cave rescue course

[sonnylawrence]

An NCRC (National Cave Rescue Commission) Level I course is being offered this summer in southern California. The course is modular, spread over three weekends. The dates are July 16-17, July 28-31 and August 13-14. Attendance at all sessions is required to pass the course. The cost per person is $350. These fees primarily cover the cost of food and registration. None of the instructors for the course are paid. The seminar is being provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Cave and Technical Rescue Team with assistance from NCRC Western Region instructors. This seminar consists of extensive classroom and fieldwork in all phases of cave rescue including underground environment, vertical rescue, hauling systems, extrication techniques, medical management, communication systems, and the organization and management of cave rescue operations. Basic and advanced course material is presented for students who typically include cavers, emergency services personnel, and emergency managers. The seminar provides approximately 100 hours of instruction over eight days. Its classes are physically strenuous and participants must be in good physical health. Students should be prepared to work in difficult situations, both above and below ground. NCRC requires participants in its seminars to possess certain skills as prerequisites. Each student must demonstrate his or her ability to ascend (on rope), change over, rappel part way down, tie off their descender, then rappel safely to the ground as part of initial check-in skills. Students must also demonstrate proficiency with the basic knots and hitches used in cave rescue. Information on specific prerequisites will be provided upon registration. Participants must review and sign a liability waiver at check-in registration. (Persons under the age of 18 may be permitted to participate in the course but must contact the registrar prior to registration concerning specific rules and restrictions.) Please contact Sonny Lawrence for more information at email address: canyonear AT gmail DOT com.