Most other headtorches available in the U.K. are simply not durable enough to survive caving but may be suitable as an emergency lamp. These lamps utilise the reaction between calcium carbide and water to generate the inflammable gas acetylene. The small helmet mounted versions affectionately known as 'old stinkies' in the U.K. are still used in some parts of the world, as are larger hand-held versions. Problems such as the short duration of helmet mounted lamps, the unbalancing effect on a helmet and pollution of caves by spent carbide has meant that these devices have been almost totally superceded by European style waist mounted generators with only the burner helmet mounted. Carbide lamps provide a better all round illumination of the cave but poor beams when looking down a shaft or up an aven.
Many people find the softer illumination more pleasant.
Carbide lamps are vulnerable to blowing out or dousing by water and the flame can be a hazard to ropes in vertical work. The vertical flame of helmet mounted burners may leave soot marks on the roof of passages and the distinctive smell of carbide lamps can linger in caves long after the caver has passed. Carbide lamps with remote generators can provide light for between 8 and 14 hours on one filling of carbide with one or two refills of water. Spare carbide can be carried far more easily than a spare electric battery though if this is done provision MUST be made to carry out the spent carbide. Some generators enable a spare base with a lid to be carried and the bases simply swapped over.