Cave First Horizontal Cave Guide

Workflow

1. 1

   Gear Check

   1 hour

   Helmet with chin strap, three sources of light, gloves, and knee pads.

   Documented Hiking Route-Time Method

   Show tips (2)
2. 2

   Team Brief

   30 min

   Review cave map, exit time, emergency plan, and leader responsibilities.

   Source-Owned Backpack Load Inventory

   Show tips (2)
3. 3

   Navigate Passages

   3 hours

   Follow marked route staying on established path avoiding formations.

   Climbing Grade Source Reconciliation

   Show tips (2)
4. 4

   Exit and Debrief

   30 min

   Exit before fatigue, check all team out, log trip in cave register.

   Climbing-Rope Declaration Reconciliation

   Show tips (2)

Tools Used

• Documented Hiking Route-Time Method
  Primary

  Calculate trip duration from passage length estimate.

• Source-Owned Backpack Load Inventory
  Supporting

  Convert cave temperature to layering plan.

• Climbing-Rope Declaration Reconciliation
  Primary

  Track battery hours on primary lights.

Reference Materials

• Three Lights

  Primary failure in total dark is life-threatening — three sources mandatory.

• Turn-Back Time

  Set hard turn-back at 50% battery life remaining.

• Look Back

  Caves look different outbound — memorize junctions inbound.

Related Scenarios

• Cave Vertical Pit Rappel Guide
  CavingAdvanced2 tools
• Cave Survey Basics
  CavingIntermediate1 tool