For personal safety, for the conservation of caves and for the continued privilege of enjoying these fascinating resources, organized cavers in Alberta have adopted a Code of Conduct that defines personal and collective responsibilities and standards of performance. By operating according to the Code, we have earned the trust and respect of resource companies and government agencies and enjoy solid credibility when arguing for our interests and for the welfare of the caves.
Caving Safety: Individual Responsibilities
Before entering the cave:
Let someone at home know of your itinerary and approximate schedule.
Select appropriate personal equipment and supplies including headlamps, head protection, protective clothing, footwear, food and basic emergency supplies.
Know how to properly use your personal equipment.
Check your equipment and ensure that it is in good working condition.
Check the weather and project the (hydrological) response of the cave to adverse weather conditions.
Consult with prior visitors about sensitive features.
Don't go underground under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that could impair your judgment or performance.
Inform the trip leader and your companions of any personal physical or mental limitations.
Never cave alone (groups of 3 are good; groups of 4 are preferable).
Inside the cave:
Respect experienced advice and direction.
Identify, recognize, and evaluate inherent caving hazards (e.g. flooding, hypothermia, fatigue, rock falls etc.)
Don't exceed your abilities and limitations.
Stay together.
Don't linger at entrances or other potentially unstable zones, or vertical exposed areas (e.g. pitches, overhanging ice).
Avoid jumping, sliding, or making unnecessary rapid maneuvers.
Don't attempt something untried without a backup plan (e.g. backing out of a tight passage).
Don't share your equipment.
Avoid throwing anything into pitches (over drops).
Be respectful of the group.
Know the agreed-upon communication protocol (used when voice communications are impractical or impossible).
Let someone on the surface know of your plans, confirm a trip itinerary beforehand.
Know how to activate an outside cave rescue operation.
Ensure that all collective and personal equipment is matched to the cave's difficulty (and in good working order).
Ensure that basic emergency equipment and supplies are taken (e.g. first-aid kit, pulleys, heat source, extra rope, etc.)
Plan the underground activity according to age, experience, skills, and physical condition.
Have a back-up plan.
Inside the cave:
Distribute experienced cavers to the front and back of group (and use the "buddy system" within the group).
Progress through the cave as fast as the slowest person.
Don't ask someone to perform something beyond their capability.
Use fall protection for all vertical exposures.
Recognize the symptoms of fatigue and hypothermia.
Don't hesitate to call a halt to a "bad" trip or unsafe situations.
Cave Conservation: Everyone’s Responsibilities for Minimum Impact Caving
Maintain good relations with landowners, First Nations, land managers and other land users.
Be informed about and respect legislation, management plans and access policies protecting cave resources.
Limit the size of the party to the minimum required for a safe visit.
Use good sources of light. (Avoid using acetylene-based headlamps in confined delicate areas.)
Don't smoke or make fires (even at the entrance).
Stay on the established "minimum impact" route if already established, or choose the lowest impact route. .
Never break or touch speleothems, crystalline deposits, or unique or unusual sediment formations (including flowstone and moonmilk).
Don't enter delicate passages.
Don't overuse sensitive caves or sensitive interior passages.
Avoid marking surfaces needlessly.
Don't discard anything (Remove all modern discarded objects, even if you were not responsible for putting them there! Pick up after others).
Don't urinate or defecate inside the cave. (Carry out all human waste in the case of bivouac).
Don't disturb bats or other living organisms.
Avoid altering natural air or water flows.
Improve personal technique and abilities rather than permanently modifying the cave.
Use bolts only where safe natural or non-marking anchors cannot be used.
Place bolts or other permanent fixtures only after thoughtful consultation with the broader caving community, particularly other persons familiar with the cave.
Use only high-quality bolts, stainless steel, and record and document the date of installation.
