• The primary light source should be mounted on a helmet that has a chinstrap to keep your hands free to maneuver.
• Two verified functional spare independent light sources should be carried and accessible to exit the cave in case of primary failure.
• Since Cavers visit multiple caves during an average caving day, lighting safety issues must be considered prior to each cave entry.
• Adequate supplies must be carried to support the lighting requirements. For example, fresh batteries and/or carbide and water sufficient to cover twice the intended cave exploration period.
• If you remove your pack for any reason you must insure that your spare lighting sources requirement are not compromised as a result.
• Fresh new batteries in a pack sometimes are not. Verification is critical to insure adequate supplies indeed are adequate. This can be verified by direct testing with a voltmeter or active lighting load.
• Your very next step or handhold could be in darkness in case of primary light failure. This possibility should always be ever present in your mind as you maneuver through a cave. Consider how you would acquire your secondary lighting if needed. Caves are dark!

Part 2 " Caves are Cool! "