Lost a documentary reconstruction about 2 cave diving incidents

LOST

A 50 minute docu-drama by Mandy & Leo Dickinson

Becoming lost in a cave is your worst nightmare. The idea of spending your last moments in the dark is alien. Dying in a cave is off limits to our imagination. Such phobias are the prime reasons why most people will avoid the scenario at all costs.

Whether it be for protection or simply to know what lies round the next corner caves have always held a fascination for man and. …beast. It is the exploration into the unknown that drives us. Curiosity may satisfy our primeval desire but it can just as easily lead us into danger.

When caves become submerged with water the illusion becomes even more vivid and the egg timer of life starts ticking.

Lost tells two stories about two caves and two men.

Sheck's story:-
In our first story a diver looses all his air almost a mile down a flooded passageway. At that moment life expectancy is zero but there is one man who can save him. Sheck Exley is regarded as the greatest cave diver of all. He still holds depth and distance records that are unimaginable to all but a few divers. Without a moments hesitation Sheck started to 'buddy breath' his companion to safety. Flying in the face of all Darwinistic principles Sheck ignored the temptation to leave his friend and put himself in grave jeopardy - it almost cost him his life. Sharing air for 4500ft was an act that almost defies imagination.

Peter's story:-
Story two tells about a South African diver called Peter Verhulsel. Peter went diving with two companions in Sterkfontein caves 80kms north of Johannesburg.
The geology is akin to a 'Swiss Cheese' – full of holes and tilted at 30 degrees. Where it submerges the holes fill with water. Leaving the guideline Peter wanders off to swim alone and discovers an unknown chamber. His curiosity drives him forward. When he has had enough exploring he returns but cannot find the entrance. He waits for a rescue which never comes. Peter lived for one month in this cave and our story tells about the extraordinary efforts, dilemmas, politics and even psychics that were involved in the search for this lost caver.

In this history of exploration and adventure it would be difficult to find two stories more frightening or more than harrowing than the man who lost his air and the man who lost his way.

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