Caving Tips and Courtesy
From SAUwiki
A few things that can make your first or next cave trip go smoothly.
Preperation:
Take a light-it is VERY dark in there! A good headlamp is ideal. See the gear page for information, reviews, stores, and links.
Take an extra light-it isn't supposed to happen, but sometimes lights do fail or jam.
Take extra energy-whether carbide pellets or batteries, you will want them when you need them. This is especially important on an extended trip of more than a few mintes. Plan ahead!
Helmet-if you have one, that is good, if not, beg, borrow or steal one. (or check this out and buy one...) Otherwise, expect a headache sooner or later.
Water-bring it in a bottle, DO NOT drink out of a cave stream.
Food-a granola bar or bag of M&Ms will take the edge of your hunger and give you the blood sugar you need to drive home with afterwards. On a trip of a few hours, I like to stop at the turnaround point and munch a bite. Having food along also helps if anyone in your group is diabetic or otherwise sensitive to blood sugar levels. There will often be someone like this in your group, and being prepared helps them to enjoy the trip and helps you not having to carry them out.
Trip plan: Let someone know where you are going, how many of you there are, and when you intend to return. Even if it is only a note to your roommate or a message in your voicemail greeting. You really do not want to be lost or have someone injured and be wondering when someone will find you. If your plans change, let them know this also!
Cave Cards If there are cards near the cave entrance, fill one out. Fill in any information as completely as possible. Leave the tear off portion of the card in the drop box. When you come out of the cave, drop the second part in the box. The NSS checks these boxes regularly. If you forget to drop the card off, you may get a call from them checking if you made it out. (Assuming you left a phone number). They also check for things like, is the car still there, did anyone else report anything on their cards? etc. You will probably be ok 99% of the time. The one time something does happen though, you will be very happy to discover someone searching for you!
In the Cave:
Exit Arrows--Most of the caves I have been in around Southern have arrows painted on the walls. Arrows are your friends! The arrows point the way to the exit. Always check for several arrows close together, sometimes a joker will paint one going the wrong way and you do not want that arrow! One other trick that helps greatly is to look behind you, especially at the entrance. Note landmarks and arrows because caves will usually look different on the way out than they did on the way in. Even better, take someone who knows the cave along with you.
Flash Floods--Be very careful if caving during rainy periods or flash flood warnings. Water can rise quickly in caves. You do not want to be trapped in a water room or behind a water room (with the water between you and the exit) especially if the water reaches the ceiling...
swimming/wading in pools is possible (cold, but possible), but floods are different and unpredictable. Use wise judegment in the cave, and it would help to check the weather before you leave.
Formations--Not to ruin anyone's fun, but it is illegal to remove formations from any cave. Please leave anything you find as intact as you found it. If something breaks on accident, leave it in the cave. There are steep fines for destroying and/or removing items other than trash from a cave. I will try to post a link here about all the cool things you can find in caves, I just have to find a good one first!
Please, PLEASE do not answer the call of nature in any cave. Cave streams, lakes, and passages, are not open to the world like trees are. Anything you leave will remain there a long time. Not only is this hazardous (disease, bacteria) but it smells awful and the smell stays for days to weeks. If you must use the restroom, use a plastic bottle or bag and pack it out with you. I know this sounds gross, but it is much better than the alternative! You can throw it away when you get out.
Use the tree or gas station near the entrance before you go in and after you come out, NOT in between!
Keep and pack out any trash (wrappers, dead batteries, etc) you create while in the cave. Dispose of them on the surface. They do not get buried in a cave and do not disentegrate.
Company--Always take at least one other person with you, three or more is even better. Suffice it to say, it is very bad to have an a injured buddy and be forced to decide between caring for him and leaving to get help. A third person is good!
From experience, I can say groups of 50+ can cave, though it is challenging and time consuming. 4-12 usually works best.
Oh yeah, one last thing--Enjoy your trip!
Feel free to add or edit.
Also, if someone could format this to make it look nice and maybe not so wordy...thanks :)
motm
Disclaimer: For driving directions, please refer to someone who has been to the cave before or send me a private message. You can also email the admin and he will get in touch with me. I am happy to disseminate information, but do not want to post it where everyone can see it. Caves are fun, but can be dangerous. I will not post explicit directions publicly because I do not want to be responsible for any old joe going there and getting in trouble. This is intended to supplement a trip that has at least one experienced person along who has been to the cave. I will not be responsible for any harm that comes from the misuse or abuse of this information due to someone using it as a foolproof guide. Be aware that this is a public forum and these words can be changed. Always check any directions against an official map.
