About the Orientation class

The Eastern Region of the National Cave Rescue Commission is pleased to offer this Orientation to Cave Rescue. The purpose of Orientation to Cave Rescue is to provide a common basis for both Fire/Rescue Personnel and Cavers to assist one another in the successful outcome of a cave-related emergency. The underground environment presents unique problems for rescue and medical personnel and makes this specialized training important in all cave regions. Students will have to organize their rescue from the ground up, and learn efficient solutions to problems which will appear. This course counts for six hours of Pennsylvania Continuing Education Credits for EMS professionals. Participants will also receive sixteen hours of West Virginia Fire School credit in basic cave rescue. The NCRC is the only nationally certified cave rescue organization.

Course format

Saturday. The morning will be spent in the classroom dealing with rescue management, the cave environment, search, communications, cave-related emergencies, hypothermia, and wilderness medicine. A coursebook will be provided but you will still want to take notes. Saturday afternoon will include outdoor exercises on patient packaging, patient transport, and litter handling. Plan on getting dirty and wet (if the ground is wet). Gloves and helmets are required, kneepads are recommended.

Sunday. The entire day will be an in-cave mock rescue. This exercise will give students a first-hand opportunity to participate in a cave rescue and find out the types of unique challenges cave rescues present. Certain key leadership positions may be assigned in advance by the staff. Plan on getting wet from the knees down and quite dirty. Full caving gear is required.

The course is physically strenuous. Each participant will be required to sign a liability waiver upon check-in. If under 18 parents must also sign a waiver. We will cover a lot of information in a short period of time. Expect to work hard in this course.

Preregistration deadline is April 18, 1999. Our last class was very successful with over 100 students. This class is limited to 60 participants due to a complex scenario at two different locations which allows more students both underground and in command positions.

In the unlikely event that the class is canceled, registrants will receive a full refund. No shows forfeit the registration fee.

All course participants will receive a copy of the new Universal Study Guide for Cave Rescue Training, third edition (1998), by the Eastern Region NCRC. This will be one of the first classes using this new manual.

Continental breakfasts, hot lunch, and dinner Saturday will be provided. Several motels and campgrounds are within 20 miles.

Time & place.

The course begins with a deluxe continental breakfast at 8 AM Saturday in the Markleysburg Fire Hall. Markleysburg is located near where the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia meet. Check-in begins at 7:30 AM Saturday. Classes run to 7 PM Saturday and from 8 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. Some segments will be outdoors (rain, shine, or snow) or underground so dress appropriately! Several extra full changes of clothes (including shoes) is highly recommended.