All equipment must bear your name or ID marks. Equipment can be supplied (in limited numbers) for those wishing to borrow. Please indicate any equipment needs on registration form. If you are building your vertical rig or have any questions about required equipment, please contact info@caverescue.ca
A caving sit harness with connecting chest harness (chest harness may be either off-the-shelf or improvised)
2 cowstails, made from single-rated dynamic rope, minimum 9mm diameter recommended, with two carabiners (one locking and one non-locking)
Ascending system (Frog-style SRT system, with a hand ascender/footloop combination and a chest ascender)
Descender (Petzl SIMPLE or STOP strongly recommended; other in-line descenders acceptable e.g. mini-rack. Do not plan to use a Figure 8, Grigri, ATC or similar device.
Minimum of 2 locking carabiners in addition to those used for cowstails and vertical rig.
Prusik loop, ~1m long untied 6mm cord (will grab on 8mm handlines)
1 pulley, personal size, Petzl Microtraxion preferred but all kinds accepted
A helmet mounted electric light, plus 2 backup lights with spare batteries
A whistle
Small sidepack or caving pack containing pocketknife, foil space blanket, lighter, candle, thermal balaclava, snacks
Rugged, warm clothing for caving: waterproof coveralls, fleece top and bottom, wool socks. No cotton!
Knee pads for caving: gardener’s or light roofer’s pads are recommended; porous sport-style discouraged.
Gloves: warm gloves for damp caves (rubber-palmed construction gloves are commonly used, as are rubber electrician’s gloves for wetter caves); all gloves should allow easy operation of carabiners and tying of knots
Boots: waterproof rubber boots, canyoneering boots, or sturdy hiking boots – good grip is essential
Optional: Cordelet / waistlength: a 10 m. length of 8 mm low-stretch rope, or 25 mm tubular nylon webbing.