Hoofers Outing Club

Vertical Caving Safety Code

 

Version 1.0

Passed by a two successive votes of the Hoofers Outing Club Executive Board

(July 13, 2004 and August 3, 2004)

Scope:

This safety code applies to vertical caving trips and instructional trips conducted by the Hoofers Outing Club.  This code does not apply to horizontal caving trips.  Vertical caving and instructional activities are defined as those in which a participant is at some time supported solely by rope and rappelling/ascending on ropes is an intended activity.  Vertical caving trips and instructional activities are also governed by all relevant Hoofers Outing Club and University policies, as well as all policies of the National Speleological Society.  The rules and regulations presented in this code are minimum requirements, which must be adhered to at all times.  All vertical cavers may (and are encouraged to) be more conservative in order to increase safety.  Anyone who witnesses unsafe behavior should immediately bring it to the attention of a trip leader, and, if not adequately resolved, the Hoofers Advisors or Outing Executive committee.

Ratings:

The club has established various ratings.  These ratings are awarded by a Vertical Caving “Trip Leader” and will be documented on the individual’s club membership cards.  There are four levels – two levels for participants and two leadership levels.  The skill levels for participant are “Basic Vertical Caver” (V1) and “Advanced Vertical Caver” (V2).  The two leadership levels are “Assistant Trip Leader / Assistant Instructor” (VL1) and “Trip Leader / Instructor” (VL2).  Leadership and Instructional roles are combined, as it is generally necessary that one be familiar with instructional techniques in order to safely lead trips involving inexperienced cavers.  Participant ratings may be rescinded by a Trip Leader, and leadership ratings may be rescinded by a majority vote of the Hoofers Executive Board.  These ratings are applicable only to the Hoofers Outing Club and are not intended to have any relevance outside this organization.

·        Basic Vertical Caver (V1)

A Basic Vertical Caver must:

o       Demonstrate the ability to safely ascend using at least one club-approved method (Three Prusiks, Frog, Texas, Rope-walker, etc…)

o       Show a basic familiarity with ascending using three prusiks.

o       Demonstrate the ability to safely rappel

o       Demonstrate the ability to safely changeover between ascending and rappelling and vice-versa.

o       Be certified B1 (Top-rope Climbing Belay Rating) or equivalent.

o       Have participated in at least one Hoofers (horizontal) Caving trip or equivalent.  This is to verify that prospective vertical cavers are not claustrophobic or afraid of the dark.

o       These skills should be demonstrated to a Trip Leader at a Vertical Workshop, or, at the discretion of an instructor (i.e. for experienced vertical cavers who are joining the club), may be demonstrated on a Vertical Caving trip.

o       Basic Vertical Cavers are qualified to participate in Vertical Caving trips.  They should be supervised by Trip Leaders or Assistants, especially when attaching/detaching to/from the rope and crossings edges/lips.

·        Advanced Vertical Caver (V2)

An Advanced Vertical Caver, in addition to the qualifications required for V1, must:

o       Demonstrate the ability to pass knots, deviations, and rebelays

o       Show proficiency at ascending and descending over edges/lips.

o       Show proficiency at changeovers in difficult conditions.

o       Be familiar with advanced techniques discussed in “On Rope”, “Alpine Caving Techniques”, or another similar text.

o       These skills should be demonstrated to a Trip Leader at one or more workshops and/or trips.

·        Assistant Trip Leader / Assistant Instructor (VL1)

An “Assistant Trip Leader / Assistant Instructor”, in additional to the qualifications required for V2, must:

o       Demonstrate the ability to instruct inexperienced cavers in getting into harnesses, safely attaching/detaching to/from the rope.

o       Demonstrate the ability to assist inexperienced cavers in effectively using ascending rigs.

o       Be qualified to recognize damaged, dangerous, or unsuitable gear.

o       Show an interest in learning techniques for rigging ropes and performing pickoffs.

o       These skills should be demonstrated to a Trip Leader on one or more Vertical Caving trips.

·        Trip Leader / Instructor (VL2)

An “Trip Leader / Instructor”, in additional to the qualifications required for VL1, must:

o       Demonstrate the ability to safely rig ropes to cliffs, trees, pits, and other objects, according to club standards.

o       Be qualified to lead rappel and sweep climb.

o       Demonstrate the ability to assemble common ascending systems and instruct beginners in their use.

o       Demonstrate the ability to assemble a Three Prusik ascending system.

o       Be familiar with all ascending systems used on a trip he/she is leading.

o       Be familiar with commonly accepted knots necessary for safe vertical caving.  At a minimum, these include the “figure eight” (rethreaded and loop), “overhand loop”, the “bowline”, the “double fisherman’s”, and the “tape knot”/”rethreaded overhand” (sometimes called a “water knot”, though this refers to many knots).

o       Demonstrate the ability to perform a pickoff (using a separate rope).  Trip leaders are expected to remain proficient at this skill and be competent in vertical rescue techniques.  It is encouraged that instructors seek out formal training in cave rescue.

o       These skills should be demonstrated to a Trip Leader on one or more Vertical Caving trips.  It is suggested that an Assistant Trip leader “run” one or more entire trip under the supervision of a Trip Leader as an “apprenticeship”, before being promoted to Trip Leader.

o       These are not merely skills that must be demonstrated once in order to be certified as a trip leader.  It is expected and required that active Trip Leaders maintain and practice these skills.

o       The initial cadre of trip leaders will be appointed by a majority vote of the Outing Club Executive Board.  When one or more Trip Leaders exist, additional Trip Leaders ratings will be awarded by existing Trip Leaders.       

Vertical Caving Trips:

·        A “Vertical Caving” trip is a trip to a cave or other location where participants must ascend and/or descend on rope in conditions where continuous direct supervision is inconvenient.

·        Trips must be conducted in accordance with all Hoofers Outing Club rules.

·        Trips should be conducted in accordance with best conservation practices and an effort should be made to minimize negative impact to the cave and the surrounding environment.

·        All participants on Vertical Caving trips must wear an approved helmet and carry three sources of light.

·        All club members who participate in club Vertical Caving trips must have a V1 rating or, at the discretion of the Trip Leader, may obtain this rating during the trip (for participants with prior experience only).

·        A Vertical Caving trip requires at least one caver qualified as Trip Leader.   If there is more than one, one must be designated as the Official Trip Leader.

·        The minimum Vertical Caving trip size is 3 (a leader and two other participants).

·        Any trip with more than 3 total cavers has the requirement that, in additional to the Official Trip Leader, at least one participant must be qualified as Assistant Trip Leader or higher. 

·        There will not be more than 4 participants (not qualified as Trip Leader or Assistant) per Trip Leader or Assistant.

·        The Official Trip Leader will determine the minimum level of qualification for a Vertical Caving trip.  Some trips may be limited to individuals with V2 ratings or higher.  The Trip Leader is expected to use judgment in determining whether an individual, regardless of ratings, is qualified to participate on a specific trip.  Leaders may also place limits on the total number of cavers on any trip.

·        At the discretion of the Official Trip Leader, a second rope will be rigged so that pick-offs can be performed immediately if necessary.  This decision should be based on the experience level of trip participants and the immediate hazard to anyone that might become “stuck” while descending or ascending.

·        At a minimum, ropes must be attached to properly backed up “bombproof” anchor or two good bolts.  When possible, it is encouraged that two independent anchors be used for rigging, to avoid accidents if an anchor fails.  The attachment must be inspected by a trip leader or other qualified individual, and the Official Trip Leader bears the final responsibility for ensuring that the rope is safely rigged.  A “bombproof” anchor is an anchor that will not fail under any survivable load or under any other remotely possible circumstances.

·        Under all circumstances, a “stopper” knot must be placed at the end of a rope in order to prevent individuals rappelling off the end.  The Official Trip Leader is responsible for ensuring that this knot is in place.

·        A Trip Leader or Assistant should be the first and last out on all trips.  With larger groups, it is preferred that an Assistant then be last in and first out, so all participants are “bracketed” by leaders or assistants.

·        Lead or aid climbing (climbing above the highest anchor) in caves presents a number of unique and significant risks, and, if not practiced correctly, can be extremely dangerous.  The specific dangers are discussed at length in the texts mentioned in this document.  Lead climbing in caves on Hoofers Vertical Caving Trips may only be conducted by an individual who: (a) has a VL2 rating; (b) is proficient in the techniques of lead climbing; (c) is familiar with the dangers associated with lead climbing in caves; (d) is protected using a dynamic rope (under no circumstances may a club static rope be used) belayed by another individual meeting these criteria.

Vertical Workshops:

·        A “Vertical Workshop” trip is an instructional trip in which participants can be easily supervised while they learn vertical caving techniques.  These can take place using a rope hanging from a tree, structure, cliff, or in certain caves.

·        Trips must be conducted in accordance with all Hoofers Outing Club rules.

·        Vertical Workshops require a trip leader. 

·        There are no limitations on the number of participants.  There are also no specific limits on the ratio of participants to leaders, but it is expected that leaders will use their discretion in limiting group size, taking into consideration environmental impact and safety considerations. 

·        Ropes for Vertical Workshops must be rigged to the same standards as those on Vertical Caving trips.  It is encouraged that ropes be rigged in a manner such that a student can be lowered by the rope.

Gear:

·        The club owns certain vertical caving gear, including ropes, rigging, carabineers, harnesses, ascenders, and rappel devices.  Club gear may only be used on club trips, which are supervised by a Trip Leader.

·        The Caving Chair is responsible for ensuring that the gear is stored in an acceptable manner, in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations regarding light, temperature, and humidity.

·        When club carabineers are used for rigging, only steel carabineers with locking gates are permitted.  Individuals may choose to use aluminum carabineers for personal attachment.

·        The club will keep an equipment logbook, which will be kept in the equipment locker.  The purpose of the logbook is to track usage of club gear and to ensure that it is not lost.  All club-owned gear must be listed in the logbook.  Each time a rope is removed from the locker, it must be documented in the logbook. For Vertical Caving trips, personal gear will be checked out to individuals and this will be noted in the logbook.  For Vertical Workshops, the trip leader may check out all the gear and this will be noted in the logbook.  Gear must be checked in to the logbook when it is returned to the locker.  Under all circumstances, any damage to club gear must be noted when it is returned or as soon as it is noticed.

·        Club harnesses, ascenders, and rappel devices will only be used by club members on club trips.  Only individuals with a V1 rating or higher may use club gear on Vertical Caving trips, though any club member may use it in Vertical Workshops. 

·        Individuals with a significant interest in vertical caving are encouraged to purchase their own vertical caving system, as this will allow them to have a customized system (that doesn’t need to be adjusted before every trip) and will free up club gear for new participants.

·        Harnesses, webbing, ascenders, rappel devices, carabineers, and all other “personal gear” must be inspected before and after each use.  This inspection must take place by the wearer, under the supervision of a trip leader or assistant.   Ropes must be inspected before and after each use by the trip leader or assistant.

·        All club gear will be inspected periodically by a trip leader.  This inspection will take place not less than once per year and will be documented in the logbook.

·        Harnesses will be retired at the first sign of significant wear.  Webbing, slings, and ropes will be retired in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations and generally accepted standards.  Hardware will be repaired or replaced as needed.  Any of these actions will be noted in the logbook.

Texts:

The following books are suggested reading for those interested in vertical caving:

·        On Rope: North American Vertical Rope Techniques. Bruce Smith, Allen Padgett, and the NSS Vertical Section. ISBN 1-879961-05-9.  Available in the Hoofers Library.

·        Alpine Caving Techniques.  George Marbach, Bernard Tourte, translated by Melanie Alspaugh.  ISBN 3-908495-10-5.  Available in the Hoofers Library.

·        Life on a Line. Dave Merchant.  Available online at http://www.draftlight.net/lifeonaline/

·        Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills.  Don Graydon, Kurt Hanson, Mountaineers.  ISBN 0-898864-27-5.  Available in the Hoofers Library.

 

Amendments:

This document can be amended by a majority vote of the Hoofers Executive Board.  Should sufficient interest develop in Vertical Caving, it is desired that a Vertical Caving Safety Board be created, with a role similar to that of the CSB and WSB.