Caving Policy of the Rensselaer Outing Club

Greg Wallace, October 9 2002

General:
	Note:  The Rensselaer Outing Club shall be affiliated with the Rensselaer Student Grotto of 
		the National Speleological Society.

	Note:  All persons participating in club caving trips shall follow the motto of the NSS:

		“Take nothing but pictures,
		Leave nothing but footprints,
		Kill nothing but time.”

	Note:  All club trips must have a minimum of 3 participants including the leader.

	Note:  The penetration of sumps on official ROC trips by any means shall be prohibited.


Trip Classifications:

Class C Caves:

-All caves of horizontal nature with little or no danger of exposure to the beginning caver.  
-Class C trips shall not be endurance trials, the margins of endurance being judged by the trip leader.
-All members of the party prior to entering a class C cave should acquire a minimal knowledge of 
 safety and equipment.

Examples of class C caves:  Schoharie Caverns (NY), Wards-Gregory(Clarkesville) (NY), Onesquathaw Cave (NY), 
Keys Cave (WVa).


Class B Caves:

-Prolonged exposure to water, longer endurance trips, difficult climbs and traverses, climbs on belay, 
 and ladder rigging (including fixed ladders) or double rope rigging (of which only one rope at a time is 
 used) of drops not more than 15 meters (50 feet) in depth.  The rigging of the rope must not be inside the cave.
-Each person on a class B trip shall have been on at least one (1) class C trip and shall be sufficiently 
 experienced, as judged by the trip leader, in the caving techniques that will be needed on that trip.

Examples of class B caves:  Gage (Ball’s) Caverns (NY), Ella-Armstrong Cave (NY), Sellecks Cave (NY), 
and Eagle Cave (NY).


Class A Caves:

-Extreme exposure to water, long endurance trips, excessive climbing on belays, excessive vertical drops, 
 or internal drops.
-Each person on a class A trip is required to possess a working knowledge of all basic caving skills 
 (such as bridging, chimneying, traversing on belay, belaying, etc.) and of single rope techniques.
-Each person shall have a means of rappelling and ascension.  This knowledge must be obtained in class B 
 and C caves and a technique training session supervised by a class A leader.

Examples of class A caves:  Benson’s Cave (NY), McFail’s Cave (NY), Field House Cave (WVa), 
VanFleets Cave (NY), and Upstream Gage (NY).



Leadership Requirements:

Class C Leaders:
1.  May lead only class C trips
2.  Must have a knowledge of :
	a.  Conservation
	b.  Basic safety techniques
	c.  Operation of carbide lamps
	d.  Hypothermia precautions and solutions
	e.  Basic caving dress
	f.  Basic caving equipment
		i.  Clothing
		ii.  Light sources
		iii.  Helmets
		iv.  Maps 
3.  Must carry on all trips:
	a.  First aid supplies
	b.  Drinking water
	c.  Plastic Bag
	d.  Food
4.  Demonstrate leadership abilities beyond technical expertise
5.  Meets general ROC requirements for leadership as outlined in bylaws

Class B Leaders:
1.  Meet the requirements for class C leaders
2.  Must have extensive experience in class B and C caves
3.  Must have a working knowledge of:
	a.  Cable ladders
	b.  Basic rope work
		i.  Rigging
		ii.  Knots
		iii.  Belaying
		iv.  Rope handling
	c.  Basic ascending techniques
	d.  Various rappel devices
	e.  Experience with single rope techniques
	f.  Making Swiss Seat style harness and other styles of harnesses
	g.  Have knowledge of cave rescue techniques

Class A Leaders:
1.  Must meet the requirements for class B leaders
2.  May lead trips to caves classified as class A, B, or C
3.  Must have lead at least two (2) class A trips under the supervision of a class A leader
4.  Must show leadership ability, competence, and an adaptability to any situation that 
    could arise in a class A cave
5.  Must have knowledge of:
	a.  A variety of methods of ascension
	b.  Ascending and rappelling over knots
	c.  Multi pitch drops
	d.  In cave rigging:
		i.  Bolts (pre placed)
		ii.  Pitons
		iii.  Chock rigging
		iv.  Tyrolean bridges
	e.  Training or practice in cave rescue techniques
	f.  Physical and psychological stress encountered during class A trips
6.  Must have extensive experience in class A caves

Recommended Equipment:
All Trips:
1.  Helmet for each participant
2.  Light sources for each participant
3.  First aid kit
4.  Water
5.  Food
6.  Carbide

Class B Trips:
1.  Static Rope
2.  1 inch tubular webbing
3.  Ascenders for each participant
4.  Rappel devices for each participant
5.  Electric light sources for use while on rope