Carbide lamps tend to possess their own personalities and are often temperamental. For this reason many cavers prefer to use electric lamps, which are more straightforward to operate. However, most carbide lamp malfunctions are due to poor maintenance. If you know your lamp as you should and carry the proper spare parts, almost all problems can be avoided or remedied.
Carbide lamps do have one unique quality not shared by electric lamps—the flame itself. The carbide delivers heat and has the ability to arrest caver hypothermia. A space blanket over a cold caver used in conjunction with a carbide lamp has saved cavers’ lives. A carbide can also be used for fusing rope ends together to arrest unraveling, for cooking, and for heating water for drinks. Conversely, the flame may also pose problems, having the potential to cause fires or damage ropes.
