I just completed a cave shoot.
Helmet rigging is definitely the way to go. I used a B6 and MM400 in multiple helmets
with a cutout in the helmet's styrofoam on top of the head (inside obviously). These foam pieces
are typically inserts which stick into the helmet via velcro... so I removed it, made a cutout, and also
used an elastic transmitter pouch (thigh sized) and wrapped it around the foam with the tx sitting
inside the cutout, but also supported by the elastic. Then the whole mess just velcros back inside
the helmet. I rigged the B6 at the center of the rim of the helmet with waterproof tape and ran the
excess wire into the helmet and looped it up and taped it down with waterproof tape leaving enough
tail for the connector to have some slack.
This rig worked very well inside the cave, the only major hassel was that battery changes are a bit of a
task, but what are ya gonna do ?
Range inside a cave is constantly changing... being around a corner in a cave is at times no different than
being a mile away... even if you are only 20 ft away. Close and Line of sight are best bet... but in a large
cavern range can be great.
Regarding the water.... water is likely to be an underground river and will very greatly in depth. I would bet
that the amount of filming whilst in neck deep water will be minimal, but cetainly plan for it. Here is what
worked for me. I had 2 dry bags. ANY time that I had ANY concern about water getting on my gear it got
bagged. My Zep came off and went into one bag with the pole... and my Pegz2 slid neatly into another.
When it was necessary to shoot while trudging, or even swimming, I left the whole bag powered inside
the dry bag on my back... worked great. No boom or phones at that point though. When I was certain
that I wasn't going in too deep, but was still waist deep.. I ran my phones cable out the top so I could
monitor. All of my gear worked great and never got wet.
Safety - It's Dark even with head lamps ... It's physically demanding ... Sharp Rocks ... Loose Rocks ... Current ...
Awkward steps ... Climbing with gear ... Take your time and DO NOT let a production rush you in these conditions.
Falling in some of these caves can be very very bad, a small slip can tear you up real good and a major fall could
be deadly. NO JOKE ! Anyone attempting this kind of thing had better be hiring a guide team who is familiar with the
specific cave / caves.
Jeff