Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vertical Training Commission?

The VTC was created to develop vertical training courses within the US. To do this, the VTC is tasked with defining vertical competencies, creating educational materials, and training interested cavers. The overarching goals of the VTC ar:

Identify the core competencies and critical thinking needed in vertical caving
Generate educational materials that meet modern teaching standards with skills-based assessments, including problem solving scenarios
Bring together the best teaching practices for vertical caving
Create competent and active vertical trainers within the US
Focus on creating an accessible program that is attainable and understandable to people of diverse knowledge sets and backgrounds, while maintaining minimal costs and bureaucratic processes
Resist any efforts to develop vertical certifications as a mechanism to limit or restrict cave access in the US

Why was the VTC formed?

Over the past few years, NSS members have raised concerns over vertical safety in the US caving community, an issue that is often emphasized when the American Caving Accidents (ACA) is published. In April 2021, a questionnaire was conducted asking US cavers about their learning preferences. This questionnaire, which was completed by over 1,000 cavers, suggested there were real concerns about the quality and availability of vertical training in the US. To address all these issues, the NSS created an ad hoc committee to examine how they could be addressed within the NSS. This ad hoc committee, consisting of 13 cavers with diverse backgrounds in vertical training, rigging, NCRC experience, with a variety of regional affiliations. It was the recommendation of this committee that the VTC is structured as a national commission within the NSS, tasked with overseeing vertical training of interested cavers within the US through grottos, regional and national events.

Is VTC training required to go caving?

Does the VTC host the classes?

We are in the process of developing training materials, with a goal of creating three levels of training:

Level I – Demonstrated self-sufficiency and safety in vertical caving

Level II – More technical vertical skills and basic rigging.

Level III – Advanced skills, taught on an ad hoc basis

The courses will be designed as weekend courses, with a written test and performance evaluation, to demonstrate the required knowledge and practical competencies.

We anticipate being able to teach the Level I courses in Spring 2023.

Where does the funding come from?

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NSS Vertical Training Commission