2011

Leader Caving Introduction

What do I need to know before

I can lead a caving trip?
 CAVER’S MOTTO
• TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES

• LEAVE NOTHING BUT CAREFULLY

• PLACES FOOTPRINTS

• KILL NOTHING BUT TIME

 BSA GENERAL CAVING POLICY
(Summary)

• Caving can be a hazardous activity when the proper

equipment, skills, and judgment are not used. Trips that
are led by adults inexperienced in caving and trips
containing large numbers of persons compound the
hazards already inherent in the activity and create a
potentially dangerous situation, and extreme liability for
the leaders.

BSA Caving publication, No. 19-102A.

• All caving, other than simple novice activities, should be limited to
adults and young people 14 and older—members of Venturing
crews, Learning for Life Explorer posts and older Scouts in troops,
and teams. "Simple novice activities“ means commercially
operated cave excursions.

• Units (troops, teams, crews) that include cave visits in their

program, whether for one trip or many, must adhere to the
two-deep Leadership policy of the Boy Scouts of America
(two registered adult leaders, or one adult and a parent of a
youth member, one of whom must be 21 or older). These
leaders must be responsible, mature adults who are
constantly present with the group.

Caving publication, No. 19-102A.

• Any cave trip must include a fully qualified leader or adult
assistants qualified to handle all problems that might arise. These
leaders should have had experience as active participants in a
competent caving group.

• They must realistically evaluate their own knowledge and

experience and must never attempt to lead their group into a
situation that is beyond their capability or the capability of any
member of the group.

• The overall capability and pace of a caving group is always that of

the least able member of that group, and no member of the group
should ever be encouraged or permitted to attempt a potentially
dangerous act that is beyond their ability solely because the
remainder of the group has the necessary ability
Caving publication, No. 19-102B.
• In addition to understanding these tenets, every
participant in a caving trip must agree, without
reservation, to follow all of the specific guidelines
contained in: BSA's Caving publication,
No. 19-102A & No. 19-102AB
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/19-102B.pdf
 REQUIRED FORMS

• BSA TRIP PLAN

• BSA ANNUAL HEALTH FORM

(IF ONE IS NOT ON FILE)

• BSA PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM

 WHO CAN GO
“ALL CAVING”, OTHER THAN “SIMPLE NOVICE ACTIVITIES”,
MUST BE LIMITED TO ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE 14 (years old)
AND OLDER, MEMBERS OF VENTURING CREWS, LEARNING FOR
LIFE EXPLORER POSTS, OLDER SCOUTS (14 years of age or older) IN
TROOPS, AND TEAMS.

“SIMPLE NOVICE ACTIVITIES” MEANS:

COMMERCIALLY OPERATED CAVE EXCURSIONS ONLY.

Caving publication, No. 19-102A.

 LIABILITY FOR LEADERS

• Registered leaders are not given immunity from

lawsuits. Even with proper signed wavers a court can
rule against someone that is found to be negligent.
• (If you don’t want this liability, please don’t plan or go on
the trip.)

• BSA requires all BSA Trip leaders to have a copy of “A

Guide To Safe Scouting” with them on every outing. You
need to turn in a Tour Plan to the Utah National Parks
Council 21 days prior to your event. You need to read
and be familiar with all BSA caving & outing policies so
that you are protected from claims of negligence.
(For LDS Scout Units, as of March 2011 ANY trip requires forms from BSA and the LDS Church.)
 DANGERS OF CAVING

These are a few of the

DANGERS
of caving…
• Trip and fall – can be life threatening
• Rock falls – can be life threatening
• Getting lost in a cave – can be life threatening
• Getting stuck in tight passages – can be life threatening
• Hypothermia – can be life threatening
• Dehydration – can be life threatening
• Bad air – can be life threatening
• Microorganisms – can be life threatening
 WHAT TO TAKE INTO A CAVE
• Every caving trip requires some basic equipment and
supplies. Each cave is unique and may require more
than the basic supplies listed for a safe and
comfortable trip.
• To learn what is appropriate, ask your trip leader
what is needed for your particular trip.
 LIGHTS
• Carry at least three (3) independent sources of light per person.
Mount the primary light on your helmet. The second and third light
sources must be adequate to use as a primary source, and must fit
on your helmet. Take three sets of extra batteries.
• Remember Murphy’s Law; If you only have one source of light,
IT WILL GO OUT WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST!

HELMET
• The ideal type of helmet for most caving activities is a climbing style
helmet, which provides impact protection and shock absorption to
protect the head.
 GLOVES
• Gloves are required to protect the cave from you. Touching
formations with your bear hands can kill the formation, due to the
dirt and oil on your hands.

ELBOW AND KNEE PADS

• There are caving Knee pads; however you can use other kinds of
knee & elbow pads for caving. Roller skating knee and elbow pads
work well for beginners.

FOOT WARE
• You must wear sturdy boots with lug soles to protect your feet and
grip securely on rocks and mud. Ankle support is very important,
you can easily twist an ankle in a cave. Tennis/gym shoes, sandals,
open toed shoes, flimsy shoes should not be worn in a cave.
 CLOTHING
• Proper clothing is very important on cave trips. Utah has many
geothermal caves (hot temps.), we also have many very cold caves.
Plan ahead and dress appropriately. Wet clothes in a cold cave can
cause hypothermia which can kill quickly. Except in the very driest,
warmest caves, avoid wearing cotton clothing, because it absorbs and
retains more water than synthetic fabrics and draws heat from your
body.

• Polypropylene, nylon, and polyester tend to be more

abrasion-resistant, absorb less water, dry quickly, and
retain heat better than cotton fabrics.

• Know the cave conditions before you go.

 FOOD
• Food sufficient for the length of the trip, plus extra in case the trip
takes longer than expected. High energy foods, not sugary foods
are best. Power bars, nuts, trail mix etc.

• Caving trips are hard on everything so pack durable foods. Bananas

and sandwiches get crushed during a trip but bagels and energy
bars usually do fine. Pack foods in crush-proof boxes. You can find
tuna in an aluminum pouch that is great for cave trips and takes up
little space and the package is very durable.

• Do not take crumbly or messy foods into a cave. The crumbs that
you leave will damage the delicate ecosystem of a cave.
 DRINKS
• Replacing fluids & electrolytes and staying hydrated is essential while
in a cave. Bring plenty of liquid to drink! Caving can be a very physical
activity. Don’t let yourself become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead
to hypothermia.

• Use a durable plastic bottle, never take glass and avoid aluminum. Do
not bring milk or soda or carbonated drinks into a cave. The milk will
sour and the soda will be so shaken that it will explode and damage
the cave ecosystem.

• Be aware of the rules for the cave you are visiting. Some caves
prohibit food or drink of any kind to enter the cave.

• LEAVE NO TRACE, WHAT YOU PACK IN, YOU PACK OUT!

 HUMAN WASTE

• “Pack it in, pack it out.” Leave no trace of your presence in the cave.
When you must relieve yourself, do so in an appropriate container or
containers, and remove the waste from the cave. Not doing so forces
the next caver to encounter it; even more importantly your waste will
damage the delicate ecosystems that exist in the cave.

• Pee Bottle & zip lock bag (Fill zip lock bag 1/3 full of kitty litter)
 FIRST AID KIT

• We strongly recommend a personal size First Aid Kit for each person.
You should have at least a knife, gauze pads, an Ace Bandage, garbage
bag or space blanket, candle and water proof matches. Store your kit
in a waterproof container, Pelican box or in several sealable plastic
baggies to keep the contents dry.

• KEEP THIS WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES IN A CAVE!

• Accidents aren’t planned that is why they are

called “accidents”.
 TRAIL MARKERS
• Use trail markers when inside the cave. Even if you have a map and
you know the cave well, placing markers along your way will help
ensure that everyone will find their way out. Just in case something
happens to the leaders, the other members can find their way out to
get help.

• One inexpensive idea is to put reflective tape on one end of a large

pop-sickle stick. (White tape shows up the best.) Remember the last
person to leave should remove the markers on the way out of the
cave.

• DO NOT paint, mark or otherwise damage the cave to mark the trail
out! This is called vandalism and is illegal!
 Disposable dust masks.

• Some caves can be very dusty, and or have a lot of guano. An

inexpensive dust mask will make your trip much more pleasant and
safe. Carry two masks in your helmet for easy access.
 CLEANING YOUR GEAR
• Every time you visit a cave you should wash and clean anything that
you took into the cave with you. This is to prevent any contamination
of the next cave you enter.

• WNS, White Nose Syndrome, is a disease that has decimated the bat
population in the eastern United States and is moving west ward.
Many caves east of Denver are now closed to caving. Caves west of
Denver must use a decontamination protocol to make sure that WMS
is not spread in the west. While it is not totally certain how WNS is
spread, you must follow decontamination protocol after you visit a
cave.

• You will be given the information on how to properly clean your gear
when you submit your Trip Plan.
 WHAT TO DO IN A CAVE
• SAFETY FIRST AND ALWAYS!

• Follow BSA Caving Policy and Caving rules.

• No vertical caving unless ALL members have the approved training.

• Do not run or jump on or off of anything. Depth perception

underground is much different than above ground.

• Do not bother, harass or touch bats, especially while they are

hibernating. Disturbing bats will cause them to use their energy
storage and they may die before spring.

• Always keep your gloves on when in a cave. The oils and dirt from
your skin will kill the part of the cave that you touch.
• Never break formations or take anything that belongs in a cave, from
a cave. Caves are protected by law.

• Do not make marks in or on the cave in anyway.

• Stay together, be aware of your surroundings.

• Be aware of the time. “Cave time” (your perception of time) is much

different underground. Don’t miss your check in time, unless you
want to meet the local Search and Rescue Team.

• Leave no trace of your presence in the cave.

• Be respectful of the cave owner.

• Have fun and learn a lot!

• Cave safely, cave softly!

 WHERE TO GO CAVING
According to BSA General Caving Policy 19-102A &19-102B Cave trips
are divided into 2 separate groups:
All caving, other than simple novice activities, should be limited
to adults and young people 14 and older—members of
Venturing Crews Learning For Life Explorer Posts and older
Scouts in troops, and teams. "Simple novice activities“ means
commercially operated cave excursions.

Ages 11-13 “Simple novice activities” means commercially operated cave excursions.

Ages 14-21 See list of approved caves and appropriate training.

Contact the Utah National Parks Council for a list of approved caves
If there is a cave that you think should be on the approved list, please let us know.
Cartoons courtesy of www.angelfire.com Photos: Max Barker, Kent Forman, Debbie Spoons