SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
CAIRNS DISTRICT
ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES

CAVING ACTIVITIES REQUIREMENTS

1.  DEFINITION.
A "Caving Activity" is any undergroundactivity and includes the exploration of mines, lava tubes, etc.
  
2.  CONTROL.
The sport of caving shall be controlled by the District Commissioner, acting on the advice of the District Leader, Adventurous Activities (if this role is currently filled) who shall appoint a Senior Examiner from the list of Examiners.  In the event of the position of District Commissioner not being filled, the responsibility shall lie with the Area Commissioner, acting on advice from the Senior Examiner (Caving).
All personnel involved with caving should be conversant with First Aid.
In addition to anything stated herein, the requirements of any relevant Queensland Branch Scouting Instructions or sections of Policy, Organisation and Rules shall apply.  Form C5 is to be used for all caving activities, where applicable.

3.  EXAMINER.
 An examiner shall -
 (i)	Hold a Trip Leaders Certificate.
 (ii) 	Hold an Abseil Instructors Certificate.
 (iii)	 Hold a Top Rope Instructors Certificate.
 (iv)	Have logged at least 100 hours as a Trip Leader.
 (v)	Have demonstrated his/her ability to undertake cave survey to a reasonable standard, and be able to instruct others to at least Grade 3 surveys.  Grade 3 shall be defined for these Requirements as a survey conducted using compass, clinometer and tape, properly reduced to traverse dimensions, with all major points designated and sketched.
 (vi)	Be passed as an Examiner by the Senior Examiner.
 The Senior Examiner and Examiners will be responsible for testing Trip Leaders and Assistant Trip Leaders.
 
4.  TRIP LEADER.
A Trip Leader may be EITHER -
(i)	A qualified Trip Leader with any Affiliated Club of the Australian Speleological Federation who has satisfied the Senior Examiner of his qualifications;
OR -
(ii) 	Any person of at least 17 years of age who has satisfied a Caving Examiner in ALL of the following -

(a)	Logged 160 hours underground caving experience;
(b)	Demonstrated his/her knowledge of the use of caving ladders, rope and tackle, mechanical devices and their maintenance;
(c)	Hold an Abseiling Expedition Leader Certificate;
(d)	Hold a Top Rope Climbers Certificate;
(e)	Demonstrated his/her ability to read Cave Maps and undertake Grade 3 cave survey as defined in these Requirements;
(f)	Have been an Assistant Trip Leader for a period of 80 hours underground;
(g)	Know the normal call out procedures;
(h)	Demonstrated his/her ability to conduct a safe rescue.
Note - A Trip Leader may train other Trip Leaders but final endorsement will be by a Caving Examiner.

5.  ASSISTANT TRIP LEADER.
An Assistant Trip Leader must satisfy a Caving Examiner in ALL of the following -
(a)	Have logged a minimum of 80 hours underground caving experience;
(b)	Demonstrated his/her knowledge of the use of caving ladders, rope and tackle, mechanical devices and their maintenance;
(c)	Hold an Abseiler Certificate;
(d)	Have safely completed 50 meters Top Rope Climbing;
(e)	Know the normal callout procedures;
(f)	Is of at least Venturer age.
An Assistant Trip Leader may lead a trip into a particular cave if he/she has EITHER (a) been into that cave on at least two prior occasions; (b) qualified at step (h) to Trip Leader standard; and (c) has the authorisation of a Caving Examiner OR has been authorised to do so by the Senior Caving Examiner.  (This alternate is mainly intended to cover entry into newly located caves.)

6.  CAVER.
A Caver must satisfy a Trip Leader in ALL of the following -
(a)	Have logged a minimum of 30 hours underground caving experience
(b)	Demonstrated a basic knowledge of the use of caving ladders, rope and tackle, mechanical devices and their maintenance.  (NOTE - A Caver shall not necessarily be required to carry out the rigging of these devices, but must show a reasonable proficiency in their use.)
(c)	Demonstrate a knowledge of the basic call-out procedures.
(d)	Demonstrated a knowledge of cave conservation and safe caving practices.
A Caver is not permitted to lead a trip into any cave, unless under the direct supervision of an Examiner, Trip Leader or Assistant Trip Leader.  All responsibility will be taken by the Examiner, Trip Leader or Assistant Trip Leader concerned.

7.  NOVICE.
A Novice is any person engaged in the sport of caving who has insufficient qualifications to become a qualified Caver.  There is no restriction on the age of a Novice.  No Scout shall undertake caving as a Novice Scout without first being instructed in cave conservation and safe practices by a person of at least Caver qualifications.  No Certificate will be issued for Novices.
 NOTE - ALL CERTIFICATES MUST BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.

8.  TYPES OF CAVES.
(a)	Guided Tourist Cave
(b)	Self-guided Tourist Cave
(c)	A Mine in operation
(d)	All other caves, mines, lava tubes, etc.

9.  PERSONS QUALIFIED TO LEAD DIFFERENT CAVE TYPES.
Type (a) 
(I)	Guide employed by the owner
(ii)	Qualified Trip Leader or AssistantTrip Leader with owners permission.

Type (b) 
(i) 	Guide employed by the owner
(ii)	Qualified Trip Leader or Assistant Trip Leader
(iii)	NOTE - Joeys, Cub Scouts and Scouts must have the assistance of two additional adults for the first ten youth members and an additional adult for every five youth members thereafter.

Type (c) Guide employed by the owner.

Type (d) Qualified Trip Leader or Assistant Trip Leader only.

NOTE - A Type (d) Cave must have the services of an additional Assistant Trip Leader if the number of persons in the party exceeds five (5).

10.  CAVE DIVING

The sport of Cave diving (ie the use of SCUBA equipment underground) is not approved as a Scout activity.

The requirements outlined in this document are not meant to be restrictive in any way, but to make sure that the Sport is enjoyed safely by as many as possible.

-- Thanks to Gordon L.  Greaves, D/L Adventurous Activities
So there you are - hope it's of some use to someone.  Must admit, the text file version doesn't look as pretty as the PageMaker 4 version.....