A literature review of medical support in cave rescue and confined space medicine – implications in urban underground space development

Objective: To conduct a literature review and knowledge synthesis of medical support in cave rescue and confined space medicine (CSM), thereby, extrapolating the knowledge gained from cave rescue and CSM to consequence management in Urban Underground Space (UUS) development. Methodology: A review of current medical literature was conducted. Data sources: Search engines utilized include PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Results and Recommendations: The synthesized knowledge based on available literature was extrapolated to application during consequence management in UUS development. Conclusion: As underground urbanization progresses to create sustainable habitats for the world’s increasing population, city planners need to consider the need for consequence management in UUS. The knowledge and experience gleaned a posteriori from cave rescue and CSM should be utilised to optimize the planning of emergency response in an urban underground environment.