No injured cavers recorded.
In the spring of 1981 a group of six cavers went exploring in Sullivan Cave, Indiana. Their objective was the Spiral Room. They encountered high water conditions but proceeded anyway, thru up to chest-deep water. At the Backbreak one caver became too cold to continue. It was decided that she should be evacuated. Dick Blenz and emergency agencies were called and a stretcher and sleeping bag were carried in to the victim, who had been wrapped in a space blanket. She was talked into walking out which took 15 minutes.
Analysis: This incident may seem silly, but a hypothermia victim can actually die while moving. After the body temperature falls to a critical point, further movement will result in depletion of the last vital reserves of energy and death follows. Obviously this was not a problem here, but should be kept in mind.