Orientation to Cave Rescue 2018
About the Seminar
An introductory level program which consists of classroom and field work in all phases of cave rescue including: underground environment, extrication techniques, communication systems, medical management, and organization and management of cave rescue. The basic orientation course material is presented for students that typically include cavers, emergency services personnel and rescue management personnel.
This two-day course is designed as a basic Orientation to Cave Rescue. The class is geared to both cave explorers who desire to learn the basics of rescue and rescue personnel who wish to expand their knowledge and experience into the specialty of cave rescue. Our seminars usually have a 50-50 mix of cavers and Search and Rescue personnel. No previous experience in caving or search and rescue is required.
Training Agenda
Day One (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- Rescue Operations & Management
- Logistics
- Media Interaction
- Equipment Planning & Packaging
- Caving Equipment
- Cave First Aid Equipment
- Cave Search
- Initial Response
- Communications
- Medical Considerations
- Difficult Evacuation Problems
- Psychological Considerations
- Hypothermia
- Litters, Skeds and OSS
- Patient Packaging
- Hands-On Practice
- Briefing for Cave Rescue Simulation
Day Two (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- Cave Rescue Simulation
- Debriefing and review
Cost
The charge for this seminar is $50 per person if registering by August 15, 2018 and $60 thereafter. Register by Clicking Here Now (Note this will take you to a page on Colorado Grotto).
Logistics
Location
- Saturday, September 15, 2018
3140 Airport Road
Rifle, CO 81650 - Sunday, September 16, 2018
Fulford Cave
Eagle County, CO
Personal Equipment
Participants should wear durable, warm clothing and footwear for the Saturday hands-on session. Gloves and knee pads are recommended. Hands-on practice will be outside. The mock rescue on Sunday will require each participant to have the following: a helmet with a mounted light and two back-up sources of light, appropriate clothing (the cave is 35 ̊F with 99% humidity), sturdy ankle-high lace-up leather boots or hiking shoes with slip resistant/lug soles and gloves. Flexible knee and elbow pads are highly recommended. There will be crawling and climbing on variable terrain. Each participant should have a suitable pack for carrying their personal gear into the cave. Be sure to include personal identification marks on all equipment. WNS decontamination will be required for all gear.