Dave, Tracy and Scott participate in successful cave rescue in Alabama
It's 3AM Eastern, and Dave, Tracy and Scott (Tracy's brother) just got back to Atlanta from participating as rescuers in a successful cave rescue in a cave in Alabama. This was Dave and Tracy's first real rescue, and we were extremely well prepared by our CCRN (Colorado Cave Rescue Network) training. Thanks, CCRN! The Huntsville, Atlanta and other rescue teams did a great job. Dave, Tracy and Scott were with the patient from first contact all the way to the ambulance, and we are glad that the patient was doing well when they arrived at the ambulance.
We look forward to bringing CaveSim to many future cave rescue training events. If you've donated to us, thank you! If you have yet to donate, here's one more reason to give.
Update (4/28/2012): According to the patient, they have a torn and strained quad with edema, but they are recovering.
Below is a picture of Dave's boot after the rescue. Note that the boot has no sole, and that the leather bootie is open, leaving only the GoreTex liner. Dave lost the soles off of both his boots during the rescue due to dry rot. Why did I use such bad boots? I was using borrowed boots that had never been in caves outside of the TAG area so that I could help prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome. Yes, we can decontaminate our gear, but Tracy and I choose to take the extra step of using completely separate gear when we cave in TAG. Of course, we still decontaminate our gear. Here's a tip: Walking barefoot or in FiveFinger shoes is fine, but don't try to do a cave rescue in GoreTex booties. The tendons behind your knees will take at least a week to recover. Just in case you were considering this as an option.
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Funding period
Apr 3, 2012 -
Jun 2, 2012
(60 days)
- First created · 2 backed
- Dave Jackson 76 friends
- Website: CaveSim.com
Pledge $1 or more
4 backers
You rock! Get a thank-you shout-out on CaveSim.com, and on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $10 or more
13 backers
Get an awesome CaveSim sticker with our handwritten thanks on the back, plus the first reward. Every car, waterbottle, and caving helmet needs one of these. Made of high-quality plastic.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $20 or more
5 backers
What caver wouldn't want a custom CaveSim bat stamp? Get a high-quality rubber stamp designed by us and made in the USA, plus a handwritten thank you note, plus the first reward.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $35 or more
13 backers
You provide the body, we provide the t-shirt. Get a CaveSim t-shirt made in the USA in your size, plus the first reward.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $50 or more
7 backers
Your only chance to write on the walls of a cave without fear of reprisals (plus, you get a CaveSim t-shirt). You have lots of options: (1) Sign the outside of CaveSim at the 2012 NSS Convention in Lewisburg, WV, or (2) Sign a photo of yourself and use our self-addressed stamped envelope to send it to us so that we can permanently afix it to CaveSim, or (3) Hand us your signed photo at the NSS Convention. PG-13 photos/signatures only, please.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $75 or more
11 backers
Get your own cave formation! At CaveSim, we're experts in making artificial cave formations, and we'll send you one in a color of your choosing (crystal clear, pure white, or cave-tan). Includes a lanyard for hanging as an ornament. Every caver's rearview mirror needs one of these. Or, you can be upscale and hang cave formations on your Christmas tree. Remember, no real speleothems were even touched in the making of our formations.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $150 or more
2 backers
Grotto reward #1: We'll send your grotto (aka caving club) a handmade, laser-engraved plaque for everyone in your grotto to sign. You can send the plaque back to us and we'll permanently afix it to the outside of CaveSim (or you can keep the plaque all to yourselves).
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $200 or more
0 backers
Great for individuals or grottos: Turn ordinary tables into caves with our magnetic cave formations. Place our super-strong magnets on top of your table, hang the formations underneath the table using the magic of magnetism, throw a sheet over the table, and you have a cave. Set of four formations, plus a fact sheet with awesome info about caves and bats. Great for teaching kids.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $300 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
Great for Colorado individuals, grottos, and families: Bring 30 of your closest friends (only $10 per person!) to the CaveSim garage in Manitou Springs, CO for 2-3 hours of caving, fun and games. A great substitute for a regular grotto meeting. Best kids birthday party ever! Includes trips through CaveSim for everyone in your group, plus cave-related games and educational activities led by our award-winning outdoor educator. We provide all the cave gear -- all you have to do is gather your friends. Good through Dec. 2013.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $400 or more
0 backers
Great for grottos: 40 CaveSim plastic stickers (one for everyone in your grotto), plus a set of five magnetic cave formations (great for grotto outreach events, or for your grotto auction). Plus, we'll send your grotto a handmade, laser-engraved plaque for everyone in your grotto to sign. You can send the plaque back to us and we'll permanently afix it to the outside of CaveSim (or you can keep the plaque all to yourselves).
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
The people who give us a dollar rock, but you really rock! Let us know when you're in town, and Tracy and Dave will have you over for dinner and a personal tour of CaveSim. When else can you talk with an outgoing engineer from MIT who built a cave in his garage? And yes, of course you can have a t-shirt.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $9,950 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
The ultimate! Everything you need to build your very own crawl-through electronic cave obstacle course (except the walls). Includes 20 electronic sensors, 20 cave formations with bomber mounting hardware, a sensor control box with LCD to interface between the sensors and your computer, easy-to-use software with an intuitive graphical interface, all the cables, and (of course) detailed instructions and friendly tech support by Dave Jackson himself. Many additional sensors/formations can be added to the system.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
Comments
Creator Gill Gilliland on May 24, 2012
"...don't try to do a cave rescue in GoreTex booties." I love that line!
Creator Gill Gilliland on April 10, 2012
Way to go Tracy, David and Scott!
Creator Michael Gundlach on April 9, 2012
Wow, that's great! A good reminder that CaveSim is doing really important work. Thank you for building it!