Orientation to Cave Rescue
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The Central Region of the National Cave Rescue Commission offers the Orientation to Cave Rescue course. It is typically offered as a weekend course, Saturday- Sunday.

The purpose of this course is to acquaint EMS, Fire Service, and/or rescue personnel and cavers with unique problems of finding and extracting lost/injured people from the cave environment. This is a two day course that involves strenuous activity and requires each participant to be in good physical condition. Each student will sign a liability waiver.

WHAT THIS CLASS DOES NOT COVER: Vertical rope techniques; Surface search and rescue.

CLASS TOPICS

DAY ONE
  • 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, Water Problems 
  • Psychological Considerations 
  • Hypothermia 
  • Litters 
  • Patient Packaging 
  • Field and Underground Application (Hands on. Be prepared with full caving gear & lights.) Practice in: Patient Packaging; Litter Handling; Evacuation Challenges. 
  • Briefing for Cave Rescue Simulation 
  • Informal Instructional Classroom Extra Practice and Hands On with topics of students choice. Usually emphasis is on patient packaging and cave communications. 
 DAY TWO
  • Cave Rescue Simulation (students run the mock rescue with instructor supervision) 
  • Critique 
  • Cleanup 
Be prepared to get wet and dirty BOTH days.

EACH PERSON WILL NEED:

  1. HELMET. Caving/climbing helmet preferred, modified construction type with good chinstrap OK. NO broad brimmed helmets.
  2. LIGHTS. Three dependable, independent sources required. Each source must be capable of getting you out of the cave and must provide ample light to see. Should be rugged and at least one, preferably all three, must be helmet mounted.
  3. RUGGED CLOTHING. In the central region, cave temperature is typically 56 degrees F. The caves may be muddy and /or wet. Layers of wool, polypropylene, etc. will help keep you warmer when wet.Coveralls, old army fatigues, or something similar as an outer layer is a good idea. Beware of cotton, like sweat suits and blue jeans, as they tend to absorb water like a sponge and stay cold, wet, and bulky. Avoid bulky, stiff clothing. NO bunker pants or turnout coats.
  4. GLOVES. Good leather or at least leather palm work gloves are a must. Your hands WILL need this degree of protection. Get them cheap at home improvement stores or any hardware store.
  5. KNEE PADS. At least basketball type, better yet- construction worker type. Look at home improvement stores or any hardware store.
  6. BOOTS. Sturdy, lug soled, lace-up type with good support.
  7. FOOD. Quick energy, ready to eat like trail mix, candy bars, small can of beans or fruit, etc.
  8. WATER. Good bottled water bottles or an army surplus canteen.
  9. SMALL PACK. Items 7,8,10 and 11 go into this pack as well as extra batteries, bulbs, and a note pad with short wooden pencils in zip-lock bags.
  10. GARBAGE BAGS At least two 30-33 gallon size.
  11. PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT and SUPPLIES. (knife and whistle)
Some people will find 20' of one inch nylon webbing and a couple of locking D carabiners handy, but it is not required.