| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young, Roger | 18 | Male | Weakness | Not recorded |
After exploring the tight Arm Pit Cave for 1/2 to 1 hour, Roger Young (18) became stuck at about 1:45 p.m. within 10 feet of one of the two entrances. He was lying on his stomach with his back arched so that his feet were about 2 feet higher than his head when his left leg became wedged in a crack. William Reiter (21) and Richard Ertel (25), Young's caving companions, tried freeing him by several methods including getting a rope around his waist and pulling. After about an hour without success, they called the Pennsylvania State University Campus Patrol who in turn contacted the Nittany Grotto.
Shortly after the phone call for help, four members of the Nittany Grotto, by chance, arrived at the cave to map it. Even with this increase in help and experience, Young could not be budged. Four additional members of the Nittany Grotto, answering the request for help, arrived at the cave about 4:40 p.m. The outside air temperature was 6° (-15°C) and falling. The victim was complaining about the cold and his tiring position.
A blanket and hot coffee were gotten to the victim but because of the tight quarters only three people could squeeze into the cave at one time to assist Young. Young was finally freed by a combination of pushing from below while others pulled on ropes connected to his waist and feet. He was out of the cave by 5:40 p.m., having been stuck about 4 hours.
He was not injured but was weak and shaky because of the cold.
Analysis: This was Young's second caving trip; his first trip had been to the same cave. It is fortunate that Young never panicked during his entrapment. Had the rescue taken several hours longer, hypothermia would have been a major problem. Young was overweight and the cave is very tight. Nevertheless, had Young had more experience, he would probably not have gotten himself into such an awkward and helpless position.
The Nittany Grotto had printed "rescue cards" which list the 24-hour phone number of the Pennsylvania State University Campus Patrol. Reiter had his card with him and this was an important factor in getting assistance to the cave quickly.