Surviving in a Cave

[Emily]

I always wondered, if you are put in a survival situation, would a cave make a good shelter. If you ventured in and checked it out for big animals and found none, would camping out there be better than making your own shelter? Give me what you think would be the pros and cons of a cave shelter.

 

[Davefromva]

Hmmmm....Yeah a cave would be nice if there were no other animals living in it.

The only thing I would be worried about is keeping any animals from venturing in like a bear. Because If a one did you would be cornered.

But other than that a cave would make a great shelter. It would retain the heat of a campfire in the stone for hours and keep out the rain if it was raining as well as block any ruff winds that could arise.

 

[aldove]

I have the same response as Davefromva. I will just build a fireplace in front of the cave so that no wild animals would approach the place. Honestly I never been to a cave before but if I got lost in the forest, I would be looking for a safe cave. It's good that I've been trained to make fire from the wood.

 

[oldsarge]

I agree with all the above!

 

[dinosaur]

Hell, yes! That's where man started out.

 

[beckya]

I always wondered, if you are put in a survival situation, would a cave make a good shelter. If you ventured in and checked it out for big animals and found none, would camping out there be better than making your own shelter? Give me what you think would be the pros and cons of a cave shelter.

If I can survive down in the man cave my husband and his buddies made in our basement I can survive anywhere!

 

[Lamebeaver]

The only thing I would be worried about is keeping any animals from venturing in like a bear. Because If a one did you would be cornered.

Bears have a pretty good sense of smell. It's highly unlikely one would enter an occupied cave at all.

 

[IndianaHiker]

Any natural shelter in that situation is better than expending the energy to make one. Cave would be a good send.

 

[Marshmallow]

Who was that guy who was hiding from the law all those years in caves in western Carolina or Georgia somewhere? I've forgotten his name, but he managed to live out there. I guess others who had easy access to supplies could, too.

 

[Emily]

I was thinking a cave dwelling would be great, but I thought there would be problems if you planned on staying in one for a while. Would there be some kind of problem with moisture? The only thing I am afraid of in a cave are bats, snakes, and lots of creepy spiders. I could deal with the bats, but their poop is very dangerous isn't it?

 

[limbs]

We have all kinds of caves around here. If you had to live in one for an emergency situation you could. It would be much better than trying to build your own shelter.

 

[ppine]

Most of the caves I have been in are cold and damp. They are better than nothing, and would probably be best in drier habitats. They also tend to be full of bat guano, pack rats, mice, and other critters even if there are no large animals to deal with.

It takes a long time to dry out and warm up most caves, the movies not withstanding. I like the idea of sleeping in a small cave with a fire and reflector in front.

 

[Sagebrusher]

Some people have made use of caves in the past...


Can't post a photo link! Argh.

www nps gov/ meve

 

[Pathfinder1]

I agree with all the above!

Hi...


And I agree with oldsarge...!!

 

[Pathfinder1]

I usually don't trek very far,
when all around cave men are.


Hi...


Caves are just another part of the invironment. If one is nearby...and you need emergency shelter...common sense will (or should) tell you what to do.