Spelunking
Caves are an amazing place for your
inner-explorer to emerge and planning a spelunking adventure for your road trip
can be an amazing adventure if you plan it properly. Combining your
cave adventure with a camping excursion is a great low-cost vacation package
that you will never forget. Caving is not a high-risk activity as long as
you take the proper precautions.
These are some safety tips for you to keep in
mind:
- Make sure there is no flood danger during
your expedition. Rainwater that flows underground can fill a cave very
quickly and can potentially trap people and potentially drowning them.
- Travel in teams (4 or more people is
ideal). If there is an injury one team member can stay with the
injured person while the other two team members go for help.
- Notify people outside the cave when you
intend to make y our way out of the caverns. This way if you don't
make it out of the cave they can send in a search party for you.
- Use a helmet with a mounted head lamp and
carry plenty of extra batteries. You will also want to have a
heavy-duty flashlight for additional light sources.
- Make sure you have heavy boots. Wear
warm socks (preferably wool) which will dry quickly. It is always a
good idea to have spare socks packed away in your backpack.
- Wear plenty of warm clothes which will
shed water and keep you dry-avoid cotton at all costs.
- Make sure that all members in your party
make their own map of your route. Using highly visible flagging tape
tied to a rock or feature will help you make your way safely out of the
cave.
- Avoid climbing technical rock walls or
outcroppings-as tempting as it may seem. Do not attempt to vertical
explore unless you have the proper equipment and all members in your party
are properly trained.
- Make sure you leave your keys in a safe
place outside of the cave. All members in your party should know where
to find them.
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