Y’all are too hard on yourselves. I’m part of the (normally) quiet 90%+ that rarely comments on videos. You never sound elitist. The people cave diving without the training and experience have an extreme lack of hubris. Saying as much is just fact and making these videos to educate the public is a service.

Woody, you NEVER sound like a jerk! you sound like someone who is passionate about something he loves! and not only that you can tell you genuinely care for people and want them to understand the dangers if they try to cave dive without proper equipment and training!!

Not a diver, would never do it, but mad props to guys like you who call out the reality of these channels that inadvertently promote horrible safety habits. In self regulated industries like this (I'm a climber, so we are much the same) it's essential to have dudes like this out there. Thanks for your efforts to keep people safe.

The dangling gear was the most concerning thing straight away. Even someone who knows nothing about cave diving can see that dangling lines are liable to get caught on a rock and disconnect something very important. Shouldn’t it also be a thing for open water diving? You can still get caught on a rock or something there too.

It's like Woody can't help but be an instructor even during dive talk like he'll ask Gus questions that he knows the answer to because he wants to hear him answer it and then gives the reassuring nod of yes that's exactly right. It's so funny to watch. I love these guys

That was the best thing I've ever heard you say Woody. "If you kind of have the equipment you're kind of going to die." Gave me a good chuckle in the morning I know it is very true. I'm just glad you guys are here explaining some of this stuff for people who think that they can do it without training. Which by all means you could but as you said you could die.

I've taken a cavern class in Wes Skiles, and at the end the instructors took us about 20 yards into the cave with a cave instructor both ahead and behind us. This section had no possibility of a silt up. One thing that struck me is that without the outside light, it's extreamly easy to get disoriented and lose the line even if it's right next to you, especially while you are turning the dive. The cave looks totally different swimming in the other direction.

I dove Crystal River back in 1986. Things had to change or people would have killed all of the manatee. I’m a retired commercial diver. I’ve dove my share of caves and cenotes in Mexico and hung up my wetsuit a few years ago. You guys are what the community needs. Keep up the good work fellas.

Just to clarify a minor point, gold line in Peacock (P1) does actually come out to the mouth of the cave, unlike most other caves where the line starts far enough back to not be visible to open water divers. In some parts of this video they are in the cavern zone of P1 (they still don't belong there). However, in other parts they are most definitely beyond daylight, the sign, and in the cave zone of P1. I'm a cave instructor and based on their skill level I would most likely not be able to get them through a cavern course (first level of cave training) without having them practice some remedial open water skills before coming back another day to continue training. The dangling hoses and gauges alone would force me to call the dive while they were still in open water. Their buoyancy control and finning technique is bad even for open water standards. It is extremely dangerous for them to be in the cave zone of these caves. So many things that could go wrong. They don't know enough to recognize the risks until it's too late and they certainly don't know how to deal with issues that do arise. Unfortunately, cave diving is not an activity in which you can learn through trial and error. Your first error could very well get you killed. I hope they seek training or stop doing this before they have a "bad dive."

You can tell these guys are old school that have been doing this for a long time untrained. If you check out his buddies channel has got a really old video of him cave diving form what looks like the early 70's. This goes to show no matter how long you have been diving, there is always room for getting trained and learning the newest procedures. You can't say I don't need training, I've been doing cave diving since the beginning. There's always room to learn from someone's techniques and take something you can use that may very well save your life or someone else. Great Video Guys!

I think I’d feel pretty safe diving with Gus & Woody. It’s the quality of character, care, training & social awareness.

I’m a low-thrill individual who doesn’t need to push radical boundaries in my life. I enjoy terra firma, and small adventures like exploring an antique shop or browsing a bookstore make me happy. I’m scared of water because I can’t swim, and I’m also claustrophobic, so cave diving is the stuff of nightmares for me. So why am I on a diving channel? It’s for the same reason I watch mountaineering videos: I’m endlessly fascinated by the chutzpah and skill it takes to cave dive or ascend Mount Everest. Mad props to the people who do it, but as long as I live, I’ll never understand the desire to live on the edge. But I also totally understand and appreciate the sanity you bring to a risky activity like this. I don’t think you sound elitist at all; you’re simply trying to save lives.

Completely agree... People don't think before they do stuff because they underestimate the danger of things. Reminds me of the Y Mountain tragedy... 5 or 6 people went into a dry cave and then 4 or 5 of them swam through an underwater tunnel to get to a secret chamber. After being there for a bit, they tried to swim back out and the leader of the line out got disoriented and/or stuck. Well 4 of them ended up drowning in what was basically a 15 foot underwater tube. Nothing special... just underestimated the danger involved.

Non diver here, but I don't think it's elitist to talk about how dangerous this is. You are telling it how it is. Safety should always be number one and divers pushing into caves untrained is what leads to near misses or deaths. This then gives cave diving a bad reputation. Humble and honest as always.

Hey gus and Woody, I just wanted to thank you guys for the great content as always. Today was my last open water dive test and I passed. I am now officially a certified beginner open water scuba diver, its all thanks to you guys for inspiring me to dive again.

As a non-diver I must say you do sound a little elitest. And I'm so happy about that. You could be saving a life with this vid. Experts should not be dismissed.

This video is a great example as to how/why people die in caves. Great work bringing awareness on this dangerous issue👏

Diving in a cave untrained is life threatening, I know a friend who did and he immediately regretted his decision when he nearly got lost due to a huge silt out

You guys can NEVER, NEVER say that this sport is dangerous enough. People need to know that this is not for everyone and that people with less experience, should stay in low experience spot until they get enough to explore harder cave with someone who’s an expert. People take death for granted, until it happens to them. Great video guys, keep it up!

I’m not a diver, but my step dad was a cave diver and a rescue diver. These videos have helped me immensely understand and relate to his excitement. Thank you!!!!

Thanks for addressing the question "What's wrong with going in a little ways inside the cave if I can follow the line?" And thanks also for critiquing the issues with the gear setup. I never thought about how streamlined cave diving equipment should be before that.

No it doesn't sound elitist. We're watching you for your expert opinion. That's what you're giving. You're teaching us & for free. I appreciate it so much and I don't dive, but you're getting me very siked about possibly attempting it. It's like they are purposely making an everything not to do in cave diving.

There’s a strong difference between aligning yourself with safety standards and being disrespectful. I love dive talk and you both are adamant on safety. I haven’t ever seen either of you be disrespectful. The education and experience is what makes you a professional and as a professional you should educate others on safety. Angry people are better then dead people. Woody, Gus you two are amazing and please keep up the work that you do!

2 divers were lost yesterday at Buford Spring in Chasskawitzka,open water divers not properly trained decided to go back down low on air,and leaking regulator!

Being concerned about proper technique and especially safety is not elitist. This is literally life or death safety concerns. It's not like "oh you better wear some eye protection while sawing a 2x4". This is critical life or death type of safety concerns. So I think the worry about coming off as elitist or gatekeepy is not an issue. I know usually these days "gatekeeping" is seen as a negative or "problematic behavior" but in this scenario gatekeeping is necessary and is potentially saving lives.

Recommending that people receive proper training from qualified instructors to prevent their own deaths is not an eliteist comment. In my opinion, it just means you care about what happens to other divers. You encourage people to become better divers and you both should be proud of what you do. Thank you for the amazing content as always!

I am an AOWD student right now and besides flutter kicking, everything you pointed out applies to even an OWD certified diver. These guys are either not even OWD certified or they forgot/ignored all their training in years.

Growing up near Blue Springs, Orange City FL, there were times during the 80s-90s when it seemed a diver or two would die sometimes on a monthly basis. Probably why I never sought SCUBA certification. Too deadly. After watching these videos, I have a better understanding of how those deaths happened and how every one of them was likely a preventable death.

I do like that the two of you are firm but still doing your best to remain as polite as possible.

I stumbled across this channel about a month ago and I'm addicted. I love the amount of knowledge and confidence the both of you have. I want to learn open water dive, cave diving, and I had NO idea how much training goes into each type of dive. Love the content, love you guys, keep up the good work!

You guys are so clear headed and well rounded with your commentary. Don't be unfair to yourselves like that ever again guys. You literally save lives with your videos. Keep it up

Woody, you do not sound elitist, you're drumming safety into people which is what you and Gus do best. Safety first always. I bet lives have been saved through watching this channel, keep up the good work.

I don't dive, but I really think u guys r right to keep pushing for people to not do this stuff without being certified, it is dangerous & who better for it to come from than people who know better than most! I love what u guys r doing! I love ur channel!

Take aways from binging Dive talk videos : Don't dive into a cave if you are not cave certified , you actually can't just resurface instantly , there is so much unexplored earth , things can turn from great to terrible in less than a minute . Love the content

Woody do not ever call yourself a jerk, you and Gus are geniuses when it comes to safety, training and your concerns for your fellow divers and your profession. Life is all about preparation, soooo...........be prepared in everything you do.

Good info fellas! BTW - did you notice those guys deleted their video? It's good to call this stuff out in order to maintain safety amongst the community.

I want to formally apologize. When I first found your channel, it was when you reacted to AWP Doug’s Emergency Ascent. I knew nothing about diving, so when I saw your reaction to it, I was upset because I thought they were doing everything perfectly, and you two were trolls/elitists. I put my bias aside though, and watched your other videos, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve learned so much from you two, and I now understand you say the things you do to help protect and inform the lives of others and those who watch your videos. Anyways, great video! I apologize again for my hardcore bias when I first discovered you two.

Love the content guys. As a non diver to me you guys don't some like elitists you sound like professional divers watching extremely dangerous behavior that would otherwise seem benign to the average person

I must say you guys are never sounding like your gatekeepers or elitists. I came across your videos from watching cave diving disasters where the most experienced cave divers died from this incredibly dangerous sport. I think your doing a great service to people who may not understand how dangerous cave diving is. Love your videos

First of all I want to say that I love y’all’s videos! I’m glad that you tell ppl about the dangers involved because a mistake underwater can be fatal, as many of your videos have shown. Keep up the great work and I look forward to your next video. Sending love from Texas! ❤️

This is like wearing a scalf and not securing the long end, then going on a rollercoaster on a windy day.

Doing my checkout dives tomorrow and Sunday! Can't wait to officially be a diver. Thanks for the inspiration and awesome content.

Love y'all!!! So glad your keeping it real and wanting to keep people safe. I am a skydiver not a scuba diver. The importance of safety in any extreme sport is SO important. Woody and Gus! AWESOME JOB 🧘🖤

Aside from the valuable safety/educational information, humor and interesting subject matter; you guys have great production value as well. The lighting, audio and editing is always top notch. I’ve been playing with the idea of creating a channel for awhile, but I want to do it right and I’ve realized it’s not as easy as it looks. If I ever go for it, I’ll consider Dive Talk an inspiration. Much respect 👊🏼

Hi guys! I just finished scrolling thru all of your videos trying to find one I hadn’t seen because I was having Dive Talk withdrawal!! Morning all!!

My instructor for open water always told us to stop using our hands, it doesn't help at all and just burns more air. It takes a while to break the habit of swimming under water and let the fins do all the work but it does make a difference.

The work you guys do is really important to us! This was great for showing us why getting certified is so important, they looked like they had fun but just go get certified so you don't have an unnecessary accident. Proper training and techniques are essential.

Took a small break from KZfaq, I come back to see y’all killing it with the subs and views! Not many deserve it more than y’all do! I had hoped this would happen, but knew it was inevitable with the type of amazing content and top notch quality y’all provide. Keep killin it!

Not sure who's saying you guys are being rude, both very polite and not condescending. Love the explanations!

I started with mr ballen vids and thought cave divers were suicidal.. But after watching you guys I can see that it's only suicidal if you don't follow the rules and/or haven't been certified. Love your enthusiasm and your love of cave diving. There is nothing wrong with being critical as it may save lives.

I really love you guys' videos! I started watching Dive Talk this month because I saw one of your reactions to Mr Ballen in my KZfaq Recommendations and was hooked! Diving and the ocean have always been terrifying to me, something I was like "no way, never in a million years would I go scuba diving", but you two have really made me interested in learning to dive! Explaining the dangers and errors that people make actually makes me feel a lot safer knowing what could go wrong and how to avoid it. The love and passion you two have for diving is infectious! I really hope I can get lessons someday. Thank you for your continued content! Love you guys & the channel!

This is the first video I have see of yours and I have never done any sort of underwater venturing other than surface snorkeling. Ive got to say from other things I have seen around this topic- this was incredibly well done. I really like that you assumed nothing until it was blatantly obvious about things that are not right. You also explained it in a manor that focused on preservation of life not shaming people- I really appreciate content like this!

Hi guys! Advanced Open Water from Spain here, I just wanted to tell you that I really love your videos and that you have inspired me to continue diving and to take the cave diving course. Thank you for your content!

Love these. I even am getting "dive news" on my google news feed now since watching these. Read a story this morning about two divers who died in Florida Thursday morning, and just the story made me go, oh, the guys at Dive talk would have comments about this. Especially since the teens who found one of the men reportedly said they over heard them say something about maybe not having enough air, and potentially a leak, and yet they STILL went into the cave.... Keep doing what you do, and maybe someone will take a moment and go, "What would Woody and Gus say about this" before they go do something that maybe they shouldn't. Keep making content, and I'll keep showing up to watch!

I really appreciate this channel so much! I used to think cave diving was one of the most ill-advised things anyone could ever do (and I still don't think I'd ever do it!!!) but listening to you guys talk about how to do it SAFELY, and how the VAST majority of accidents can be traced back to breaking one of the 5 rules, etc., has given me so much respect for this sport (sport? pastime? whatever you'd call it lol). I really enjoy listening to these videos as well. Your dynamic is very entertaining and I appreciate the way you educate about equipment and terms while keeping it fun, but also being respectful and somber when the occasion calls for it. I never ever would've guessed that a channel abut cave diving would become one of my favorite youtube channels, but here we are! Thank you for what you do!!!

I'm glad you guys are willing to address this stuff rather than keeping your thoughts to yourselves. You never sound elitist; you sound like people who have knowledge and want to share it. You sound like people who just want others to be safe. Thanks for another awesome video! Also, Woody should bring back his alligator hat with the waggly tail. I love it! I want to find one for myself, tbh

I an advanced OW for twenty five years and would never cave dive but you guys need to keep telling people the truth about cave diving! Do not do it unless trained! Grew up near Morrison and Vortex in NW FL and remember all of the deaths over the years always by OW divers venturing into the springs. Keep up the great videos!

Their hoses made me feel better about my own routing lol. I'm constantly fiddling with it to try to improve it.

Love the dynamic between you both! Both have complimentary qualities that make this channel awesome!

honestly i love you guys, you keep it real, you make explain the reasons why so smoothly and honestly peek my interest in training to cavedive (even if i dont know too many epic submerged caves in germany) Still i apprechiate you and your honesty about these people, I hope they see/saw this video and can actually learn how to cavedive so they can safely enjoy this!

I love Gus and Woody's "Divers React" because you can tell the information comes from a genuine love for diving, compassion for fellow humans, and respect for the wonders of nature.

Hello Gus & Woody I've never done diving and I don't really tend to either but I have watched most of your vids & im now understanding how diving goes & you guys explain it in a very good way that I can understand. Please keep up with the vids much love from the UK

You guys are great! Been watching cave diving accidents for the past several days and then I stumbled upon your channel, very cool explanations!

I love how these two play off eachother. Asking eachother questions knowing what the other will say, always with interesting insights. I love applying my own knowledge of diving to the videos and having it affirmed and expanded on by these two gents.

great video again guys, you are far from elitist, you are providing insane amounts of information and helping the new people of the diving world, thank you!

these kind of videos are starting to become a guilty pleasure.. heard the saying " all the gear with no idea" ? great work guys

Four weeks ago I randomly stumbled across one of your guys videos..great content and from someone who has nothing to do with cave diving such great details and info making me want to get into diving day by day

Woody, you don't sound like you're being elitist or a jerk in the least bit. It's clear that you care greatly for the safety of those who share your passion for cave diving, especially those who don't realise the danger they're putting themselves in, so it's a blessing that you're here putting out videos which will help inform and educate those same people. Good job :-)

These guys have really sparked an interest in learning to cave dive, not by acting like underwater cowboys but the very opposite, by preaching good sense and safety. Which is exactly how good military training works

I found your channel because I am a MrBallen follower. Never thought I would learn so much from you guys! You explain in a way that everybody can easily understand why what we see in the videos is so dangerous. You guys are the best! Thanks for all the Dive Talks! (Btw: the original video is no longer online)

I've been diving for 30 years and y'all are great! Enjoy the real talk! Watching this video made my stomach hurt! I'm going to have my youth group of new divers watch this as a teaching moment and to emphasize the IMPORTANCE of proper training and certifications! Thank you!

Very curious to know, if you were on a dive and passed these people in the cave, would you try to signal them to leave? What do you do as a proficient cave diver seeing someone who obviously shouldn't be there? How do you even communicate that underwater? I find your videos fascinating. Thank you for the content you create.

You are my new fav channel and I'm one of those subscribers that are here for you guys personality, friendship, dynamic and teachings about something I didn't care about a week ago and probably won't ever do out of fear but I like getting random knoweledge about things it's all about the teachers making you passionate about something.

I really love your channel and totally agree with every word you said. That being said, I also feel with the two guys in the video. They seemed so happy about thieir achievement, it is almost painful to watch. I’m crossing my fingers that they’re going to be certified soon. 🤞🏻

I don't dive but I hope to some day, however I feel like your video's are still very informative for newbies and even moderately experienced divers alike. Don't ever feel bad for offering advice and tips for diving, even if it's only potentially saving one person being able to save lives through good information spreading is worth all the time and effort you put into your videos.

You guys are awesome. Love watching your show. Wish I could do what you do. As someone terrified of the deep ocean, your channel has convinced me diving is an awesome activity. Stay cool!

Love the content and information. Never found any fascination with cave diving until you appeared in my feed. Because of you guys, I find the rules and regulations written in blood to better divers experiences as fascinating as the caves views when youre down there

I am not a diver but I find your channel very interesting. I have a lot of respect for your spirit of adventure and the courage to complete your dives.

I’m about to get my first diving certificate, CMAS* and I’m learning so much from watching your videos. That’s how I initially found them and I am hooked by your personalities and the way you explain everything over and over again without loosing patience. So definitely not elitist or anything else, just wonderful experts trying to make sure everyone who is diving is safe ❤️

I am 57 and finally went and got my open water cert. I enjoy your videos very much. I have learned a lot from them. Really enjoy hearing you point out easy preventative measures. I live in Alaska and have taken my dry suit and nitrox certs here. I am hooked, and a lot of my new addiction is your fault. After many more dives (many many more dives) I hope to cave dive in Florida. If and when that day comes I hope you guys are still teaching. Keep doing what you are doing as alot of us appreciateit. Thanks

What better than some Dive Talk on an early Friday morning!

As someone who isn't a diver or cave diver I always appreciate you guys explaining the techniques required to be as safe as possible. If actual divers refuse to learn or expand on their techniques then it makes sense it can be deadly. Everyone who participates in ANY hobby has to continue to practice and completely reset old habits and techniques for newer ones. Especially for people who partake in more dangerous hobbies, rock climbing, diving, paragliding ect. It's always good to go back to the basics and re learn and even completely stop certain habits that they do. Just my input as an artist. I always find new tutorials or techniques that improve my art drastically when I practice them and put them to use as well as always re-practicing the basics, like anatomy drawings and sketches. This is the same for other hobbies as well.

Hi! Brand new viewer, your channel is SO cool. Just wanted to chime in, as someone whose only experience with diving is through KZfaq and Reddit, you NEVER sound elitist. Someone who has never heard of cave diving may think you’re gatekeeping, but anyone even at my level of experience (again, which is none) knows that diving, especially cave diving is an activity nobody has any business doing halfway. I watched a video just last night of some guys exploring a cave and my heart was in my throat with how careless they were being. It’s literally life or death so what you guys are doing is purely educational and beneficial!

Great content! Even though I am no cave diver, just advance open water, I would like to add that what they are doing is not just dangerous BUT wreck-less to the extreme. This is how people die! I am always amazed about the lack of danger awareness people have.

Perfect timing! Dive talk n Bed zzz

Looks like that old man got those tanks on his 15th birthday

Love the videos as always. I'd like to make a suggestion/request: whenever you have videos with multiple different videos, can you use youtube's timestamp system to make navigating the video easier?

I rarely comment on videos, but I really just wanted to say that you guys NEVER sound elitist at all! The people who are not trained divers need to know what to do and what not to do when cave diving or just diving in general! As you both say, the rules of diving (cave diving, non-cave divers, etc) have been written in blood. Y'all are amazing and very humble. Much love ❤❤

Your criticism is valuable. You guys never sound like jerks. We appreciate your content. Keep it up. 🙂

You can dive manatee springs state park, there's a little roped off area in the main spring and then two other area, the second one that they went into the first video is catfish hotel. There's been a cave in there and is actually very dangerous as going from catfish hotel to the main spring head is a very tight restriction causing a very fast current where it's easy for you to get stuck.

Just got my first ever youtube merch today from Dive Talk. Now to enjoy my tea in my new mug and watch one of my fav channels.

It's been a while since I have had a chance to catch up on the videos. Absolutely love the videos, commentaries, criticism, and I don't want to use the word education as people still need the classes, skills and experience but your stuff is educational.

After watching your videos the last few months it seems to me that the two biggest dangers in cave diving is egos and panic. Thank you for your videos!

The fact woody feels like he is being a jerk when he definitely wasnt just shows how good of a guy he is, love these guys, I learn something new every video

I have absolutely no diving experience and to be honest it's never really even something that occurred to me, but this podcast is super interesting.. cool niche to explore. best of luck to you guys.

Your giggles at this is the same thing I have all my life watching DIY people try to do remodeling or any sort of craftsman work. Keeps my company in business.

You do not sound elitist at all, it's just that people nowadays want to live in a fantasy world where everything is about them, and they can do anything with no or little effort or expertise. Problem is, reality does not give 2 damns about anybody's fantasy world, and for some it's the last thing they learn before the end.

As a safety professional and a recreational diver with aspirations of becoming cave certified, the featured videos INFURIATE me, particularly in light of the recent events at Buford. They give all of us a bad name, with consequences far beyond what most people will even realize. It hurts more than just these divers.

"There's no 'kind of' in cave diving." "If you 'kind of' have something going on with cave diving then you're 'kind of' gonna die." Man, Woody's quotes are next level. Such a treasure.

Great channel, and great observations. And thanks for introducing us to Mike Young and Edd Sorensen!