>>> Information from a phone conversation with the Ginnie Springs SCUBA
instructer.
 ...There has -never- been a death at Ginnie Springs. At other springs
in the area I am assuming there have been death(s). I didn't persue that
point but the tone of his voice sugested this. (Oops, maybe I should
delete the word  -never-  and say, "in recorded history.")

Certified OW divers are allowed to explore -anywhere- in the Ginnie
Springs basin. That includes the upper room, and the ballroom. Anywhere.
There is a grate in place to prevent further exploration. The distance
to the grate is 100 feet linear penetration, and the depth at the grate
is 55 ffw. Lights may be carried by all divers. Sunlight penetrates the
areas all the way to the grate, and the light is reflected off the light
colored walls, which adds to the brightness. There is a rope in place to
assist divers to the surface if they need it. This is a commercially
operated dive park, and insurance and liability would prevent them from
operating in this manner if they were innapropriate. They have a zero
tolerance policy, if you break thier rules, you must leave.
....................................Brad..............