Cave Conservation: Everyone’s Responsibilities for Minimum Impact Caving
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Maintain good relations with landowners, First Nations, land managers and other land users.
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Be informed about and respect legislation, management plans and access policies protecting cave resources.
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Limit the size of the party to the minimum required for a safe visit.
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Use good sources of light. (Avoid using acetylene-based headlamps in confined delicate areas.)
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Don't smoke or make fires (even at the entrance).
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Stay on the established "minimum impact" route if already established, or choose the lowest impact route. .
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Never break or touch speleothems, crystalline deposits, or unique or unusual sediment formations (including flowstone and moonmilk).
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Don't enter delicate passages.
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Don't overuse sensitive caves or sensitive interior passages.
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Avoid marking surfaces needlessly.
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Don't discard anything (Remove all modern discarded objects, even if you were not responsible for putting them there! Pick up after others).
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Don't urinate or defecate inside the cave. (Carry out all human waste in the case of bivouac).
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Don't disturb bats or other living organisms.
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Avoid altering natural air or water flows.
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Improve personal technique and abilities rather than permanently modifying the cave.
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Use bolts only where safe natural or non-marking anchors cannot be used.
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Place bolts or other permanent fixtures only after thoughtful consultation with the broader caving community, particularly other persons familiar with the cave.
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Use only high-quality bolts, stainless steel, and record and document the date of installation.
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Avoid the use of explosives.
