These workshops bring together a range of people with interest and/or skills in single rope techniques and rescue, particularly related to caving.

20-hour Companion Cave Rescue Workshop is intended to be useful to 2010 Horne Lake Workshops anyone interested in safe caving skills, including novices, experienced cavers and SAR personnel who wish to broaden their knowledge. It provides expert instruction in rigging, single rope techniques, accident avoidance, mechanical advantage systems and companion rescue methods for caving. The consecutive Cave Rescue Response Workshop builds on the rigging and rescue skills practiced in the Companion Rescue Workshop by introducing participants to high angle stretcher handling, rigging and the organizational structure of a technical rope rescue response, with particular reference to cave rescue. Together, these workshops deliver most of the content of the BC Provincial Emergency Program Rope Rescue Team Member course as well as companion cave rescue skills and the essence of the week- long BC Cave Rescue Seminars held every second year on Vancouver Island. Vertical caving, SAR experience or the Companion Rescue Course are necessary prerequisites for the Response Workshop. The Companion Rescue Workshop will commence at 6 PM on Friday, May 28 and will continue until 3 PM on Sunday, May 30.

The Response Workshop will commence at the same location at 4:30 PM Sunday, May 30 and will continue until 3 PM on Tuesday, June 1. The workshops are organized by BC Cave Rescue (BCCR) and Island Pacific Adventures Ltd. All facilitators have considerable cave rescue and/or SAR experience and several hold British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program Rope Rescue Instructor, Team Leader or Search Manager certifications. Both workshops are intensively “hands-on” and involve simulations and scenarios designed to build skills and teamwork. Participants will receive course materials at registration that can be retained for reference to reinforce and expand on knowledge and skills presented during the workshops. Certificates of completion will be issued, but skill proficiency is not certified because no time is available for formal evaluations within the tight schedule.

Registration is limited to 20 or fewer participants. A course fee is charged to cover organizational costs and to purchase new equipment for cave rescue training and response in Western Canada. Previous BCCR course participants are entitled to a 25% discount and receive no handout material. The organizers reserve the right to screen applicants to obtain a mix which best achieves the objectives of the workshops. Priority will be given to people who have not participated in similar workshops in the past. Participants will be required to sign liability waivers but will also be covered by a Provincial Emergency Program Training Task Number.

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