CAVING INFORMATION SERIES

INFORMATION FOR BEGINNING CAVERS


This information has been prepared to enable you to be adequately prepared for
your first cave trip. It is not a substitute for experienced cave guides nor is
it an all encompassing article on techniques The former should be your
companions on your first trip and the latter will be gained through experience.

Caving is a sport, which requires dexterity, coordination, and cooperation.
Caves can range from cold, wet, tight, miserable crawlways over sharp rocks to
large walking passages filled with beautiful formations. Deep pits may be
encountered. Anyone with a fear of tight-places or heights should not consider
caving. Check yourself out by turning off the light and sitting in a dark closet
or crawling under a bed. Stand on a chair and look at the floor or stand very
near to a window in a tall building. If you are uncomfortable, forget caving.

Cavers have no audience except cavers. If you want to impress others, take up a
sport where non-participants are present to admire your skill, caving is not for you.

Cavers need to work together and stick together. If you are a loner who likes to
go off on your own or do things your own way in spite of your companions, stay
away from caving.

The equipment a beginner needs is generally simple and inexpensive. The
specialty items may be rented or borrowed. Two complete sets of clothing are
necessary (this includes underwear, socks, and shoes). One set is worn while
driving to and from the cave; the other set is worn inside the cave. Cave
clothes are generally old; once clothes are worn in a cave they are a permanent
dirty brown color with an increasing collection of strange holes and tears.
Cavers generally prefer coveralls or jeans. The cooler climates also require a
sweat shirt or jacket to keep you warm. Caves maintain the average temperature
of the area so northern caves are much colder than southern caves. Old boots
with ankle protection are best but gym shoes can be worn in some caves. Waders and overshoes are worse than useless because they will become filled with
water and very heavy. Climbing type soles are good for caves but it would
probably be best not to use a good pair of climbing boots because of the
treatment they will receive at the hands of the cave. Most experienced cavers
buy a pair of lug soled, high top boots, which they dedicate to caving.

Virtually every cave trip involves transportation to and from the cave. If you
are a passenger in another caver's car you have two major responsibilities to
him. First, have your change of clothes so you won't soil his seats on the way
home (if he even lets you in the car in caving clothes). Second, be prepared to
share the expenses of the trip. The usual practice is for the passengers to
divide the cost of the gas leaving the owner out since he has the expense of
tires, maintenance, insurance, etc.

The two most important items of equipment which every caver must have are a hard
hat and lights. The hard hat will protect the wearer against hitting his head on the rough ceiling, falling rocks, dropped equipment,
or head injury from slips and falls. Light is essential since caves are
completely dark. At least two, and preferably three, independent sources of
light must be carried by each person. One of these lights should be attached to
the hard hat to leave the hands free for climbing and crawling. Carbide lamps
which attach to a hard hat are a cheap, dependable source of light. Spare
carbide, water, parts, and a container for spent carbide is carried by each
individual using a carbide light. Electric lights which attach to a hard hat and
have separate battery containers worn on the belt are also available. A hard hat
and light can usually be borrowed from caving companions for the first one or
two trips but anyone who wants to continue caving should buy his own. The second
source of light is usually a flashlight with a spare bulb and batteries. The
"Mag Lite" aluminum flashlights are some of the best for caving. As a third
source of light carry a plumber's candle and some waterproofed matches. Several cavers have
had the experience of crawling out of a cave holding their candle after their
first two sources of light have failed.

Food, such as Tootsie Rolls, M&Ms, and hard candies will supply energy if
needed. They should be packaged in waterproof, non-breakable containers. Plastic
baby bottles are ideal. Canned fruit juice or drinking water should also be
carried. Since your ability to carry supplies is limited and since you have to
come out of any cave you go into, you need to learn to conserve your energy.
Watch how the experienced cavers move. See how they walk, crawl, stoop, etc. The
important points are:

Don't push on the cave. If you don't fit, back up and try a different approach.

Carry your head high.

Walk upright, even on a slope, don't lean into or away from the wall.

When stooped over, carry your hands and pack behind your back to take weight off
your shoulders.

Rest when you're tired.

All of your stuff should be carried in a stout pack which can be carried on the back or on your side
under your arm and which can be removed quickly to get through small passages or
constrictions.

Rope work, cable ladders, and so on, known as vertical caving, is not for the
beginner. As you become accustomed to the cave environment and make some friends
among experienced cavers you will find opportunities to learn this exciting
aspect of caving. Just keep in mind that any special equipment you plan to use
underground should be practiced with and mastered above ground first. Your
friends will teach you.

When going on a trip, let someone know where you are going, when you will
return, and whom to call if you are not heard from. Allow sufficient time for
your return since caving trips always take more time than planned. If you can't
get back when you said you would, phone! Don't be the cause of an unnecessary
rescue call out.

Don't be tempted to explore alone. Any experienced caver can tell of times when
a pull or push from his companions has changed a tricky situation into just another day of caving.
Emergency medical people will tell you that in case of a serious accident the
first hour usually makes the difference. You must have someone with you who can
go for help if necessary.

One of the most important aspects has saved for the end. Caves are unique
natural wonders and must not be defaced. Writing names on the walls or removing
cave formations will be frowned on by every serious caver in the world. In most
states it is also against the law. Cave life lives a precarious existence and it
should not be disturbed or collected. Everything brought into a cave must be
taken back out.

Remember:

Take nothing but pictures

Leave nothing but footprints

Kill nothing but time.

Copyright 1978, National Speleological Society

NOTE: This article was written over 20 years ago and some things have changed.
Most have not. Below are the suggested updates to the article:

Caving is for men and women! This article only uses masculine pronouns.

Always carry three sources of light, not two.

A candle is not a good third source of light. Carry another flashlight with
batteries instead. A candle is a good fourth source of light. Wrap your candle
in aluminum foil. Let the candle drip wax onto the foil and not the cave.

Blue jeans and other cotton clothing are not recommended. Clothing made of
synthetic fiber (nylon or polyester) is lighter, is warmer when wet and dries
faster than cotton.

Beginning cavers generally do not use carbide lamps. They cannot be easily
purchased anymore and require more knowledge to use than electric lights.

Cavers do more than 'frown on' people who write on cave walls. Cavers will
assist in the arrest and prosecution of cave vandals and many have done so.

The motto of "Leave Nothing But Footprints" is being replace by "Leave No New
Footprints". Every experienced caver knows the devastating impact that
footprints can have in a cave.

end

 
Caving Basics
Equipment and Clothing Checklist

Suitable for most Kentucky horizontal caves.

Three dependable sources of light          Required!
Preferably one light should be mounted on your helmet. Each source of light
should be dependable and bright enough to get you out of the cave.

Helmet with chin strap           Required!
A construction helmet with suspension inside is fine. If the helmet does not
have a chin strap then make one, preferably a non-elastic one. A helmet should
stay on your head if you fall down. A climbers helmet is best. Avoid army,
football, motorcycle and bicycle helmets. Bring a bandana to wear under your
helmet. Sometimes this is more comfortable.

Sturdy boots            Required!
Old hiking boots with laces, lug soles and good ankle support are best. Avoid
rubber boots and tennis shoes. Most types of military boots are fine. Your feet
are likely to get wet. Water proofing them will not be necessary.

Knee Pads           Required!
Athletic type knee pads are fine. You can buy these in any sports store or sporting goods department. Look for thick and flexible pads that cover as much
of your knee and shin as possible. Avoid extra thick volleyball type kneepads.
Expect white knee pads to turn permanently brown. Some cavers prefer to wear
elbow pads also.

Gloves           Required!
Regular garden or work gloves. A pair of $1 brown jersey gloves work great!
Avoid insulated, winter or rubber gloves.

A NOTE ON FABRIC: Most cavers avoid wearing cotton clothing whenever possible.
Cotton is fine until it gets wet. Wet cotton clothing is heavy, less insulating
and does not dry quickly. Choose wool or synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester
or polypropylene. Wool will keep you warm even when wet. Synthetic fabrics are
lighter, hold less moisture and dry faster.


Coveralls
A pair of non-insulated (mostly nylon) work-type coveralls are great. Try them
on before caving to make sure they fit. You should not feel any tight spots when
bending over or raising your arms in the air. Avoid insulated or winter coveralls. They will probably be too warm. If you can’t locate coveralls, then
choose and a pants and shirt that are mostly nylon or polyester. Most types of
camping pants, work pants ( example: Dickies brand) and military pants are good
substitutes for coveralls. Don’t worry about style or color clashing. Wear jeans
or sweat pants as a last resort.

Undergarments
Wear a pair of polypropylene long underwear (tops and bottoms). They will keep
you warm and wick the moisture away from your skin. Other types of non-cotton
long underwear are fine. Hosiery works too. Choose wool socks over cotton. Some
cavers prefer to wear a thin liner sock under their wool socks.

Cave Pack
You will need some kind of pack to carry all of your gear, food and water. The
best kind of pack is worn around your waist such as a fanny pack or a military
gas mask bag. This style of pack is easy to rotate when going through tight or
narrow places. A pack worn on your back is acceptable. Avoid small fanny packs
and make sure it has ample room to carry all the things you will need (see below). Choose a pack that is
easy to take off, easy to open but closes securely. You do not want the contents
of your pack strewn along the cave floor because it accidentally opened and you
didn’t notice it!

Recommended Items: water bottle
 food & snacks
 spare batteries
 trash bag(s)
 candle/ lighter
 



Optional Items: compass
 yarn or string
 knife and pliers
 duct tape
 
20’ of rope or webbing
 camera & film
 paper & pen
 whistle
 
map of the cave
 medication
 eye care items
 cylume glow sticks
 
spare bulbs
 first aid kit
 heat packs
 space blanket
 
water purify tablets
 burrito bags
 small towel or wash cloth bowling ball
 


 
Common Caving Mistakes
& Consequences

 

1. Primary light failed; didn't carry backup lights, or backup lights inadequate
- stranded.
2. No map, no guide, and poor route-finding skills - lost.

3. Wore inadequate or inappropriate clothing for conditions - hypothermia.

4. Didn't bring extra clothing - hypothermia.

5. Moving but not paying attention - caver fall.

6. Free-climbing more than a body-length without belay - caver fall.

7. Traversing above drop without belay or safety line - caver fall.

8. Ignored rainy weather forecast; entered water cave - flood entrapment or
drowning.

9. Careless movement in tight passage or crevice - stuck.

10. Entered bat cave or passage without precautions - histoplasmosis.

11. Solo caving and something went wrong - stranded.

12. Didn't tell anyone of plans - delayed rescue by hours or days.

13. Didn't clear loose rocks from lip - struck by falling rock.

14. Climbing or descending rope hand-over-hand - lost grip and fell.

15. Climbing cable ladder without belay - fell off.

16. Lost control of rappel; no bottom belay or rappel safety - fell to the
bottom.

17. Out of shape or unfamiliar with climbing system - stranded on rope.

18. Didn't know how to change from rappel to climb or from climb to rappel - stranded on rope.

19. Hair or clothing stuck in rappel device; didn't know how to recover -
stranded on rope.

20. Rappelling without wearing climbing system - stranded in pit or on rope.

21. Attempted pull-down trip without map or guide - stranded.

22. Sharing vertical gear; lost equipment passing it up or down the pit -
stranded.

23. Didn't tie a knot in the end of the rope - rappelled off the end and fell.

24. Moving around lip of pit without being belayed or being on rope - fell into
pit.

25. Didn't check attachment of rappel device to harness - became detached from
rappel device and fell.


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