The thought of being trapped in a cave might be enough to give anyone the heebie jeebies. Especially if youג€™re not even sure where you are when you realize that you canג€™t leave. But donג€™t worry, because there are more than enough people who have been in a similar situation and survived. Here are 8 steps that every person stuck in a cave needs to follow if they want to get out safely:
What to do if you are stuck in a cave?
1. Stay calm as soon as possible
2. Know that there is always a way out
3. Keep your wits about you and follow the cave wall until you find an opening
4. If you can, keep track of the passage of time
5. Be brave and be prepared to die if necessary
6. If you have water, try to find a way to drink enough to survive
7. Find food and water that won’t spoil
8. Keep your mobile phone charged but donג€™t use it unless absolutely necessary
How do you survive in a cave?
The first step you should take is finding a safe place to stay. As soon as youג€™re out of the cave and in the open air, it becomes easier to find food, water, and shelter. You should also stay away from caves that have small openings or are difficult to get into. The next thing you need to do is try to find your way out. If thereג€™s a way out that doesnג€™t require too much effort, you should head towards it. If not, start digging in search of an exit. After that, collect wood and dry leaves in order to build a fire for warmth and light. Finally, donג€™t forget about your diet! Your body will be more likely to survive if you eat enough calories throughout the ordeal.
How do people get out when caving?
If your cave has been blocked off, the first and most important thing to do is to call for help. Make sure that you know what direction you are in and get as close to a nearby entrance as possible. Once youג€™ve made contact, wait for someone from outside the cave to come save you. If there is no one who can hear your cries for help, then the next step is even more crucial: light a fire.
It doesnג€™t matter how small or large your fire is- it just needs to be visible. This will attract attention and people will find you more easily once they see the smoke billowing out of the cave. Ideally, when lighting a fire it should be on the highest point in your cave (i.e., where there might be a small opening) so that the heat generated by its burning reaches all parts of the cave. Finally, stay calm and conserve whatever energy you have left: staying calm will make it easier for people to find you and when people finally find you, theyג€™ll be able to help get you out with ease.
What are the dangers of exploring caves?
Caves are dangerous because they are dark and can be hard to escape from. The walls of the cave will be wet and slippery, making it difficult for you to climb or get out of the cave. Furthermore, if there is an animal in the cave with you, it can harm you or attack.
If you fall into a pit on your way out, you could break a limb or even worse.