![]() ![]() Nitrogen narcosis played a part as well in the end, which is known to cause loss of fine motor control and high-order mental skills and ultimately unconsciousness. It was estimated that the efforts to find the exit lasted around 35 minutes before the diver got lost. The body was found with the scuba cylinders empty, and the autopsy revealed several unmistakable signs of drowning. Due to low visibility, this area is often mistaken for an exit. However, upon reaching the bottom, he missed the exit funnel, instead accidentally entering a region called the shallow gallery. The victim entered the water and reached a 50 meter depth without issues. So how did they figure it out? Using information about the dive profile, and the map of the cave, experts were able to piece together the story from various clues. Imagining these last moments is enough to discourage me from going cave diving alone. It was assumed to be a suicide to avoid the pain of drowning. However, they later concluded that the man actually killed himself by stabbing himself in the chest. The authorities initially suspected a murder. In addition, a 30-centimeter knife protruded from his chest even though he was alone. In 2002, in a Croatian underwater cave, 54 meters below the water’s surface, the body of a diver was found. If you’re ready for it, continue reading to see what may happen if things don’t go as planned.Īt first, this sounds like a murder mystery. However, there are always ways to play it safe. Some would call spelunking an extreme sport, and considering the likelihood of deaths or injuries, it seems fair. Ultimately, if not rescued, the victim suffocates or starves to death. ![]() As you’ll see in some of these stories, several of the more famous caving deaths were a result of drowning or suffocation.Ī cave-in could potentially result in a cave death if a person is trapped beneath debris or other cave formations. However, deep diving and rapidly changing pressure can be fatal as well. When diving, an insufficient oxygen tank can be the culprit as well. Shut out from the outside world and surrounded by thick layers of rock, air and water are not always flowing freely in these environments. This can happen when many individuals in a small area exhaust the oxygen supply faster than it can be replaced. Lack of oxygen is often the main cause of caving deaths. What causes these spelunking deaths and injuries? Do your due diligence, travel safely, and please don’t end up on a list of famous deaths when you go caving. We want to make it clear, however, that things can and do go wrong even when cavers enter the underground with the best intentions. This article is not meant to discourage anyone from exploring nature and learning proper techniques of caving and diving. Squeezing through tight spaces and uncharted chasms to explore, see incredible vistas, or perhaps even unearth some hidden treasure, numerous divers have failed to return from their trip. If not, things can quickly turn for the worse, making a simple trip into something horrifying.Ĭave divers take risk to another level because of the inherent dangers that come with large bodies of water. But as some of these more famous caving tragedies show, this can still be a dangerous hobby.Įxploring a cave can be exciting, if everything (or most things) go right. Spelunking deaths don’t come up often in normal conversations, but among cavers, it’s a grim reality.Īlthough there have been caving fatalities since the Bronze Age, scholars think that today’s cavers are far more knowledgeable about avoiding these mishaps than their forebears were. While there are some more famous caving deaths than others, the truth is that the list is constantly growing. Without sufficient knowledge, preparation, and equipment, cave exploring can lead to serious injury or death.Īccording to known statistics, about three cavers die each year. These groups are skilled and will train you. Consider getting in touch with a Grotto of the National Speleological Society at or a qualified cave club. If you would like to learn more, please read this Disclaimer for details.īeware: You should never explore wild caves alone or without proper gear. By purchasing products through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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