Caution In Caves Keystone Ramblings

May 26, 1985|by DR. RICHMOND E. MYERS, Sunday Call-Chronicle.

From time to time, we have made reference in this column to caves. The other day in going over some scrapbooks containing newspaper clips about Pennsylvania caves, we ran across the story of a father and three children who were trapped or lost in Carpenters Cave near Raubsville back in the early 1960s.

At that time we were serving as faculty adviser to a Moravian College "grotto," a group of students interested in spelunking, or the science of exploring caves. Because the students were trained in all kind of caving activities, including rescue work, a call was sent to the college for help. However, by the time the students reached the scene, the lost cavers had been rescued. They were found only 40 feet from the entrance after having spent an uncomfortable night. But they were none the worse for their experience.

At this point, we feel that we must explain just what is meant by the term "grotto." Actually, a grotto is a chapter of a national organization of people interested in studying caves, the National Speleological Society. Not all members of this organization are thrill seekers bent on climbing around underground. Many seek valuable scientific data that can be secured only in that way. They are trained, and train others in the techniques of cave exploration, cave safety and cave rescue work. Their interests include the geology of caves, the flora and fauna found in caves and the use of caves throughout the centuries by man.

According to the society's definition, a cave is, "A natural cavity, recess, or chamber, or a series of chambers or galleries, occurring beneath the surface of the earth, usually extending to total darkness and large enough to permit human entrance."

Members recognize two kinds of caves. First there are the commercial caves. In these, the owner has constructed walks, stairs and bridges. Lighting has been provided. They are seen under the supervision of trained guides and are safe for everyone to visit. Admission is charged.

The other type of cave is known as a "wild cave." Here, no improvements exist. One enters the cave at one's own risk, and risk it truly is. Unless a person is trained for this kind of thing, exploring wild caves should be avoided. Even experts speleologists, who are better known as "spelunkers," sometimes get into trouble. The untrained amateur should keep out of these underground booby-traps unless accompanied by well-trained companions.

There are certain safety rules that all spelunkers follow. Here are some to follow:

1. Never go into a cave alone. Always go with a group.

2. Never enter a cave without two extra sources of light. Carry a carbide lamp, flashlight, and a supply of candles.

3. Always wear a hard hat and good shoes.

4. Always carry first aid equipment.

5. Always carry a supply of food.

6. Never enter a cave without telling some responsible person when you expect to come out.

7. Never work without proper equipment, rope, climbing spikes, and compass.

8. Never go into a cave without the owner's permission.

We could continue, but these few rules will serve to show exactly what we mean when we say that people improperly equipped have no business in wild caves.

What are some of the dangers involved? To point out a few, the simplest is getting lost. The next is getting stuck. Both are common to the untrained would-be spelunker. Far worse is getting trapped by rock falls or collapse, and that can happen to the best trained spelunkers. Rememberthe fate of Floyd Collins? He was an expert.

When we pause to consider that of the 271 listed caves in Pennsylvania, less than one dozen are presently operating commercially, it becomes obvious that this state is a happy hunting ground for the spelunking fraternity.

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