I suppose you could say that some risks in caving are dependent upon the number of people on the trip (or even the group's collective experience with the activity), but I would say that the actual risks involved with caving are largely indeterminate of the number of participants. Our perception of the inherent risks does change in that I think we all *feel *safer with a group. As stated with both Gill and Mark's comments, you can slip/fall, loose a light/handhold, etc., but these risks exist whether you are alone or with a group. So in this case, my opinion would be whether you cave by yourself or with a group does nothing to alter the *inherent *risks involved with caving. And what Gill stated holds true: you should be careful at all times.
The *outcome *of a given incident does change, as Mark points out, when there are others around to help. But again, whether it's one body or several, the risks still exist. You just have more hands to help when something goes wrong. Our perception of risk is something that never ceases to amaze me. -brian
