Sunday, October 17, 2010 - Aurora Borealis

Bats are our friends! Be Respectful!

Eastern Pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus)

Little Brown Bat(Myotis lucifugus)

Bat Boy spotted in Fountain Cave!

Cave Hodag (Trioculis troglobiticus)The smallest hodag of all, the cave hodag seems to be a slight modification or evolutionary successor of the sidehill dodge hodag, with at least three glowing eyes to enable it to see in the caves of Southwestern Wisconsin. It has also been spotted across a considerable range of the United States, with sightings in Virginia, eastern West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas.

The NSS recognizes the serious nature of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) and its devastating effect on bat populations in the eastern United States. The Society is committed to advancing scientific knowledge of WNS, helping to determine its cause, and limiting its impact on cave organisms.

Bat Friendly Entrances

USFWS White-Nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocols for Cavers

Why Decontaminate?

–Reduces risk of other potential fungal, bacterial or viral agents

–Reduces potential disease-related impacts to humans

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When and Where to Decontaminate?

• Decontamination procedures should be followed between every cave visit

Hazel Barton

USFWS

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Recommended ProductsLysol® All-purpose Professional Cleaner -  with a minimum of 0.3% quaternary ammonium

compoundFormula 409® Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner - with a minimum of 0.3% quaternary ammonium

compound A 10% solution of household bleach - 1 part bleach to 9 parts waterLysol® Disinfecting WipesBoiling nets and other submersible gear for 15 minutes14

Recommended Products

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Products NOT Recommended

• ALCOHOL

Boiling 15 min70% alcohol 15 minHazel Barton Hazel Barton

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What Gear Gets Decontaminated and How?

• Any clothing, footwear and gear, including outer clothing, should not be used in multiple caves in the same day unless the cleaning and decontamination can be performed between each cave

• The first step: remove all soil and organic material from equipment, clothing, and boots using water and a brush

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What Gear Gets Decontaminated and How?

Submersible Gear Wash all clothing and any appropriate

equipment in washing machine or by hand using conventional detergents

Rinse thoroughlyFollow by soaking for a minimum of 10

minutes using recommended productsRinse and air dry

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Submersible Gear

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Submersible GearFootwearWhere possible, rubber (wellington-type) caving

boots (which withstand harsh decontaminating products and are easily cleaned) are recommended

Boots need to be fully scrubbed and rinsed to remove all soil and organic material

Decontaminate rubber and leather boots, (including soles and leather uppers) with a recommended product for a minimum of 10 minutes

Rinse and air dry20

What Gear Gets Decontaminated and How?

Non-submersible Gear - equipment that will be damaged by submersion

Clean thoroughly with soap and waterDecontaminate using recommended

decontaminating product to the outside surface for a minimum of 10 minutes

Rinse and air dry

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Non-submersible Gear

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Non-submersible Gear

Cameras and Electronic EquipmentIf possible, do not bring electronic equipment into a

caveIf practical, cameras and other similar equipment that

must be brought to a cave may be: Placed in plastic casing (i.e. underwater camera

housing) Or wrapped in plastic wrap where only the lens is left

unwrapped to allow for photos to be takenThe plastic wrap can then be decontaminated by using:

Wipes can be applied directly on camera surfaces or plastic casing 23

All Exposed Gear in Trash Bags for Transport

Anne Ballmann

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Once Out of the Cave Clean Hands and Face

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&

with

GRAND CAVERS AND FOUNTAIN CAVE TRIP

or

WILL FATE BE ON OUR SIDE?

Over the hills and through the mountains we will go.

Ridge & Valley (Cave Country)

Hello darkness my old friend, here I come to cave again.

Fountain Cave Entrance

Give Members Plenty of Room!

Caver’s Motto

Take nothing but pictures

Leave nothing but footprints

Kill nothing but time

Virginia Cave Laws, Condensed:§ 10.1-1004 Vandalism; penalties •A. It shall be unlawful for any person, without express, prior, written permission of the owner, to:

•Break, break off, crack, carve upon, write, burn, or otherwise mark upon, remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar, or harm the surfaces of any cave or any natural material which may be found therein, whether attached or broken, including speleothems, speleogens, and sedimentary deposits. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit minimal disturbance for scientific exploration.

Responsible Caving

• Be aware of your personal limitations.

• Follow safe caving practices.

• Respect the environment of the cave.

• Leave the cave cleaner than when you arrived.

• Rescue requires tremendous resources.

You

are

a T

eam

!• Keep track of the one behind you.

• Keep up with the team and break when the team breaks.

• Help any team member in time of need.

Encourage Your Team Members

Be patient while waiting for the crawlspace to clear.

Minimum of 4 Cavers Per Team

Personal Cave Safety

• Keep 3 points of contact when climbing.

• No jumping or running in the cave.

• Go feet first in unknown descending crawlways.

• Conserve energy

CAVE FASHION WEAR

Helmet with chin strapLayered clothing for 54 F temperature & high humidityGloves and possibly small pack for snacks & spare lightChange of clothes with bag for muddy clothes & bootsGlasses will fog, so bring tissue to clean

Non- marking flexible soled, ankle supporting boots should be worn.

Some caves are a bit wet.

ACTIONS CONSIDERED BAD FORM

• Climbing or moving beyond your capabilities.

• Horsing around & throwing rocks.

• Abusing the cave, speleothems, artifacts or cave life.

• Asking others to carry your gear.

• Shining light into others eyes.

Being mean to fellow cavers.

Hopefully you will able to come back and cave again.

THE END

Your Caving Trip Checklist:1.You will be doing a lot of walking outside. It is suggested you wear jeans, t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and comfortable shoes. (Also, a coat!)

Your Caving Trip Checklist: Continued2. You need to take the following items for the wild cave exploration:•4 AA batteries (alkaline)•Big garbage bag•Boots for wild cave & shoes or boots for the hiking portion (NO FLIP FLOPS!)•Gloves for wild cave—garden/leather style•Extra socks, pants, sweatshirt—remember we are going to have you change clothes after you have completed your tour of the wild cave

It is best if these are clothes you can put on over what you are wearing!

Any outer clothing will need to be removed and stored in the garbage bag upon exiting the wild cave.

Your Caving Trip Checklist: Continued3. It is a long day. You will need to take the following:•Lunch (In an insulated bag)•Dinner (In a zip bag with name on it)•Water Bottle - for the day•Snacks if you desire them***No peanut products are allowed due to student’s severe allergies them!!*****DO NOT FEED THE HODAGS!**