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Speleological Union
of Ireland:
The following are the minimum
requirements for any organisation taking groups caving.
- The Speleological Union
of Ireland recommends that only qualified staff should be involved
in taking groups caving.
- The B.C.L. (Basic Cave
Leader) is the minimum possible award and as such should be achieved
before leading a group underground. Holders should limit themselves
to short caving trips excluding deep moving water and any vertical
sections which would require protection by handlines and the like.
- It is accepted that
there may be a number of experienced unqualified leaders involved
in taking groups at present: however, the only recognised way of
monitoring and assessing the suitability of any leaders is through
the SUI Leadership Training and Assessment Scheme.
The following standards
are the minimum requirements for any Centre seeking registration for
offering caving courses as a regular part of their programme.
- A Centre aiming to
take novices caving should have at least on full-time member of
staff holding the minimum award of B.C.L. and preferably have one
holding a C.L.C. (Cave Leader Certificate).
- Only qualified staff
should be directly responsible for taking groups caving. The B.C.L.
is the minimum possible award and as such should be achieved before
leading a group underground. Holders should limit themselves to
short caving trips excluding deep moving water and any vertical
sections which would require protection by handlines and the like.
- A Centre aiming to
offer any caving courses involving progressive or more advanced
caving trips should have a full-time member of staff holding the
C.L.C. award.
- It would not be possible
to register / monitor a centre using casual part-time qualified
staff. The qualified personnel should be members of the S.U.I.
- STAFFING RATIOS
- Novice Trips:
Qualified leader - B.C.L. preferably C.L.C. Assistant leader,
preferably qualified caver. Group - 8 - 10 depending on cave
environment
- Progressive
Trips: Qualified leader - C.L.C. Assistant leader - B.C.L.
Group- - 4 - 6 depending on cave environment
- EQUIPMENT
- Group Equipment:
All members of the group should be fully equipped with the
following: Light. Helmet. Oversuit / Boiler Suit Wellingtons
/ Walking Boots
- Lights:
Lights should be mounted on the helmet
Types:-
- Lead-Acid
- Battery Cells
- Speleotec FX
- Premier Carbide
Lamps
These are
the most appropriate lights for caving.
- Helmets: specially
designed Cavina helmets or modified climbing helmets are most
highly recommended. If modified construction helmets are used
they should be of officially recognised standard for industrial
purposes and fitted with a 'y' chinstrap.
- Clothing: Depending
on the nature of the particular cave and especially the water
conditions, the most appropriate clothing for caving is a wet-suit
protected by some form of over-suit.
- Footwear: For
general purpose caving. Wellington boots with good soles or
walking boots are recommended.
- Accessories:
Gloves should be available for all members of the group.
Other items such as knee-pads should be considered.
- EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT:
All groups should
have some energy giving food e.g. bar of chocolate. All group members
should have an individual bivy bag.
- Ammo Box: Each
group must carry an emergency box with first aid equipment,
spare food and lighting, extra insulation and any individual
medical requirements e.g. inhalers
- Comfort Sack:
Each group should have a purpose built comfort sack. This should
contain extra first-aid, a sleeping bag, karri mats, double
bivy bags, extra clothing, food, lights, a stove and an insulation
tent.
While the above list
of equipment is not definitive, all participants on SUI Cave Leadership
Training Schemes should be fully aware of the basic necessary
equipment and their good and bad features. Details from the SUI
Training Committee.
- STAFF TRAINING
All leaders taking
groups underground should see it as their number one priority to
ensure that their group does not cause any damage to the extremely
fragile and irreplaceable cave environment. This respect for the
cave environment should be stressed to the members of the group
and it should be a major part of the whole learning experience.
Environmental awareness
should include the surface area also. Care must be taken to avoid
caves were there may be access problems with the landowner, building
up good relations with the landowner is also an important consideration.
All centres should avoid over-use of individual caves.
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to Approval Scheme
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