Mirth Beneath the Earth wrote:All of the emails I've been receiving from BCI simply advise us to stop caving in New York and Vermont.
Strange - that's a little different from the messages I've seen passed around by state bat biologists in the region. The advice I read was not to enter places with known hiberating bat populations. But perhaps it's all in the interpretation?
They offer a relatively thorough decontamination procedure for gear - with the exception of disinfecting boots and helmets I already abide by BCI's suggestions after I cave anyway. A little more bleach won't hurt.
Please note that while I've long supported the rigorous cleaning of caving gear between trips, I will repeat the message that many others have said. A "little more bleach" - particularly the chlorine type - can and will harm some of your caving gear. Maybe not boots and helmets, but especially nylon suits, ropes, harnesses, and some of those other little things which our lives can literally hang on.