Safety in Catacombs30th June 1998. Catacombs feature a number of risks associated with exploring them. There is dangers associated with bad air, cave ins, getting lost, falling down holes and water hazards. Many of the dangers encountered in the catacombs, such as bad air and opening manholes are similar to problems encountered in drains so you should read those sections

The Paris Catacombs are explored regularly by experienced people who don't tolerate fools easily. When you first start exploring the catacombs you will be considered a 'Tourist' and you will probably have to explore on your own or with your own friends for a while until you become accepted. It pays to obtain some good maps before you venture down. Make sure you take the right equipment with you. It is probably best to explore the 14th Adr first as this is the most visited of the catacombs.

Being far from help

Of greatest cause for concern in the Catacombs is being so far away from help. A sprained ankle on a city street is not a big problem. Most often you can sit for a moment and continue walking. Or call a taxi or ambulance if needed. Not so in the Catacombs. The ground is rocky, slippery, wet or muddy. Walking with a sprained ankle can be painful and hazardous. If you break a bone, well that would be even worse. You could only hope to drag yourself to a main passage and hope someone finds you. As most people explore the Catacombs on the week end it would be best to explore Friday night to the middle of Sunday.

Getting lost

This can be a serious problem in the Paris Catacombs because they are so large and have so many tunnels, many of which are blocked. Unlike drains, catacombs contain relatively little metal, so a compass will work fine. You should obtain maps and print them out so you can take them with you. However, I recommend buying a LaFouine map. Start by visiting The Beach (la Plauge) and work out from there. Use the main passages as marked in the maps to work your way north to the FFI Bunker, Bunker Allamond and then east to Salle Z. Start with short trips. Sooner better than later, connect up with regular explorers and follow them around. It will be better if you do not demand that they take you place or give you a guided tour, just go where they go and pay attention to street signs.

Take water and food with you if you plan a long trip. Also be aware that while you may feel warm when walking around, you will start to feel the cold if you settle in one spot.

Getting stuck or cave ins.

The catacombs have hundreds of drifts, small crawl hole tunnels where sometimes you have to go on your belly. The catacombs are mainly built through sandstone, this is soft and can collapse when very brittle and dry or when saturated with water. If tunnels show signs of previous cave ins don't go into them. When crawling through drifts try not to touch the ceiling. This is sometimes easier said than done. The rule of thumb is to stick to main tunnels until you hook up with other cataphiles.

Quick Lime burns.

Yeah, as if you will be wanting to wander through the bone depositories. Still if you do be aware that these piles of bones are often covered in quicklime, a strong basic substance. Basic substances have opposite PH levels to acids, but can be just as corrosive as acids. If you get quicklime on your skin it will severely irritate the skin. High levels or prolonged of exposure will see the quicklime starting to eat through your cloths and into your skin. This hurts! It hurts really bad so don't be tempted to pick up those bones!

Holes in the floor.

The catacombs in places have several levels, with some tunnels running under others. You should always scan the floor before you, particularly at corners. Holes in the floor will often drop about six metres, sometimes more, down to the lower levels. Holes may be hiding in dark corners, or may not cover the entire width of the floors. There is rarely any warning of holes in the floor. It is up to you to look out for them. Many of these holes are located around the Careful Des Mortes.