I never leave my keys on the vehicle or in the nearby stone wall. 'Everyone' does this: it is well known . Not secure at all. 90% of cars in AlumPut the key up inside the front wheel-well, where it can be then knocked inside the bodywork upon attempting to retrieve it, whilst your mates are all getting changed in the rain at Knotlow, and after the old barn's been sealed. Alternatively, put it behind 'that loose stone' in the drystone wall in the Mandale Sough tail, whilst your mates are all getting changed in the rain, etc. etc. Giving it to me is probably the safest option![]()
But when was the last time someone actually had their car stolen while caving?I never leave my keys on the vehicle or in the nearby stone wall. 'Everyone' does this: it is well known . Not secure at all. 90% of cars in Alum
Pot lane could be stolen in a few minutes by a big enough gang of toe - rags......
I left my keys in the drivers door lock all day in the centre of Buxton - all was fine! Second the head torch round the neck. Only just started doing this after 30yrs. Why other people I caved with didn’t do it either I cdont know. I have a torch that uses the same battery as my main light so not only to I have a spare light but also a spare battery for the main one. A bothy bag on wet trips can be a godsend in a spray lashed chamber waiting for whatever. Would have made sitting out a flood in peak cavern more pleasant too….but we had silver blankets and a load of rope to sleep on so all was fine.But when was the last time someone actually had their car stolen while caving?
If everyone does it and it's well known, yet there are no problems, is it actually a problem?
I've been known to (accidentally) leave my keys on the car roof by a busy route in busy season. Came back at the end of the day and they were still exactly where I left them. Most people out and about in the countryside are pretty honest.
Second the head torch round the neck. Only just started doing this after 30yrs. Why other people I caved with didn’t do it either I cdont know.
We did have a really good look around in Dr Banisters Handbasin, after having spoken to you outside while minus a wellie. Despite being very determined and getting very wet 2 of us failed to find itUnfortunately, one welly came off while I was struggling up a little waterfall, and is now lying at the bottom of Dr Bannister's Handbasin. (If it ever emerges, please let me know. I don't actually want it back, but I can send you the other boot.)
I’m assuming (perhaps incorrectly?) that your buddy fell/slipped onto some rock? Would this outcome have been much better without the head torch?When I saw what happened to Chunky's jaw after taking a stumble into his neck-mounted Pixa (it went through his face), I now have a sincere aversion to having anything sizeable round my neck while caving.
Having been unlucky enough to be in a serious situation that required the use of what was then, the traditional plastic suvival bag, to save a life I can confirm that the small orange sized shelter that I use now is so much more effective and much lighter. It really is a chalk and cheese difference.A small group shelter is in my opinion the most important piece of emergency equipment you can carry underground. A small First aid kit is a good idea however if I had to chose one id take the shelter. It doesn't matter what the emergency is flooded in, broken leg, got lost all of these situations are improved by being able to keep warm. Severe hypothermia + severe trauma has a 100% mortality rate and keeping someone warm is a first aid intervention that you cant really mess up but does make a huge difference.