Caving Safety
Pictures Courtesy of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Caving is not necessarily a high-risk sport, especially if it does not involve difficult climbs or diving. Nevertheless dangers such as hypothermia, falling, flooding, rockslides and physical exhaustion are the main risks.
The number of reported caving accidents in the United States each year has been as high as 77, but the average number is usually 40 to 50 per year.
In most years approximately 10 percent of these reported accidents result in death.
Falling and drowning are the most likely fatal accident in caving. Using teams of several, preferably four or more cavers can help reduce many of the risks involved including getting lost.
Sturdy clothing, footwear and the use of helmet-mounted lights (hands-free) with extra batteries are necessary to reduce the impact of abrasions, falls, and falling objects.
Synthetic fibers and wool clothing, which dry quickly, shed water, and are warm when wet, are vastly preferred to cotton materials, which retain water and increase the risk of hypothermia in watery cave passages. Polypropylene thermal underwear or wetsuits may be required to avoid hypothermia in cold underground caverns.
Of coarse some caves require complex skills and well maintained equipment. Everyone should acquire the proper training before heading into any cave that requires a drop that needs to be repelled down.
A full-scale cave rescue often involves the efforts of dozens of rescue workers who may be putting themselves in jeopardy by carrying out the rescue.
Safety over adventure is the most fun way to explore any area. So do it right and prepare to have some fun.