2009 Cave Rescue  Operations and Management Seminar Stalker Elementary School, Bedford, Indiana June 13 - 20, 2009   *** Important Notice for All Participants of the 2009 NCRC National Seminar *** The "NCRC is aware of and concerned about the White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats and is currently developing policies for dealing with equipment cleaning and cross-contamination protection that will be consistent with NSS recommendations. At this time we do not have a formal equipment policy except that we request that participants from WNS affected states not bring gear used in those states and that all participants arrive with thoroughly cleaned equipment. We are holding off on a formal policy awaiting the latest and most efficient decontamination methods safest for equipment." More information on WNS can be found at the following site  http://www.caves.org/WNS/WNS%20Info.htm

 

About the NCRC	Download Registration Form
	Scholarships available for 2009 Seminar (Scholarship application Deadline March 1, 2009)
	Download Forms Enabled Registration Form (PDF 295K)
	E-mail the Seminar Staff for further information
	Where is Bedford Indiana?
	Where is Stalker Elementary School?

About the Seminar

The seminar consists of extensive classroom and field work 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 service personnel, and emergency managers.

Each course provides approximately 100 hours of instruction over the eight day seminar.  These classes are physically strenuous and participants must be in good physical health.

 

LEVEL 1 teaches current cave rescue and emergency management techniques, and provides instruction in cave environment, medical considerations, basic rope work, litter rigging and transport, and incident command systems. It is specifically designed to meet the various needs of agency personnel with little or no cave-related experience, and cavers with little or no rescue or medical experience. Level 1 prepares students to function as cave rescue task force members.

LEVEL 2 prepares students to function as cave rescue task force leaders. Participants in Level 2 must have successfully completed an NCRC Level 1 course within the past four years, and must demonstrate retention of key Level 1 exit skills. Students are taught more advanced techniques in medical management, vertical and horizontal rescue, team leadership, and incident management. The course is heavily oriented toward vertical rescue in the cave environment.            LEVEL 3 is designed to challenge and fine-tune students’ technical and management skills. Participants in Level 3 must have successfully completed an NCRC Level 2 course within the past four years, and will be expected to demonstrate retention of their skills as a condition of participation. Most sessions will be practical field exercises focused on crack and crevice rescue, technical rigging, water problems, and difficult litter handling situations - with an emphasis on small group scenarios and innovation. Throughout the week student teams will be presented with a variety of cave rescue problems and be expected to solve them with the assistance and supervision of the instructors.  Level 3 enrollment may be limited. Contact the registrar to ensure space is available. Personal Equipment Requirements On-Site Accommodations:   Camping will be allowed onsite at no additional cost. Showers and toilets are provided onsite. Bring your own camping, sleeping, and bathing supplies. Sorry, no RV hook ups are available.  Please contact the registrar if you plan on bringing an RV. Off-Site Accommodations & Attractions:  The National Cave Rescue Commission is a commission of the National Speleological Society, Inc. a  501c(3)  Non-Profit Organization     National Speleological Society Home Page Top of Page

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