RRSS - Basic Caving Gear

• Sturdy boots with good tread and ankle support. Gym shoes tend to be too slippery in the mud. Jungle Boots have vents to let any water out.
• Climbing helmet, Hard hat or Bicycle helmet with chinstrap. Hard Hat rims can be cut back for better sight distance.
• Three (3) sources of light for backup;
  (ie. carbide lamp, electric headlamp, flashlight, candle, glowstick)
  
• Primary light source securly mounted to helmet
  (a duct taped flashlight will do for short trips)
• Coveralls or old jeans
• Warm Sweatshirt or Flannel Shirt
• Shoulder pack/Book Bag/Small Back Pack for the following:
  • Gatorade or canteen of water
  • Simple trail lunch in watertight container
  • High energy snacks; individually sealed granola, string cheese, beef jerky, meat sticks
  • Extra batteries, bulbs, matches and carbide in watertight container
    (carbide lamp repair kits are avaliable)
  • Baggie w/ popsicle stick to clean and store spent carbide
    (Leave baggie slightly open to allow residual gas release)
  • Gloves, knee pads, pocket knife
• Full change of clothes and extra shoes for ride back
• Plastic Garbage bag for muddy cave clothes
• Small personal First Aid kit/Space blanket/Medications
• A disposable camera for those Kodak moments
• Compass, waterproof notebook and pencil
  

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• For an excellent source of information on Carbide Lamps go to
  The Carbide Caver by Mike Fraley.
  
  
• For information on cold water caving in Wet Suits read the excelent article
  "Wetsuits for Caving" by John Ganter at www.cavediggers.com
  
  
• For those that want to try to build their own LED Lights or just want to learn more about them read the article "Building the LED cave lamp" by Nathan Hirneisen.
  
  

Commercial Suppliers: