| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock, Mark | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
On July 7 two cavers were doing Devil's Hole in southwest Missouri. When rigged, the rope lay in a narrow fissure about 90 feet above the bottom. The more experienced caver ascended first and got off the rope onto a two foot wide ledge just above the narrow place to help the other if he needed it. His companion needed no help, however, and so was instructed to proceed up. When he got 25 feet higher he dislodged a football-sized rock. This was not noticed by the climber so no warning shout was made. The rock grazed the face of the caver on the ledge, hit the Jumar on his chest and landed partly on one foot before continuing down the pit. There was no injury.
As Stock points out: 1) The caver on the ledge should have been attached to the rope, 2) The climber should have been more aware, and 3) When you are caving with someone you can't depend on, you might be safer caving alone. I would emphasize that when you have to climb above a companion who can't get out of your rockfall path, you simply cannot allow rocks to dislodge. If you see it will occur no matter what you do, then you must stop and warn him.
A rock dislodged by a climber grazes another caver on a ledge, highlighting the need for secure attachment and awareness.