What to do in the event of a caving accident?
In the event of a caving accident whether you are in a popular caving area like Bungonia or a remote region, there are some basic precautions you should take before heading off on a trip. Follow the 6-step guide below before you leave home to assist you in the event of an accident.
Prevention
- Let a family member, friend or local Ranger know where you intend to cave and how long you will be away.
- Always fill in the intended trip bookif one has been provided.
- Check your local resources for backup – local Ranger, Police, Ambulance, other cavers etc. Take the karst area Police and Ranger contact list with you.
- Take a comprehensive 1st aid kit with you. Be 1st aid trained!
- Have good meal before you go caving.
- Don’t drink, take drugs and cave – they don’t mix.
- Source the most recent map and take with you!
Keep the following close to the cave entrance as a precaution:
- Closed cell foam mattress – to insulate injured caver,
- Sleeping bag – to keep injured caver warm,
- Food – for cavers underground during extended period (not for injured caver),
- Tent – shelter to keep warm,
- Clothing – to keep injured caver and team members warm, and
- More light\batteries – sufficient for an extended period.
Accident Procedures
- Safety - Ensure the safety of yourself and your fellow cavers within the caving party.
- Medical - DRABC for injured caver and provide 1st aid.
- Assess the situation and record for emergency services
- Name, age & sex of injured caver,
- Nature of injury,
- Cave name, number and exact location of the injured caver in cave,
- Nature of the cave: horizontal, vertical\number of pitches, CO2, flooding etc,
- What steps have already been taken and
- What and who has been called to date.
- Contact
- Local Police,
- Local Ranger,
- The NSW Cave Rescue Squad Inc - http://www.caverescue.com.au/
- Emergency equipment - The injured caver and team members will need to be sustained and kept warm until emergency services arrive. Take enough gear back into the cave (as above) to keep warm. Utilise local cavers as sherpas, message runners, medical if required.