Rules For Safe Caving

If you want to go caving, there are a few things you need to know. Most importantly:
Take nothing but pictures
Leave nothing but footprints
Kill nothing but time

If I find out you haven't been following these basic rules, I will hunt you down and poke you with a hot fork. Caves are a sensitive environment, many are still "living", and a person who doesn't respect them can do a lot of damage.

You need to have at least 3 people in group, preferably 4. This is in case someone gets hurt--1 person stays with the injured while another goes for help.

Don't go into caves you're unfamiliar with unless you have an experienced caver in your group. It's even better if you have a map of the cave.

Hard hats or helmets are a must. You have to protect your brain!!!!

3 light sources per person; 1 must be a headlamp. I like to carry mini-Mags with LED upgrades.

Food and water--I like to pack energy bars because they can take a beating and fill you up.

Extra batteries for your light sources.

Proper clothing for the cave environment. If you're going to be in a wet cave, you need to wear something that will keep you as dry and warm as possible. A lot of cavers wear Polypro underwear under their clothing. Cotton is not generally recommended, but I do like to wear old overalls.

Boots, not tennis shoes. Definitely not sandals. You need boots with good tread or you'll be slipping all over the place, putting yourself at risk for injury.

Camera. I have a digital Canon something or other with built-in flash and a setting for taking night landscape photos. A camera isn't a necessity, but if you're like me you'll want lots of pictures to document your adventures. Some cavers carry disposables but I don't like them because a lot of times the pictures don't turn out.

Waterproof box for carrying your extra batteries and camera.

A small backpack or waistpack for carrying your gear.

Whatever else you feel like packing is up to you, but remember to pack as lightly as possible. You'll be carrying this crap for hours, dragging it through small passages, and possibly even climbing with it. You don't want to overburden yourself.

DO NOT SMOKE IN CAVES. I'm a smoker and I understand the urge to light up, but if you light up in a cave you could end up killing yourself and everyone else in your group. Bad air is not something to mess around with.