First of all we have to recognize the special status of
Didactics and Pedagogy in Speleology. It deserves a special
status due to the responsibility of the cave instructors to
prepare would-be cave explorers to face the multiple
dangers of caving. No other activity is more dangerous than
caving and the more so, if cave diving is included. Up till
now, after more than 20 years of active cave diving, not a
single cave diving rescue attempt has been successful in
saving the life of a cave diver who is in dire need to be
rescued. Even post-siphon cave diving rescue has proven to
be a hazardous undertaking, since accumulation of carbon
dioxide in lethal amounts in stagnant cave air behind a
siphon has caused some rescuers to meet their fatal end.
It is therefore mandatory to start - in a convincing but
rational way - to explain to students, who follow a course in
technical caving, about the potential hazards of the cave
environment. The instructors should never over-emphasize
the dangers of caving. It is unwise and untrue to tell that
any cave is a potential hazard. Many commercial caves
open to visitors are actually safe places.
The students should know that there are two different types
of caves which they could enter. Commercial caves open to
ticket paying public or so-called wild caves, some already
explored by other caver explorers, many still unknown.
Even commercial caves may usually have some or many
sections which are not open to the public at large, but only
accessible for cave explorers who must obtain a permit to
enter these sections.
It is also very important to start in the beginning of
technical sessions, to introduce caving ethics and the moral
responsibility of cave explorers all over the world, to
recognize the principle of safe and responsible caving. With
safe caving is meant safety for the caving people and safety
for the cave environment. Emphasizing only safety for the
cave visitors - known as the consumer's oriented approach -
should be balanced with any measure to protect the fragile
underground environment - known as the resource oriented
approach.
Entering a cave should be recognized as entering a virtually
unknown or little known subsurface ecosystem. It is not
only the cave passages or underground voids - as physical
phenomena - that have to be taken into account, but a living
environment - although completely dark, inhabited by
many cave creatures in subtle balance - that awaits the cave
visitors. These cave creatures, also known as cavernicoles,
have adapted themselves into the cave eternal dark
environment. Some have even evolved themselves into
troglobites or cave creatures that can only live in the
completely dark part of the cave with constant temperature.
Probably they are new species unknown to the scientific
world.
There are also bacteria and fungi found in cave sediments
which could be unique to this particular environment, not
found anywhere else. They could be of great benefit to the
medical and industrial world.
It should be explained clearly to trainees that the
underground ecosystem is in close connection with the
above ground ecosystem. There is a recognized close
connection between the surface and subsurface ecosystem.
The instructor should give tangible examples. The
ecological role of fruit and insect eating cave dwelling bats
are good examples to convince trainees about the intimate
surface-subsurface ecosystems. Disruption of the unique
guano micro-ecosystems in caves, influenced by the use of
insecticides outside the caves and development of
insecticide-resistant and insecticide carrying new biotypes
of insects can further enhance the understanding of the
mutual influence of above ground and underground
conditions.
By responsible caving is meant moving around in the cave
interior in an ever cautious way, convincing ourselves that
we are strangers in tins eternal dark environment, shared by
unknown numbers of cave creatures, displaying some or
many delicate and beautiful cave formations which need so
much time to develop.
Some caves are active, by which it is meant that there is
flowing water inside the caves. An underground river. An
attractive but at times hazardous physical component of a
cave. All cave visitors should be aware that stagnant and
flowing water in a cave can also be a habitat for many and
sometimes unknown cave creatures.
Would-be cave explorers should then be taught that the
physical environment in a cave does not differ from outside
features. There could be rivers, lakes, cascades, waterfalls,
chasms, canyons, muddy river banks in a cave, the only
difference being an ever present cave ceiling above cave
explorers heads and eternal darkness.
There is also one specific feature in a cave: carbon dioxide
containing cave air, in a variety of concentration. High and
sometimes dangerous in some passages or underground
voids containing stagnant air. Some cave air can also
contain dangerous amounts of gases not compatible to
human life. Like carbon monoxide,' sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen dioxide gases (in lava tubes or karst caves near
active volcanoes)
Some caves are stable physically, or structurally, some are
not. Especially in earthquake prone karst areas. There are
many cave collapse phenomena seen in caves, like bolder
chokes or cave breakdown. But usually they are there for a
very long time.
It is therefore very important to instill awareness, that caves
are not a constant, never changing underground
environment, but a dynamic ever evolving natural
formation, inhabited by many creatures which are in subtle
ecological balance and certainly disturbed by human
visitation.
Therefore we have to instill awareness in each caving
course, or introductory cave visit, that visiting a cave is not
a right, but a privilege. This awareness can only be
explained and understood successfully during a cave visit
and letting the newly initiated cavers absorb the meaning of
"total darkness" while listening to the authoritative yet
sympathetic and emotion arousing explanation of the
experienced cave instructor or cave leader in the natural
dark cave interior, after putting out all the light sources
used to enter the cave.
Next come the technical sessions. Every caving technique
instructor should be aware that responsiveness of the
trainees is due to several factors. These are some of the
factors in operation during a technical session:
1) Concentration - some trainees could be less attentive
than others, due to preoccupation of personal matters or
unrecognized physical and/or emotional condition.
That should be elucidated by the instructor through
personal counseling.
2) Language and emotional barrier - Instructions given
in another language, as daily used and understood by
the trainees, can be a difficulty to them to properly
understand. Verbal affirmation towards some
instructions is no guarantee that the trainee fully
understand the instruction. Affirmation an sich could
be way to hide the trainees shyness towards the others.
To do as if he or she understood in order not to be
looked down by the others. It is therefore of outmost
importance to let the trainee repeat the instruction in his
or her way. Also to conduct the course in such a way
that accommodation is fully given to any questions or
proposals, how odd it should sound.
3) Level of intelligence-the instructor should know that
the trainees frequently have different intelligence
levels. He should use language and vocabulary known
to each trainee and quickly assess the different levels of
understanding. Repetition is usually necessary,
especially in technical sessions, where trainees have
never seen, nor used the different equipment for cave
exploration.
It is mandatory to start explaining in a simple way the
techniques and equipment used. The best way is to start
explaining the role of caving ropes, its virtues and how
to clean and store them properly. The difference
between a caving and a climbing rope should be
explained. Then proceed to explain the different knots
used in caving. It should be fun to let the trainees make
knots in different positions and on the dark. Afterwards
the different mechanical devices used for vertical
caving are explained. First their physical appearance,
function and at last how to use them on a vertical rope
on a tower, in a vertical cave or on a vertical limestone
wall.
It is the most crucial way to start instructing the easiest
part and escalate to the more difficult part of technical
caving. It is also necessary that the instructor check
periodically what is understood by the trainees, before
proceeding to the next, more difficult level.
4) Responsiveness-thisdepends on the active
participation and enthusiasm of the trainees. Also on
the level of understanding. And of course on the
attitude of the instructor. An authoritative instructor
giving no room for questions and who do not
encourage creative problem solving by the trainees,
will not get a response from the trainees. End result: the
instructor will never know what is understood by the
trainees. Even worse: what is in the mind of them.
Most important things to be lectured in the class and on
caving trips :
1) State of awareness of the cave environment. Should
be checked through a written and actual test in the cave
environment. Cave and conservation should be
motivated and understood by the trainees why it is
important to the whole living environment.
2) Maintenance and care of equipment - should be
focused on each technical instruction since state of
condition of equipment is in direct connection with the
safety of each cave explorer.
3) Special attention should be paid on the technique of
rigging. How to best avoid damage to ropes used in
practice. Fall factor is another very important principle
to be understood and applied carefully. This can only
be checked by the instructor during practice in a cave
and immediately explained to the trainees when the
instructor observed a mistake in rigging, done by the
trainees. The correction should be done by the trainees.
Not by the instructor. After-practice session reviewing
all safety measures undertaken and rigging techniques
used, should be routinely performed.
4) Cave leadership is a very important topic to be
discussed and understood by trainees. A cave leader
ought to be chosen by all cave exploration team
members during a caving trip. He or she should possess
experience in the underground environment, preferably
who knows the characteristics of the cave being
explored. He or she should be able and responsible for
making prompt decisions, be persuasive and inspiring
without being authoritative. It is educative to
theoretically create difficult caving situations in a class
room and let the trainees actively propose problem
solving, independently of each other. Examples of
imaginative hazardous cave accidents and difficult cave
rescue attempts are good examples of creative problem
solving and to test cave leadership.
5) Cave mapping is a session which should be actively
participated by all trainees. Manually in a cave and
calculated the mathematical way. Only afterwards
should the trainees be introduced to use computers in
drawing maps and use of the laser distance device.
Properly drawing three-dimensional cave maps and
projecting cave maps on existing topographic maps are
the ultimate aim in cave mapping.
6) Attention should be paid on external conditions of the
cave. Lectures and field trips should include geology
and karst topography, extend of rainwater catchment
areas and their vegetation. Also data on rainfall. In each
cave site, trainees should find the local base level,
usually the closest surface river where the underground
stream flows into. This is in close correlation with
danger of flooding in a cave and how to prevent it.
7) A lecture on cave formations (speleothems) should be
given and how they develop.
8) Special attention should be paid, during a cave visit, on
the cave sediments. The presence of an abundance of
surface sediments is proof of surface water flowing into
the cave, with subsequent danger of flooding.
9) Lecture on the role of cave bats and cave dwelling
swiftlets in maintaining ecological balance should be
given.
10) Lecture explaining that some caves have cultural
heritage value should be given. Proper attention on the
value of cave paintings, archaeological and
paleontological artifacts, folklore and legends should
be paid.
11) The value of caves as tourist attraction is emphasized
and principles of their management.
12) The short term economical value of karst for mining
is explained.
Evaluation of technical instructions.
Should be tested theoretically in the classroom and
practically on a tower or a daylight cave.
Evaluation of non-technical lectures.
Based on a written multiple choice test.
Overall test of the course.
The trainees as a group are instructed to make a resume of
the course mentioning also the non-technical aspects and
how to conduct a basic and advanced caving course. To
draw the curriculum and syllabus.
This paper is to explain the scope of caving courses in
Indonesia, as performed by the Federation of
Indonesian Speleological Activities, since 1983, attended
by hundreds of trainees who are mostly students keen
to explore caves, and to make a theses on caves and the
karst environment; government employees in charge of
nature conservation and other interested persons. Up
till 2001, FINSPAC has conducted 4S courses in
speleology, performed by its instructors in technical
caving, a karst and cave scientist and other scientists in
karst and cave related fields. The sole purpose of these
courses: to safe the Indonesian karst and cave
environment and to instill caving ethics, safe and
responsible caving in Indonesia
rational way - to explain to students, who follow a course in
technical caving, about the potential hazards of the cave
environment. The instructors should never over-emphasize
the dangers of caving. It is unwise and untrue to tell that
any cave is a potential hazard. Many commercial caves
open to visitors are actually safe places.
The students should know that there are two different types
of caves which they could enter. Commercial caves open to
ticket paying public or so-called wild caves, some already
explored by other caver explorers, many still unknown.
Even commercial caves may usually have some or many
sections which are not open to the public at large, but only
accessible for cave explorers who must obtain a permit to
enter these sections.
It is also very important to start in the beginning of
technical sessions, to introduce caving ethics and the moral
responsibility of cave explorers all over the world, to
recognize the principle of safe and responsible caving. With
safe caving is meant safety for the caving people and safety
for the cave environment. Emphasizing only safety for the
cave visitors - known as the consumer's oriented approach -
should be balanced with any measure to protect the fragile
underground environment - known as the resource oriented
approach.
Entering a cave should be recognized as entering a virtually
unknown or little known subsurface ecosystem. It is not
only the cave passages or underground voids - as physical
phenomena - that have to be taken into account, but a living
environment - although completely dark, inhabited by
many cave creatures in subtle balance - that awaits the cave
visitors. These cave creatures, also known as cavernicoles,
have adapted themselves into the cave eternal dark
environment. Some have even evolved themselves into
troglobites or cave creatures that can only live in the
completely dark part of the cave with constant temperature.
Probably they are new species unknown to the scientific
world.
There are also bacteria and fungi found in cave sediments
which could be unique to this particular environment, not
found anywhere else. They could be of great benefit to the
medical and industrial world.
It should be explained clearly to trainees that the
underground ecosystem is in close connection with the
above ground ecosystem. There is a recognized close
connection between the surface and subsurface ecosystem.
The instructor should give tangible examples. The
ecological role of fruit and insect eating cave dwelling bats
are good examples to convince trainees about the intimate
surface-subsurface ecosystems. Disruption of the unique
guano micro-ecosystems in caves, influenced by the use of
insecticides outside the caves and development of
insecticide-resistant and insecticide carrying new biotypes
of insects can further enhance the understanding of the
mutual influence of above ground and underground
conditions.
By responsible caving is meant moving around in the cave
interior in an ever cautious way, convincing ourselves that
we are strangers in tins eternal dark environment, shared by
unknown numbers of cave creatures, displaying some or
many delicate and beautiful cave formations which need so
much time to develop.
Some caves are active, by which it is meant that there is
flowing water inside the caves. An underground river. An
attractive but at times hazardous physical component of a
cave. All cave visitors should be aware that stagnant and
flowing water in a cave can also be a habitat for many and
sometimes unknown cave creatures.
Would-be cave explorers should then be taught that the
physical environment in a cave does not differ from outside
features. There could be rivers, lakes, cascades, waterfalls,
chasms, canyons, muddy river banks in a cave, the only
difference being an ever present cave ceiling above cave
explorers heads and eternal darkness.
There is also one specific feature in a cave: carbon dioxide
containing cave air, in a variety of concentration. High and
sometimes dangerous in some passages or underground
voids containing stagnant air. Some cave air can also
contain dangerous amounts of gases not compatible to
human life. Like carbon monoxide,' sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen dioxide gases (in lava tubes or karst caves near
active volcanoes)
Some caves are stable physically, or structurally, some are
not. Especially in earthquake prone karst areas. There are
many cave collapse phenomena seen in caves, like bolder
chokes or cave breakdown. But usually they are there for a
very long time.
It is therefore very important to instill awareness, that caves
are not a constant, never changing underground
environment, but a dynamic ever evolving natural
formation, inhabited by many creatures which are in subtle
ecological balance and certainly disturbed by human
visitation.
Therefore we have to instill awareness in each caving
course, or introductory cave visit, that visiting a cave is not
a right, but a privilege. This awareness can only be
explained and understood successfully during a cave visit
and letting the newly initiated cavers absorb the meaning of
"total darkness" while listening to the authoritative yet
sympathetic and emotion arousing explanation of the
experienced cave instructor or cave leader in the natural
dark cave interior, after putting out all the light sources
used to enter the cave.
Next come the technical sessions. Every caving technique
instructor should be aware that responsiveness of the
trainees is due to several factors. These are some of the
factors in operation during a technical session:
1) Concentration - some trainees could be less attentive
than others, due to preoccupation of personal matters or
unrecognized physical and/or emotional condition.
That should be elucidated by the instructor through
personal counseling.
2) Language and emotional barrier - Instructions given
in another language, as daily used and understood by
the trainees, can be a difficulty to them to properly
understand. Verbal affirmation towards some
instructions is no guarantee that the trainee fully
understand the instruction. Affirmation an sich could
be way to hide the trainees shyness towards the others.
To do as if he or she understood in order not to be
looked down by the others. It is therefore of outmost
importance to let the trainee repeat the instruction in his
or her way. Also to conduct the course in such a way
that accommodation is fully given to any questions or
proposals, how odd it should sound.
3) Level of intelligence-the instructor should know that
the trainees frequently have different intelligence
levels. He should use language and vocabulary known
to each trainee and quickly assess the different levels of
understanding. Repetition is usually necessary,
especially in technical sessions, where trainees have
never seen, nor used the different equipment for cave
exploration.
It is mandatory to start explaining in a simple way the
techniques and equipment used. The best way is to start
explaining the role of caving ropes, its virtues and how
to clean and store them properly. The difference
between a caving and a climbing rope should be
explained. Then proceed to explain the different knots
used in caving. It should be fun to let the trainees make
knots in different positions and on the dark. Afterwards
the different mechanical devices used for vertical
caving are explained. First their physical appearance,
function and at last how to use them on a vertical rope
on a tower, in a vertical cave or on a vertical limestone
wall.
It is the most crucial way to start instructing the easiest
part and escalate to the more difficult part of technical
caving. It is also necessary that the instructor check
periodically what is understood by the trainees, before
proceeding to the next, more difficult level.
4) Responsiveness-thisdepends on the active
participation and enthusiasm of the trainees. Also on
the level of understanding. And of course on the
attitude of the instructor. An authoritative instructor
giving no room for questions and who do not
encourage creative problem solving by the trainees,
will not get a response from the trainees. End result: the
instructor will never know what is understood by the
trainees. Even worse: what is in the mind of them.
Most important things to be lectured in the class and on
caving trips :
1) State of awareness of the cave environment. Should
be checked through a written and actual test in the cave
environment. Cave and conservation should be
motivated and understood by the trainees why it is
important to the whole living environment.
2) Maintenance and care of equipment - should be
focused on each technical instruction since state of
condition of equipment is in direct connection with the
safety of each cave explorer.
3) Special attention should be paid on the technique of
rigging. How to best avoid damage to ropes used in
practice. Fall factor is another very important principle
to be understood and applied carefully. This can only
be checked by the instructor during practice in a cave
and immediately explained to the trainees when the
instructor observed a mistake in rigging, done by the
trainees. The correction should be done by the trainees.
Not by the instructor. After-practice session reviewing
all safety measures undertaken and rigging techniques
used, should be routinely performed.
4) Cave leadership is a very important topic to be
discussed and understood by trainees. A cave leader
ought to be chosen by all cave exploration team
members during a caving trip. He or she should possess
experience in the underground environment, preferably
who knows the characteristics of the cave being
explored. He or she should be able and responsible for
making prompt decisions, be persuasive and inspiring
without being authoritative. It is educative to
theoretically create difficult caving situations in a class
room and let the trainees actively propose problem
solving, independently of each other. Examples of
imaginative hazardous cave accidents and difficult cave
rescue attempts are good examples of creative problem
solving and to test cave leadership.
5) Cave mapping is a session which should be actively
participated by all trainees. Manually in a cave and
calculated the mathematical way. Only afterwards
should the trainees be introduced to use computers in
drawing maps and use of the laser distance device.
Properly drawing three-dimensional cave maps and
projecting cave maps on existing topographic maps are
the ultimate aim in cave mapping.
6) Attention should be paid on external conditions of the
cave. Lectures and field trips should include geology
and karst topography, extend of rainwater catchment
areas and their vegetation. Also data on rainfall. In each
cave site, trainees should find the local base level,
usually the closest surface river where the underground
stream flows into. This is in close correlation with
danger of flooding in a cave and how to prevent it.
7) A lecture on cave formations (speleothems) should be
given and how they develop.
8) Special attention should be paid, during a cave visit, on
the cave sediments. The presence of an abundance of
surface sediments is proof of surface water flowing into
the cave, with subsequent danger of flooding.
9) Lecture on the role of cave bats and cave dwelling
swiftlets in maintaining ecological balance should be
given.
10) Lecture explaining that some caves have cultural
heritage value should be given. Proper attention on the
value of cave paintings, archaeological and
paleontological artifacts, folklore and legends should
be paid.
11) The value of caves as tourist attraction is emphasized
and principles of their management.
12) The short term economical value of karst for mining
is explained.
Evaluation of technical instructions.
Should be tested theoretically in the classroom and
practically on a tower or a daylight cave.
Evaluation of non-technical lectures.
Based on a written multiple choice test.
Overall test of the course.
The trainees as a group are instructed to make a resume of
the course mentioning also the non-technical aspects and
how to conduct a basic and advanced caving course. To
draw the curriculum and syllabus.
This paper is to explain the scope of caving courses in
Indonesia, as performed by the Federation of
Indonesian Speleological Activities, since 1983, attended
by hundreds of trainees who are mostly students keen
to explore caves, and to make a theses on caves and the
karst environment; government employees in charge of
nature conservation and other interested persons. Up
till 2001, FINSPAC has conducted 4S courses in
speleology, performed by its instructors in technical
caving, a karst and cave scientist and other scientists in
karst and cave related fields. The sole purpose of these
courses: to safe the Indonesian karst and cave
environment and to instill caving ethics, safe and
responsible caving in Indonesia
