Is it safe to enter caves?

Never go caving alone A caving group should includes a minimum of four people and a maximum of eight. Children should never explore caves without an adult. If someone gets hurt, at least one person should stay with the injured person while two others go for help.
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What are some dangers of caving?

Here are some of the dangers of caving.
  • Getting lost.
  • Running out of light.
  • Hypothermia.
  • Passages flooding.
  • Falling rocks.
  • Poor footing, falling.
  • Falling down pits.
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What is the rule of 3 caving?

NEVER go caving alone. There should be at least three in the group, and one should be an experienced caver. Stay out of a cave that is prone to flooding if there is threatening weather. Caves can flood quickly.
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Is cave exploring illegal?

The activity of caving is not illegal anywhere in the US. Access to caves are often restricted in some manner and some activities inside any cave is illegal. For instance, disturbing Indian burial sites can get you more prison time than murdering someone.
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Is it safe to be in a cave with bats?

In response to White-nose Syndrome (WNS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and individual states request that cavers observe all cave closures and advisories, and avoid caves, mines or passages containing hibernating bats to minimize disturbance to them.
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Drowned in the Cave of Death | The Gollum Cave Incident

How do you know if a cave is safe?

Check with the local ranger district on the status of caves before exploring. Exploring caves that are open can be fun and exciting, but can also be fraught with peril. Caves are inherently dangerous environments, with many hazards we are not accustomed to dealing with given our above ground experience.
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Do bats always turn left coming out of a cave?

We can confirm that it is a common myth on the internet that bats turn left when leaving a cave. It has been observed that they have no preference and will turn right or fly directly ahead as often as they turn left. As you might be able to see.
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Why can't you touch caves?

Never touch or damage stalactites or other cave formations.

These take thousands of years to grow. Even a light touch of a finger is enough to mar one! The best way to explore caves is to go on an organized tour or tag along with a caving club.
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Has anyone got stuck in a cave?

On November 24, 2009, a man named John Edward Jones (January 21, 1983 – November 25, 2009) became stuck and subsequently died in the cave after being trapped inside for 27–28 hours. Jones and three others had left their party in search of "The Birth Canal", a tight but navigable passageway with a turnaround at the end.
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How deep can a human go in a cave?

While a less-intensive kind of diving called cavern diving does not take divers beyond the reach of natural light (and typically no deeper than 30 metres (100 feet)), and penetration not further than 60 m (200 ft), true cave-diving can involve penetrations of many thousands of feet, well beyond the reach of sunlight.
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What is the most famous caving death?

On Jan. 30, 1925, around 10 a.m., cave explorer William Floyd Collins, better known as Floyd Collins, became trapped by a falling rock while exploring Sand Cave near Cave City, Ky. He was looking for undiscovered caverns and a new entrance to Mammoth Cave.
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How long does it take for a cave to collapse?

The caves can be small or very large, and can be shallow or deep below the surface. The collapse can occur abruptly, taking mere seconds, or it can take many decades, slowly forming depressions. Sinkholes are not just a Florida phenomenon but can occur in any of the 50 U.S. states.
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What is the biggest caving accidents?

The 5 Most Tragic Cave Disaster Stories
  • Sterkfontein Caves – Peter Verhulsel. ...
  • The Mossdale Cavern Disaster – 6 dead. ...
  • The Cave Creek Disaster – 14 dead. ...
  • The Nam Talu Cave disaster – 8 dead. ...
  • The Pluragrotta cave incident – 2 dead.
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How many people get stuck in caves?

The average number of reported cave related incidents is usually 40 to 50 per year. In most years, approximately 10 percent of reported accidents result in death. Organized Cave Rescue Teams generally utilize the Incident Command System (ICS).
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Is cave water drinkable?

Candles and matches in a waterproof case are a good idea. CARRY WATER AND FOOD. Cave water is usually not good to drink or to use in a carbide light. High energy foods that won't crush are a good choice.
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How do you not get lost in a cave?

The best way to survive in a cave is to know the cave and to be prepared. Mark your path. Caves can be maze like and confusing, but there's almost no reason to get lost in one. Always be aware of your surroundings, and note landmarks.
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Is John's body still in the cave?

Nutty Putty Cave has been closed ever since, and because Jones' body couldn't be removed, the site is now considered a grave. Visitors to Nutty Putty today will only find a plaque dedicated to Jones and poured concrete sealing over the cave entrance.
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Why couldn't they get John Jones out of Nutty Putty?

The position of John's body also complicated things. He was trapped nearly upside down, only his feet were visible to the rescuers, and the ceiling above the feet hanged so low the rescuers couldn't just pull him out as his feet would get in the way.
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Who was trapped in a cave for 54 hours?

This drama documentary set in the Brecon Beacons tells the story of his remarkable 54-hour-long rescue. With George's life hanging in the balance, a team of over 300 individuals came to the rescue, from Wales and across the UK, to try and save his life and bring him safely to the surface.
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Do cell phones work in caves?

Your cell phones does not work underground. If the cave is located on private property, first obtain the landowner's permission. NEVER go caving alone. There should be at least three in the group, and one should be an experienced caver.
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What happens if you touch a stalactite?

In addition, cave visitors are warned "don't touch" because the oils on our fingers will block the continued growth of a cave formation. The water droplet with its thin film of calcite will slide off the formation, before it can evaporate and deposit another addition to the "living rock."
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Why do people squeeze into caves?

Motivation. Caving is often undertaken for the enjoyment of the outdoor activity or for physical exercise, as well as original exploration, similar to mountaineering or diving. Physical or biological science is also an important goal for some cavers, while others are engaged in cave photography.
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Do bats still hang when dead?

Believe it or not, there are tendons that keep bats' toes locked in place so they can hang upside down easily, and these are so strong that a bat can continue to hang upside down, even after it has died! The body of a dead bat will stiffen soon after death and start to decompose.
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Why do bats hang upside down in caves?

Because of their unique physical abilities, bats can safely roost in places where predators cannot get them. To sleep, bats hang themselves upside down in a cave or hollow tree, with their wings draped around their bodies like cloaks. They hang upside down to hibernate and even upon death.
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Which way do bats fly out of a cave?

The bats spiral out of the cave in a counter-clockwise direction. It is not known why they choose to spiral counter-clockwise, but current research suggest a variety of factors play roles. One of these may be an internal 'compass' in the bats that is based on the earth's magnetic poles.
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