So your on a caving trip and you
or a member of your team becomes injured. In the minutes after this happens you
must do several things to insure the safety of the injured and the team. The
following is a checklist that everyone that caves should keep in mind just in
case an injury happens.
Protect yourself first then your patient. Don't become a
victim yourself.
Ensure that you can obtain access to the injured person
safely. Check for unsafe conditions before entering an accident site and
correct all dangerous conditions.
Determine extent of injuries and stabilize the patient if
you have the skill. Treat for hypothermia prevention.
Determine if the person can walk/crawl out, can be assisted
to walk/crawl out, or if you will need assistance to get the person out. If
there is any chance of spinal injury do not move the patient accept to prevent
further injury.
If the injury is serious, use your own judgement. Begin to
take notes about your patient. Pulse, respiration, and skin temperature are
minimum, clearly time and date all data.
If you need outside help, send for it or wait for your
backup person to notify authorities. Remember that your backup person can only
call for backup if they know exactly which cave you are at and when to expect
your return from that cave.
Inventory all equipment in your group to determine what is
available; to help your patient survive, to aid your survival, and determine
what may be needed from the outside. Get the information to the surface.
When possible two people should be sent out for help, they
should leave as much food and water and dry clothing as possible for the people
that remain with the patient. They should carry a copy of all notes concerning
patient condition and location. Include information about your needs as well as
what you have on site to treat the patient with. Your messengers need to know emergency telephone numbers, have keys to vehicles, and have knowledge
and experience to get out safely.
Universal Study Guide for Cave
Rescue Training, by the Eastern Region of the National Cave Rescue Commission.
Page 9-6.