammates!
No, that’s not teammates.
This is the Savior!
Excited heart, shaking hand.
Don looks like he’s been bleeding chickens, and he’s starting to snap.
Then, under the help of his teammates, he slowly rose up.
Don’s heart can’t help but be afraid.
If the teammate does not arrive in time, he may have fallen under water.
But luck is good.
This little life has been saved for now.
However, the strength of Old Tang at this time has reached the threshold.
His body was severely insensitive and began to tremble uncontrollably.
Worse still, his left leg also began to experience severe pain as a result of the rapid rise.
Don’s last breath and he’s stifling.
Time passes one second, and the feeling of discomfort is getting stronger.
Don can’t take it anymore.
He closed his eyes and fainted!
And at this point, he’s still under six meters!
06 Promises made with life
Don thinks he’s dead.
Well, the teammates who’ve been on the shore are strong.
Something’s not right.
Eventually, Don got dragged out of the water by two teammates.
At that time, he had been in a severe coma.
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The doctor on the shore rushed up and examined him.
Subsequently, Tang was taken to the pressure-relief module on an emergency basis.
After seven hours of treatment, his condition finally improved.
Gradually, Don regained consciousness.
When he woke up, he used all his energy and wrote on the board:
Dai died.
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Although, at the time, everyone had guessed.
But they have always had a little bit of luck in their hearts.
The news that Tang brought from under the water is undoubtedly a complete destruction of the remaining illusions.
Everyone’s mood fell to the bottom in an instant.
This blow, too big!
All of us were in despair.
They spent a great deal of time and money preparing themselves well for this recovery.
As a result, a good teammate was sacrificed!
Even more desperate, the body of Denn hasn’t come up yet.
Accidents have happened, though some people have given up on ideas.
But there are also members who know that what should be done at this time is to complete the task.
Four days later, two divers returned to the Bushman Cave.
They decided to continue the dive!
Even if it was not possible to bring the old body, at least it would have to be strapped to a floating bag.
So, there’s a chance that old Dai can float on his own.
They just couldn’t bear, brave and kind partners, to disappear into a dark cave.
However, as they dived to 20 meters, a scene of horror appeared.
Suddenly, there was a strange object underwater!
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They swam the past.
It turns out this object is exactly what they’re looking for.
It’s old at the moment, and it’s no longer the same.
His arms were open and his back of the head and shoulder were attached to the wall.
Old-day’s body was so swollen.
He was stuck dead in a narrow tunnel in the Bushman Cave.
And he’s got a bag on him.
The two divers recognized at first sight that the bag was a body bag which had been sewn together with the wife.
And in the bag, it’s the remains of Devon!
Old Dai had already completed his own fishing mission.
He’s dead and he doesn’t forget the promise.
Hey, D., I can’t believe it just floated on.
He did it!
The recovery operation, it worked!
Two divers get moving.
With all due respect, they dragged the old bodies and the remains of Deun.
In the end, four days of old dai successfully surfaced.
Ten years deep in the cave, Den, back on the ground.
He was picked up with old Dai and his camera.
The camera recorded a picture of everyone suffocating.
Last minute before death.
Old Dai’s body was tied to a camera.
This camera recorded the entire rescue he made.
At first, the whole dive process went well.
At 12 minutes of dive, the remains were successfully recovered using the previously tied lead.
I couldn’t wait to see him.
Old Dai tried to remove the thick silt and tow the remains of Dyne from it.
However, plans will never change!
The first problem then arose.
Dren’s remains are not fully white.
This means that the body is still floating.
Old Dalian was busy taking out the bag and trying to put the body in.
It’s been 10 years since Deon’s neck got softer.
Old Day successfully removed the head of the body.
But in the mud, the headless body began to float.
Old Day was frightened by this sudden change.
His hands began to tremble and the whole man was terrified.
However, his panic was such that the problem was great.
Old-day’s breathing frequency also started to increase.
The greater danger comes with it.
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The closed-circuit respirator in the water begins to drop the chain.
You know, closed-circuit respirators, while having many advantages, also have fatal disadvantages.
It requires divers to maintain their breathing stability at all times while operating underwater.
In case of respiratory disorder, there is a high risk of oxygen poisoning.
Seriously, even killed.
It was bad.
But the problem has not been solved and new problems have arisen!
In the event of the movement, the currents fluctuate.
The wiring and the respiratory tube of the searchlight were entwined.
In a moment, old Dai couldn’t breathe.
He felt bad and tried to untangle the mess.
However, there is confusion.
Soon, the searchlights and the ropes were entangled again.
The next two and a half accidents, the old one’s out of control.
His psychological stress is understandable and his mental state is falling apart.
At that time, he had been intoxicated with carbon dioxide.
However, old Dai still remembers the exhumation plan.
He continued his search mission.
Fortunately, kung fu has no heart.
Eventually, Dai managed to put the body in a bag.
Next, he tied himself to the rope on the body bag.
At this point, the task of Old Day is half complete.
All he had to do was get rid of the entanglement and get back.
Soon, Dai will be able to fulfill his promise and send Dwayne home.
The plan is about to succeed.
However, the nightmare is not over.
Day knows, it’s too slow to untie the rope.
So he struggled to remove the pre-prepared scissors and tried to cut the lead.
But, deep down, it’s not good.
By the way, the searchlights are entangled.
Old Dai’s nervous to the extreme.
His hands, in the dark water.
However, after a few minutes of trying, he did not even find the rope.
The enormous water pressure, combined with his respiratory instabilities, is blurring his consciousness.
Finally, 10 minutes later, Dai lost consciousness.
His life is set forever at this moment.
08 Follow-up
And finally, 10 years ago, the diver body returned to his parents.
And this seemingly reunified ending was bought with a living life.
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Old Dai, who initiated the recovery operation, lost his life forever.
Dwayne’s parents never expected to be reunited with their sons in their lifetime.
They appreciate the brave divers.
At the same time, they apologized for the death of old Dai.
The old Don who survived suffered from severe stress relief.
Moreover, irreversible permanent consequences have been left.
In the rest of his life, he suffers from aftereffects.
However, it is not the after-effects that afflict him most.
Don’s never gonna forget that his partner died in front of him.
The dead are dead, the living are like the dead.
Over time, the family of Dai gradually emerged from the wounds.
His wife came to South Africa with ashes.
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Here, there’s a diving resort the husband loved.
Old Dai’s ashes were scattered over this land he loved.
To this day, people continue to be moved by his courageous quest.
His commitment to honouring his promise at the cost of his life is much appreciated by countless people.
Old Dai completed 333 dives before he was alive.
And he broke several diving records.
Dai left a lot of color in the history of diving.
This operation, which spanned 10 years, has been dubbed a legend.
In 2020, old Dai’s story was filmed as “Dave’s Not Back.”
His story and spirit are increasingly known.
He’s never considered, worth or nothing.
He only asked himself to do or not to do.
References:
1: ‘Davie NOT COMING BACK, STARRING DON SHIRLEY, DAVID SHAW ANN SHAW AND AND THEO DREEYER. Arts and Enterprise. November 23, 2020. by Carla Hay.
2 Washington, D.C.-based council Tim Zimmermann is the author of the Race.
3: Ghosts of the abyss: the story of Don Shirley and Dave Shaw. By Sebastien Berger06 March2008-12:07am.
4: Don Shirley Field Remembers Scuba Diving with David Shaw in Dave Not Coming Back Exclusive Clip. By Karen Benardello.NOV 10, 2020 DAVE NOT COMING BACK, GONAH MALAK, GRAVITAS VENTURES.
I don’t know.
Keep your eyes on the road.
