Caving or spelunking can be a fun and exciting hobby but it can also be dangerous.
Infectious risks:
(1) rabies associated with bat caves
(2) histoplasmosis
(3) leptospirosis
Traumatic injury:
(1) roof collapse or rock fall
(2) abrasions or cuts
(3) falls
(4) head injuries
(5) fractures
Toxic exposures:
(1) radon gas
(2) toxic atmospheres (methane, hydrogen sulfide, etc.)
Other:
(1) hypothermia from ambient temperature, moisture and wind
(2) drowning, submersion injury and water aspiration
(3) dehydration
(4) starvation
(5) claustrophobia
(6) asthma and allergy to molds
(7) animal bites
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
