asscciation for mexican cave studies box 7672 ut station austin ...

34considered normal. The diabetic did not go on caving tripe:; away from basecame and slept as much as possible. Worrying was excessive by the thirdday since he had been told by doctors that a diabetic would stay alive fiveto eight days without insulin under ideal circumstances.Once the rope was down the drop the diabetic was on the surface in sixhours, tired, but estimating that he probably could have prusicked outunder his own power even on the sixth day. Of course he would not havehad any problem at aU if he had had sense enough to bring extra insulin inthe cave to begin with.These are my observations and opinions which I share with you. I donot claim to be a qualified first aider. I do claim to periodically re-readand re-educate myself on first aid practices. Panic and wrong decisionsare impossible to outgrow. We try to reduce their frequency.Donald L. Broussardthe diabeticEdi ted by Nancy Boice1. Kodet and Angier, Being Your Own Wilderness Doctor. 1972.p.138.2. Alnerican National Red Cross, First Aid. 1976. p. 60.3. Eli Lilly and Company, Information for the Patient, NPH Bulletin. 1976­p. 1.EVALUATIONACCIDENT REPORTS: These accident reports have been compiled by the editorfrom interviews with those present. Every effort has been made to makethem as accurate as possible, but in the brief space available all thathas been attempted is a short factual account. ~~y other influencesundoubtedly contributed to the accidents and their aftermath, such asthe cavers' mental and physical condition, and their previous undergroundexperience. But these factors do not lend themselves to brief analysis.Sumadero YochibJim Smith, ~tike yan Note, and Bill Steele were establishing a"trail" along the main river passage in Sumadero Yochib. Smithclimbed to a higher ledge and Van ~ote requested a handline. SoSmith lowered a section of webbing and Van Note climbed up. Jim Smiththen tied the webbing to serve as a fixed line. The webbing was loopedaround a corner so as to ~ang in the most advantageous place, and BillSteele climbed to the ledge. On the next trip into the cave, Bill Steeleclimbed up knOWing the line was looped around a corner. ~tlke Boon wasimmediately behind and when he grasped the webbing for an assist, thewebbing popped off the corner and Boon swung out over the water. Hewas able to retain his hold on the line and avoid falling into t~e~~ter upstream from the 40 foot Froth Pot drop.Analysis: Care should be taken in rigging so as not to allow the ropeto be pulled off corners and clinbers should be aware of this possibility.