Caves

Stay healthy

There are no particular health risks in a well-managed show cave, but actual spelunking – exploring caves that are not set up for easy visiting – does carry some risk. The main tactic for reducing it is to seek advice from knowledgeable locals; often hiring a local guide will be wise.

Bats can carry rabies and rabies vaccination is recommended for spelunkers likely to encounter bats. It is also recommended for all travellers in certain countries, and for those who will spend time in rural parts of others. Anyone planning a major trip should consult a doctor, preferably a travel medicine specialist, beforehand and rabies vaccine may be a wise precaution for many.

Animal droppings, in particular bat guano which collects in large amounts is some caves, can spread an infection called histoplasmosis; the cause is a fungus which grows in the droppings and releases spores when disturbed. In many people this infection has no ill effects, but in some cases it can be fatal if left untreated. Antifungal medications are effective against it, but it is better to avoid the infection by giving guano a wide berth.

Respect

Be respectful of the underground environment you are visiting. Ideally you should try to leave the underground environment as you found it as far as possible. No garbage and human waste should be left behind. Many flora and fauna are adapted to the underground environment, so the overuse of lights or camera flash can disrupt some fauna. The very presence of human beings and light can also severely change the micro-climate. Lampenflora – plants growing due to the light and warmth of artificial light sources – are a serious problem in some caves. Some natural caves include unique prehistoric cultural heritage (see paleontology) and care must be taken to preserve this for the future.

Touching any surface will leave organic material from your skin, and the resulting microfauna can leave handprints. Just watch beautiful or odd surfaces, leave feeling them to allowed surfaces in show caves.

Many caves are also home to bats, which in many jurisdictions are protected species, and interference with them should be avoided in nearly all circumstances. It is not unusual for caves in some regions to be closed over that region's fall and winter seasons in order to ensure that hibernating bats don't wake up too early due to human influence.

In North America the white-nose syndrome spreading between caves is a big problem. Follow advice on disinfecting your clothes and equipment. There may be other diseases or species whose spreading between cave systems should be remedied.