Cave safety

NEVER Cave Alone

This is dangerous, fool hardy and is a sure recipe for a disaster. The smallest size group recommend is four people. With this number, if someone is hurt, one person can stay and comfort the injured and the other two can get help.

First-time Cavers

There are several things that should be discussed with people who have never been underground before. Discussing the following points with them will help them be mentally prepared, safer and have a better experience.

1- Three points of contact should be exhibited when moving over uneven ground. This means having three points on your body supported on immovable objects. Whether it is your left foot, right shoulder and knee; your left elbow, head and right hip; or your right hand, bottom and back.

2- The group needs to stay together. The only reasons not to have people stay together will involve either someone with an injury or an emergency.

3- Do not exert yourself beyond the limits of your endurance and never do anything that your are not comfortable with. Remember, discretion is the better part of valor. If anyone should have any questions or anxieties, he or she should make their concerns known. It is a team effort when underground.

4- Do not leave trash behind, pick up others’ trash, do not vandalize and do not take souvenirs. Everyone should know the importance of cave conservation on the trip. The caver’s motto: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing footprints, kill nothing but time.

Hazards

A novice’s apprehension before a caving trip is healthy and an awareness of possible hazards helps you avoid them. Here are some of the dangers of caving.

- Getting lost
- Running out of light
- Hypothermia
- Passages flooding
- Falling rocks
- Poor footing, falling
- Falling down pits
- Falling down pits