HOME  |  CAVING AND MINING  |  ALDERLEY EDGE  |  MEMBERS' PAGES  |  SITE MAP  |  SEARCH

Home page

About the DCC About the Club Club events Social events Newsletters Joining the club Rogues Gallery The Rocket

Club resources Introduction Tackle Library Records Facilities at Alderley

Going underground Introduction Caving safely Caving meets list Try caving Digging/exploration Expeditions Young people

Caves Introduction Caving areas Gallery

Mines Introduction NAMHO Mining areas Gallery

Other holes Introduction Other underground places Gallery

Website tools Search with FreeFind Downloads Links Website map Copyright notice

Where am I?  DCC > CAVING AND MINING > GOING DOWN > SAFETY

SAFETY IN CAVES AND MINES

This information sheet gives information about safety and rescue arrangements in caving. Whilst the information has been compiled from advice given in caving and other publications, no responsibility can be taken for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of following this advice.

In the end, the caver's way is to ACT SENSIBLY and 
TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS. 

A Plan to be Safe -o- In the event of an accident -o- Essential first aid 
Emergency techniques "ABC" -o- More information -o- Links

A PLAN TO BE SAFE ... 

• All parties should be properly organised, equipped, and supervised by a responsible and experienced leader.

• Pick a cave or mine well known to the leader and within everyone's capabilities. 

• Let others know where you are going. Ask for permission to enter sites on private land, and securely replace gates, grills, and shaft cappings. 

• No less than 3 in the party, and no more than 3 novices for each experienced leader makes sense. For Alderley Edge, do not exceed 7 visitors per leader.

• Take notice of the weather forecast before going down caves where water flows. 

• One helmet and reliable cap lamp for each person. 

• Beware of disturbing stacked rock, loose boulders or props, especially in mines. 

• Ensure that ladders, belays, ropes are rigged properly before hanging your life on them. 

• Someone should carry emergency lights, food and first aid. 

• Act sensibly - do not drop stones down mine shafts or cave pitches. 

• Falls, loose boulders, flood water, exhaustion and being cold and wet cause most accidents - take care. 

• Exit takes more effort than entry, especially on long trips-plan with the return in mind.

                                                                                              ... RATHER THAN SORRY

Go to TOP

-- ooOoo --

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

1 Decide whether outside help is needed or not.

2 To summon help, send competent persons to the surface with reliable information for passing to the authorities (see paragraph 5 below).

3 Administer First Aid. Bearing in mind the inevitable delay before rescuers arrive, encourage injured persons who are still mobile to start moving towards the surface. At all events, reassure and keep injured persons warm.

4 To call out the Cave Rescue Organisation telephone 999 and ask for Cave Rescue.  Take care when using a mobile, it may not go to the local police.

5 Useful initial information for passing to the Police:-

• Identity of person telephoning and where calling from. 

• Name of cave or mine and its location. 

• Whereabouts in the cave or mine the accident occurred. 

• Time and nature of accident and injuries sustained. 

• Number of persons still underground at the scene.

6 The caller should be prepared to stay within reach of a phone to give any further information required.

Go to TOP

-- ooOoo --

ESSENTIAL FIRST AID

START HERE...

- KEEP CALM 
- Reassure the casualty. 
- ASSESS THE SITUATION - Is there any danger? 
- Only approach a casualty if it is safe to do so.
- Only move a casualty if there is immediate danger.
- Remember that a casualty suspended in a harness is at extra risk.
- Ask the casualty/bystander what happened.
- MAKE SAFE - Ensure no further danger to you or to the casualty.
- GIVE FIRST AID
- Do not try to do too much.
- Use bystanders to help.

MORE THAN ONE CASUALTY? 

Then treat them in the following order: 
1) Unconscious and not breathing. 
2) Bleeding.
3) Broken bones. 
4) Other injuries. 

NEVER GIVE A CASUALTY ANYTHlNG TO EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE.

Go to TOP

EMERGENCY TECHNIQUES: “ABC” OF RESUSCITATION (ADULTS)

For anyone who is unconscious, you must:

A - OPEN THE AIRWAY 
1. Remove obvious debris from the casualty's mouth. 
2. Tilt the casualty's head back and lift his or her chin upwards. 

B - BREATHING 
Check if the casualty is breathing by LOOKING, LISTENING AND FEELING for his or her breath for 5 seconds. 

C - CIRCULATION 
Check the pulse in the casualty's neck for 5 seconds. 
-- BREATHING AND PULSE PRESENT 
            Turn the casualty into the Recovery Position. 
-- NOT BREATHING, PULSE PRESENT 
            Start artificial ventilation: 
                1.  Pinch the casualty's nose firmly. 
                2.  Take a deep breath and seal your lips around his or her lips. 
                3.  Blow slowly into the mouth watching the chest rise. Let the chest fall completely. 
                        Give breaths at a rate of about 10 per minute. 
                4.  If you must leave the casualty to get help, give 10 breaths first and then return quickly, 
                        re-check ABC of Resuscitation and continue as appropriate. 
                5.  Check for pulse after every 10 breaths. 
                6.  When breathing restarts, place him or her in the Recovery Position.

-- NOT BREATHING, NO PULSE == Dial 999 for medical help or send someone to do it for you.

Go to TOP

MORE INFORMATION

For a copy of this information on an A4 page as a PDF file, click HERE and download or print the file.

Go to TOP

USEFUL LINKS

The website of the national British Cave Rescue Council.

The website of the local Derbyshire Cave Rescue Organisation which covers the Alderley Edge mines as well as Derbyshire.

Information about Suspension Trauma can be obtained from www.suspensiontrauma.info.

Downloadable advice and training from the St. John Ambulance.

First Aid information from the Ramblers Association which contains some practical tips.

Go to TOP