Training

Single Rope Technique (SRT) and the 11 caving skill levels.

Single Rope Technique (SRT) Training

What
Learn rope skills, an essential skill for vertical caves!
When
6–8pm on Tuesdays (excluding exam periods) from Feb 11.
Where
The Old Climbing Wall in the ANU Sport Hall (from the ANU Sport foyer, head down the left hallway and look right once you reach the courts).
Cost
Free for NUCC members!

Single rope technique (SRT) is a set of methods used for descending (abseiling) and ascending (prusiking) on a single rope. These skills are applicable in several other adventure sports including climbing and canyoning. You can rock up, or leave at any time during these sessions.

Attendance is completely optional, however it is necessary to attend a couple of sessions to go on caving trips involving vertical caves. Over time we teach more advanced rope skills such as rigging and how to handle more complex ropework like rebelays and redirects.

Come and say hello at one of our SRT sessions if you would like to become a member. Note that you must be a member to get on rope for insurance reasons, but we’re happy to chat anyway!

Caving Skill Levels

The following outlines the skill levels used by NUCC for vertical caving progression. Each level has prerequisites and must be signed off by the appropriate person. Use the sidebar to jump to a level — it doubles as a progress tracker as you work up through them.

Level 1

Beginner Vertical Caver

Prerequisites: NoneSigned off by: Vertical Caver

  • Can safely prusik and abseil.
  • Can give a bottom/fireman’s belay.
  • Demonstrates clear vertical communication (on rope, abseiling, below!, abseil when ready).
  • Can explain the fundamentals of vertical safety (2 points of safety or tested descender).
  • Is aware of the fundamentals of fall factors and has consistently demonstrated weighting their devices to prevent slack.
  • Can identify, inspect, and correctly put on a basic club SRT kit.
Level 2

Intermediate Vertical Caver

Prerequisites: Beginner Vertical CaverSigned off by: Vertical Cave Leader

  • Safely demonstrates changeovers and rebelays, and can clearly explain when and why they are used.
  • Maintains points of safety on rope without supervision.
  • Can prusik and abseil without direct supervision or a belay.
  • Can clearly explain the application of fall factors in the caving context and the principles of preventing slack in the system.
  • Can inspect and correctly put on their chosen SRT kit unsupervised.
Level 3

Vertical Caver

Prerequisites: Intermediate Vertical CaverSigned off by: Vertical Cave Leader

  • Safely demonstrates deviations/redirects and knot crossings, and can clearly explain when and why they are used.
  • Has demonstrated ability to teach basic caving concepts and skills including prusiking, abseiling, and fireman’s belay.
  • Has demonstrated ability to do basic problem solving on rope without direct supervision.
  • Can inspect, disassemble, and assemble their chosen SRT kit.
  • Can inspect club kits on others.
Level 4

Knotcraft 1

Prerequisites: NoneSigned off by: Beginner Rigger

  • Can tie the Knotcraft 1 knots.
  • Can identify and assess Knotcraft 1 knots tied by others.
  • Can explain the uses and some limitations of the Knotcraft 1 knots.
  • Can explain the principles of midline and endline knots.
  • Has demonstrated ability to basically inspect rope for rubpoints, wear marks, or distorted core.

Knotcraft 1 knots: figure eight on the bight, figure nine on the bight, overhand on the bight (tape), alpine butterfly, tape or water knot (inline and on the bight), and a double fisherman’s knot.

Level 5

Beginner Rigger

Prerequisites: Vertical Caver, Knotcraft 1Signed off by: Vertical Cave Leader

  • Has demonstrated ability to rig a simple vertical cave on bolts or high quality naturals.
  • Has demonstrated ability to rig simple rebelays off bolts or high quality naturals.
  • Can join ropes on rope.
  • Can explain the principles of backups.
  • Can explain the concept of shockloading.
  • Can describe the major carabiner types (e.g. screwgate, snapgate, autolock), and how to correctly load a carabiner.
  • Can explain simple strategies to mitigate rope wear.
  • Can rig and isolate a ladder & belay.
  • Can explain how to inspect bolts and other anchor material.
Level 6

Horizontal Cave Leader

Prerequisites: Knotcraft 1, Vertical CaverSigned off by: 2 Horizontal Trip Leaders & Ratified by The Committee

Horizontal Trip Leaders must be signed off by two current trip leaders and ratified by The Committee (at any Committee meeting or by agreement outside scheduled meetings). Horizontal Trip Leaders require subjective skills including leadership skills and behaviours to safely and effectively lead people of all skill levels in horizontal caves — broader trip management, logistics (gear lists, carpooling, etc), navigation (on approach and in-cave), teaching, people skills, patience, and the ability to effectively manage complex or stressful situations if they arise. For further information, consult the trip leader form on the NUCC website.

Technical skills include:

  • Has demonstrated ability to rig a ladder with a belay, and isolate the pulley system.
  • Has demonstrated ability to operate a belay on a ladder with a belay device.
  • Can explain and discuss the use of handlines in horizontal caves (e.g. identifying when a handline is required, and how to rig a handline).
  • Has demonstrated good selection of anchors for handlines and rigging handlines in-cave.
  • Can identify and explain when a downclimb or handline would exceed being considered “horizontal” and therefore beyond the scope of a horizontal trip.
  • Has demonstrated gear planning.
  • Beneficial to have first aid qualifications.
  • Can briefly summarise the principles of the ASF MICC and knows where to find further information.
Level 7

Knotcraft 2

Prerequisites: Beginner RiggerSigned off by: Vertical Cave Leader

  • Can tie the Knotcraft 2 knots.
  • Can identify and assess Knotcraft 2 knots tied by others.
  • Can explain the uses and some limitations of the Knotcraft 2 knots.

Knotcraft 2 knots: figure eight rethreaded, munter hitch, European death knot, and a barrel knot.

Optional knots: fusion knot, clove hitch, bowline on the bight, tensionless hitch, prusik knot, and/or a stone knot.

Level 8

Rigger

Prerequisites: Knotcraft 2Signed off by: Vertical Cave Leader

  • Has demonstrated ability to rig more complex vertical caves, including caves with multiple rebelays off naturals, and redirects.
  • Has demonstrated ability to rig approach lines and understands edge protection.
  • Can explain the principles of rope wear and rope management.
  • Can describe how to assess anchors.
  • Can discuss and explain rigging choices when questioned.
  • Can explain the principles and demonstrate how to equalise an anchor.
  • Has demonstrated an awareness of gear planning and consulting rigging notes or cave maps.
  • Can explain the difference between styles of caving ropework, and can identify where they might be applied.
  • Can identify and select appropriate rope thicknesses and lengths, and other gear required for specific caves and pitches.
  • Can describe the major styles of carabiner (e.g. HMS, oval) and their appropriate uses.
Level 9

Party Rescue

Prerequisites: Knotcraft 2, Beginner RiggerSigned off by: Vertical Cave Leader

Description work in progress.

Practical understanding of forces applied in caving, mechanical advantage, mechanical efficiency. Demonstrated ability to execute/rig and manage standard intra-party rescue or safety techniques (e.g. pickoff, counterbalance haul, 3:1 z-haul, improvised belay). Required to demonstrate some lateral thinking/problem solving ability to resolve situations out of the ordinary, e.g. improvising in a situation without the ideal gear. Familiarity and understanding of materials such as HMPE (dyneema) and other modern fibres, nylon and polyester rope and tape.

Level 10

Vertical Cave Leader

Prerequisites: Party Rescue, Rigger, Horizontal Cave LeaderSigned off by: 2 Vertical Cave Leaders & Ratified by The Committee

Description work in progress.

Vertical Cave Leaders must be signed off by two current trip leaders and ratified by The Committee (at any Committee meeting or by agreement outside scheduled meetings).

  • Can briefly summarise the principles of the ASF MICC and knows where to find further information.
Level 11

Guidelines for Further Skill Development

Prerequisites: Varies by areaSigned off by: Varies by area

The following are additional areas of skill development recognised by NUCC. Descriptions are a work in progress.

  • Surveyor — signed off by: Surveyor.
  • Bolter (prerequisites: Rigger, signed off by: Bolter) — solid theoretical understanding of anchor placement considerations, bolting hardware and techniques, ethical considerations, and forces. Practical knowledge of bolting methods, including at least two of: glueins, expansion bolts, concrete screws, removables (e.g. Coeur Pulse); metal grades (e.g. 316 SS vs 304 SS vs zinc plated).
  • Cave Rescue — ability to conduct others and independently participate in group rescues including stretcher rescues, complex hauls, guided ascents/descents, high efficiency/advantage hauls (9:1), and set up and maintain clear and efficient communication within a rescue team. Advanced understanding of forces and gear ratings (WLL, MBS) in rescue scenarios. Highly regarded to have first aid qualifications and bolting experience. External organisations: NSW CRS, CRV.
  • Karst Conservation — description work in progress.
  • Cave Exploration — description work in progress.
  • Cave Science — description work in progress.