The Caver No. 133

Dowsing and Water Icicle Close Cavern

Dowsing at Water Icicle Close Cavern

Activities in Manifold / Hamps Area

Boulder Pot Re-opened

Bad Air in Caves

The newsletter of the DERBYSHIRE CAVING ASSOCIATION

£1.50 THE DERBYSHIRE CAVER No. 133 Winter 2012/2013

EDITOR: Material for inclusion can be sent hand-written or e-mailed. Please send contributions for the next Issue as soon as they are Paul Lydon ready. Kirby House Main Street The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Winster Editor nor of the DCA. MATLOCK DE4 2DH Tel: 01629 650482 The DCA website is at: www.theDCA.org.uk

Email: Cover photo: [email protected] Contents News From Around the Peak...... 2 Dowsing at Water Icicle Close Cavern...... 3 Giles Barker Award for Dave Webb...... 5 Masson Scrubbers...... 6 Darfar PC Activities in the Manifold / Hamps Area...... 7 Wapping Mine Tidy-up Photos...... 8 Re-opening Boulder Pot...... 9 Bad Air in Peak District Caves...... 10 An Article on Fracking...... 13 DCA Matters...... 14

THE DCA - WHAT WE DO AND HOW TO JOIN US DOING IT

The aim of Derbyshire Caving Association (DCA) is to protect the caves and promote good caving practice within the Peak District and surrounding areas. Membership is open to all clubs, individuals and outdoor activity providers with an interest in caves and caving or mine exploration. Check out the DCA website for further information (www.theDCA.org.uk). Membership enquiries to the Secretary (see last page).

The Derbyshire Caver (the newsletter of the DCA) has been in uninterrupted publication for over thirty years and is of paramount value as a forum for cavers in the Peak District. The Editor welcomes contributions from all cavers, whether DCA members or not. News, articles, etc. should be posted or emailed to him at the above address, or give him a ring.

The Derbyshire Caver is posted free to DCA members; non-members may subscribe by sending a cheque for £7 (payable to DCA) for four issues, to the Secretary or Treasurer (see last page). Some back issues are also available for sale. Half-page adverts are £5 per insertion.

Current issues of The Derbyshire Caver are available from the following outlets:

Hitch'n'Hike, Bamford, The Old Smithy Teashop, Monyash Peak District Mining Museum, Matlock Bath

Page 1 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 News FROM AROUND THE PEAK

3,500 Years Old On 28th June, 2012 of caving gear and books completely seized but Human Bone Found The Lord Lieutenant of in support of DCRO. after some persuasion in Derbyshire, Mr William using hacksaws, Tucker, presented a The Doom Project hammers and some Cavern Queen Elizabeth II Silver WD40, they managed to Jubilee Medal to Members of Eldon PC get it open and get into Part of a shin bone members of Derbyshire have been continuing Herne Hill Cave I. belonging to a Bronze Cave Rescue with the Doom Project in There was a lot of Age human was found in Organisation who had Eyam and have found rubbish in the cave and a chamber towards the been members for at that there are many mine they brought out five bin top of Blue John Cavern least 5 years continuously levels. bags worth. in Castleton by Dave in . The ceremony In early November last They also search for "Moose" Nixon and other also included members of year, a narrow, wet hole the other two caves: cavers surveying all the Buxton Mountain Rescue which takes water from Herne Hill 2 and Herne Castleton caves as part Team. the Black Lagoon was Hill 3 but failed to find of a project to produce a Mr Tucker said descended to find a them. 3D model. Along with the “Derbyshire as a county number of levels which Then a week later four-inch section of is well served by its connect back to the main some old photos were human tibia, they also Mountain and Cave Glebe Mine. found and using these, found antler and a dog’s Rescue Teams and I was they managed to find the skull. Carbon dating tests delighted to present Her Progress in missing entrances. But have given the age of the Majesty’s Diamond Peakshole Sough they were bricked up or the human bone at Jubilee Medal to so many buried! around 3,500 years old. well-deserving team A team made up of It appears that the The artefacts are members. As a county Chris Gayle, Jim Lister local Co-op may have expected to go on public we owe them all a deep and Michel Ping have sealed the entrances and display in the spring. sense of gratitude. They, discovered about 90m of they hope that they may at times, work in the most passage after digging the be able to persuade the DCRO Call-out to difficult of conditions and mud and boulder choke Co-op to install a new Bagshawe Cavern they are frequently called at the end of Peakshole gate. upon to handle situations Sough ending in yet which the vast majority of another boulder and mud The White Rake Dig On Sunday evening, us as citizens would not choke. the 26th February, 2012, want to face. I sincerely The new passage Cavers have been Derbyshire Cave Rescue congratulate and thank heads north-west and busy digging in a tight rift Organisation were called them all”. after dipping beneath a in the White Rake dig in to Bagshawe Cavern in shale bed, opens out into Cucklet Delph near Eyam Bradwell after a 14 year DCRO 60th a chamber with a couple in the period running up old girl suffered a fall and Anniversary of passages. to and after Christmas injured her back. The best of these, as last year. Nearly 30 Team Celebration a digging site, steeply Progress has been made Members attended and descends to the second to remove some boulders carried the girl, who had Over 100 past choke. and various infill left by been caving as part of a members, current The team had miners was removed. led group, in a stretcher members of DCRO and problems with the air and Work continues. through narrow sections other cavers and friends CO2 and they are of the cave and up got together for an monitoring levels with a concrete steps. evening of celebration of meter. The girl was taken to DCRO's 50th Anniversary A Return to Herne hospital in an ambulance at the Hope Cement Hill waiting near the cave Works social club on entrance. Saturday, 28th Chesterfield CC have September, 2012. The had a look at three caves DCRO Receive evening was a great at Herne Hill near Maltby Queen's Silver success with plenty of which had not been food, a bar a band and an entered for some years. Jubilee Medal auction of various items They initially found that the gate was

The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Page 2 Dowsing at Water Icicle Close Cavern

This article is an abridged version of the paper Candle-smoke initials BH, RB, SB, HB, and RP presented to Hidden Earth 2010, and is confined to a have been found in the mine, with dates 1801 and discussion of the operations undertaken since the 1809. RB, SB and HB may be members of the original publication of 1993, without a discussion of the Beresford Family of Monyash. possible mechanisms of dowsing for caves. The Deputy Barmaster’s book for Hartington and the Granges records that John and George Goodwin mined there in 1857. However, little lead ore was found, and they only managed to recoup some of the costs by removing and selling speleothems, which they called “water icicles”, hence the name of the mine.

Digging at Water Icicle The mine was re-entered by members of the Peak District Mines Historical Society (PDMHS) on 5th June 1967. Smith (1967) noted that digging by PDMHS was in progress in the NW choke, and that an encouraging draught could be felt. Other clubs who have dug at Water Icicle include Eldon Pothole Club, SUSS, TSG and the Key Hole Caving Club. The Orpheus Caving Club have been the most recent diggers: beginning in the 1970s and early 1980s, they recommenced digging in July 2008, and were rewarded by a breakthrough on he map above, courtesy of Streetmap, shows 20th December 2009. the location of Water Icicle Close, an area with Tfew known caves. Highlighted is a possible Dowsing at Water Icicle Close source of water, “Chelmorton Illy Willy Water”, a rare stream in a limestone area, which dictated the shape However, a dowsing exercise had been undertaken of the village, running for about 400m and then 16 years earlier by John Wilcock and friends during a disappearing underground. Chelmorton was built on its field meeting of the BCRA Cave Radio and Electronics banks, the original village street being exactly the Group (Wilcock, 1993). same length as the stream. The water probably The new digging extensions are shown on the originates from a groundwater reservoir held up by following survey (Diagram 2): volcanic rocks under Chelmorton Low to the North, Finally, the cave survey is superimposed on the and is now piped underground. 1993 dowsing map (Diagram 3), and it can be seen Also highlighted is the village of Flagg, a possible that the agreement is very good: source of pollution in Knotlow Mine (SK 144674). Note that the Urchin Passage Choke is very close There is evidence of organic pollution in Knotlow Mine, to Freezeland Mine and the predicted Lathkill Dale oxygen levels being depleted and carbon dioxide levels Master Cave, and that The Great Rift aligns with the correspondingly high. The source of this pollution is “Benty Grange Passage” of the dowsing map. Also probably a cattle parlour as the effluent is thought to be shown are the supposed input from of bovine origin, and the pollution seems to suddenly Chelmorton/Knotlow Mine, another possible input from appear at about the same time every year. the Long Dale palaeokarst pit (see Ford, 1984), and Also highlighted are the risings at Crowdecote (The possible outputs to the Lathkill Dale Master Cave, Crowdwell, SK 100653, a large rising emerging from Ludwell, Crowdwell and Middleton Well Head. buried culverts below a rubbish heap; Ludwell, SK Below (Diagram 4) is shown a sketch from Smith 124625, where water issues from an impenetrable slot) (1967) showing possible directions of the Cherty Two and Middleton (Well Head, SK 200633), all of which branch passage in the 2009 dig, and The Great Rift. may be connected with the system under discussion (see below). John Wilcock

The History of Water Icicle Close Mine References The mine lies on a ridge, with few surface Ford, T.D. 1984, “Palaeokarst in Britain”. Cave Science 11(4), 246- 264; also “Karstic sediments, residual and alluvial ore deposits of indications. The miners probably found their way into the Peak District of Derbyshire”, Bulletin of the Peak District Mines natural phreatic passages from Long Rake lead vein, Historical Society 9, 101-107 and then sank the 32m deep entrance shaft directly Smith, M.E. 1967, “Water Icicle Close Mine, Monyash”, Bulletin of into the centre of a three-way junction to gain easy the Peak District Mines Historical Society 3(5), 281-284 Wilcock, J.D. 1993, “The Water Icicle Close Biolocation Exercise”, access. CREG Journal 13 (May 1993), 6-8

Page 3 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Diagram 2

Diagram 3

The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Page 4 Diagram 4

The Giles Barker Award 2012

Giles Barker lost his life while caving in Spain in 1992. An accomplished cave photographer, Giles was a member of the Red Rose CPC and Morgannwg CC. These clubs have annually, since 1993, funded the Giles Barker Award in his memory. This prestigious award is given to a person connected with any aspect of cave photography in recognition of his or her excellence and contributions to the field.

The 2012 award was announced at the Hidden Earth meeting in September and, after a gap of six years, the subject of underground films returns to the fore. Dave Webb has been involved with the medium for over twenty years, variously making films to a consistently high standard, helping to judge the Hidden Earth video salon (which he has also won), sharing his knowledge through teaching at workshops and always entertaining others with exceptional film shows. He is particularly recognised for his documentaries To Titan from the Top, concerning the discovery of Titan, and Fight for Life about the tragic loss of Neil Moss in . Dave was also recently appointed as the guardian of the 1960s film The Underground Journey, conserving it for future generations.

Dave’s prolific output at such a high quality makes him an entirely appropriate recipient of this twentieth Giles Barker Award, recognised with a hand-crafted statue of a cave photographer made by Ceris Jones.

Citation: Chris Howes, on behalf of Red Rose CPC and Morgannwg CC

Page 5 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Masson Scrubbers

he back workings of Masson Cavern (a SSSI A team were assembled and entered through the site) still seem to be popular with people of overhang and quarry-side routes. A small amount of Tlimited directional coordination, and the litter was collected along the way, and the new arrows abundance of painted, chalked and daubed arrows treated to a scrub with a wire brush. The brushed seen over the years bear testament to this fact. Having painted pink arrows were fairly easy to remove, the said that, the leader for an evening clean-up session spray-painted white arrows taking a bit more effort. In nearly missed the quarry completely while walking over just over an hour, about a dozen arrows were removed. the fields from Salters Lane, though in his defence, it Adam was assisted by Scott Humphries and Martin was a particularly dark night. Long who also took the photos. PDMHS conservation officer Adam Russell had noted that yet another set of direction markers had Martin Long been daubed throughout the system, and suggested to some fellow cavers that a quick wire-brushing session might be in order.

Painted arrow being removed from wall.

Photos by Martin Long

The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Page 6 Darfar P.C. Activities in the Manifold / Hamps Area

etween February and April 2010, Darfar P.C. grille was placed over this entrance in summer 2011. members spent some time exploring Limepits / Also on the entrance of the nearby Wednesday Pot BWest Ecton Mine, near Swainsley Tunnel near (just upstream of T-Pot), Project Pot (a short way Ecton. The lower adit originally had at least a foot of downstream) and also on Bent Chisel Pot at the base water in it, but we could see things on the floor under of Thor's Crag. the water. Due to this, a trench was dug from the adit Around the same time, a new swallet had recently entrance to the river to drain the adit and a re-enforced opened up 8 metres downstream of the weir near rubber pipe buried to make this permanent. Thanks to Darfar Bridge. This took a LOT of water and was D.C.A. / P.D.M.H.S. for the pipe. Special thanks to appropriately named "Weir Swallet"! Inlets from the Dave Webb. upstream direction were soon encountered and so this This uncovered numerous rimstone pools at cave obviously collects the water from several other various points due to the water now only being an inch swallets previously seen in this vicinity. A frame and or two deep. Near the end of the adit was the manhole cover was installed over the entrance to stop descending, but flooded, pipe vein with artefacts visible it getting filled in again. The cave is currently (as at through the clear water. A very inviting dive site! To the Spring 2012) 4 metres deep and 15 metres long, the right of this was a passage which ascends up the pipe way on is open, draughts and just requires a bit of vein to a choke which should link with the upper enlargement in places to make progress. workings and the main shaft. A small amount of "prod In June 2010, the manhole cover over the river and run" digging was done here at the time, revealing entrance to Riverside Swallet was replaced with a loads of animal bones! bolted-down grille, the river bed around it being built-up Next the upper mine was explored. A quite at the same time, (and the leaks from the sides impressive place with nice mineralisation. (And some plugged). This was sort of finished during the summer newly installed hangers! Wonder who placed them. :-)) of 2011, but would benefit from a bit more work. This Work is intended in the future to try and a) drain the has made the cave easier to access in varying (and flooded pipe vein (to some extent anyway) and wetter) conditions and created a better water flow examine the artefacts and b) remove the blockage through the cave and also Darfar Pot. between the upper and lower mine creating a nice In July 2011, Mel and Pete Ray descended through trip. Riverside Swallet to find that the passage heading In April 2011, Melissa Milner revisited the lower adit downstream towards Darfar Pot had been enlarged to start surveying it, but found the collapse area 20m in from a dirty flat out crawl over silt to a clean-washed had slumped and blocked the way on. It took 1.5 hours hand and knees crawl with standy-up bits! A too-tight to clear it and make it “reasonably safe” to enter. In section at the end was enlarged over subsequent visits May 2011 Melissa and Margaret Fogarty surveyed the by them and Rob Thorne and the original terminal lower series with the aid of Melissa's Disto A3 and it "chamber" of the cave reached without going through a was found to comprise of 310 metres of passages. A tight squeeze that had to be negotiated previously. survey of the upper series is intended at some point in Most of it was in pretty solid rock too, contradictory to the near future after a centre line survey has been previous descriptions in Caves of the Peak District, undertaken up the hillside to link the two entrances. etc. Darfar Pot is now only a few metres away and we During the winter of 2011 / 2012, various people are very hopeful of a connection given some dry, spent some considerable time installing a heavy duty settled weather. plastic pipe, dry stone walling and some scaffolding In November 2010, Mel, Pete and Rob helped with through the collapse area under the side of the track filming for the BBC Countryfile program down Darfar above. It is now safe! Ridge Cave! The program showcased conservation In May 2010, the size of the entrance of Shilling Pot work down the cave: cleaning formations. Two hours near Redhurst was reduced ready for the installation of underground for one hour's footage which ended up as a manhole cover. This is because of the large amount 2 1/2 minutes on screen! Looked good though. Proper of silt which had been deposited in the cave during the cleaning in the cave to reverse the effects of careless winter floods. A grille was placed on the old entrance visitors from the past couple of years was carried out of T-Pot replacing the manhole cover which was by various Darfar P.C. members over the next few transferred to Shilling Pot. The concrete to one side of weeks. the manhole cover over the new entrance of T-Pot was In April 2011 Mel, Pete and Rob had a quick recce found to have been vandalised again, (much worse down Lees Pot in the Hamps Valley, finding the whole this time), probably on May Day bank holiday. (Always cave down to the bottom way on washed clean by the seems to happen on bank holidays ) A bolted-down river. It turned out to be a good job we put some bags

Page 7 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 over the entrance grille before the winter floods, In August 2011 Mel placed washers on the bolts on because several centimetre's of silt and gravel had the grille over the entrance of Waterways Swallet so it been deposited over them! (A prime case for replacing was secured properly, (as per the current access a grille with a manhole cover, unfortunately, which was agreement), and repaired the stile using decking done in 2011.) They also found a way on off to one board. side of the main shaft, but as usual with this cave During this whole period, Mel has also been progress was not easy. They then revisited Midway Pot performing the ongoing monitoring of the caves on and Hole Shades Swallet a small way downstream. National Trust land in the Manifold/Hamps Valleys and In March 2011, with the River Manifold dropping also lately in . and sinking just upstream of Redhurst Swallet, Ed, Ian In April 2012, as a result of Mel's monitoring forms and Mel had a sporting little trip down Ladyside Pot the National Trust replaced the bolts securing the with the river flowing through the cave. All the cave gates on Botstone and Perseverance Mines in the Hoo between the first upstream and downstream sumps Valley near Wetton Mill, as they had been stolen / was explored. At some point given some dry, settled misplaced by recent visitors. weather, we are hoping to get our submersible pump and generator on-site and part-drain the upstream Note that all the grilles over the cave entrances and on sump and have a good look around the upstream the mines just need a “Derbyshire Key” to open them. continuation. Please replace carefully on exit though as many of Afterwards, while Mel was trying to relocate Thor's them are near public footpaths or are easily accessible Fissure Cave, Ed and Marg visited the current end of by members of the public. Radcliffe Stables (the main chamber) finding the cave still clear of Badger activity! (Due to the installation of a Melissa Milner one-way hinged gate by Mel in the 1990s.)

Wapping Mine Tidy-up

Photos by Martin Long

The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Page 8 Boulder Pot

ince the 1980’s the entrance to Boulder Pot (at job for us and, in addition, tidy up and landscape the SK 164 665) has been “lost” a number of times. area. The project was completed, thankfully, in the SIt was never a conspicuous spot, despite lying week before Easter, on the eve of one of the heaviest close to the public footpaths down and across Ricklow local April snowfalls on record. Dale. The original entrance was a tight squeeze down between boulders that formed part of a relatively P T Mellors isolated craggy area. The crags were visible at the time from the Bakewell-Monyash road and marked the site of a fossil sinkhole that once engulfed water Acknowledgements: flowing down Ricklow Dale. The squeeze led down into a low earthy bone cave followed by a series of narrow Diggers involved: John Bates, Bob Dearman, Bob pitches among precariously perched and loose rock. Hetherington, Ron Hammond, Dan Hibberts, Dennis Early descriptions warned of the unstable nature of the Jump, Alan Keen, Pete Mellors, John Milner, Dave cave which in my view deserves a more severe rating Ross and Dave Webb than Grade II (see Caves of the Peak District, successive editions). Use of metal detector: Dave Arveschoug. By 1993 the original entrance could not be located. Keith Bentham and others dug a new way into the Use of cement mixer and provision of plastic pipe: underlying boulder maze to link up lower down with the DCA. cave’s known vertical development. A hinged metal lid was fitted to the new entrance, and Ron Hammond Arrangements for use of mechanical diggers: Bob drew up a line survey of the known cave whose limits Dearman and Dan Hibberts. were pushed to new depths and a seemingly hopeless choke in difficult conditions. Provision of cap and lid: Ron Hammond It was Ron Hammond’s work in tying his survey to a GPS fix on the new entrance which enabled successful Photographic record: Dave Webb progress to be made nearly 20 years later to locate the cave again. This time it lay buried under a steep bank Negotiations with the landowner: Dan Abrahams and of overgrown soil and stones alongside the public path Pete Mellors – effectively lost once more! Natural ’s man on the spot, Dan Abrahams, helped secure the Landowner: the Mellor family at Organground Farm landowner’s co-operation for a DCA project to “rescue” the cave early in 2012. Access for cavers: Work started at the end of February and continued into early April. Initially a team of unsuspecting diggers Visitors do not need to call at the farm for permission. with picks and shovels was assembled. This was Parking is available on the roadside verge, but please before the full magnitude of the task ahead became keep farm gates clear for tractors, etc. A large clear. It took two days to remove a 4 metre high slice adjustable spanner is required to undo the two of the bank – something a JCB could have done in a securing nuts on the lid – these nuts to be left fastened fraction of the time, probably. The “Bentham lid” was up tight (important!) before leaving. Please drop the lid finally uncovered in this way, amid gallant but fruitless behind you during your trip, to prevent harm to efforts by Dave Arveschoug to find it with his metal livestock in the field or to inquisitive walkers. It is detector. Some of us naively believed metal detectors advisable for all visitors to have liability insurance can pick up the presence of steel plate lying at least six cover. feet under! That model hasn’t been invented yet, we learned from Dave. NB. This cave should be regarded as severe, i.e. at Once the Bentham entrance had been cleaned up least Grade IV rather than the Grade II shown in and levelled, a 3 metre length of 750 mm diameter Caves of the Peak District. It is not recommended for heavy duty plastic pipe was brought to the site from novices or trainees. DCA stocks and manhandled into place to provide vertical access into the cave from up on the bank. Ron Hammond designed and built a sturdy cap and hinged lid for it. Dan Hibberts provided a length of signal ladder to bolt inside it. All that remained was to put earth and stones back around the pipe. This time there was no argument about the need for a JCB to do that

Page 9 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Bad Air in Peak District Caves

ver the past ten years, we have seen an bring about the problem in caves where it tends to increase in the number of cavers reporting bad occur - and this theory still appears to hold true. Oair, breathlessness and other similar difficulties in some of our local caves. We know that, under My part in all this work is twofold:- certain circumstances, bad air can be expected • to collate the information provided by underground (in digs, in small passages with no cavers into a single data source and make through-draught and in air bells) but this problem it available to anybody who needs the seems more widespread. information for scientific or safety Where follow-up analysis of the cave atmosphere has purposes; been possible, the culprit has always been CO2 • to persuade the Peak District caving (carbon dioxide, a gas associated with natural community (especially clubs, outdoor oxidation, with respiration and with the chemical centres and anybody leading breakdown of limestone itself) which has been found inexperienced groups) to carry and use an in increased quantities and which has reduced the O2 meter for safety purposes, so that they oxygen in the local atmosphere from it’s normal can accurately understand any problem amount of around 21% to 19% and below. that they encounter and as a source of information for (a). It doesn’t happen everywhere - some caves seem to be immune to the problem, and a good airflow seems Arguably, a CO2 meter would be more useful for our to be the key ingredient, although both Knotlow purposes, but these devices are much more Waterfall Chamber and Lathkill Head Upper Entrance expensive and are subject to higher running costs. An can both suffer from CO2 concentrations despite O2 meter, on the other hand, can be bought for less considerable airflows. than £80 and, so long as we remain confident that O 2 displacement is being caused by CO2, they will do the It doesn’t happen all the time - 2009 was quite a bad job adequately. DCA will still be able to react to any year for CO2, but 2010 and 2011 brought very few reports of bad air and will (subject to safety reports. This year, 2012, we seem to be back to 2009 considerations) be able to confirm the nature of the levels , causing many of us to believe that the weather displacement gas using more advanced metering. (air temperature and pressure) has a great influence on the problem. Reports: Ideally, what I need is:- Date; It doesn’t affect everybody in the same way. Both Time; physiological and psychological variances can make Name of cave; different people react in different ways. I can Place within cave; remember standing there with another experienced % O2 or CO2 recorded; caver, both of us gasping and wheezing while Weather at the site (wind speed/direction, watching a young friend of ours as he explored the temperature, barometric pressure); start of Dratsab in Red River Passage as though there Any other factors e.g. pollution sources; simply wasn’t a problem. Contact details of person recording the data. In affected caves, concentrations of CO2 can vary from relatively small amounts to as high as 4%, but, so far But I’m happy to receive any reports, including (touch wood!), there hasn’t been an incident where a incomplete and NIL reports - even subjective reports caver has been incapacitated or where DCRO have based on personal experience where no meter is been called out to assist - although the rescue team available. are equipping and training for this problem, should it Lastly I would like to emphasise that I am no expert in ever arise. this field - I’m just a keen caver like yourself, and, as That is not to say that there is no problem, it just such, I’m anxious that the problems of CO2 that we means that, just like all the other problems we meet in meet in the Peak District caves are dealt with in a caving, we need to understand the issues, and deal sensible way, based on facts, so that we can act with them in an appropriate manner. appropriately on any issues that arise, and, hopefully, Over the years, several people in the caving so that, at some point in the future, we will be able to community have been gathering information on this usefully predict their occurrence. problem with the intention of gaining a better DCA issue some very useful instructions and understanding as to how and where these CO2 guidelines regarding the CO2 problem in their latest accumulations arise. Notably, Christine Wilson did handbook,which you can either purchase as a printed some great long-term work in Bagshawe Cavern document, or download free. which culminated in her presenting her findings to I have also included below an article on the subject by BCRA. These findings concluded that constant high o Dan Murray which discusses the symptoms, problems temperatures (>9 C) and low barometric pressures will and what to do when it happens. Dan is a caver, a

The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Page 10 diver, a member of DCRO and, in his day job, he is a and muscle twitches. If severe hypercapnia is specialist in safe working underground in hyperbaric reached, a person will exhibit disorientation, and other conditions. convulsions, panic and unconsciousness, leading to death. In some cases, victims who have been exposed • Please read carefully what Dan has to say. to very high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere • Be aware that the problem exists. have been known to die quite quickly of asphyxiation, • Get to know the signs and symptoms. as the carbon dioxide serves to displace, or push out, the oxygen in the air. • Be prepared for any problems, and have a LEVELS: plan. 0.3-0.4% (300-400 ppm) • Persuade your club to buy a meter - and use Normal level in air it! 0.5% (5000 ppm) • Let me have your reports. Health and Safety Executive L.E.L ( 8 hour long term exposure limit, what the HSE consider is safe to Alan Brentnall breath for 8 hours without any long term effects on the body.) 1 – 1.5% (10,000-15,000) Health and Safety Executive S.T.E.L ( 15 minute short THE EFFECTS OF OXYGEN DEPLETION term exposure limit, what the HSE consider is safe to AND CARBON DIOXIDE BUILD UP IN THE breath for 15 minutes without any long term effects on CAVING ENVIRONMENT. the body.) Slight effect on chemical metabolism after exposures of several hours (acidosis). For many years 'bad air' as been a problem in mines 3% (30,000 ppm) and caves in the Peak District, especially in coal The gas is weakly narcotic at this level, giving rise to mining areas but it is also prevalent in limestone deeper breathing, reduced hearing ability, coupled with regions. Coal mines may have present gases such as headache, an increase in blood pressure and pulse Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), low rate. Oxygen levels (O2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and 4 – 5% (40,000-50,000ppm) hydrocarbon gases such as Methane (CH4). Stimulation of the respiratory centre occurs resulting in Limestone regions tend to have present more deeper and more rapid breathing. Signs of intoxication commonly CO2 with a corresponding depletion in O2 will become more evident after 30 minutes exposure. levels. 5 – 10% (50,000-100,000) Advances in technology have meant that small, sturdy, Breathing becomes more laborious with headache and reliable gas detectors are readily available and it would loss of judgement, further increase in heart rate. be advisable for all caving clubs to invest in such 10 – 100% monitors should parties plan entry into areas with When the carbon dioxide concentration increases known 'bad air' problems. above 10%, unconsciousness, death. To complicate matters, there are other factors which need to be taken into consideration in the caving Actions: environment such as ease of access, whether by shaft 1 – 1.5% (10,000 – 15,000ppm) or adit, length and ease of pitches, distance from the Keep a constant check on all team members for surface, stratification of gases (layering) and the signs and symptoms of CO2 poisoning, consider fitness and condition of individual team members. evacuation if you are a long way from entrance, For the purposes of this article, we will look into the or if the of way out is difficult, (long vertical effects of CO poisoning (Hypercapnia) and Oxygen 2 shafts etc.), or if team members are unfit. depletion (Hypoxia). Remember, any further physical exertion will cause even greater levels of CO in the Carbon Dioxide Poisoning 2 bloodstream. Although CO2 is a poisonous gas, it is also vital to life and in small amounts, as it is the stimulus to breath. In 3% (30,000ppm) < excess, however, CO can present some major 2 Unless you are in a rescue situation, immediate detrimental symptoms which, in sufficient quantities, will lead to death. evacuation of all personnel should be considered, especially when exit is going to be It is important to remember that CO2 gas detectors technical / strenuous. show the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere; it is possible the concentration in the lungs may be significantly higher. Treatment: Evacuate from the contaminated area. Concentrations of CO2 are usually expressed in parts per million (10,000ppm = 1%) on most gas detectors. Resuscitation if necessary, if available forced ventilation, if available administer oxygen. Symptoms : Early symptoms of hypercapnia, or carbon dioxide Hypoxia poisoning, include rapid breathing, a shortness of There are several medical definitions for breath, confusion, increased heart rate, flushed skin hypoxia. However, in a caving environment, it

Page 11 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 can be defined in simple terms as an Actions: inadequate oxygen supply to the cells and 19.5% – 20.8% tissues of the body. Chronic hypoxia is usually a No action necessary, be aware of presence of

slow, insidious reduction in tissue oxygenation, other gases such as CO2 should levels fall below resulting from gradually destructive lung diseases, congenital or acquired heart 19.5% - 16% disorders, or chronic blood loss. It is highly Keep constant check on all team members for unlikely that we would encounter chronic signs and symptoms of hypoxia, consider hypoxia in the caving environment and far evacuation if you are a long way from entrance, more likely to encounter acute hypoxia, which or the of way out is difficult, (long vertical can be defined as a sudden or rapid depletion shafts etc.), or if team members are unfit. in available oxygen at the tissue level due to Check other members for signs and symptoms reduced levels of oxygen in the surrounding of hypercapnia, be aware that CO2 levels may environment. be as high as 4% (40000 ppm).

Symptoms : 16% and less Some of the main symptoms of Acute Hypoxia Unless in a rescue situation, immediate due to a low oxygen environment are: feeling of evacuation of all personnel should be euphoria, difficulty in breathing, considered, especially when exit is going to be hyperventilation, skin irritations, sweating, technical / strenuous. light-headedness, visual disturbances, cyanosis (bluing of the lips and skin), mental incapacity, Treatment: impaired judgement, dizziness, and Evacuate from the contaminated area. unconsciousness. Resuscitation if necessary, if available forced ventilation, if available administer oxygen. Levels: 24% < All the above levels are approximations, and No short term physiological side effects different people will have different tolerance however there is an increased risk of rapid levels. Variables such as distance from combustion near any sources of ignition. entrance, ambient conditions (prolonged periods in a small chamber can quickly deplete 20.8% O2 levels and dangerously increase CO2 levels Normal concentration of oxygen in air at sea when multiple personnel are present), difficulty level. of way out (long vertical shafts etc.), fitness and fatigue of team members, ambient 19.5% temperatures and other medical conditions Minimum recommended breathing level and such as hypothermia should also be taken into normal settings for long term exposure on most consideration in a caving environment.

O2 alarms. No short term physiological side effects. Carbon dioxide and oxygen are both colourless and odourless and difficult to detect without 19.5% - 16% the use of a gas detector. Multiple deaths have Mild onset of signs and symptoms of hypoxia occurred when several people have gone to the including increased breathing volume, assistance of an unconsciousness person accelerated heart rate, impaired attention and without the correct respiratory protective thinking, impaired coordination. equipment. 16% - 10 % Dan Murray Very faulty judgement, very poor muscular coordination. Muscular exertion brings on rapid fatigue that may cause permanent heart damage. Intermittent respiration.

10% - 6% Euphoria/nausea, inability to perform vigorous movement, or loss of all movement, unconsciousness.

6% and less Spasmodic breathing. convulsive movements. death in minutes.

The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Page 12 An Article on Fracking

(This article from 'The Guardian' was submitted for And what if fracking does pollute our fragile inclusion as it was thought it may be of interest to aquifers, as it has done in Pennsylvania and cavers. Editor) Wyoming? Well, here the timing of the report happily coincides with another tropical emergency apart from drought – and that is debt. The financial crisis. Our skintness. The words of the US government's Environmental Protection Agency should chill every British bone to Even if the frackers don't rupture aquifers or the marrow when they say that ground water pollute our tap water, no politician will be contaminated by fracking is “typically too expensive to safe. remediate or restore”. (And if you want a glimpse of the appalling powerlessness of fracking afflicted ust when we're told drought has become endemic communities in the United States then watch the in the UK, the Department of Energy and Climate Sundance-award documentary Gasland.) Change has given the go-ahead for a process In Europe, meanwhile, Bulgaria has become the J second EU country after France to ban fracking. The that will desiccate us more than any we've tried before on these islands: hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”. Bulgarians' indefinite moratorium followed a campaign which ranged across the whole political spectrum. High-volume fracking needs between 1.6m and In any British electoral constituency where fracking 2.5m gallons (between 7m and 11m litres) of water for is proposed, the issue will be every bit as much oa a a single well. political earth-mover as in Bulgaria. People will vote All that water is smashing rock. All those millions of against type, and against party loyalty. No MP, MEP or litres are giving the shale rock a BTEX injection; BTEX councillor will dare follow the party whip in the teeth of is benzene, toluene, ethylebenzene and xylene. civil ire that will ignite like methylated tap water in a If a political cell were to threaten to poison our Pennsylvania kitchen, and an anger which even the drinking water by setting off depth charges near gas firms' PR teams will not be able to extinguish. In subterranean fault lines, and then further threatened to any constituency where fracking is proposed, you can pump in radioactive isotopes, should such a cell be forget about psephology. Fracking will not just asked to help compile the government report into their undermine the shale geology of Britain but may sink activities? It is indeed a bizarre report that the half the recognisable political landscape too. That's Department of Energy and Climate Change has put the hope at least. out, a bit like and inquiry into Syria focusing on the effect of the pollen count on the dictatorship. Robert Newman, an author, comedian and Nary a mention of volatile organic compounds political activist. The Guardian, contaminating aquifers, so busily are the authors consumed by counting all the holes caused by fracking Wednesday 18 April 2012 in Lancashire – until they triumphantly conclude that fracking poses scant risk of earthquake. To which I say well, not ones that will topple Blackpool Tower, maybe. Not seismic tremors you can feel beneath your feet, but earthquakes all the same. Earthquakes by definition, in fact. For fracking works by detonating shale rock thousands of feet underground, and for all the shale gas industry may say these are controlled explosions there is, however, no such thing as a controlled earthquake. The department has overturned the borehole ban while allowing a hosepipe ban to stand. This was a mistake. Never come between a vixen and her cub, nor between the British and their love of gardening and clean water. Even in the best-case scenario in which the frackers don't, by some miracle, rupture aquifers and pollute drinking water, the process itself will drain us dry in the vain hope that it might earn us enough foreign capital to pay for the imports of Volvic and Evian that we will need to put on our crops.

Page 13 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 DCA Matters NEXT DCA MEETINGS

DCA AGM 2013: Saturday, 23rd February, 2013, followed by a short Council Meeting

All Meetings start at 10:00 am at Monyash Village Hall. The Hall will be open from about 9.30 am with tea, coffee and biscuits on tap. The Old Smithy Cafe, next to the Pub, does an excellent breakfast from about 9:00 am.

Remember that Council Meetings are open to ALL members.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WITH DCA For information on all DCA Training Courses and events, contact DCA Training Officer, Nigel Atkins, 01283-210666, 07831-449909, [email protected]

USE OF BRIDGE 75 ON THE MONSAL TRAIL If your club is interested in making use of this abseil/SRT training facility, please contact the DCA Training Officer, Nigel Atkins: Tel. 01283- 210666, Mob. 07831-449909, [email protected]

INSTALLATION OF ECO-ANCHORS If you have any queries about Eco-anchors installed in the region, please contact the DCA Chairman, Bob Dearman, 01298-85594, 07855- 920087, [email protected]

The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133 Page 14 DERBYSHIRE CAVING ASSOCIATION OFFICERS FOR 2012-2013

Chairman: Bob Dearman The Green Cottage, Main Street, Chelmorton, Buxton SK17 9SL Email: [email protected] Tel. 01298-85594, Mob. 07855-920087

Vice Chairman: Terry Jackson New House Farm, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak, Derbyshire SK23 0QL Enail: [email protected] Tel. 01663-750647, Mob. 07966-219997

Secretary: Jenny Potts 3 Greenway, HuIIand Ward, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 3FE Email: [email protected] OR [email protected] Tel. 01335-370629

Treasurer: Wayne Sheldon 83 Seagrave Crescent, Gleadless, Sheffield S12 2JL Email: [email protected] Mob. 07941-211209

Assistant Secretary: Chris Broome "Carpathian", Dale Close, Bonsall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2AY Email: [email protected] Tel. 01629-824512

Newsletter Editor / Publications Officer: Paul Lydon Kirby House, Main Street, Winster, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 2DH Email: [email protected] Tel. 01629-650482

Training Officer: Nigel Atkins Wharfedale House, Springfield Close, Midway, Derbyshire DE11 0DB Email: [email protected] Tel. 01283-210666, Mob. 07831-449919

Cave Registry Secretary: John Beck Glebe Cottage, The Hillock, Eyam, Derbyshire S32 5RB Email: [email protected] Tel. 01433-631732

Acting Equipment Officer: Bob Dearman The Green Cottage, Main Street, Chelmorton, Buxton SK17 9SL Email: [email protected] Tel. 01298-85594, Mob. 07855-920087

Conservation & Access Team

Conservation Officer: Dave Webb 3 De Vere Gardens, Woodthorpe, Nottingham NG5 4PH Email: [email protected] Tel. 0115-840-1109

Asst. Conservation Officer: Vacant

Access Officer (Asst.): Karen Slatcher Kirby House, Main Street, Winster, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2DH Email: [email protected] Tel. 01629-650482

Projects Officer: Dan Hibberts 1A Market Street, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6JY Email: [email protected] Mob. 07846-526463

Legal & Insurance Officer: Pete Mellors "Fairview", Station Road, Edingley, Newark, Notts. NG22 8BX Email: [email protected] Tel. 01623-882515

Page 15 The Derbyshire Caver Issue 133