Cave with care and within your abilities
 

A moment of carelessness, perhaps caused by fatigue, can ruin formations and sediment deposits that are thousands of years old. Always look before you touch or tread. When leading others, your planned trip should be appropriate for the capabilities of the group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep to marked routes and do not cross conservation tapes and barriers
 

Recommended routes through the cave may be marked and areas of the cave or sometimes whole passages may be taped off to protect formations, items of scientific interest or simply to preserve untrodden areas of cave for future generations. Stay on the correct side of the tape, keep to the route and if in doubt, don't proceed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protect cave wildlife and do not disturb bats
 

Many creatures live in caves and often go unnoticed by passing cavers. The environment is fragile and care must be taken not to disturb it by, for example, dropping food or polluting water. Bats are among the country's most endangered species. If seen in a cave they should be left alone and passed as quickly and quietly as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not pollute the cave

Leave nothing behind. Except under exceptional circumstances, nothing that is taken into a cave should ever be left in. Take out all litter, food and waste. Toxic waste is produced by carbide lamps. This type of lighting is now discouraged and electric lighting is preferred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archaeological/other remains should not be disturbed
 

The cave environment often contains important palaeontological and archaeological remains. These may include industrial and pre-industrial artifacts. They should not be disturbed and should only investigated by competent specialists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not interfere with scientific equipment
 

To study the cave environment it is often necessary to leave expensive and fragile equipment underground. Disturbing this may damage the equipment and destroy valuable work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set a good example for others to follow
 

One way to pass on good conservation practices to others is through education and setting a good personal example. Be responsible, show an interest and understanding of caving and demonstrate the cave conservation code in action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avoid touching or damaging formations
 

Touching formations should be completely avoided. Each individual caver may notice no difference from a single touch but over time the accumulation of oils from hundreds or even thousands of fingers will completely ruin formations. It should also be remembered that formations are not always made of pretty crystals; they may be mud, sand or rock. All should be treated respectfully.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take nothing but photographs
 

Nothing, except for litter left by the careless, should ever be removed from a cave. Broken formations and other geological specimens, including rocks, should be left untouched.

 

 

 

 

Comply with any access requirements
 

Different caves have different rules both for obtaining access and for the correct way to behave in the cave. These rules are designed to help with cave conservation and every caver should support this aim by following any guidelines. Group leaders should make certain that the whole group understands and follows any guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respect the rights and privacy of land owners
 

Most cave entrances are on land belonging to someone. Sometimes cavers have special access arrangements with statutory conservation bodies, but more often we rely on the good will of the land owner. Always remember that the land owner has the right to deny access; respect their privacy and comply with any access conditions or risk losing access for all.