Caving Safely
Caving: "Coming back alive!" - Continued
In a cave, never break anything and try not to touch or walk on formations. Both mud and the substances on a person's skin will permanently discolor and hurt formations. Cave formations and minerals of any kind must never be removed from the cave for any purpose. Instead of mineral or formation collections, substitute underground photography or art work for displays and science fair projects.
Minimize all disturbance to any cave life you encounter (particularly important for hibernating bats, which can die if wakened prematurely). Do not touch or disturb cave life. Leave bats alone and they will leave you alone.
Practice the motto: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time. Practice minimum impact caving on the cave and landowner(s). Landowners? You will find most caves are privately owned by someone or a group of people. Some caves have gates or a management plan. Please try to find out all the information available about the particular cave you're wanting to visit prior to that visitation. Always ask permission. When in doubt, please ask.
Caving is common sense. If you do not use common sense, then your underground experience will be very dangerous. The less chances you take, the safer you will be, and the trip will be more enjoyable for everyone. Do not consume beer, alcohol, or drugs before, during, or after a cave trip, especially in front of or near a landowner. Also, change clothes out-of-sight from a landowner and their neighbors. Never cave alone. The minimum number to have is four. Always let someone know where you are going and when you will be out of the cave.
