Rules and Regulations
The prime purpose of scoutcaving.com and The Association of Scout Caving Teams (ASCT) is to promote caving and in particular to get more members of The Scout Association underground and enjoying the sport. Obviously a key part of this is ensuring the safety and welbeing of those participants. That said ASCT is not a dictatorial Association and there are no hard and fast rules as to how instructors should run their trips. Gaining a form for caving is done through gained experience and thus every instructor is different just the same as every teacher teaches even identical subjects in a slightly different way and racing drivers all take slightly different lines around the same circuit. Diversity and a realisation that every occasion needs to be judged individually is important. All we aim to do is tell you the basic rules set out by The Scout Associations Policy Organisational Rules (POR).
Whenever taking young people underground its worth remembering being an instructor is not simply about being safe but also about giving Scouts a great experience. What scenario is going to give your scouts the best time and give them a proper introduction to the sport. It is all about promoting the sport in its best light and inspiring the next generation of cavers.
Policy Organisational Rules for Caving
The Scout Associations rules can seem vaige at time and can be spread across various documents so we have tried to bring them all together on this page along with links to the original sources. The main thing to point out is that any adventurous activity (for which caving is one) can only be undertaken by someone holding a relevant Adventurous Activity Permit which are issued by their scout county. A permit is given based on experience of caving and instructing and is assesed by the County Caving Advisor, forms can vary in level the same as any other Adventurous Activity Permit can. The following are the basic rules in POR but your scout county may impose further restrictions. For more information on this or to find out how to get a permit in your county use the locator to find your nearest caving team who should be able to help or contact your Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Activities.
General Activities Rules
POR Chapter 9 Activities. Rule 9.1 : Activity Rules - Application
There is a section of POR which relates to the application of Adventurous Activities Permits but is mainly concearned with the implimentation of the form system. If you wish to read more on this section of POR click here to visit the source.
To open a factsheet on the types of permits available click here.
POR Chapter 9 Activities. Rule 9.4 : Risk Assessment
a. Leaders should carry out risk assessments before and during every activity. All activities must be undertaken in accordance with the Association's Safety Policy (see Chapter 2) and adhere to the relevant general and specific activity rules set out in Chapter 9 - Activities.
To visit the original source click here.
A realy informative factsheet about risk assessments produced by The Scout Association can be found by clicking here.
An example risk assessment for a caving trip and a blank proforma that can be filled in can be found by clicking here.
Caving Specific Rules
Route Planning
To download a cave exploration route plan produced by The Scout Association please click here.
POR Chapter 9 : Activities. Rule 9.35 : Caving
a. These rules apply to :
- all caving systems (excluding show caves) ;
- all mine exploration (excluding working show mines) ;
b. The leader holding the permit must ensure that before the party sets out it must :
- have received adequate instruction in equipment and safety procedures ;
- be carrying the appropriate equipment.
c. The leader holding the permit must have :
- taken advice on local knowledge, weather conditions and party size ;
- considered the use of local or professional guides.
d. No underground activity may be undertaken by a party of fewer than four.
e. A detailed plan must always be left on the surface with a responsible person in the host area.
f. Any forms produced locally must contain at least the same information as sought in the Headquarters form.
g. The plan should be cancelled or collected when the activity is completed.
To visit the original source click here.
Further Rules not found in POR
h. The maximum party size will not exceed eight.
To visit the original source click here.
