Complete Caving Manual »

Andy Sparrow is the director of the films A Rock and A Hard Place and Sold.

Underground cave systems have a unique fascination for explorers, with their soaring caverns, breath-taking formations, and potential for finding uncharted passageways. Illustrated throughout with stunning photographs and explanatory diagrams, The Complete Caving Manual is a comprehensive guide to safe, responsible caving for novices and experts alike. Topics covered include: how caves and cave formations develop; modern caving equipment; planning and preparation for a caving trip; party leadership; horizontal techniques; vertical techniques and rope work; dealing with emergencies; exploring underground; cave flora and fauna, and where to cave.

Introduction to the 2009 Edition 6

Why? 9

1 The Formation of Caves 11

2 Life in Caves 31

3 Getting Started and Trip Preparation 34

4 Personal Equipment 43

5 Horizontal Techniques 56

6 Vertical Techniques 69

7 Single Rope Techniques (SRT) 97

8 Hazards 117

9 First Aid, Survival and Rescue 128

10 Cave Leadership 138

11 Exploration 142

12 Mines 156

13 Cave Diving 160

14 Cave Photography 165

16 Where to Cave 170

Further Reading 195

Glossary 198

Index 203