Caving can be a fascinating and beautiful sport. It can involve
people at moderate levels of fitness yet challenge the endurance of
the fittest of athletes. The sights to be seen in caves are seldom
seen by human eyes. Because caves are so remote and most of them only
visited at irregular intervals (if at all) it is essential that you
think ahead to your own safety before venturing into any cave. If you
have a serious or chronic medical condition it may be wise to
consult a physician and consider her advice before caving. If you go
caving inform your caving companions about your condition before the
trip in case of a problem.
Helmet:
A hard hat equipped with a chin strap and mounted with your primary
source of light is essential. Use a helmet intended for climbing or
construction.
Lights:
Bring at least 3 sources of light with spare batteries. The entire
caving trip should be able to be done with any one
of these lights. Even cavers with the best maintained,
highest quality lights still experience lighting failures.
Clothing:
The temperature inside Alberta caves is between -3 and +2 degrees
Celsius with high humidity. Wear warm clothes, such as synthetic
fleece, for insulation. One-piece coveralls add an extra layer for
warmth over your other clothes.
Food:
Carry high-energy food sufficient for the length of the trip. It is
wise to carry some extra in case the trip takes longer than
expected. Caving trips are hard on everything so pack
durable foods. Bananas and sandwiches get crushed during a trip but
bagels and chocolate bars usually do fine.
Other Equipment:
Put everything into a sturdy pack. Caving is very
hard on clothing and equipment so many cavers use military surplus
packs, etc. for durability and low cost. Any clothing that goes on a
cave trip is likely to be soiled and torn beyond normal day-to-day
use. Sturdy boots will help support your feet over rough cave
floors and keep you feet warm. Lined waterproof work gloves will
protect your hands and provide warmth, but even cheap leather work
gloves will help make your trip more comfortable. Carry a large
trash bag in your pack. It can be used for emergency warmth or
carrying dirty cave clothes home.
Never go caving alone. There should be a minimum of four people on a trip.
Always leave word as to which cave you will be visiting and your
expected time of return, allowing a few hours for any unexpected
contingencies.
The slowest caver sets the pace. Don't break up the party.
Experienced cavers have become lost in even seemingly easy, straight
passages.
Caving is extremely tiring:know your limitations, rest frequently and watch for fatigue in others.
Avoid Hypothermia. Dress well and monitor each other for the first
signs of hypothermia: shivering. To combat hypothermia keep active, well fed, well hydrated and don't become exhausted.
Don't take risks. Caves can be the remotest places you'll ever go.
Even an injury that is minor at home could put your life at risk.
Rescuing a person from a cave is a very technical and difficult
operation. For example, in New Mexico it took 5 days to rescue a caver who broke her leg 10 hours into a caving trip.
Before attempting vertical caving or using ropes in a cave seek
training from a recognised expert.
In a cave any footprint, change or damage is essentially permanent.
Touching cave formations puts dirt on them which can become
embedded in the formation marring its beauty forever. Some of the
most beautiful cave formations occur on the floors of caves so be
careful where you step.
Leave bats undisturbed. From September to May waking a bat only once
can mean its death. Bats can carry rabies, so
you should never try to touch or pick one up.
Carry out trash. Take any thing you bring into a cave out with you: it only leaves an unsightly mess for the next person. If you are
the next person and find some trash pack it out with you. All
responsible cavers do.
Even very small cave formations take thousands of years to develop. Please leave all formations undisturbed. Some cave
rooms have been destroyed by people removing formations. Remote and
difficult places to reach are often very beautiful because the
experienced cavers that visit them have preserved their beauty
intact.
Bring a freezer bag to remove your human solid waste.
Such waste pollutes the cave environment and water and can harm fragile
microscopic species that are known to inhabit Alberta caves. It is also
true that the place you leave human waste is likely to be the place you
discover that you want to explore during the next trip.
If lost in a cave: panic is your worst enemy. Remain calm, conserve
your light and if you followed the rule about leaving word you have
little to worry about.
If all your lights fail: Stay put! You've left word with someone
so people will come out after you. Caving in the dark will lead to
injury and possibly death.
If an immobilizing injury occurs: treat for shock (keep the injured
caver warm) and send two people to contact the local RCMP.
There are several caving
clubs in Western Canada. In Alberta, the largest and oldest is the
Alberta Speleological Society.
You can find out where to get equipment, training and increase your
caving fun and enjoy the comraderie of the caving community.
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