No injured cavers recorded.
On Saturday, October 3, 1982, two cavers were exploring in Culverson Creek Cave in West Virginia. At a vertical pitch, a 25-foot cable ladder had been rigged. One caver (early 30's) attempted the climb without a belay. Ten feet up she was unable to hold on and fell, fortunately suffering only minor injuries. They were able to exit the cave without further incident.
The cavers were reportedly very experienced. Still, cable ladders are so deceptive—they look easy but, since one is not really attached, when something happens or one's arms give out, it is only the belay that can save you and cavers will invariably climb cable ladders without a belay. Given human psychology, I believe SRT to be the safer way to negotiate vertical drops. In any case, a vertical technique will not serve you well unless you practice it, perfect it, and don't take short-cuts when you go to use it.
A caver fell while climbing a cable ladder without belay during an exploration of Culverson Creek Cave in West Virginia but only sustained minor injuries.