# Cave Survey Equipment Checklist
## Complete Field Equipment Inventory

### Version 1.0 | December 2025

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## 1. Personal Equipment (Each Team Member)

### Required Items
- [ ] Helmet with chin strap
- [ ] Primary headlamp (minimum 300 lumens)
- [ ] Backup headlamp (minimum 100 lumens)
- [ ] Emergency light (third source)
- [ ] Spare batteries (3 sets)
- [ ] Cave suit (abrasion-resistant)
- [ ] Knee pads
- [ ] Elbow pads
- [ ] Cave boots with good grip
- [ ] Gloves (2 pairs)
- [ ] Warm layers (fleece/wool)
- [ ] Waterproof layer
- [ ] 2L water (minimum)
- [ ] High-energy food (24h supply)
- [ ] Emergency blanket
- [ ] Whistle
- [ ] Personal first aid kit
- [ ] Notebook and pencils
- [ ] Permanent marker

### Recommended Items
- [ ] Camera (waterproof)
- [ ] GPS device
- [ ] Power bank
- [ ] Spare socks
- [ ] Electrolyte tablets
- [ ] Multi-tool
- [ ] Duct tape (small roll)
- [ ] Zip ties
- [ ] Carabiners (2)

---

## 2. Survey Equipment

### Measurement Tools
| Item | Quantity | Specification | Checked |
|------|----------|---------------|---------|
| Laser distometer | 2 | Leica Disto X310 | [ ] |
| Tape measure | 2 | 50m fiberglass | [ ] |
| Compass/clinometer | 2 | Suunto MC-2 | [ ] |
| Width gauge | 1 | Telescoping 0.3-15m | [ ] |
| Ultrasonic thickness gauge | 1 | Olympus 38DL PLUS | [ ] |
| Survey notebook | 2 | Waterproof | [ ] |
| Pencils | 10 | Soft lead (2B) | [ ] |
| Flagging tape | 5 rolls | Fluorescent | [ ] |
| Station markers | 50 | Waterproof labels | [ ] |
| Calibration tools | 1 set | For all instruments | [ ] |

### Documentation Equipment
- [ ] Digital camera (waterproof)
- [ ] GoPro or action camera
- [ ] Extra memory cards (4× 64GB)
- [ ] Tripod (small)
- [ ] Lighting for photography
- [ ] Scale bars
- [ ] Color checker card

---

## 3. Monitoring Sensors

### Core Sensors (CPDL System)
| Sensor | Quantity | Model | Checked |
|--------|----------|-------|---------|
| Temperature logger | 3 | Onset HOBO MX2201 | [ ] |
| Humidity sensor | 3 | Vaisala HMT330 | [ ] |
| CO₂ analyzer | 2 | Vaisala GMP343 | [ ] |
| Water level logger | 3 | Solinst Levelogger Edge | [ ] |
| Current meter | 1 | Hach FH950 | [ ] |
| Barometric pressure | 2 | Onset HOBO U20 | [ ] |

### Optional Sensors
- [ ] Turbidity meter
- [ ] Conductivity meter
- [ ] pH meter
- [ ] Dissolved oxygen meter
- [ ] Air velocity meter
- [ ] Particle counter
- [ ] Seismometer

### Sensor Accessories
- [ ] Mounting brackets
- [ ] Stainless steel hardware
- [ ] Desiccant packs (20)
- [ ] Cable ties (assorted)
- [ ] USB data cables
- [ ] Bluetooth adapters
- [ ] Battery packs (replacement)
- [ ] Calibration gases (CO₂)
- [ ] Calibration solutions (pH)
- [ ] Field laptop with software

---

## 4. Safety Equipment

### Personal Safety
- [ ] Helmet with chin strap
- [ ] Headlamps (3 per person)
- [ ] Spare batteries (10 sets)
- [ ] Emergency blanket
- [ ] Whistle
- [ ] Signal mirror
- [ ] Personal locator beacon (optional)

### Team Safety
| Item | Quantity | Notes | Checked |
|------|----------|-------|---------|
| First aid kit (advanced) | 1 | Cave-specific | [ ] |
| Oxygen kit | 1 | If trained | [ ] |
| Stretcher | 1 | Folding | [ ] |
| Rope (static) | 100m | 10mm | [ ] |
| Rope (dynamic) | 50m | 9mm | [ ] |
| Carabiners (locking) | 20 | Various sizes | [ ] |
| Descenders | 4 | Stop/ID | [ ] |
| Ascenders | 4 | Handle/chest | [ ] |
| Harnesses | 4 | Full body | [ ] |
| Pulleys | 6 | Various | [ ] |
| Anchor material | 20 | Slings/cords | [ ] |
| Emergency shelter | 2 | 4-person | [ ] |
| Signal flares | 4 | Waterproof | [ ] |
| Rescue whistle | 2 | Ultra-loud | [ ] |
| Satellite phone | 1 | Iridium | [ ] |
| Two-way radios | 4 | VHF | [ ] |

---

## 5. Emergency Cache Contents

Each emergency cache (place every 500m in high-risk passages):

### Survival Supplies
- [ ] Water (4L)
- [ ] High-energy food bars (24h supply)
- [ ] Emergency blanket (2)
- [ ] Emergency shelter (2-person)
- [ ] Hand warmers (10 pairs)
- [ ] Water purification tablets
- [ ] Fire starter kit

### Medical Supplies
- [ ] Advanced first aid kit
- [ ] Trauma dressings (5)
- [ ] SAM splint (2)
- [ ] Pain relief medication
- [ ] Antihistamines
- [ ] Antibiotics (prescription if available)

### Equipment
- [ ] Spare headlamp (2)
- [ ] Batteries (20 AA, 10 AAA)
- [ ] Multi-tool
- [ ] Signal mirror
- [ ] Whistle
- [ ] Flagging tape (2 rolls)
- [ ] Permanent marker
- [ ] Notebook and pencil

### Communication
- [ ] Two-way radio
- [ ] Spare radio batteries
- [ ] Signal flares
- [ ] Rescue beacon (if available)

---

## 6. Communication Equipment

### Primary System
- [ ] Two-way radios (4)
- [ ] Spare batteries (8 sets)
- [ ] Chargers (solar + AC)
- [ ] Headsets with PTT
- [ ] Antennas (spare)

### Secondary System
- [ ] Satellite phone
- [ ] Spare satellite phone battery
- [ ] External antenna
- [ ] Solar charger

### Emergency System
- [ ] Personal locator beacons (2)
- [ ] Signal mirror
- [ ] Whistles (everyone)
- [ ] Flares (4)

### Base Station
- [ ] Base radio (high power)
- [ ] Antenna mast
- [ ] Generator or large battery
- [ ] Weather station
- [ ] Log book
- [ ] Emergency contact list

---

## 7. Navigation Equipment

### Primary Navigation
- [ ] GPS unit (rugged, waterproof)
- [ ] Spare GPS batteries
- [ ] Compass (2)
- [ ] Clinometer (2)
- [ ] Altimeter
- [ ] Maps (waterproofed)
- [ ] Protractor
- [ ] Ruler

### Backup Navigation
- [ ] Magnetic compass (2)
- [ ] Map case
- [ ] Pencil
- [ ] Pace counter
- [ ] String for route marking

### Digital Navigation
- [ ] Tablet with maps
- [ ] Power bank (20000mAh)
- [ ] USB cables
- [ ] GPS tracking app
- [ ] Offline maps loaded

---

## 8. Sample Collection Equipment

### Water Samples
- [ ] Sterile bottles (50mL, 100mL)
- [ ] Preservation chemicals
- [ ] Cooler with ice packs
- [ ] Field filtration kit
- [ ] pH test strips
- [ ] Conductivity meter

### Rock Samples
- [ ] Sample bags (cloth)
- [ ] Geological hammer
- [ ] Chisels
- [ ] Hand lens (10×)
- [ ] HCl for acid test
- [ ] Labeling materials
- [ ] Permanent marker

### Biological Samples
- [ ] Sterile swabs
- [ ] Collection vials
- [ ] Ethanol (for preservation)
- [ ] Cooler
- [ ] Gloves (nitrile)
- [ ] Face masks

---

## 9. Documentation Supplies

### Field Notes
- [ ] Waterproof notebooks (3)
- [ ] Pencils (24)
- [ ] Permanent markers (5)
- [ ] Ruler
- [ ] Protractor
- [ ] Graph paper (waterproof)

### Photography
- [ ] Camera (waterproof)
- [ ] Lenses (wide, macro)
- [ ] Underwater housing
- [ ] Lighting system
- [ ] Tripod
- [ ] Remote shutter
- [ ] Memory cards (10× 64GB)
- [ ] Card reader
- [ ] Portable hard drive

### Data Storage
- [ ] Field laptop
- [ ] Tablet
- [ ] External SSD (2TB)
- [ ] USB drives (4× 128GB)
- [ ] Cloud backup capability

---

## 10. Camping/Base Camp Equipment

### Sleeping
- [ ] Tent (4-season)
- [ ] Sleeping bag (warm rated)
- [ ] Sleeping pad
- [ ] Camp pillow
- [ ] Bivy sack (emergency)

### Cooking
- [ ] Stove (white gas)
- [ ] Fuel (2L per day)
- [ ] Cookware set
- [ ] Eating utensils
- [ ] Water containers (10L)
- [ ] Water filter/purifier
- [ ] Food storage containers

### Base Camp
- [ ] Folding tables (2)
- [ ] Camp chairs (4)
- [ ] Tarps (2)
- [ ] Rope/paracord
- [ ] Tool kit
- [ ] Duct tape
- [ ] Zip ties
- [ ] Batteries (bulk pack)
- [ ] Power station/solar generator

---

## 11. Specialized Equipment (by Mission)

### Deep Cave Exploration
- [ ] Rope (200m+)
- [ ] Drills and bolts
- [ ] Hangers and hardware
- [ ] Tackle bag
- [ ] Etriers
- [ ] Fifi hooks
- [ ] Camera for pitches

### Sump Diving
- [ ] Dive equipment (full set)
- [ ] Dive computer
- [ ] Stage bottles
- [ ] Reels and line
- [ ] Dive lights
- [ ] Dry suit
- [ ] Communications

### High Altitude Caves
- [ ] Oxygen system
- [ ] High-altitude tents
- [ ] Cold weather gear
- [ ] Snow shovels
- [ ] Ice axes
- [ ] Crampons
- [ ] Crevasse rescue gear

---

## 12. Vehicle Equipment

### Support Vehicle
- [ ] Spare tires (2)
- [ ] Tire repair kit
- [ ] Jack and tools
- [ ] Jump starter
- [ ] Tow straps
- [ ] Shovels
- [ ] Traction mats
- [ ] Extra fuel (20L)
- [ ] Extra water (20L)
- [ ] Emergency food
- [ ] First aid kit
- [ ] Fire extinguisher
- [ ] Satellite communicator

---

## 13. Expedition Planning Documents

### Required Paperwork
- [ ] Permits and permissions
- [ ] Land owner agreements
- [ ] Insurance documents
- [ ] Emergency contacts
- [ ] Team member info
- [ ] Medical forms
- [ ] Equipment inventory
- [ ] Expedition plan
- [ ] Risk assessment
- [ ] Weather forecast
- [ ] Cave maps (printed)
- [ ] Research permits

### Digital Backup
- [ ] All documents on USB
- [ ] Cloud storage access
- [ ] Offline copies on devices

---

## 14. Daily Field Checklist

### Before Entry
- [ ] Personal gear checked
- [ ] Survey equipment tested
- [ ] Sensors calibrated
- [ ] Communication devices charged
- [ ] Weather check
- [ ] Emergency plan reviewed
- [ ] Team roles assigned
- [ ] Surface contact established
- [ ] Batteries fresh
- [ ] Food and water packed

### During Survey
- [ ] Regular communication
- [ ] Track team location
- [ ] Monitor time
- [ ] Check CO₂ levels
- [ ] Watch water levels
- [ ] Note passage changes
- [ ] Document everything
- [ ] Mark route

### After Exit
- [ ] Account for all personnel
- [ ] Download data
- [ ] Charge batteries
- [ ] Report to base
- [ ] Update maps
- [ ] Plan next day
- [ ] Rest and recover

---

## 15. Maintenance Schedule

### After Each Trip
- [ ] Clean all equipment
- [ ] Dry wet gear
- [ ] Check for damage
- [ ] Charge batteries
- [ ] Download data
- [ ] Update inventory

### Weekly
- [ ] Inspect ropes and webbing
- [ ] Test all electronics
- [ ] Calibrate sensors
- [ ] Service vehicle
- [ ] Restock consumables

### Monthly
- [ ] Deep clean all gear
- [ ] Replace batteries
- [ ] Update software
- [ ] Review procedures
- [ ] Train on new equipment

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## 16. Expedition Sign-Out Sheet

```

Date: _______________
Team Leader: _______________
Team Members: _______________

Planned Return: _______________
Destination: _______________

Equipment Check:
□ Personal gear complete
□ Survey equipment complete
□ Safety equipment complete
□ Communication gear charged
□ Emergency caches stocked

Communication Schedule: _______________
Emergency Contact: _______________

Departure Time: _______________
Expected Return Time: _______________

Actual Return Time: _______________
All Personnel Accounted: □ Yes

Notes: _______________

Signature: _______________

```

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**Remember**: Check all equipment before departure. Missing items can compromise safety.

**Document Version**: 1.0
**Last Updated**: December 2025
**Author**: Cavora Underground Research Initiative

*For equipment support: gear@cavora.org*
