Overdue Callout
Incident Date
2025-05-03
Incident Description
A solo cave diver was reported overdue after a planned return trip to Stoke 8. During the return journey, the diver experienced significant fatigue, dehydration, and navigation difficulties in Stoke 2, the diver managed to relocate the correct route at the end, exited through the final sump, and continued toward the exit. Planned callout was 19:00, callout activated at 19:40. The diver was met by the rescue party in the Pebble Crawl area next to the Muddy Oxbow and escorted out safely. Exit time at 21:33.
Lessons Learned
-Adopt conservative time management to ensure a timely return, strictly before any call-outs (e.g. apply the 1/3 rule).
-Plan explorations and trips progressively, rather than attempting them in one single go.
-Plan and equip accordingly with sufficient hydration and supplements for the trip.
| Factors |
|
| Line Management |
Negligible |
| Gas Management |
Negligible |
| Equipment Management |
Negligible |
| Equipment Failure |
Negligible |
| Training |
Minor |
| Medical |
Negligible |
| Planning |
Major |
| Procedural Error |
Negligible |
| Cave Environment |
Major |
| Weather |
Negligible |
| Other Factor |
Unknown |
