Discovering wild and mysterious caves in Vietnam always make foreign tourists excited. However, in case sudden bad things happen, the underground rescue may be very difficult. So, if you want to be safe while exploring insides caves, note down these 6 basic safety caving tips below now.
Clothes and footwear when discovering caves in Vietnam
The first rule to remember when discovering caves in Vietnam is to prepare suitable clothes for yourself. Some caves are quite cold and wet – a dangerous recipe for hypothermia. So, you should wear warm clothes to avoid catching cold and to maintain the stable temperature for the body. You should wear several layers and avoid wearing cotton clothes because clothes made of cotton usually retain more water and take more time to dry.
The best types of footwear are lightweight hiking boots that are flexible, have sturdy ankle support and have excellent traction. Because caves in Vietnam are often wet or muddy, so a pair of watertight shoes is also a great idea. It is better to choose shoes with stiff sole as these can provide more grip and protection from the rocky bottom.
Light sources – Safety caving tips
Lack of light is an obvious problem faced by cave explorers. If you are not equipped with a light source for yourself, moving in the darkness is very dangerous. Each member in your party should bring at least three independent light sources.
A headlamp, a compact and a waterproof flashlight are the musts to equip yourself when caving. You should also bring a lighter or some backup waterproof matches to make sure that the light source is always adequate.
Helmet is a must when discovering caves in Vietnam
The ceiling of caves may be both low, rugged and has many stalactites that can hurt you any time. Therefore, one of the must-have items when caving is a helmet. Experts recommend that you should wear a helmet that meets standards of the European Committee for Standardization when exploring caves in Vietnam.
A helmet is not an unnecessary expense. It can protect your head from being hurt. In low light conditions, you can put a headlamp on the helmet so that it is easier to use the rope or to move on rough terrain inside the cave.
Food and drinks when caving
Caving is physically challenging. Therefore, you must bring enough food and water to survive. Packing some nuts, canned food, energy bars, candy or beef jerky is a good idea. You should not bring fresh food because you cannot eat them immediately and it will be difficult and even dangerous to cook in a cave.
Supplies when discovering caves in Vietnam
- A small backpack which can be easily removed when crawling through tight spaces
- Gloves, knee and elbow pads
- Matches, batteries, extra duct tape, small first-aid kit, etc.
- A camera with a flash
- A large zip-lock bag for human waste
Other safety caving tips
- Know your limits
Any mistake can cause serious problem. Stay within your skill set. You need to get out of the cave but not stay there forever.
- Do exercises regularly
Caving needs good physical bodies. Workout regularly to have good durability.
- Check the weather forecast carefully before you go
In case of flash flood, stay inside till the water level decreases. Never get out before it ends.
Have a safe trip exploring caves in Vietnam is not easy if you do not know about surviving tips mentioned above. Hopefully you will have smart choices and a memorable caving experience.