Carl,
As an easterner (member of the Boston Grotto, but speaking for myself)
on your list, I absolutely agree.
I do cave out west, and recently, with increasing frequency.
Those of us who do, do have a full second set of gear, located in a
separate portion of our house (and yes, in a clean bin) and far from
any other gear. That means new metal gear, and especially new nylon.
We decon it before using it nonetheless. A full decon takes real time
and significant effort, and household soap and water isn't enough to
do the trick. The WNS spores are tenacious and require respect and,
as you say, a single slip could create havoc.
Nonetheless, I also hope that we all continue to encourage caving
travel and visitation; speaking again as a visitor who has been
welcomed to NM and TX caves in the past, the least we itinerant cavers
can do is to repay that kindness by bringing pristine gear. Washing
our hair before heading to the airport would probably help, too... and
for the NSS convention, please BORROW OUR GEAR rather than to bring
your own. I believe there will be a full gear loan program at the
coming VT convention, and encourage that, as well!
Cheers,
--Dave
On May 18, 2010, at 12:51 PM, Carl Pagano wrote:
Unfortunately, WNS is a primary reason why conventions shouldn't be
held in the West, specifically in New Mexico at this time or anytime
in the near future. It seems bad enough to go back east and have to
decontaminate before caving again here. How about worrying about
hundreds of cavers, all at once, out here? Think about it before the
presentation is offered in Vermont for a New Mexico convention.
All it will take are acts of carelessness of unwashed gear in
the right place at the right time. This also includes clothing,
hair, and the dirt impregnated in your boots, gloves, helmet AND
light, as well as ANYTHING that that gear has touched before being
washed, including the plastic tote you threw it in, which also must
be decontaminated before you put the clean stuff back in. This also
includes the film of dirt in the carpet in your vehicle where you
thew the tote and it has now touched. The vehicle must also be
decontaminated where the dirty tote is placed, or the spores will
get on the tote, which gets on the clean gear, etc. Multiply this
by hundreds of cavers, not all supervised or versed as to sterile or
decontamination techniques. It's not just about washing your
hands..... My understanding is that if the fungus is spread by
spores, washing with soap and water is the only way to get rid of
them. Germicides don't always work, or work as well. That's why the
organism forms spores, for survival. Cavers may not be the root
cause of the spread of WNS, but they COULD BE AN ACCELERANT of it.
IS IT WORTH THE RISK?
Is a convention here in New Mexico a good idea right now? Perhaps
not. It would be for the best possible and UNSELFISH of all reasons:
the limiting of the spread of WNS, if the convention bid were
withdrawn at present.
Think about this hard folks. Think about it at the regional for
orderly discussion as to the bid. Think about what Mr. Lyles wrote
below. There is a stinging truth to it.
(Yes, I tried, but could not avoid contracting Curmudgeon's
disease. Probably got it from Belski).
See you in a few weeks.
Carl Pagano
On May 17, 2010, at 9:42 PM, John Lyles wrote:
Be prepared! Learn a new pastime besides caving: something on the
surface, boating, knitting, skiing, hiking, backpacking, ham radio,
writing, traveling, cooking, drinking. Just think, you'll be able
to save up vacation while working again! WNS will get here, bats
aren't going to stop at state borders. Meanwhile, as my old grotto
Commander Cody Caving Club sez, "Cave 'til you Puke"!
jtml
Cavers can continue to help by continuing to decon between caving
regions and especially known bat caves,
not disturbing hibernating bats, and reporting any unusual bats to
their local FWS.
In general, bats out west are even less studied than bats out
east. If you know of a significant
hibernaculum, make sure it is protected (tell your friends not to
go there in winter), and monitored.
We are more spread out here out west, so knowledge of hibernating
bats may not be as well communicated.
keep your hopes up, Jennifer
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