Underground Survival

Found a good "Underground Survival" link? Let Us Know!

Rescue Techniques | Climbing | Medical| Critters | Communications| Miscellaneous| Discussion

Using Rappel Racks as Belay Devices by Carroll Bassett, NSS #34462: Over the period of the last year we have been investigating the use of closed frame racks as belay devices for technical rope rescue. Since open frame racks can permanently deform under loads as low as 1000 lbs. we chose not to test this concept on them and believe that there may be a significant safety risk in using this form of rack for belays. Further work needs to be done in this area.

Considerations for Rope Rescue in 2009 (pdf) - An extensive guide to rope rescue techniques. This paper is now distributed in Adobe acrobat pdf format... Download RopeRescue2008.pdf [Links rescued 4/12/11 - now hosted onsite!]

Wayfinding in Caves - A Proposed Curriculum for a Short Course in Self Rescue. by David Lemberg. How we get lost in caves, and what we can do to mitigate the problem.

An Introduction to Caving for the Novice Caver The most commonly asked question is probably "What do you find down there?" The answers are as varied as the caves themselves: mud; beautiful rock formations and rubble; water and dust; vast rooms and tight crawlways; awesome rivers and puddles; strange and fragile animals; deep pits and waterfalls; ice and warm water; and, of course, strange people. One finds, eventually, whatever one is looking for. [Link updated 4/12/11]

An Introduction to Caves and Caving This site provides a basic introduction to the world of caves and caving and links to additional resources.

Using the Tools of Science and Industry to Build a Comprehensive Caving Safety Program. by W. Storage. Examines some common cave myths and practices in the light of actual science.

Cave Safety Guidelines. by The Australian Speleological Federation (Inc.). Discusses, hazards, basic equipment, leadership, and followership.

Outdoor Action Guide to Outdoor Safety Management. by R. Curtis. Explains how accidents occur and how to reduce the risk of accidents through effective pre-trip planning and trip leadership.

Biochemistry for Cavers. by E. Ellis. A nice write up on how your body utilizes fuel (food) while caving, and what you should eat for optimum energy.

Schedules and Circadian Cycles. by K. Conover. A nice write up on how to shift sleep/wake cycles around. Useful for a rescue!

Introducing the Nicola System - Detailed build and usage information for this radio system designed for cave rescues and for security underground. [Links rescued 4/9/11 - now hosted onsite!]

Australian Speleological Federation Caving, cave diving, canyoning, single rope technique and other like activities are INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AND RISKY ACTIVITIES. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE Cave Safety Guidelines.

Alternative Caving Terminology May take awhile to load, but still good as of 4/2011.

Glossary of Speleological and Caving Terms

Information for beginning cavers Knot Making Knot Enough Knots?

Draft Cave and Karst Terminology

Beneath the Mountains Pretty good caving book, online

Draft Cave and Karst Terminology

Miscellaneous Underground:

Caves in the National Parks and Monuments
Carlsbad Caverns
Mammoth Caves
Great Basin
Jewel Cave
Wind Cave
Timpanogos Cave
Oregon Caves
Russell Cave

Desert Caves and Caving
Arizona Places To Go
Desert Caves of Arizona
The Subterranean Grandeur of Grand Canyon Caverns
Colossal Cave
California Places To Go
Desert Caves of California
Mitchell Caverns
Colorado Places To Go
Desert Caves of Colorado
Nevada Places To Go
Desert Caves of Nevada
Lehman Caves
New Mexico Places To Go
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Desert Caves of New Mexico
Texas Places To Go
Desert Caves of Texas
Utah Places To Go
Desert Caves of Utah
Desert USA Magazine

The Virtual Cave From the comfort of your keyboard, browse the wonders of the underground! Fantastic site on an annoying Yahoo! (sidebar) website.

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Chat / Discussion Groups / Newsgroups, Etc.

Cavechat.org The discussion forum of the National Speleological Society

Cavecomm - Yahoo discussion group dedicated to cave rescue communications. Not particularly active.

SRT Guide & the SRT Rigging Guide These guides are not safe for use by idiots. These SRT guides describe "Alpine" style techniques, developed in Europe and popular with many vertical cavers. They are based on leaflets I put together for teaching SRT to people in NUCC. I've kept them as single documents with inline graphics so that they can easily be printed off from the browser. (May take awhile to load, but still good as of 4/2011.)

Alternative Caving Terminology Many words have been introduced into the English language over the last hundred years. Some because there is a need to describe a new item or process which has been discovered. Some examples are Karabiner, Piton ... AND Glossary of Speleological and Caving Terms

Caves in the National Parks and Monuments:

Carlsbad Caverns ~ One of the largest cave chambers in the world is in New Mexico. Carlsbad has some huge and wonderful stalactite and stalagmite cave formations. Be sure to see the bat show during the evenings.

Mammoth Caves ~ A huge underground system of caverns can be found in Kentucky. Mammoth will keep you busy all day with a variety of cave tours and activities.

Great Basin ~ Lehman Caves is the highlight of this park in Nevada. The cave is wonderful with many stalactites and stalagmites and other formations.

Jewel Cave ~ The third longest cave in the world is in South Dakota. Beautiful quartz and calcite formations give this park its name.

Wind Cave ~ Also in South Dakota and close to Jewel Cave. This cave is known for its unusual cave formations that look like honeycombs.

Timpanogos Cave ~ A small but beautiful cave awaits after a good hike up a mountain in Utah.The small and delicate formations of pink and white translucent crystals are unique.

Oregon Caves ~ A small cave in Oregon. The highlights are the columns and stalactites of marble formations.

Russell Cave ~ An archeological cave in Alabama that has evidence of how prehistoric people lived in the Southeast. The cave can be explored but you will need a permit and special equipment.

Desert Caves & Caving A list of links to DesertUSA Magazine articles and some park cave guides.
Arizona Places To Go Desert Caves of Arizona The Subterranean Grandeur of Grand Canyon Caverns Colossal Cave	California Places To Go Desert Caves of California Mitchell Caverns	Colorado Places To Go Desert Caves of Colorado
Nevada Places To Go Desert Caves of Nevada Lehman Caves	New Mexico Places To Go Carlsbad Caverns National Park Desert Caves of New Mexico	Texas Places To Go Desert Caves of Texas
Desert Caves of Utah Utah Places To Go

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