Julian Dorey Podcast #368 - Cave Diver on “Ice Age” Girl Discovery, Diving Pyramids & Thai Cave Rescue | Gus Gonzalez
Dec 23, 2025
Gus Gonzalez, a seasoned technical cave diver and scuba instructor, shares thrilling insights from his underwater adventures. He delves into the complexities of nitrogen narcosis and safety practices essential for deep dives. Gus recounts his near-death experience at Roaring River and highlights the heroic Thai cave rescue, illuminating the logistics behind it. He also explores the discovery of Ice Age-era remains in Mexican caves, weaving together stories of danger, exploration, and the fascinating history that lies beneath the surface.
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Why Silfra Feels Otherworldly
- Silfra in Iceland offers the clearest diving visibility because water is filtered slowly through volcanic rock for decades.
- Gus says the clarity is the dive's standout feature, not just touching two tectonic plates.
Master Drysuit Buoyancy Management
- Learn drysuit technique before diving cold water because air in the suit changes buoyancy with depth.
- Add gas descending and vent on ascent to avoid an uncontrolled buoyant ascent and decompression risk.
Why Slow Ascents Save Lives
- Decompression sickness occurs from dissolved nitrogen forming bubbles as pressure drops during ascent.
- Gus emphasizes slow ascents and safety stops to let divers off-gas and reduce unpredictable serious injuries.