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A Policy Statement and Guidelines on Caving Prepared by the Youth Groups Liaison Committee of the National Speleological Society

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A Policy Statement and Guidelines on Caving Prepared by the Youth Groups Liaison Committee of the National Speleological Society A policy statementa andvi guidelines on cavingn prepared by theg Youth Groups Liaison Committee of the National Speleological Society and the Boy Scouts of America Important Things to Know A. All caving, other than simple novice activities, should be limited to adults and young people Cavers live by this creed: 14 and older—members of Venturing crews Take nothing but pictures, or Learning for Life Explorer posts, and older Leave nothing but footprints, Scouts in troops and teams. “Simple novice Kill nothing but time. activities” means commercially operated cave excursions. Safety-conscious cavers always: B. Units (teams, troops, crew, posts) that • Wear a helmet with a chinstrap include cave visits in their program, whether • Have a headlamp on the helmet for one trip or many, must adhere to the • Have two other working lights in their two-deep leadership policy of the Boy Scouts pack as backups of America (two registered adult leaders, or • Wear protective clothing and gloves one adult and a parent of a youth member, one of whom must be 21 or older). These I. General Caving Policy leaders must be responsible, mature adults who are constantly present with the group. Caving can be a hazardous activity when the proper One cave trip leader must be qualified equipment, skills, and judgment are not used. through caving experience and must be Trips that are led by adults inexperienced in caving thoroughly versed in all established safety and trips containing large numbers of people practices, conservation measures, and compound the hazards already inherent in the courtesy to cave owners. activity and create a potentially dangerous situation. 2 C. In conformity with the BSA policy on the use II. Cave Safety of wilderness areas, all caving groups should be limited to eight to 10 people and two-deep A. Any cave trip must include a fully qualified leadership as required by the Boy Scouts of leader or adult assistants qualified to handle America for all trips or outings. Caving activi- all problems that might arise. These leaders ties for larger groups should not be conducted. should have had experience as active par- Each group should be organized to function ticipants in a competent caving group. They independently, i.e., plan its own trips on differ- must realistically evaluate their own knowl- ent dates, provide its own transportation and edge and experience and must never attempt food, and function as a separate and distinct to lead their group into a situation that is group. The only exception to these rules may beyond their capability or the capability of be trips to certain commercial caves where any member of the group. The overall capa- special provisions are made to furnish proper bility and pace of a caving group is always supervision by professional guides. that of the least able member of that group, and no member of the group should ever Note: Caving trips have been incorporated in be encouraged or permitted to attempt a the BSA’s Wilderness Use Policy, with a cross potentially dangerous act that is beyond reference to these guidelines. Copies of the their ability solely because the remainder of wilderness area policy statement are available the group has the necessary ability. from Outdoor Programs, S250, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, • The leaders must thoroughly comprehend Texas, 75015-2079. Find the policy online at that overwhelming difficulties may easily www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/20-121.pdf. result from the problems of fatigue, improper or faulty equipment, emotional D. Any Venturing crew wishing to learn about problems, physical limitations, or excessive cave rescue work or pursue that activity eagerness or exuberance in members of as a specialty must do so under the spon- the group. Additionally, they must realize sorship and supervision of an adult cave that all of these individual problems are rescue group affiliated with the National often interrelated and that the occurrence Speleological Society. of any one of them can easily create a E. All Scout groups are required to have an situation that will lead to or accentuate any approved tour plan for all trips. Cave activi- or all of the others. ties are included under that plan. • The leaders must constantly remember F. The leaders and the individual members of the that any obstacle overcome on the way group must understand these basic practices into the cave will also have to be overcome and policies of caving, which are approved by on the way out, when the group is tired, the Boy Scouts of America and the National when the initial enthusiasm of some of the Speleological Society. In addition to under- group may have decreased, and when their standing these tenets, every participant in a alertness and physical abilities, as well of caving trip must agree, without reservation, to those of their group, are at the lowest. follow all of the specific guidelines contained • The leaders must have adequate first-aid in the remainder of this publication. training and ability, and a comprehensive knowledge of the practices to follow in the event of an accident. Wilderness First Aid training is recommended for at least one member of the group. • The leaders must keep their group together at all times. 3 B. All basic equipment such as clothing, boots, C. Except for groups composed entirely of lights, and spare parts for the lights, hard experienced cavers, the cave to be visited hats, and food should be appropriate for must not require the use of ropes, cables, the cave being visited. It is the responsibility ladders, or other climbing devices. The safe of the leader to insure that all equipment is use of these aids requires extensive training adequate and in good condition. and practice under controlled conditions above ground, never in a cave. • The equipment and spares must never be makeshift or of questionable depend- D. Natural and fabricated hazards such as mud ability. The highest standards developed slopes, loose rocks, pits, deep water, complex by experienced cavers are to be met in all routes, old ropes, wooden ladders, and the categories of equipment. possibility of flooding are all dangers to some degree and must be approached with care • The use and repair of each item must be and judgment. If it appears that an accident understood and demonstrated by the may still occur in spite of preventive mea- entire party before entering the cave. sures, that area must be avoided entirely. • Under no conditions should any member E. The strength, endurance, and specific abili- of the group be permitted to enter the ties of every member of the group must be cave if they do not have all of the required evaluated in advance and nothing attempted equipment in their possession. The shar- that exceeds anyone’s limitations. Climbing, ing of any equipment, such as lights, crawling, and route finding are not neces- between individuals must be prohibited. sarily inborn skills, and should be taught and tested before a cave trip is undertaken. 4 F. Every person on a cave trip should be aware in one moment of carelessness. Carelessness is of the necessity to constantly observe the regrettable and must be guarded against at all whereabouts and potential problems of other times. Deliberate vandalism, on the other hand, members of the group and be ready to is more than regrettable; it is literally a criminal provide any assistance necessary. The BSA act and must be forbidden. Every caver has an buddy system must be used. obligation to do his/her utmost to protect every cave he/she visits. G. Running, jumping, horseplay, and solo exploration must be prohibited—such The necessary degree of protection is relatively easy foolhardy actions jeopardize not only the to obtain, however, if everyone in the group agrees individual but also the entire group. to adhere to the guidelines contained in the policy on the use of wilderness areas adopted by the H. Caves are often cold and damp, and hypo- Boy Scouts of America (see note under guideline thermia is a danger, especially on long trips C). Many of the specific points contained in that or trips requiring wading or crawling in water. wilderness policy are directly applicable to caving, Try to dress for conditions to be met; stay as and, besides providing protection for the cave dry as possible. Leave the cave immediately and its contents, adherence to these guidelines if any member of the group shows signs of will result in a safer, more enjoyable, and more hypothermia such as uncontrollable shivering, easily managed trip. Cavers should leave abso- slurred speech, or loss of coordination. lutely no trace of their visit behind when they leave the cave. This means that they must leave every I. Specific information about the caving trip natural thing in the cave exactly as it was before must be left with a responsible person back they entered; it means removing everything that home at time of departure. This should they brought into the cave; and it means staying include location and length of time of trip, on the established trails through a passageway to expected time of return, list of participants, avoid increasing the number of disfiguring paths. and whom to contact for each trip member in case of emergency. A. Cave formations and minerals of any kind must never be removed from the cave for any pur- J. A record of every cave trip will provide valu- pose. Caving trips should never include cave able assistance to new leaders and cavers mineral or formation collections. They should alike. Full records of all caving accidents rather substitute underground photography or will provide the basis for a guide to the artwork for displays and science fair projects.
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