Oxygen Deficient Caving and Other Hazards

By Nate Newkirk

We worked on a cave that had some nice big river borehole passage. The cave used to
have an entrance until a lake was created by installing a dam. Original exploration took
place via cave diving. Small blowing holes were noticed near the entrance in the rock
face. We decided to dig and blast on these holes. A connection was made into the cave,
allowing non-cave divers to enter. We all seemed out of breath when walking through the
cave. We tested the air with the same device scuba diving shops use for checking oxygen
levels in tanks. The cave tested oxygen deficient at 18.5 percent. Normal oxygen is
21%. When the level drops below 19.5%, it is defined as oxygen deficient. Another way
to test the air for oxygen is to just use a lighter. If there is a gap between the lighter and
the flame, get out! It should also be noticeable when a lighter is having trouble staying
lit. This can be called “bad air”. Bad air is a result of reduced oxygen levels and
increased carbon dioxide. These caves can be very dangerous or even deadly. Bad air
usually occurs when there is little airflow through a passage. It is also caused by
oxidation of sulfides which cause low oxygen levels. For the majority of caves, bad air is
not a problem.

Signs of bad air:

 Panting(shortness in breath)
 Headache

 Sudden respiration change

 Exhaustion

 Confusion
  Poor judgment

Carbon Dioxide is often increased with a decrease in Oxygen. Carbon Dioxide(CO2) is a

colorless, odorless gas, normally present in the air we breath @ 0.03%. It sinks to the
floor of cave passages, especially where there is poor airflow. Just by walking through a
passage can cause the CO2 to “stir up” and possibly cause a blackout. Symptoms don’t
start to occur until the CO2 level is about 100% its normal level. At 3%, a person may
start to pant, get a headache or feel nausea. Levels ranging from 7-15% can be fatal.

Other Hazards:

Nitrogen in high concentrations can replace oxygen. Nitrogen is lighter then air.

I have heard of a few caves in Indiana that have high methane levels. It is colorless,
odorless, and highly flammable. This presents a problem especially with carbide cavers.
An explosion can occur when levels are between 5-15%. Methane is lighter than oxygen
and floats near the ceiling where your nice carbide lamp is located!

Hydrogen Sulfide in low concentrations smells like rotten eggs (but not so noticeable at
high concentrations). Sulfur-reducing bacteria present in ground water use sulfur as an
energy source to chemically transform sulfates to produce hydrogen sulfide. The bacteria
uses sulfur from decaying plants, rocks, or soil. They exist in environments that are
oxygen deficient. It is colorless, heavier then air, and toxic. It’s best to leave when a
smell of rotten eggs is detected, if well ventilated it should not be a problem.

Radon and Radiation can be a problem with long term exposure to being underground.
Radon occurs in many caves and may represent a significant health risk to cavers who
spend long periods of time underground. Radon may well lead to an increased risk of
lung and throat cancers even in quite small doses. Radon is increased in caves when the
airflow is decreased. Radon can be significantly increased over a few years time due to
poor ventilation. Radiation occurs from gamma rays given off by uranium in the rock
minerals.

Carbide cavers emit a gas called acetylene from their lamps. The use of carbide has
shown to be safe. Repeated exposures have not shown to have deleterious effects. High
concentrations of acetylene can exclude an adequate supply of oxygen to the lungs, which
is the main hazard with using carbide. Acetylene is relatively inactive biologically and
essentially nontoxic.

Most caves are fairly safe and have “good air”. Don’t let this article scare you away from
caving, but it is something to be aware of.