Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for horizontal caving activities.
- Obtain information on the features, formations and particular hazards for local caves.
- Obtain and become familiar with cave maps, as available, and identify features that will assist with navigating the cave.
- Plan a route and determine contingency routes and emergency escapes.
- Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for caving conditions and activities.
- Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures, and minimal impact caving codes to ensure compliance during activities.
- Confirm protocols for communications between party members.
- Complete equipment safety checks prior to caving activities.
- Navigate in caves.
- Follow a route in a cave using a map, compass and underground navigation aids.
- Use techniques to estimate distance travelled.
- Identify features in the cave using map and compass to maintain route.
- Make minor adjustments to route according to prevailing conditions, and navigate using aids, map and compass as required.
- Travel through caves.
- Maintain close contact and effective communication with party members throughout all activities.
- Safely approach, and negotiate obstacles, hazards and cave terrain to minimise risk of injury.
- Select and use caving techniques suitable to circumstances to move efficiently through caves.
- Utilise a range of climbing techniques to explore caves.
- Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the cave environment throughout all activities.