| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson, Pete | Not recorded | Male | Not recorded | Not recorded |
A group of very experienced cavers from Canada and the United States spent several days attempting to bottom a large cave known as Sumidero Yochib. The cave contains a large river and has waterfalls in some of the pits. Mike Boon reports on an incident which occurred near the end of the expedition:
"Next day I was standing on the shingle at the bottom of the oxbow when there was a sudden impact and Pete [Thompson] landed after a fall later measured at 16 feet. After we had stopped laughing we found that he had sprained his ankle. After a little discussion he decided he wanted to go back to camp before his ankle swelled up, so after I had had a quick look at the last pool, which led almost at once to waterfall number thirteen, we made a three-legged retreat. Pete's ankle was quite sore by the time he got back, though he managed quite well when we replaced ladders with prusik ropes."
General public opinion holds that inexperienced cavers are more accident prone than experienced cavers. Yet Mike Boon and Pete Thompson, both seasoned cavers with over 15 years of experience in caving, were involved in a minor yet potentially disastrous mishap. This accident was due to:
1. Over enthusiasm to bottom the cave, as Pete himself admits, caused him to drop his guard and he therefore failed to evaluate the situation properly.
2. The use of wetsuit mitts while attempting a difficult traverse hindered Pete's ability to obtain a sufficient feel for the rock.
3. Mike Boon's neglection, as lead man, to inform Pete as to the difficulty involved in doing the traverse.
Though time is a major factor in caving, it should not overshadow one's judgement. "Bottoming the cave" should not maintain precedence over safety in caving. As in Pete's case, over enthusiasm to push a cave could have been disastrous. It can also create many other problems such as: people wandering away from the main party without informing them; neglecting to check and maintain gear; not checking hand holds, etc. Cavers should be fully aware of the situation at hand, the techniques to be used, and the use of their equipment as well as its limitations. Wearing wetsuit mitts, for example, while climbing in caves is hazardous but easily remedied situation if the wearer realizes their disadvantages." (Bray and Sandau)