CNCC Training Courses
The CNCC has been providing training opportunities for northern cavers for over 50 years, helping to deliver skills ranging from first aid, conservation techniques, rescue skills, SRT, surveying and geology.
We are delighted to present our upcoming training workshops here. These are open to all cavers, from any region, regardless of whether you are a CNCC or BCA member. All face-to-face workshops are generally run in the Yorkshire Dales area. For most of them we ask for advance signup, and for some, a contribution to the costs of running the event to cover venue hire or fees for professional trainers. These costs are kept as low as possible, offer excellent value for money, and are often heavily subsidised from CNCC funds. Registration and payment of any cost is required to secure your place.
Please respect the limited availability of places by only registering if you are sure you will attend.
Hopefully all the information you need can be found here, but if you have any questions, please contact our Training Officer: training@cncc.org.uk
If you have any specific training needs or requests then please do get in touch. For example, if your club/group would like a dedicated training event, let us know and we may be able to help or advise. Alternatively if your club Training Officer would like to ‘shadow’ an event to pass on knowledge, this is welcomed but please contact us in advance to discuss. Likewise, if you have any suggestions for future training that may benefit others, or if you are willing to deliver some training for CNCC in any aspect of caves or caving, please also get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
CNCC Return to SRT / refresher Workshop (Indoors)
May 29th
The last year has prevented caving for many people. As we look towards getting back into some excellent northern potholing, we know that some people may have lost a little confidence in their SRT or would appreciate instruction in a safe practice environment to refresh their skills. This one-day indoor workshop provides just that opportunity, to re-engage with SRT and build confidence in all the usual rope manoeuvres and practices needed to safely explore our potholes.
The morning will be spent recapping the most common SRT skills and looking at SRT kit setups. The afternoon will be time to hone any skills the individuals want to focus on with a patient trainer on hand to give any tips and help required.
An initial background understanding of the equipment and some existing SRT skills (basic prussiking, descending and general pitch safety) is required. The workshop will build on these skills in parallel with rebelay and deviation techniques to help get you fired up and ready for your 2021 meets list.
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
SORRY, THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL
SRT rescue workshop
May 30th
This one day indoor workshop is aimed at cavers who are SRT competent and want to expand their skill set and learn how to assist or rescue their fellow cavers whilst using SRT.
After looking at personal SRT kits to see how they can be optimised from a rescue point of view, we will then look at various methods and techniques for various situations, ranging from assisting a tired caver up a pitch to rescuing an incapacitated caver stuck mid rope.
The aim will be to equip cavers with lots of practical skills which they can hopefully adapt to any given situation.
Suitable for: SRT competent cavers who want to learn how to assist or rescue fellow cavers.
Format: A one day workshop, based indoors
Topics:
- Kit for SRT rescues
- Prevention strategies
- Assisting a tired caver
- Hauling
- Traverse rescues
- Cut and lower rescues
- “Snatch” rescues
Candidate pre requisite: SRT competent
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
1 of 6 places available
New to SRT rigging / refresher workshop
June 5th
A one day indoor workshop aimed at cavers who are SRT competent and want to learn how to rig caves for SRT.
A very practical day looking at all aspects of rigging, from packing rope bags, different types of equipment used, various knots and even how to make your rigging “user friendly”; even for the shorter caver !
Suitable for: Cavers who want to learn how to rig or refresh existing skills.
Format: A one day workshop based indoors
Topics:
- Rope packing
- Different types of rope
- Connectors
- Knot choices
- Traverses
- Y Hangs
- Rebelays
- Deviations
- Spits and hangers
- Rigger protection
- Best Practice
Candidate pre requisite: SRT competent
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
SORRY, THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL
SRT rescue workshop
June 6th
This one day indoor workshop is aimed at cavers who are SRT competent and want to expand their skill set and learn how to assist or rescue their fellow cavers whilst using SRT.
After looking at personal SRT kits to see how they can be optimised from a rescue point of view, we will then look at various methods and techniques for various situations, ranging from assisting a tired caver up a pitch to rescuing an incapacitated caver stuck mid rope.
The aim will be to equip cavers with lots of practical skills which they can hopefully adapt to any given situation.
Suitable for: SRT competent cavers who want to learn how to assist or rescue fellow cavers.
Format: A one day workshop, based indoors
Topics:
- Kit for SRT rescues
- Prevention strategies
- Assisting a tired caver
- Hauling
- Traverse rescues
- Cut and lower rescues
- “Snatch” rescues
Candidate pre requisite: SRT competent
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
SORRY, THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL
New to caving: An introduction day
June 12th
Suitable for anyone who wants an introduction to caving.
A day specifically for anyone new to caving,(even if they have never been underground before) who wishes to experience an underground trip and learn some basic skills. This will be a relaxed informative day with the main focus ensuring people have an enjoyable trip and are left keen to do more caving.
We will meet at a local caving club, where we will spend a couple of hours looking at some topics such as; different types of caves, access to caves, cave conservation, safety, geology, the BCA / CNCC, various equipment and clothing used.
After a bit of lunch, we will get changed (caving kit can be supplied) and then head off (transport required) to a suitable cave. Underground we will look at numerous aspects of caving; moving through various types of passages, cave formations, small climbs, cave conservation, flooding, navigation and keeping ourselves safe.
Equipment can be provided free of charge
Suitable for accompanied under 18's
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
8 of 8 places available
An underground geology tour with the "Rock Doctor"
June 19th
A great opportunity to increase your knowledge and understanding of the amazing geology of the Yorkshire Dales.
A full day with Dr John Helm "The rock Doctor". The morning will be spent indoors and also at some surface features around Helwith Bridge and the afternoon will be underground looking at a wide variety of geological features.
The day will be presented in a relaxed and easy to understand format with some terrible jokes thrown in !!
Format: Morning on the surface. Afternoon underground (No pitches)
Suitable for: Any caver who wants to broaden their geology knowledge
Candidate pre requisite: Competent horizontal caver
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
SORRY, THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL
New to SRT / skills refresher 2 day weekend workshop
June 26th - 27th
Most caves in Yorkshire have a vertical element, the most common way to access these spectacular parts is to use “SRT”. This stands for Single Rope Technique, and involves using a harness with various bits of equipment to easily and efficiently descend and climb a single rope.
This two day weekend workshop will give you an introduction to the equipment, and the initial skills required to safely ascend and descend a caving rope. Further skills can be added during the day depending on the individual’s desire and progression.
These workshops are run by experienced and patient trainers, each participant will be able to progress at their own pace and you will never be “holding” anyone up.
This workshop is also ideal for someone with some previous SRT knowledge who wants a skills refresher in a friendly, relaxed setting.
Format:
First day will be indoors looking at a wide vareity of SRT skills. The second day will be underground putting all your newley developed skills into practice.
Suitable for accompanied under 18's
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
Topics:
- How to put on an SRT kit looking at common variations
- Different options of kit (Types of descenders etc)
- Simple Traversing
- Pitch head “protocols”
- Descending
- Prussicing
- Change overs
- Down prussicking
- Fall factors
- Problem solving
Starters in:
- Deviations
- Rebelays
SORRY, THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL
SRT improver workshop (Indoors)
July 17th
This one day indoor workshop is aimed at cavers who have some SRT experience and want to expand their skill set.
After a quick recap on kitting up and basic manoeuvres we will start introducing more technical skills and look to become generally more efficient at SRT
Suitable for: Cavers with some SRT experience who want to expand and consolidate their skills
Format: A one day workshop, based indoors
Topics:
- Full refresh of current skills
- Deviations
- Rebelays
- Knot passing
- Technical aid traverses
- Problem solving
- Improvisation
- Looking at additional kit options
Candidate pre requisite: Some previous SRT experience required (i.e you can safely manage yourself at a pitch head)
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
6 of 8 places available
New to SRT / skills refresher 2 day weekend workshop
August 7th - 8th
Most caves in Yorkshire have a vertical element, the most common way to access these spectacular parts is to use “SRT”. This stands for Single Rope Technique, and involves using a harness with various bits of equipment to easily and efficiently descend and climb a single rope.
This two day weekend workshop will give you an introduction to the equipment, and the initial skills required to safely ascend and descend a caving rope. Further skills can be added during the day depending on the individual’s desire and progression.
These workshops are run by experienced and patient trainers, each participant will be able to progress at their own pace and you will never be “holding” anyone up.
This workshop is also ideal for someone with some previous SRT knowledge who wants a skills refresher in a friendly, relaxed setting.
Format:
First day will be indoors looking at a wide vareity of SRT skills. The second day will be underground putting all your newley developed skills into practice.
Suitable for accompanied under 18's
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
Topics:
- How to put on an SRT kit looking at common variations
- Different options of kit (Types of descenders etc)
- Simple Traversing
- Pitch head “protocols”
- Descending
- Prussicing
- Change overs
- Down prussicking
- Fall factors
- Problem solving
Starters in:
- Deviations
- Rebelays
1 of 6 places available
New to SRT rigging / refresher workshop
September 4th
A one day indoor workshop aimed at cavers who are SRT competent and want to learn how to rig caves for SRT.
A very practical day looking at all aspects of rigging, from packing rope bags, different types of equipment used, various knots and even how to make your rigging “user friendly”; even for the shorter caver !
Suitable for: Cavers who want to learn how to rig or refresh existing skills.
Format: A one day workshop based indoors
Topics:
- Rope packing
- Different types of rope
- Connectors
- Knot choices
- Traverses
- Y Hangs
- Rebelays
- Deviations
- Spits and hangers
- Rigger protection
- Best Practice
Candidate pre requisite: SRT competent
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
6 of 8 places available
SRT rescue workshop
September 5th
This one day indoor workshop is aimed at cavers who are SRT competent and want to expand their skill set and learn how to assist or rescue their fellow cavers whilst using SRT.
After looking at personal SRT kits to see how they can be optimised from a rescue point of view, we will then look at various methods and techniques for various situations, ranging from assisting a tired caver up a pitch to rescuing an incapacitated caver stuck mid rope.
The aim will be to equip cavers with lots of practical skills which they can hopefully adapt to any given situation.
Suitable for: SRT competent cavers who want to learn how to assist or rescue fellow cavers.
Format: A one day workshop, based indoors
Topics:
- Kit for SRT rescues
- Prevention strategies
- Assisting a tired caver
- Hauling
- Traverse rescues
- Cut and lower rescues
- “Snatch” rescues
Candidate pre requisite: SRT competent
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
SORRY, THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL
Caving Club “Meet Leaders” - Practical skills
September 26th
A one day indoor workshop aimed at experienced club cavers who take novice club members caving. The aim will be to give the experienced club members some extra knowledge and skills that will help them provide a safe and enjoyable trip when taking less experienced members underground.
Format: A one day workshop, based indoors.
Topics:
- Planning trips; duty of care
- kit choices
- Rigging and using ladders with novices
- Supervising SRT with novices
- Rope work for protecting small “free climbs”
Candidate pre requisite: SRT competent, SRT rigging competent
This workshop remains subject to government covid regulations. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted with the option of either a rearranged date or a refund.
Please Note: On completion of booking you will automatically receive joining instructions by email. Please check your junk folder if required.
8 of 8 places available
