BREAKFREE
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Items provided for you: Transportation Caving Equipment (see below) |
Items that you must bring: Lunch Water Old clothes and sneakers or boots (see below) Old gloves 1-2 “C” battery flashlight with fresh batteries small bag for lunch, extra flashlight, water a change of clothing to be left outside cave |
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Not permitted: Tape or CD players Drugs, Alcohol |
Optional Items: camera |
Clothing such as coveralls made of blends (cotton and high content synthetic fibers such as polyester will not retain water and will keep you warmer should you get wet while underground. Wool and a synthetic blend work well, but do not overdress. Instead of boots and coveralls it is permissible to use whatever old jeans, flannel shirts and sneakers are lying around. Be forewarned! Anything that you take into many caves will be ruined forever for anything but caving. Cave temperatures range from 50 to 55 degrees, Fahrenheit.
Supplied equipment may include:
· A spelunking type helmet
· Extra flashlight or head-mounted electric light
· First aid kit (plus instant heat source)
· Knee pads and/or elbow pads
· At least one whistle per group
· At least 30 feet length of caving quality rope per group
· Plastic trash bag (30 gallon size and heavy duty, +2mil)
Required Actions & Thoughts ( from Rob Tayloe)
1. Never go alone, three to four are absolute minimum;
2. Do not attempt passages beyond your abilities (you have nothing to prove);
3. Leave word with someone about your location and expected time of return;
4. Always respect the limits of yourself and your gear;
5. Receive permission to enter the cave (most are on private land);
6. Be aware of nay impending rain showers or other severe weather changes that may affect the cave or the trip home;
7. Never stop learning;
8. Never disturb and cave formations or wildlife;
9. Never go caving under the influence of any drug
10. Always look around, especially back the way you came;
11. Think of the consequences of an injury as you go through;
12. Never leave any marks (arrows, etc.) or graffiti of any kind;
13. Never assume that the cave is “rock solid”;
14. Remove all non-native (human) debris, trash, etc.;
15. Keep food crumbs to a minimum: and
16. Always keep in mind that the unexpected can happen, anytime.