The list below represents a beginner's check off list
of caving equipment. Items may be substituted with more costly
equipment from caving venders as they progress in the sport.
Equipment
List
EQUIPMENT
LIST FOR CAVING
Each person should pack there own caving equipment so they can locate it
easily and know they have it. Check
off as packed.
CAVING
EQUIPMENT
O
Hard
hat
O
Hard
hat
main light
O Second Helmet mountable battery operated light
O
Batteries
(new set each day) and extras for hard hat main light battery pack while
caving
O
Flashlight
with batteries inside and extra bulb
or other backup light which fits on helmet or goes in pack
O
Candles
(approx. 5 inches) 1 or 2
O
Waterproof
matches in container
O
Pair
long johns (tops & bottoms) a MUST
for each day
O
Coveralls
or loose fit shirt and pants to wear over cave clothes
O
1
pair hiking boots (high tops with good ankle support preferred) with deep
grooved soles only - NO leather soles!
O
Wool
socks - 2 pair!
O
Kneepads
a MUST
O
Canteen/water
bottle
O
Garbage
bags (2 large) for muddy clothes + 1 for inside hard hat
O
Gloves
a MUST
O
Shorts
over long johns, under coveralls
O
Large
fanny pack - everything for in cave +water + lunch
O
Do
not wear jewelry while caving
O
If
you wear glasses, bring a second pair to carry in your pack in a hard case.1
OPTIONAL:
Package
drink/hard candy/gum for energy snack in cave.
If
you do not have coveralls, you can wear pants/shirts large enough to fit over
first layer of clothes. These are taken off before entering vehicle because of
dirt/mud. You cannot cave in TIGHT
pants! Your boots will probably
still be wet to cave in on the second day, so be sure to bring your wool socks
to help absorb the moisture.
NO
LEATHER SOLES
or you will slide around in the caves. Metal canteens leave bruises; soft
ones are better. MUST
have both hands free to cave!
Notes:
1. Most of the caves in our area of operation are made of limestone and
can be dusty. Limestone contains lime which can be caustic to the skin and
eyes. If you wear contacts, it is recommended that they not be worn while
caving. The dust can get behind the lenses and cause eye problems.
