BC Cave Rescue Workshop Registration, Horne Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Outline: These workshops bring together a range of people with interest and/or skills in single rope techniques and rescue, particularly related to caving. The 20-hour Companion Cave Rescue Workshop is intended to be useful to anyone interested in safe caving skills, including novices, experienced cavers and SAR personnel who wish to broaden their knowledge. It provides expert instruction in rigging, single rope techniques, accident avoidance, mechanical advantage systems and companion rescue methods for caving. The consecutive Cave Rescue Response Workshop builds on the rigging and rescue skills practiced in the Companion Rescue Workshop by introducing participants to high angle stretcher handling, rigging and the organizational structure of a technical rope rescue response, with particular reference to cave rescue. Together, these workshops deliver most of the content of the BC Provincial Emergency Program Rope Rescue Team Member course as well as companion cave rescue skills and the essence of the week-long BC Cave Rescue Seminars held every second year on Vancouver Island . Vertical caving, SAR experience or the Companion Rescue Course are necessary prerequisites for the Response Workshop. The Companion Rescue Workshop will commence at 6 PM on Friday, May 23 and will continue until 3 PM on Sunday, May 25. The Response Workshop will commence at the same location at 4:30 PM Sunday, May 25 and will continue until 3 PM on Tuesday, May 27.

The workshops are organized by BC Cave Rescue (BCCR) and Island Pacific Adventures Ltd. All instructors have considerable cave rescue and/or SAR experience and several hold British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program Rope Rescue Instructor, Team Leader or Search Manager certifications. Both workshops are intensively “hands-on” and involve simulations and scenarios designed to build skills and teamwork. Participants will receive course materials at registration that can be retained for reference to reinforce and expand on knowledge and skills presented during the workshops. Certificates of completion will be issued, but skill proficiency is not certified because no time is available for formal evaluations within the tight schedule.

Registration is limited to 20 or fewer participants. A course fee of $50 for each workshop or $85 for both is charged to cover organizational costs and to purchase new equipment for cave rescue training and response in Western Canada . Previous BCCR course participants are entitled to a 50% discount and receive no handout material. The organizers reserve the right to screen applicants to obtain a mix which best achieves the objectives of the workshops. Priority will be given to people who have not participated in similar workshops in the past. Participants will be required to sign liability waivers but will also be covered by a Provincial Emergency Program Training Task Number.

Location, Accommodation and Meals: The workshop registration and classroom exercises will take place at the Horne Lake Regional Park Campground, adjacent to Horne lake Caves Provincial Park , north of Qualicum Beach , Vancouver Island . Maps are available upon request. Campsites are available from the Regional District of Nanaimo and a group rate of $2 per night is usually available. Or you can leave your tents at home and splurge $5 per night to stay in a large teepee or geo-dome located in the Horne Lake Outdoor Centre. There is an eating shelter with picnic tables available for cooking and meals. Water is from a hand pump well and there is no electricity or pay phone. Cell phone coverage is good. Accommodations are also available in nearby Qualicum Bay . The program for both courses will take place at the campground and in the Cave Park . Participants will be responsible for their own meals. Two field lunches will be required for Saturday and Sunday. Time is very limited so pre-packing on Friday is mandatory. Friday evening finger food and beverages will be available. 0n Saturday, supper will take place at a local establishment

Program: It is important for all participants to have registered by 1830 hours, Friday, May 23 for inclusion

in the Companion Cave Rescue Workshop, and by 1630 hours, Sunday, May 25 for inclusion in the Cave Rescue Response Workshop. *Note: Participants wanting some knot tying and rigging practice prior to the official start, can show up anytime after 1600 hours on Friday for earlier practice.

1800-1930 hrs. Registration for Companion Cave Rescue Workshop alone or for both consecutive courses; equipment check.

1930-2130 hrs. Introduction of participants. Preview of workshop objectives and review of basic principles.

1230-1700 hrs. Removing an incapacitated person from rope, belay skills, basic raising and lowering systems.

1700-1930 hrs. Medical considerations, planning & preparing for a caving trip; review of skills.

0800 hrs. Depart for the simulations. The rest of the morning will be spent in practice of companion rescue skills in various simulations.

1330-1500 hrs. Debriefing of simulations; equipment cleanup, review of workshop, course evaluation sheet.

1500 hrs. Departure for those not continuing into the Rope Rescue Response Course.

1630-1800 hrs. Introduction to rescue response in BC and Alberta : Incident Command System for cave rescue; callout procedures; underground organization; communications ; tabletop exercises.

0800-1230 hrs. Field practice of team organization, patient packaging, stretcher handling, belayed raising and lowering.

1300-1700 hrs. Field practice of rigging and high-angle stretcher handling techniques.

1300-1500 hrs. Return to base, equipment cleanup, review of workshop, course evaluation sheet.

Note: This program outline may be adjusted to best meet the needs of the organizers and the participants. A map of the area will be supplied to participants upon request. For more information, contact:

Recommended / Preferred Equipment: All equipment must bear your name or ID marks. Equipment can be supplied (in limited numbers) for those wishing to borrow. Please indicate any needs on registration form.

· A helmet mounted electric light plus 2 backup lights with spare batteries & bulbs

· A caving sit harness (preferably) with connecting chest harness (adjustable Frog chest harness requires 25 mm. tubular nylon webbing, 4 m. length, with 2 or more D-rings). Full body harness or climbing sit & chest harness will work, but less efficiently.

· 2 cowstails, minimum 9 mm diameter dynamic, with two locking carabiners. Untied length for short cowstail with fig 8 & triple overhand knots: ~165 cm; tied length, 45-50 cm. Long cowstail with fig 8 & triple overhand: ~185 cm; tied length, 65-70 cm.

· 2 Prusik or autoblock slings: 6 or 7 mm low-stretch rope, each in 1 m untied lengths

· Ascending system (Jumars, Gibbs. Petzls, Prusik knots, etc.) Frog system preferred, using a chest Croll & footloop (around 2.5 m untied length, 7 mm diameter low stretch) mailloned (quick-linked) into a Petzl Basic and with a minimum 9mm diameter dynamic umbilical (around 190 cm -2 m untied length with Petzl Basic, shorter with a Hand Jammer). If making up your system, allow for more length rather than less. If using Prusiks, untied lengths for a three rope system using a Prusik on itself on foot loops for a 5’ 10” person are approximately: chest – 1.8 m; short foot sling – 3.62 m; long foot sling – 4.5 m.

· Descender: Recommended - Petzl Autostop or short rappel rack with Prusik or autoblock conditional self belay carabinered (Krylock gate) to leg loop)

· Minimum of 3 locking carabiners in addition to those on cowstail and self-belay.

· 2 rescue pulleys, personal size, Prusik Minding Pulley types preferred (SMC, Petzl, etc.)

· Cordelet or waistlength: a 7 to 10 m. length of 7 or 8 mm low-stretch rope, or 25 mm tubular nylon webbing

· Small sidepack or knapsack containing pocketknife, foil space blanket, small 1^st Aid kit, candle & lighter, duct tape, large garbage bag, thermal balaclava, snacks

· Rugged, warm clothing for caving – waterproof coveralls (or cotton over raingear), fleece top and bottom, wool socks. No cotton!

· Gloves: suggest rubber gloves for caving, leather gloves for dry caving and ropework

Participants must be in good physical health and condition and, although covered by a Provincial Emergency Program Training Task Number, they must also be willing to sign liability waivers. Additionally, participants should be prepared to work in difficult situations and while under supervision, negotiate drops of up to 20 M. during the workshop. Though the weather is usually comfortable in May, expect anything. All exercises will be outside and subject to rain and cool temperatures.

2. Digitally copy form, complete and e-mail as an attachment (MS Word or pdf format preferred);

3. Register online at: http://www.missioncontrol.co.nz/itm/Event_Master_Item_Public.aspx?ID=1109

Registration fees: $50.00 for only one workshop or $85.00 for both. Payment in advance is preferred to demonstrate commitment to attend, but payment will also be accepted upon arrival at the check-in location.

Name: ___________________________________ Phone(s): ___________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Postal Code: ________________ E-Mail address: ____________________________________________________

Organization (if any): _____________________________________________________________________________

I can contribute the following extra personal or team equipment for use at the Workshop(s) (e.g. ropes, helmets, lights, hardware, etc.): _______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

I wish to borrow the following equipment: _____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Please provide information on caving experience, first aid training, any previous BCCR courses attended, search and rescue experience and reasons for interest in this workshop.

Payment: Please make cheques payable to BC Cave Rescue and mail to: Phil Whitfield, 2067 Valleyview Drive, Kamloops , BC V2C 4C3

Companion Cave Rescue Workshop

May 23 - 25, 2008

Cave Rescue Response Workshop

May 25 - 27, 2008

Horne Lake Caves , Vancouver Island , BC