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MENDIP TIMES
Mendip caving miscellanea
(Photographs by Phil Hendy)
THERE has been a long tradition that cavers look after their own and when an accident occurs underground we are foremost to the With PHILIP rescue. After all, we HENDY have the knowledge of caves and experience of caving techniques essential to a satisfactory outcome. That is not to say, of course, that other emergency services are called upon when necessary, but local cavers will always be at the sharp end. Cave rescue on Mendip was first rationalised in 1936, with the formation of the Mendip Rescue Organisation. This consisted of a small group of experienced cavers, who expected to be able to call on others for assistance as necessary. Over the years, training and experience of rescues grew. Although there was a limited number of officers, known as wardens, there was no written constitution, but it worked well. In the 1990s the system for electing wardens was changed and MRO became the Mendip Cave Rescue (MCR). This body was affiliated to the British Cave Rescue Council and to Mountain Rescue England and Wales, which holds drug licences and the Casualty
Alison Moody in an Axbridge mine
Mossy Powell and Graham Balcombe in Wookey Hole
Care Certificates which rescuers need to obtain. It also insures cavers during rescues. There are, fortunately, few serious cave rescues, which paradoxically jeopardises the controlled drugs licence. Safety has improved tremendously over the years, thanks to improved clothing, lighting, and other equipment and a better understanding of caves, particularly flood and bad air risks. An amendment to an Act of Parliament would be necessary in order to be able
to continue. To overcome this, MCR has agreed a constitution, a code of conduct, and has registered as a charity. There are now two forms of membership; Core, basically the trained wardens, and Associate, cavers willing to be called on as needed. These are expected to undergo some training, though not to the same level as core members. Ultimately, however, we can expect cave rescue to be as professional and efficient as it has been in the past. Caving may be seen as a predominantly male sport, but women have been welcomed since the earliest days. There are photographs in existence of Victorian and Edwardian ladies dressed in the fashion of the day, deep underground in wild as opposed to show caves. Even the young Princess Victoria braved a journey lying flat in a wooden boat through a low flooded passage to experience the wonders of Peak Cavern in Derbyshire. Modern cave women dress the same as the men and have proved just as hardy. Initially some clubs allowed them to cave, but not join as members, but that has all changed and now they are accepted on their merits, not their gender. True, some have entered the sport
Phil has been caving for more than 50 years and is a member of the Wessex Cave Club. He has been involved in producing several
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