NCRC National Weeklong 2009

[ek]

What decontamination procedures will be used at the decon station?

(Just so it's clear, if I end up going to the weeklong, it will not be with any clothing or gear that's ever been in any WNS site or possible WNS site.)

[cavercrew]

Though I'd like to be there, I am taking a normal vacation this year, it's been a long time since I did that. My oldest son will be there though doing level 1. Who's going to decon the gear cache? There is certainly quite a bit of equipment there that has been in various regions over the years and used by cavers from all over the US. I would imagine bleach sales
will be good... Maybe there will be a special WNS gear cache? Ya know I'm thinking that if cavers were spreading this bat malady it would already be pretty much all over the US. With the concentrations of cavers from all parts of the US at caver events, rescue trainings, and cavers travelling to various parts of the country going to caves here and there it should be a done deal. Oh well I'm getting off topic here.
I'll miss ya'll in IN.

Mike Hopkins

[shibumi]

At this time we do not have a decon procedure in place for on site decon. The reasoning for this
is because we want to have the most up to date possible information as of the beginning of the seminar.

I am currently writing up the information to be sent with the student packets for arriving at the seminar,
it will contain information about the current recommendations for students arriving at the seminar.

A big difference between a seminar and other types of caving events is that we have more power to enforce
compliance.


Anmar Mirza, NCRC National Coordinator

[Carl Amundson]

At this time we do not have a decon procedure in place for on site decon. The reasoning for this
is because we want to have the most up to date possible information as of the beginning of the seminar.

I am currently writing up the information to be sent with the student packets for arriving at the seminar,
it will contain information about the current recommendations for students arriving at the seminar.

A big difference between a seminar and other types of caving events is that we have more power to enforce
compliance.


Anmar Mirza, NCRC National Coordinator

No bleach please...
http://www.pmirope.com/sites/374/pics/WNS%20and%20Rope%20Decontamination.pdf

[shibumi]

No bleach please...

That's one reason why we are waiting for the latest decon information.

Regardless of what it is, it will be inline with whatever the NSS recommends at that time as the NSS is the NCRC parent
organization and we cannot go against that.

[Bill Putnam]

(Just so it's clear, if I end up going to the weeklong, it will not be with any clothing or gear that's ever been in any WNS site or possible WNS site.)

[Carl Amundson]

(Just so it's clear, if I end up going to the weeklong, it will not be with any clothing or gear that's ever been in any WNS site or possible WNS site.)

That will not be possible for all of us attending the weeklong this year.

[ek]

It may not be possible for me, either. In which case, I won't go. There are other possible factors that may prevent me from going, too.

This will be a big blow to rescue training, though, and in turn to cave rescue.

[shibumi]

It may not be possible for me, either. In which case, I won't go. There are other possible factors that may prevent me from going, too.

This will be a big blow to rescue training, though, and in turn to cave rescue.

Semper Gumbi

We could teach a weeklong cave rescue seminar and never go into a cave. We would lose some
teaching effectiveness, but not so much as to make it worthless. Regardless, this problem won't go
on forever. There are also places that have been constructing artifical caves for trainings for the
military and even if natural caves were completely closed for training, those would be available.

Anmar, NCRC National Coordinator

[ek]

What I meant was, it will be a big blow to rescue training this year.

[Dustin]

I'm hoping to attend. Just need to come up with the funds first. I'm currently going through my second cave rescue training weekend orientation right now. Though I've done this before (about two years ago), it's amazing what you forget. Tomorrow is our mock rescue. Myself and another discussed the fact what real life consequences we'll be facing during the mock rescue. It's being held at Rock Bridge State Memorial Park (assuming the weather holds out), so not panicking the civilians enjoying the park is a real issue.

[Bill Putnam]

Dustin,

There are scholarships available for the seminar. Look on www.ncrc.info for details.

Bill

[Bill Putnam]

Some caves have no bat population, have never had a bat population, and will never have a bat population. There will always be at least some caves that can be used for training.

And Amar is quite right that we don't even have to use caves for training if that is truly a problem in the short term. But there will always be caves and caving and thus there will always be cave rescues, so there will always be a need for cave rescue training. Cave managers know this and will make necessary allowances for training purposes. This is not the end of the world. (That doesn't come until 2012.)

Clean your gear thoroughly and sterilize it as best you can in whatever way you feel is appropriate and come to the seminar. And relax. It's going to be OK. Really.

[cavedoc]

Dustin,

There are scholarships available for the seminar. Look on http://www.ncrc.info for details.

Bill

But they have been awarded for this year. There will be more for the seminar next year. Might try to make 'em for more next time. Do check back.

[Carl Amundson]

there will always be caves and caving and thus there will always be cave rescues, so there will always be a need for cave rescue training. Cave managers know this and will make necessary allowances for training purposes.

Fight like you train and train like you fight.