SLIDE SHOWS
As a result
of his many travels Chris has assembled quite a selection of slide shows, some
of which are listed below.
The Story of Priest's Grotto — Derived from the story reported in National Geographic's "Adventure" Magazine, this is an epic story of Holocaust survival in which several families of Jews discovered one of the world's longest caves, and then took refuge underground for almost one and a half years in order to survive one of the darkest and horrific times in the history of this century.
Caving — A general show about caving, giving an overview of: (1) what it
entails in terms of equipment, training, maneuvering in and about caves, (2)
the way caves are made, (3) the different types of cave, and (4) what you find
in caves.
Caving Around the World
— A show describing two
decades worth of caving trips in such places as Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, the
Former Soviet Union, Puerto Rico, England, and the United States. This show
covers such topics as novices entering their first caves, experienced cavers
descending some of the world’s deepest pits on rope, and SCUBA divers mapping
some of the longest labyrinths known to Man.
Vertical Caving – A show covering the full range of vertical techniques used
by cavers on rope, to include such topics as: basic knots climbing systems,
rebelays, straight drops, deep drops, “change-overs”, emergency “pick offs”, prussicking,
the use of safeties, and rigging. Mechanical ascending systems such as the
following are also covered: the Frog, Rope Walker, Mitchell, and the Frog
Hopper. The show ends with a look at various specialized techniques, such as
the use of steel cable for ascending and descending by the cavers of Ukraine in
their early exploration of the Western Caucasuses, home of some
World’s deepest caves.
Abseiling in Caves -Because of the unique environment of caves, abseiling requires unique equipment, skills and techniques in comparison to those used by rock climbers. This slide show addresses the nature of these things, paying special attention to the fact that while climbers climb rock face, using ropes as their safety, cavers climb (and descend) ropes, which they also use as safeties. Apart from a discussion of the different type of descending and ascending devices/systems used by cavers, time is also allotted to rigging and bolting techniques, rope specifications, knot preferences, and safeties.
Dying On Rope — A specially formatted show, making use of the fact that
it is sometimes of greater educational value to teach one what must be done to
ensure a tragedy on rope, rather than what should not be done to ensure that an
accident not take place. This show makes use of negative reinforcement in
teaching one how to ensure that “vertical caving” (i.e. caving making use of
rope to maneuver across and/or around exposed areas) is a safe experience. It
also makes use of the fact that sometimes a picture (ex.
"fatal images"), such as a close up of how a rack was
incorrectly attached to a waist harness just prior to a fatality occurring, is
“worth a thousand words and will have a much longer lasting effect than a passage of text of “safe caving procedures”. Viewers also get the chance to analyze “accidents waiting to happen” by viewing specially prepared slides, designed to force one to recognize inherent dangers from: using the wrong equipment, not being prepared for the unexpected, taking shortcuts, improper training, lack of physical conditioning, etc.
OTHER
SLECTED SHOWS:
·
Caving in Cuba
·
Caving in Mexico
·
Caving in the US
·
Caving in the Former Soviet Union
[Last Update 03/05/10]