THE
NATIONAL CAVE RESCUE COMMISSION
presents a
Cave Rescue Operations and Management Seminar
June 7th-June 15, 2024
Camp Pinnacle, Voorheesville, NY
If a level is full, you can sign up to be put on the waitlist and if a spot opens up, you will be registered.
Contact [email protected] with any questions. Follow us on 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 awards scholarships to help provide financial assistance for those students otherwise unable to attend. The exact amount of the scholarship varies from year to year, but does not exceed half the cost of a seminar. To be considered, you must submit a scholarship request that includes completing the scholarship application, a caving resume, two letters of support from NSS members, and a cover letter describing your financial need and how training would benefit the caving community in your area. Letters from Grotto Officers and leaders in the caving community will be given the most weight.
The application will be updated shortly..
Email [email protected] for details.
Space is limited and registration is first come first served.
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 the Incident Command System (ICS). 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. 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. 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.
TOTS (Tips of the Spear) is designed for an in-depth focus on the medical aspects of cave rescue. Students must be prepared to pass the Level 2 entry requirements and have an advanced medical degree or certification.
TOFE (Team Operations and Field Exercises) NOT OFFFERED AT THIS TIME. We may update this. TOFE is designed as a series of hands-on field exercises with 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 experience 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 evening of Friday, August 27, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Any student not absolutely confident in their personal SRT skills should plan to participate in this workshop.
TOTS Prerequisites
Eligibility: Students do NOT have had to take a previous Weeklong, but must be prepared to pass the Level 2 Entry test. Entry may be invite only and may be limited only to medical professionals.
Student Preparation Guide: The Level 2 Student Preparation Guide contains comprehensive information on the requirements for personal equipment, vertical systems, knots, SRT, and rigging. The guide also contains the testing/scoring criteria used in the entrance exams and is a must-read resource.
Knots and Hitches: TOTS students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in the following basic knots and hitches commonly used in cave rescue:
SRT Skills: TOTS students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in using single rope techniques to ascend and descend rope:
Rigging Skills: TOTS students do not need to show proficiency in rigging skills, but should feel comfortable around the use of vertical rope rescue techniques
Retesting: TOTS students who fail entry skills testing will be offered retraining and are allowed two additional tests per skill (three attempts maximum per skill) within the timeframe allotted to entry testing.
Seminar Prerequisites apply to all students along with the applicable course specific prerequisites. Students must review both sets of prerequisites carefully.
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 a liability waiver prior to particiating in the Seminar.
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. The guide also contains the testing/scoring criteria used in the entrance exams and is a must-read resource.
Knots and Hitches: Level 1 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in the following basic knots and hitches commonly used in cave rescue:
SRT Skills: Level 1 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in using single rope techniques to ascend and descend rope:
Retesting: Level 1 students who fail entry skills testing will be offered retraining and are allowed repeated tests per skill within the timeframe allotted to entry testing.
Eligibility: Students must have successfully completed Level 1 within the last four years to be eligible to register for Level 2.
Knots and Hitches: Level 2 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in the following basic knots and hitches commonly used in cave rescue:
SRT Skills: Level 2 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in using single rope techniques to ascend and descend rope:
Rigging Skills: Level 2 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in rigging skills:
Retesting: Level 2 students who fail entry skills testing will be offered retraining and are allowed two additional tests per skill (three attempts maximum per skill) within the timeframe allotted to entry testing.
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. The guide also contains the testing/scoring criteria used in the entrance exams and is a must-read resource.
Knots and Hitches: Level 3 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in the following basic knots and hitches commonly used in cave rescue:
SRT Skills: Level 3 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in using single rope techniques to ascend and descend rope while passing a knot:
Rigging Skills: Level 3 students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in rigging skills:
Retesting: Level 3 students who fail entry skills testing will not be offered retraining and are allowed only one knot, one srt, and one rigging station retest.
Eligibility: Students do NOT have had to take a previous Weeklong, but must be prepared to pass the Level 2 Entry test.
Eligibility: Students must have successfully completed Level 2, 3 or TOFE within the last four years to be eligible to register for TOFE. Taking TOFE will also reset eligibility to take Level 3.
Knots and Hitches: TOFE students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in the following basic knots and hitches commonly used in cave rescue:
SRT Skills: TOFE students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in using single rope techniques to ascend and descend rope:
Rigging Skills: TOFE students must pass an entrance exam which includes demonstrating proficiency in rigging skills:
Retesting: TOFE students who fail entry skills testing will be offered retraining and are allowed two additional tests per skill (three attempts maximum per skill) within the timeframe allotted to entry testing.
NCRC certification is provided for students passing the written and skills tests for Levels 1, 2 and 3. NCRC certification is in accordance with NIMS Cave Search and Rescue Technician training requirements.
The seminar is being held at Camp Pinnacle in Voorheesville, New York, located at 621 Pinnacle Rd, Voorheesville, NY 12186. The Camp is 30 minutes from Albany International Airport, the Albany Amtrak station, and the largest Walmart SuperCenter in the US (2 stories!). There are also plenty of other shopping and dining opportunities in the region all within 30 minutes, and 15 minutes to all locations in Vorheesville. See the Nearby Resources section for more information.
The weather in June in the Capital District area of New York is quite pleasant but can be vary from cool to warm and at times humid. The average highs are near 78F and lows around 56F with a daily chance of rain, so bring your rain gear! The camp is on top of the Helderburg Plateau which tends to be a bit cooler. 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 50F with 100% humidity.
Meals are included in the seminar registration and are provided from Saturday morning breakfast on June 8th through Saturday morning breakfast on June 15th. For those with specific dietary preference, special meal plans include: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free (when medically-necessary). Additional medically-necessitated requests, such as food allergies, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and accommodated if possible. They can be submitted during registration or confirmed in advance by contacting [email protected].
Bunkhouse lodging is also included in the seminar registration and is available from Friday afternoon on June 7th through Saturday afternoon on June 15th. There is no discount for on-site camping. Some is available and space may be limited so please check in advance before planning on camping on-site, and 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 Pinnacle is a comfortable environment for training.
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 Speleobooks will be onsite at the start of the seminar to help with your equipment and caving 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 on-site. Please see http://www.speleobooks.com for more information.
New York is a WNS positive region and all caves are contaminated with WNS. Decontamination is not required before or during the seminar, but decontamination stations may 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 09.13.2018
Students must arrive and register prior to the start of the seminar at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8th, 2024. On-site registration will be open on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Lodging is available starting Friday evening to facilitate arrival, check-in, the vertical workshop, and a full night sleep before the Seminar begins.
All locations that are within 15 minutes are close together in or around Vorheesville. All locations that are around 25-30 minutes are located in close proximity on the Western edge of Albany. Driving to/from Albany will pass directly through Vorheesville. Driving to/from the Albany International Airport will pass through both the Albany and Vorheesville locations. The list below is only a sampling; google is your friend.
Transportation:
Resources:
Food:
Attractions:
New York City is less than 3 hours away by either car or train, and you can still get underground even though they might not be caves. If you can make it there...
The Gunks (Shawangunk Mountains) are 1.5 hours away and are one of the major rock climbing areas in North America. It is also known for beautiful hikes, including day hikes at the Mohonk Mountain House
The Catskills (Catskill Mountains) are 1.5 hours away and are known for beautiful hikes on its thirty-five peaks over 3500'. Also home to the Devil's Path
The Dacks (Adirondack Mountains) are 2.5 hours away and have fourty-six peaks over 4000' and some very rewarding hikes and more committed backcountry style climbing.
The 1000 Islands are 3.5 hours away and are home to lighthouses, historic castles, maritime museums, fishing, diving, quant shopping, dining, and other family-friendly attractions.
Niagara Falls is 4.75 hours away, and you can go on the Cave of the Winds tour to see a cave which no longer exists, although the falls still do.
Intensive initial training (or refresher) of core fundamentals to operate as a team member at a cave rescue. Price includes Room and Board.
Thorough technical and operational training (or refresher) to function as a team leader or as a more technically proficient team member at a cave rescue. Price includes Room and Board.
Advanced technical and command training (or refresher) to function in any capacity at a cave rescue, including as command staff in charge of the incident. Price includes Room and Board.
Additional meal/lodging plan for any non-student traveling with a registered student.
By Invitation only. Please do NOT register unless you've received an acceptance letter
Workshop is held the Friday Evening prior to the beginning of the seminar. Normally begins at 7:00 pm The workshop is recommended for all participants.
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)
Note: Camp Pinnacle will work to accommodate requests, but some dishes may contain eggs or milk.
Note: Camp Pinnacle has stated they are limited in their capabilities to provide a high quality Vegan experience. Please contact us for more details.
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.
