THE
NATIONAL CAVE RESCUE COMMISSION
presents a
Cave Rescue Operations and Management Seminar
May 13-20, 2023
Camp Skyline, Mentone, AL
If a level is full, you can sign up to be put on the waitlist. If a spot becomes available you will automatically be registered.
Please note: While our hope and goal is to carry on the seminar as planned and scheduled, we will be monitoring the covid pandemic closely and reserve the ability to cancel or adjust plans at any times.
Contact Facebook for the latest information.
The seminar consists of extensive classroom instruction and fieldwork in all phases of cave rescue including the underground environment, search problems, extrication techniques, patient evaluation and care, patient packaging, horizontal and vertical patient movement, rigging, hauling and lowering systems, communication systems, and the organization and management of cave rescue operations. Students typically include cavers, emergency services personnel, and emergency managers. The Seminar is physically demanding and participants must be in good physical health. Students should be prepared to work in difficult situations, both above and below ground.
The NCRC has funds available to provide financial assistance for those students who would otherwise be unable to attend. Scholarships ranging from $200 to $550 will be available for this training. The exact amount of the scholarship varies from year to year, but does not exceed half the cost of a seminar.
Please select "Apply for Financial Assistance" below as part of your application and email [email protected] with any additional questions.
All additional paperwork must be received by Feb 12th to be considered.
Space is limited, register now!
LEVEL 1 A week-long class that consists of extensive training in all phases of cave rescue, including vertical litter movement. Students will be instructed in incident command systems, basic medical procedures, mechanical advantage systems, cave environment, communications, litter rigging and transport, and single rope techniques. By the conclusion of this course the student should be well prepared to serve as a team member in most rescue situations.
LEVEL 2 This week-long class takes over where Task Force Member concluded. Task Force Member is a prerequisite for participation in Task Force Leader Level 2, and students are expected to have reviewed and practiced their Level 1 skills prior to the beginning of Level 2. Students will receive more advanced training in many of the disciplines covered in Level 1 training. In addition, students will have an opportunity to develop and enhance their leadership and management skills.
LEVEL 3 This week-long class offers the student an opportunity to expand and refine their vertical rescue skills. Extensive field work in mechanical advantage systems, rebelays, and non-traditional vertical systems, plus water problems and Incident Command activities. Task Force Leader Level 2 is a prerequisite for Specialist Level 3 Vertical.
TOFE (Team Operations and Field Exercises)The week-long course of hands-on field exercises through a variety of rescue scenarios in cave and cliff environments. Participants in TOFE must have successfully completed an NCRC Level 2 or higher course within the past four years. This course provides cave rescuers the opportunity to acquire more practical problem-solving exercises.
OPTIONAL VERTICAL WORKSHOP is an optional opportunity for students to practice personal single rope technique (SRT) skills prior to entry testing, and to prepare for a more productive NCRC experience. Build and adjust a safe, functional climbing system; fit and fine-tune an existing system; work on ascending techniques; and practice changeovers. This optional session is open to all registered students. It will be held the Friday evening prior to the start of the seminar, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Any student not absolutely confident in their personal SRT skills should plan to participate in this workshop.
NSS Membership: All students must be active members of the National Speleological Society (join online at members.caves.org).
NCRC Manual: All students are required to have a copy of the Manual of US Cave Rescue Techniques, 3rd Edition (either 2.0 or 2.1).
Liability Waiver All students must complete the liability waiver attached below.
Personal Equipment All students must attend with all required personal equipment in safe, usable condition and marked to identify the owner. Equipment deemed unsafe or unacceptable during check-in must be replaced prior to the student’s continued participation in the course. (More details are available in the Student Preparation Guide under the course-specific prerequisites.)
Age Restriction: Any prospective student under the age of 18 may be permitted to participate in the seminar, but must contact the registrar prior to registration concerning specific rules and restrictions.
Student Preparation Guide: The Level 1 Student Preparation Guide contains comprehensive information on the requirements for personal equipment, vertical systems, knots, and SRT.
Eligibility: Students must have successfully completed Level 1 within the last four years to be eligible to register for Level 2. TOFE students must have successfully completed Level 2 or higher class within the last four years.
Student Preparation Guide: The Level 2 Student Preparation Guide contains comprehensive information on the requirements for personal equipment, vertical systems, knots, SRT, and rigging.
Eligibility: Students must have successfully completed Level 2 or TOFE within the last four years to be eligible to register for Level 3.
Student Preparation Guide: The Level 3 Student Preparation Guide contains comprehensive information on the requirements for personal equipment, vertical systems, knots, SRT, and rigging.
Eligibility: Students must have successfully completed Level 2 or higher within the last four years to be eligible to register for SPAR-X.
PENDING Registration for this class may open once instructor availability is determined.
Camp Skyline in Mentone, Alabama is located at 4888 Hwy 17, Mentone, AL 35984. The camp is 2 hours and 15 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and about 1 hour from the Chattanooga Airport. There will be opportunities for a shuttle and assistance with transportation from either airport.
The weather in TAG (The Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia corner) is warming up by May, with average daytime temps in the upper 70F's to low 80F's, don't forget your sunscreen and bugspray! The evenings cool to the mid 50F's, so consider a blanket and layers. The TAG area is known for high humidity and a daily chance of (often unpredicted) rain, so bring your rain gear! The camp is in the foot hills of the Appalachian mountains. Be prepared to hike to caves and above-ground training sites through vegetated areas with poison-ivy, ticks and mosquitoes. Long pants, short sleeve shirts, hats, sunscreen, bug repellent, sturdy boots, and plenty of water are recommended for comfort and safety.
The caves in the area range from dry and dusty to river passage and everything in between. The average cave temperature is approximately 60F with 100% humidity, but the water temps and wet passages can be considerably cooler.
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Meals are included in the seminar registration and are provided from Saturday morning breakfast on May 13th through Saturday morning breakfast on May 20th. For those with specific dietary needs, special meal plans include: Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free (when medically-necessary). Other needs, such as food allergies, will be addressed individually. Please notify the registrar by email to ensure your medical needs are noted. [email protected].
Bunkhouse lodging is also included in the seminar registration and is available from Friday afternoon on May 12th through Saturday afternoon on May 20th. There is no on-site camping available. Students preferring private rooms or other accommodations must make their own off-site arrangements. Linens are not included, but are available at an additional charge and can be selected at the time of registration. Linens include sheet, blanket, pillow, and towel.
With camp staff catering hearty meals, bunk-house sleeping arrangements, and hot running water for showers, Camp Skyline is a comfortable environment for training and a well-known favorite of the NCRC.
Additional meal/lodging plans are available for spouses and/or partners traveling with a student who are not participating in the training.
The local vendor On Rope 1 will be onsite at the start of the seminar to help with your caving equipment needs. While stock should be available to assist with most required equipment and other vertical system adjustments, significant orders should be placed in advanced to be picked up onsite. Please see http://www.onrope1.com for more information.
TAG is a WNS positive region and all caves are contaminated with WNS. Decontamination is not required before or during the seminar, but decontamination stations will be available at the end of the seminar for those traveling outside the region. Gear used in caves during the seminar should not be used in any areas outside the WNS endemic area, even after decontamination. Decontamination will be pursuant to the National Protocol: National White-Nose Syndrome Decontamination Protocol - Version 10.8.2020
Students must arrive and register prior to the start of the seminar at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13th, 2023. On-site registration will be open Friday evening and Saturday morning. Lodging is available starting Friday evening to facilitate arrival, check-in, the vertical workshop, and a full night's sleep before the seminar begins.
Fort Payne, Alabama has a Walmart Supercenter within a 30 minute drive from camp. Summerville, GA has an Ingles, and Trion has a Walmart. While there are smaller markets closer to camp in Mentone, Valley Head, and Menlo, offerings can be limited. Plan accordingly. Camp Skyline is approximately 1 hour from Chattanooga, TN. If you are looking for something specific while onsite ask a local. If you are planning ahead, ask Google, or get on the NCRC 2023 Facebook page!
Transportation:
For any non-student traveling with a registered student.
This class is open only to those who have qualified to become instructors with the NCRC. Please use this registration ONLY if you have been invited to participate in the IQ program. Price includes meals and lodging.
**We are hoping to conduct a SPAR-X class at this seminar. Registration may open after instructor availability is determined. Spaces will be opened at that time.
This registration is only for instructors. Please use the DYWTT letter to address your teaching preferences. See the email from the Training Coordinator for additional information.
Workshop is held the Friday Evening prior to the beginning of the seminar at 7:30 pm The workshop is recommended for all participants.
Scholarships are available to help offset the cost of this year's seminar. Please apply for these if you are paying out of your own pocket for the class and are in need of financial assistance.
Each student is required to attend training with a copy of the Manual of US Cave Rescue Techniques, 3rd Edition (either 2.0 or 2.1) A manual will be provided to Level 1 Students.
Event shirt
Manual of US Cave Rescue Techniques 3rd Edition
You will pick up the manual at the time of your check-in at the Seminar. If you want the Manual shipped, it is available for $50 + shipping from the NSS bookstore. Limited copies may be available on-site for $55.
Linens
Linens include a sheet, blanket, pillow, and towel.
