A recent video from Costa Rica has shed light on the dangers of entering empty caves, highlighting the potentially fatal consequences of the air inside.
Caving is a risky activity, especially in tight spaces that demand bending and squeezing. But, being physically trapped isn't the sole danger in such small underground areas.
The isolated nature of these spaces can harbor unseen risks and unique dangers.
Man shows why it is unsafe to enter empty caves, as air inside can be fatal
Miners often used canaries to detect harmful gases in mines.
When a canary died, it served as a warning sign of dangerous gases, and miners would quickly evacuate.
This practice was necessary because underground areas can contain pockets of gas, including carbon dioxide, which pose serious risks to people who are unaware.
Carbon dioxide is a major threat because it sinks to the bottom of caves, creating deadly gas pools.
Even a tiny amount of this gas can make someone pass out, which can be deadly.
The video shows this danger as a man holds a burning torch in a cave.
The flame stays strong at the top, but when it reaches the layer of carbon dioxide below, it suddenly goes out, as if an unseen force smothers it.
This demonstrates the grave risk of encountering carbon dioxide in caves and the importance of being cautious.
The cave featured in the video, known as 'Cueva de la Muerte' or 'Cave of Death' in Spanish, is situated near the Poas Volcano in Costa Rica.
Despite its deadly nature, it remains a popular tourist attraction, strictly off-limits to visitors due to the risks it poses.
Carbon dioxide can accumulate and become hazardous in locations beyond just caves.
Cargo holds on ships, particularly when transporting certain cargo like pistachio nuts, can also experience dangerous accumulations of this gas.
Sailors entering these confined areas are at risk of encountering deadly concentrations of carbon dioxide, creating a potentially life-threatening possibility.
