2013 Cave Rescue  Operations and Management Seminar Schoharie Central High School Schoharie, New York July 6 - 13, 2013

 

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	Scholarships available for 2013 Seminar (Scholarship application Deadline April 4, 2013)
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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.            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. TOFE Team Operations and Field Exercises is a weeklong course of hands-on field experience through a variety of rescue scenarios in cave and cliff environments. Emphasizing the core skill set developed in Levels 1 & 2, this course provides cave rescuers an opportunity to acquire more practical problem-solving experience.  Successful completion of NCRC Level 2 or 3 within the past four years is a prerequisite. Caving and Wilderness First Aid is an elective level that students can choose to take to increase their knowledge of the medical aspects of cave rescue. This level includes a two day Wilderness First Aid course, a half day Psychological First Aid course, and various other medical topics applicable to cave rescue. The rest of the week will be a review of level two rescue techniques with a heavy emphasis on the medical care of the patient during each evolution. You will be with the rest of the group for the walkthrough and the mock.  You must have passed level 2 to be eligible for this course. If you have taken level 2 or TOFE within the past four years you will renew your eligibility to take level 3.  There is an additional registration fee for certification and the special text book. Personal Equipment Requirements On-Site Accommodations:         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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