Necessary equipment for caving. Part 2: progression and safety.
In the first article We have already looked at how to choose clothing and footwear, today we will focus on the progression and safety materials in caving.
Today's speleologist's equipment is one of the reasons why we can now take on greater challenges than our ancestors, explore deeper caves, better withstand the climatic conditions inside caves or study and topograph large cavities. Will you join me to discover it?
Front:
Good lighting underground will make our visit more pleasant and comfortable, and will allow us to take good photographs! When walking at night in a forest or in a cave, it is much better to have a good light in one direction, complemented by another ambient light that allows you to have an overall view.
Depending on the type of use/need, I recommend these two different types of headlamps:
Scurion 1500 (high-end):
The Scurion 1500 is the most powerful headlamp manufactured by Scurion. It uses two XM-El LEDs, devices with the highest efficiency and an enormous light capacity that offer a light output of 2 x 725 lumens. Ideal for experts, amateurs or explorers who want powerful illumination. Ideal for large chasms and long routes.
Characteristics:
- 2 x 725 lumens
- They have two lights, one wide-angle ambient light, filling your entire field of vision. Both lights can work simultaneously.
- Dimmable and programmable light intensity and constant intensity independent of battery status.
- Completely waterproof and resistant to the introduction of dust.
- Bar graph indicator to check battery status.
- Fully demagnetised, ideal for surveying.
Black Diamond Storm 500-R (low-end)
Ideal for a technical spelunker who expects full performance and features from his light, but values a small and compact size. Perfect for small or not very long caves.
Characteristics:
- 500 lumens.
- Rechargeable: powered by built-in 2400 mAh high-capacity lithium-ion battery with micro-USB charging port.
- Recycled elastic headband with Repreve fibre construction comfortable next to the skin.
- IP67: waterproof to operate at least one metre deep for 30 minutes.
- Brightness memory allows you to switch the light on and off at the chosen brightness without reverting to the default setting.
- Settings include maximum intensity in proximity and distance modes, dimming, strobe, red, green and blue night vision, and lock mode.
Helmet:
Nowadays, there are many models on the market, such as the Boreo Caving by Petzl.
Characteristics:
- Equipped with front and rear brackets for attaching a headlamp. For example, a DUO S or DUO Z2 headlamp depending on your needs.
- Wrap-around design for increased side, front and rear impact protection.
- Hybrid construction with an ABS hard shell, an EPP foam pad and an EPS foam pad for compactness on the head.
- Flexible headband that adapts perfectly to the shape of the head and can be closed and stored inside the helmet.
Waist harness or pelvic type harness:
The caving harness, unlike the canyoning harness, needs to have a lower anchorage point., because the lower it is, the more rope travel you will be able to do, as the maximum distance between the belay and the hand ascender is greater. On the other hand, it could also tip over because the anchor point is so far away from your centre of gravity, which is why we will combine it with a chest harness.
The caving harness must be well regulated and adjusted and must be fitted with a rather small equipment holder so that it does not get caught in tight spots, etc. Some models have a double lumbar and butt strap to be more comfortable when working in suspension.
For example, the model MTDE PEAKS is a very well configured and durable harness.
Characteristics:
- Manufactured with anti-chafing straps and PVC protections at the points of friction or folds of the straps, which provide high resistance to rock abrasion.
- 3 material holders sewn with safety stitching. CE approved product.
- The seat strap is connected to the leg loops by movable pins, giving us a larger support surface and therefore greater comfort.
- This harness has two main advantages: a particularly low anchorage point and an exceptional seating surface.
Chest harness:
As in caving we almost always climb up the ropes, we will also need a chest harness that is attached to our waist harness by means of the ventral blocker, which we will talk about later. The model Aventure VerticaleSpelshoulder is suitable, convenient and comfortable.
Maillon carabiner:
All our vertical progression equipment will be anchored to our waist harness by means of the maillon carabiner. They are available in different types and types of fasteners. Locked and tightened with a key, this aluminium maillon allows you to close any harness when it is necessary to connect the two attachment points.
Anchor rope:
Anchor ropes are the means by which we will secure ourselves to reach meetings, anchor ourselves to handrails, equipped passages, etcetera.
Anchor ropes should be made of dynamic rope and have a minimum diameter of 9 mm.
The dimensions of the anchor lines will be between 35-40 cm for the short line and 45-55 cm for the long line. The maximum length of the long line should be that which allows us to reach it with the arm stretched out, once we are hanging from it.
It is very important that it is well regulated for vertical progression manoeuvres.
It is advisable that carabiners for anchor ropes do not have a screw lock, as we are constantly opening and closing them. Nor should they be too large for better manoeuvrability during progression in caves.
The knot we use to tie the carabiners is the triple fisherman's knot.
The connecting knot to the maillon can be a figure of eight.
In caving, the usual practice is to make your own anchor line with dynamic rope, with the measurements mentioned above. Another option is to buy an approved rope of this length or to use an adjustable one like the one below, which is more common in canyoning or climbing.
Rope:
It is important to know that not all ropes on the market are suitable for caving. In caving we use semi-static ropes of different diameters and lengths according to our technical level and according to the complexity and size of the cave.
Characteristics:
- The most recommended diameters are between 9-9.5 and 10 mm.
- They must be semi-staticThey are ideal for progression up long shafts because they are not as elastic as the dynamic climbing ones, and therefore reduce the yoyo effect.
- The semi-static ones are designed to absorb part of the impact that would be produced on the speleologist's body in the event of a fall.
- The base fabric can be polyamide, polyester, polyethylene or kevlar. There are two distinct parts to a rope, the core and the liner. The core is the central part and the jacket is braided around the core and protects the rope from abrasion.
Petzl STOP descender + Brake carabiner:
If we want a descender for abseiling and to have more control over the speed of the abseil, as well as a locking lever, this is the one. Petzl Stop! It is used with ropes from 8.5 to 11mm in diameter and must be accompanied either with a symmetrical iron carabiner to give extra braking power, or with the Freino carabiner, which already has a built-in brake.
Characteristics:
- The new Stop has an ergonomic grip and is made of stainless steel in the friction areas.
- Rope installation diagram engraved on the descender.
- Latch trigger on the side plate can be opened to easily install the lanyard and keep the device connected to the harness at the same time.
- Long connection hole for turning the FREINO Z carabiner so that the descender is not lost during transfers from the equipment ring to the attachment point.
Simple descender:
The SIMPLE by Petzlis an easy-to-handle caving descender that does not have a brake/lock lever, unlike the Stop.
It is used with semi-static ropes of 8.5 to 11 mm diameter. Its reduced weight and volume simplify progression in narrow passages. The pulleys can be replaced. It can also be fitted with a carabiner brake.
Characteristics:
- The speed of descent is regulated by tightening or loosening the free end of the rope.
- Rope installation diagram engraved on the descender.
- Latch trigger on the side plate that can be opened for easy installation of the rope, keeping the device connected to the harness, which facilitates the passage of fractions.
- Long connection hole for turning the FREINO Z carabiner so that the descender is not lost during transfers from the equipment ring to the attachment point.
- Composed of two aluminium pulleys to prioritise lightness.
Petzl Croll (ventral blocker):
To climb up the rope you will need the ventral rope clamp. Croll and the Fist (hand ascender). Both are available from Petzl.
The Croll is attached to the maillon carabiner which is attached to our waist harness and faces outwards so that we can pull the lever and open it to get the rope in and out as we progress, it is also attached to the chest harness.
Characteristics:
- Toothed cam with evacuation groove to optimise operation in all conditions (icy rope, muddy, etc.).
- Bottom hole adapted to keep the device flat.
- Top hole for attaching SECUR straps to hold the ascender in position.
Petzl ASCENSION hand cuff or ascender:
We will use this blocking device for rope ascents, always accompanied by the Croll. We will place our long anchor line on it, thus remaining connected to it, and we will also anchor a pedal to it to perform the rope ascent gesture.
It has a moulded handle and an ergonomic top, which ensures a comfortable and powerful grip during one- or two-handed pulls.
The blocking fist ASCENSION by Petzl has a large lower hole for easy connection of two carabiners for the lanyard and the pedal.
Characteristics:
- Wide opening for easy grip on the handle, even with thick gloves.
- Trigger fully integrated into the body of the jammer to prevent accidental engagement.
- Toothed cam with evacuation groove to optimise operation in all conditions (icy rope, muddy, etc.).
Petzl Pantín foot ascender:
This is a foot ascender designed to make rope ascents easier and less tiring. It is used in conjunction with the croll and cuff. Recommended for use with hiking boots for a better fit.
Characteristics:
- Stainless steel cam for improved corrosion resistance.
- Toothed cam with evacuation groove to optimise operation in all conditions (icy rope, muddy, etc.).
- HDPE (high density polyethylene) tapes for better abrasion resistance.
- Compact shape to keep it constantly attached to the foot and avoid any risk of snagging.
- It is extracted from the rope with a simple backward movement of the leg.
- Stopper, available as an accessory, to keep the rope in the device during rope ascents (icy, muddy, etc.).
Caving bag:
To transport our safety equipment, ropes, personal equipment, etc., we will need a backpack or sack.
When buying one, it is important to differentiate between a caving backpack and a canyoning backpack because, although both are made of PVC and look the same, they are not. Canyoning backpacks are wider, with holes to drain water and with handles and a padded pelvic waist. This is unfeasible in caving, as the dynamic of caves is to crawl and crawl into tubes, crawlways and laminators. For this reason, caving rucksacks are usually long and narrow, without padding and without holes, as they could get caught and destroy the rucksack.
The 27 litres of RodcleThe caves are ideal for short distance caves where we will have to carry little material and for caves with narrow passages.
Characteristics:
- High performance PVC rucksack.
- High tear and tensile strength.
- High thermal stability at extreme temperatures and minimal water absorption.
Other options are the backpack 50-litre Rodcle Friend or the Petzl Classique 22 litre rucksack.
WATERTIGHT BAG OR CANISTER:
As in canyoning, we will need to carry a first aid kit, safety equipment, a thermal blanket, a candle, a gas cooker, etc., as well as some food or spare clothes. All of this will be stored in a watertight container well protected from knocks when carrying or dragging the backpack inside the cave or in a watertight bag, which, unlike the watertight container, will weigh less.
They are available in different sizes depending on your needs.
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