About the Squad

Mission Statement

The NSW Cave Rescue Squad has over 50 members drawn from the speleological community and other emergency services. Squad training is held monthly with additional short training sessions run in conjunction with General meetings. Training may be located at either the squad Headquarters or in karst regions.

Members train in all forms of rescue including caves, cliff faces, wilderness search and rescue, canyoning, communications and logistics. Training is also conducted with other squads and services in the form of joint exercises.

The NSW Cave Rescue Squad was set up as a 'Specialist Unit' to co-ordinate, organise or support cave rescues in New South Wales . In addition to cave rescues, the Squad has the capability to respond to other calls for assistance such as bush searches, canyoning rescue, ground support logistics and disaster response.

The Squad is an affiliate of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association which supports road rescue and other specialist units and has legal recognition from, and formal liaison with, the State Rescue Board, NSW Police and other emergency services.

The purpose of the NSW Cave Rescue Squad Inc is to:

  1. Provide cave rescue services at the direction of the relevant authority,
  2. Provide support to statutory authorities,
  3. Provide and organise specialist equipment, personnel and skills in the event of a rescue,
  4. Hold exercises for cavers and emergency services throughout New South Wales in aspects of cave rescue,
  5. Assist other rescue squads by the demonstration of techniques used in cave rescue, and
  6. Support the speleological community.

Environmental policy

The NSW Cave Rescue Squad recognises that exercises and rescues may affect caves. The Squad endeavors to maintain a balance between environment and rescue and has written the first Environmental policy on exercises and rescues undertaken in caves.

Please refer to the Environment Policy for more details.

Australian Speleological Federation Inc - National Cave Rescue Commission

The NSW Cave Rescue Squad is an affiliate of the ASF and is represented on the Executive of the National Cave Rescue Commission. The Squad is supported by the ASF in every aspect of caving and rescue.

Please refer to the ASF website for more details: www.caves.org.au.

NSW Speleological Council

The Squad has two representatives on the NSW Speleological Council of Clubs within NSW. Aspects of rescue ands self-help are discussed at meetings.

Please refer to the ASF website for more details: www.caves.org.au.

Support to Cavers'

Many cavers at a scene of an accident could be capable of providing the manpower and logistics to undertake a minor self rescue. It is for this reason the NSW Cave Rescue Squad is making every effort to provide cavers with information in the prevention of accidents and, should a minor accident occur, basic self-help cave rescue skills. Cavers are encouraged to join and support the Squad and learn more advanced caving skills. Basic information may be found on this website. If more detailed assistance is required, please contact the Secretary.

Cavers interested in joining may contact the Secretary for more details.

International Union of Speleology - International Cave Rescue

Cave rescue is not unique to Australia and operational cave rescue units have existed within the international community for over 30 years. Many of these units have built a wealth of information that they are willing to share and in recognition of this, the UIS conducts a major international exchange of information through a cave rescue seminar which is held in Europe .

Members of the NSW Cave Rescue Squad attend these seminars in order to maintain currency with the internationally accepted standards for cave rescues, both training and operational.

More information may be found on the UIS website. http://www.uis-speleo.org/

Join the Squad

If you are a caver or are interested in knowing more about caving or cave rescue, please contact the Secretary. If you wish to join the squad, please contact the Secretary.

The Secretary

P O Box 122

Bankstown , NSW 1885

Squad Policy - October 2003