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
¶ SRT Kit:
- 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 STOP recommended; other in-line descenders acceptable e.g. Petzl SIMPLE or mini-rack. Do not plan to use a Figure 8, Grigri, ATC or similar device.
- If using a descender without an auto-stop feature you will need to use a backup system such as an additional prusik.
- Minimum of 2 locking carabiners in addition to those used for cowstails and vertical rig.
- 2 prusiks, ~6-8mm diameter, able to grab onto 11mm rope.
- 1 pulley, personal size, Petzl Microtraxion preferred but all kinds accepted
¶ Other:
- An approved helmet with chin strap,
- 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.