No injured cavers recorded.
On May 20, a group of cavers visited Hamilton Cave in Washington County, Missouri. Included were Chuck Malone, Rose Malone, Scott Guyer, Larry Zykan and Bob Ronecker, all in their late twenties. All were experienced cavers with Chuck Malone the assigned leader. They proceed- ed along 2,000 feet of large stream passage to a 500-foot crawl leading to more large passage and a waterfall. The weather outside was cloudy and all were aware of and on the lookout for signs of rising water.
Zykan, C. Malone and Ronecker negotiated a very tight place about 100 feet into the crawl and were waiting for the others. Suddenly there was a commotion and R. Malone yelled to the waiting group that they should leave the cave immediately. It sounded serious and all began, rather frantically, to head out. The three behind quickly realized that the problem was not rising water, as they first suspected, but a choking, noxious odor that soon filled the crawlway and made breathing difficult. A panic situation resulted, to the point that "some of the members of the group lost all sense of direction, lost their shoes, knocked out their lights by bumping their heads, spilled the contents of their packs, etc."
In the larger passage the smell was much less and they calmed down and proceeded out without further incident.
References: Chuck Malone "Hamilton Cave Trip Report" Meramec Caver 10:6 June 1979 p 3-4.
Chuck Malone Incident Report July 1979.
Chuck Malone Personal Communication Feb. 12, 1980.
Analysis: The cavers discovered later that a lithium battery (2.8 volt, D-size) in a single cell flashlight had overheated due to rapid discharge when the terminal strip inside, by faulty design, shorted against the metal base of the bulb socket. The overheated battery released sulfur dioxide through a vent.
The really dangerous aspect of this situation, however, is the panic that set in, causing an every-man-for-himself atmosphere. This is not to condemn these individuals, since I believe anyone will panic under the right circumstances. The lesson is obvious. Try to stay calm, communicate, and choose a rational course of action.
Disoriented by gas from venting Lithium battery. Meramec Caver 10(6) Jun79 p3.
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.