Steve Simpson, Professor
136 Wittich Hall   (608) 785-8216
Rec 202 Outdoor Recreation Pursuits

Mondays 1:10-4:10pm
3 Credits

Cave Etiquette, Safety, and General Caving Tips 

We will leave at 1:10pm and will return between 6:30pm and 8pm

 

Personal equipment for trip

·         Clothes that might get ruined (so dirty that they will not clean completely)

·         Full change of clothes for trip home

·         Garbage bag to store dirty clothes

·         Flashlight with new batteries

·         Helmet (strongly recommended)

·         Knee pads (recommended)

·         Lunch and water (optional)

General Tips on Cave Safety

  1. Alert at least one person (not on the trip) of your plans and expected time of return.  (agree on a time of several hours after the expected return time that this person will alert authorities if the group has not returned.
  1. Carry back-up light sources (flashlight, batteries, candles).  This is not so vital if the group has a dozen participants, each with his or her own light source.
  1. If unfamiliar with cave, leave bright markers (bread crumbs) to show the way from which the group came.
  1. If unfamiliar with cave, a rule of thumb is to go headfirst when moving upward, feet first when moving downward.
  1. At Pop’s Cave, use a rope at the entrance to make entry and exit of the cave safe.
  1. Wear helmets to protect head.
  1. Count the number of participants entering the cave, keep track of people during the trip, and recount participants after exiting the cave (be absolutely sure that the entire group that entered the cave also existed it).
  1. Keep alert for people who may experience claustrophobia.  One good approach is a buddy system where two people continually keep an eye on each other.

 

Cave Etiquette

  1. Do not bother bats or other wildlife in the cave.  Do not touch bats, do not shine light directly on sleeping bat.
  1. Do not visit caves during time when bats may be hibernating.  If a bat is awaken during winter, this disturbance may burn enough saved energy (fat deposit) that the bat cannot survive the winter.
  1. Leave no trace

·          Leave no trash in cave (actually best to not eat in cave)

·          Do not go to the bathroom in cave (if in for hours, hike human waste out)

·          Do not set candles on rock, leaving a wax and/or burn scar

·          Do not damage any rock formations/do not collect rock specimens (obviously this includes not carving initials, etc… into soft rock of  the cave)

·          Avoid stepping on fragile formations

·          No smoking in caves

·          Practice low impact if other group is using cave (i.e., stay quiet)

 

Email me at simpson.stev@mail.uwlax.edu

Last modified 9/23/02.