Codes and Ethics of Caving

Ethics

ASF MINIMAL IMPACT CAVING CODE

The need for a Minimal Impact Caving Code (MICC) has evolved over many years as cavers have realised the impact that they have on caves. That impact is so diverse and varied that it has become necessary to devise a caving code that ensures that cavers are aware of the measures that are necessary to reduce their impact on caves.

To those of you who have just become Australian Speleological Federation (Inc) (ASF) members it is important that you understand that a MICC IS necessary because cavers are one of the major sources of damage to caves. Read the MICC carefully and apply it to all of your caving – it will not completely stop cavers damaging caves but it will certainly reduce their impact on the cave environment. This MICC was devised by cavers FOR CAVES – please assist the Caves of Australia by using these simple MIC techniques. This MICC should be used in conjunction with the ASF Code of Ethics.

General

The following practices may fall into both sections and may be modified depending on the type of cave being visited. It should be stated that we are discussing here a code which will ensure that cavers have a minimal impact on the cave they are visiting. In many instances the practices may not apply as the impact that cavers have, may be minuscule, compared to the impact of flooding of the entire cave, for example. These practices are generally intended to apply in caves where cavers are likely to have a detrimental impact on the cave purely by entering the cave.

In-cave marking refers to the use of a variety of materials to define tracks, routes and barricades in a cave. These measures should be taken to protect sensitive areas, confine caver foot damage, make cavers aware that a sensitive (it may be an unobvious cave animals' territory) area exists.

THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS CODE – SURVEYORS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, SCIENTISTS, EXPLORER'S ETC ARE ALL SUBJECT TO THIS CODE.

General Cave Visitation

1. Remember EVERY caving trip has an impact. Is this trip into this cave necessary? If it is just for recreation, is there another cave that is less vulnerable to damage that can be visited? Make this assessment depending on the purpose of your visit, the size and experience of the proposed party, and IF THE TRIP IS LIKELY to damage the cave.
2. Where possible the party leader should have visited the cave previously and hence should be aware of sensitive features of the cave, the best anchor points, and generally reduce the need for unnecessary exploration.
3. Cave slowly. You will see and enjoy more, and there will be less chance of damage to the cave and to yourself. This especially applies when you are tired and exiting a cave.
4. If there are beginners on a trip, make sure that they are close to an experienced caver, so that the experienced caver can help them when required, e.g. in difficult sections. Ensure that the party caves at the pace of the slowest caver.
5. Keep your party size small – 4 is a good party size.
6. Cave as a team – help each other through the cave. Don't split up unless impact is reduced by doing so.
7. Constantly watch your head placement AND that of your party members. Let them know before they are likely to do any damage.
8. Keep caving packs as small as possible or don't use them in sensitive caves or extensions.
9. Ensure that party members don't wander about the cave unnecessarily.
10. Stay on all marked or obvious paths. If no paths are marked or none is obvious – define ONE!
11. Learn to recognise cave deposits or features that may be damaged by walking or crawling on them. Examples are:- Drip Holes, Stream Sediments, Paleo soils, Soil Cones, Crusts, Flowstone, Cave Pearls, Asphodilites, Bone material, Potential Archaeological sites, Cave Fauna, Coffee & Cream, Tree Roots.
12. Take care in the placement of hands and feet throughout a cave.
13. Wash your caving overalls and boots regularly so that the spread of bacteria and fungi are minimised.
14. If a site is obviously being degraded examine the site carefully to determine if an alternative route is possible. Any alternative route MUST not cause the same or greater degradation than the currently used route. If an alternative is available suggest the alternative route to the appropriate management authority and report the degradation.
15. Carry in-cave marking materials while caving and restore any missing markers. Tape off sensitive areas you believe are being damaged and report the damage to the appropriate management authority.
16. If it is necessary to walk on flowstone in a cave remove any muddied boots and or clothing before proceeding OR DON'T PROCEED! Sometimes it is better to assess the situation and return at a later date with the appropriate equipment.
17. Treat the cave biota with respect, watch out for them, and avoid damaging them and their "traps", webs, etc. Also avoid directly lighting cave biota if possible.
18. If bone material is found on existing or proposed tracks it should be moved off the track to a safer location if at all possible. Collection should only be undertaken with appropriate permission.
19. If you eat food in a cave ensure that small food fragments are not dropped as this may impact the cave biota. One way is to carry a plastic bag to eat over and catch the food fragments. This can then be folded up and removed from the cave.
20. Ensure that all foreign matter is removed from caves. This includes human waste. If long trips are to be made into a cave ensure that containers for the removal of liquid and solid waste are included on the trip inventory.
21. When rigging caves with artificial anchors, e.g. traces, tapes, rope etc, ensure that minimal damage occurs to the anchor site by protecting the site. For example protect frequently used anchors, e.g. trees, with carpet, packs, cloth, etc. Bolts should only be used where natural anchors are inappropriate.
22. CAVE SOFTLY!

New Cave or Extension Explorations

1. The existing microbiology of the new cave, both fungi, bacteria, and a world of protozoa, will almost certainly be irreversibly contaminated on the first trip into the cave! If you consider cave microbiology has not been investigated in the area of this new cave, if cave microbiologists are available, then please consider including them on initial explorations so that they may collect uncontaminated samples.
2. Do not enter the new area if you do not have the equipment required to undertake the minimal activities. Surveying equipment and in-cave markers.
3. The minimal activity should be in-cave marking and surveying. Not purely exploration.
4. Ensure that all alternative routes are examined, by completing the cave survey, prior to crossing sensitive areas. It may not be necessary to enter some areas as they can be by-passed.
5. Having determined that a sensitive area is to be crossed it should ALWAYS be marked. Reduce future damage by defining a distinct, minimal width track.
6. Discuss in-cave marking within the party and ensure that all ideas are evaluated before marking is undertaken.
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