West Sussex Caving Club © All rights reserved

Rules Regulations and Guidelines.

All Scouts caving must be led by someone with a current Form C.
Caving parties must leave an E. T. O. (estimated time out).

Most leaders would do this automatically.

Scouts under 18 must have parental consent forms.

The minimum party size is 4 people, at present there is no maximum number, but common sense will usually limit this to 8 or less.

It is the opinion of the County Caving Assessors that groups should have a second experienced caver in each group where possible, even if he/she is not a form C holder.

Cave leaders ("Form C" holders) can delegate others to lead groups provided they themselves are present, on the trip. Form C holders do not need to be members of the Scout association.

Cave leaders ( form C. Holders)

The Scout Association subscribes to the national standards as recommended by the National Caving Association Training Committee.

Firstly the Scout Association recommends that cave leaders should be experienced cavers.

The underground environment is not one in which the normal Scout Leader can work without caving experience.

It is potentially hazardous, and requires a more experienced leader than a mountain expedition of equivalent difficulty.

Secondly in order that the leader of any party will be suitably experienced, the Scout Association has introduced a system of authorization ( "Form C") for people wishing to lead parties of Scouts on trips down caves or mines.

All new "Form C" applicants will be assessed before authorization is granted, existing "Form C" holders will have the same assessment when  their current authorization is due for renewal.

For further information on "Form C" and the requirements for caving authorization please contact the County Caving Assessor at info@westsussexscoutscaving.com

"Form C" applications, can be obtained from your D.C. or from the County Caving Assessor.

The forms issued by West Sussex require slightly more information than those produced by the Scout Association.

This has been done to enable the County Caving Assessor to more accurately assess the applicants grade, especially as S.R.T. become more widely used.

The authority to lead caving parties is not a certificate of competence. It is a recognition that the District Commissioner, as advised by his Caving Assessor, is satisfied by the level of maturity and experience of the authorized leader.

It would normally be expected that any authorized person will be over 18 years of age.

A Troop or Unit without caving experience should obtain the advice and assistance of experienced cavers before going caving.

Caves are particularly prone to damage, and all caving parties must take very great care to ensure that they leave the cave as they find it.

It is also important to check on access arrangements before visiting the cave.

Cave Rescue and safety
A cave leader must be aware of the hazards which can be met underground. These vary from rapidly rising water levels following rainfall to people falling off rocks and hypothermia .

These are in addition to the more readily understood dangers of getting lost or physically stuck.

The hazards of mine exploration include those of rotting timber and unprotected shafts in the floor

A network of rescue teams covers the caving areas.

Their work is entirely voluntary and their existence should not be taken to mean that help is automatically available if things go wrong Rescue from some caves is impossible.

If you are unable to estimate this yourself, you are not fit to take a party down .

Remember that all requests for emergency cave rescue assistance should be made via the 999 emergency telephone system. Ask for the Police.