{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFS120451 \u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E(Published November 2024, replacing\u0026nbsp;January 2022)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EI\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Entroduction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ET\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehis page looks to give the facts a person would need to know to run Caving for a group of young people, or to do it for themselves if they are a young person.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat\u00A0is\u00A0Caving?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECaving is the exploration of natural underground passages. It includes the activity commonly known as Pot Holing. It doesn\u2019t include man made underground passages except for the following which are classed as caves:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EB\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eagshaw Cavern\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECarlswark Caverns\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELayby Pot\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOxlow Caverns\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESuicide Cave\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EChristmas Cave Ogof Nadolic\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPoachers\u00A0Cave\u00A0Dyers\u00A0Adit\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat\u00A0is\u00A0a Caving\u00A0Permit?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ET\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehe adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to ensure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for the young people. Therefore all activities classed as adventurous can only be lead by someone holding the appropriate permit. Additionally young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA Caving permit is required for all activities going into a natural underground environment, except where that underground environment is an official show cave. Caving permits are not required for man-made caving simulators.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ELevels\u00A0of\u00A0Permit\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ET\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehere are\u00A0four\u00A0levels of permit available\u00A0for caving.\u00A0These\u00A0are:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECaving\u00A0\u2013\u00A0No\u00A0Vertical\u00A0Pitches\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECaving\u00A0with\u00A0Ladder\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECaving\u00A0with\u00A0SRT\u00A0for\u00A0the\u00A0leader\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECaving\u00A0with\u00A0SRT\u00A0for\u00A0the group\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, each of these permits can be further restricted (such as through specific caves etc) to end up with an individual permit to the level of the competence and requirements of any person.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETypes of\u00A0Permit\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ET\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehere are two\u00A0types of permit available\u00A0for caving.\u00A0These\u00A0are:\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2013 Allows a young person (under 18) to take part in caving with others with a personal caving permit\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E - Allows the permit holder to lead caving for a single group.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EPermit\u00A0Limitations\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EP\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eersonal -\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003Eif you hold a personal caving permit, you can go caving with others who hold a personal caving permit. It doesn\u0027t allow you to go caving with anyone not holding a caving permit.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership -\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003Ea permit to lead caving will allow you to take a group of no more than eight people, and no fewer than four people (including yourself) into a cave. You must remain in the cave system with the group at all times, and remain responsible for everyone within that group. If you have a permit with SRT for the group, then you can use SRT with your group up to the level of any restrictions on the permit. If not, this technique can\u0027t be used. The same applies to permits that include the use of ladders for vertical pitches. If you have a permit with SRT for the leader, you can use SRT yourself, but not for anyone else in the group.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFurther Definitions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVertical Pitches\u003C/strong\u003E refers to places that would require the use of Ladders or SRT for ascent or descent with a group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESRT\u003C/strong\u003E refers to Single Rope Techniques. This is a method to allow you to both descend and ascend vertical pitches within caving using a single rope and specialist pieces of equipment as found in a personal SRT kit.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EUse of ropes\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EUse of ropes when travelling, for example abseiling, two members of the party should be confident dealing with emergency situations. One of these people will be the permit holder, but a second person should be able to respond if any emergency occurs whilst the permit holder is themselves travelling on the rope. Ability to rescue someone incapacitated mid-pitch when descending and/or ascending, from above and below, both with and without a spare rope would be a minimum requirement. This second person could be a young person or an adult. At a minimum they should have the ability to help the activity leader of the trip if they are incapacitated on a rope, either ascending or descending. This should be actioned by using the spare, travelling rope, that is as long as the biggest pitch plus about 10%.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ERisk Assessment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EW\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehile maximum group sizes and minimum first aid requirements are defined\u00A0\u00A0for caving, this does not mean they are always the most appropriate for each trip you run. Depending on your risk assessment for each individual trip it may be decided to lower the maximum party size or require more specific first aid knowledge for certain trips. This risk assessment should also look at what would happen if the permit holder were to be injured and whether there is the need to have another competent member in each group to deal with this situation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEquipment\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EW\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eh\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Een ascending or descending vertical pitches, a suitable sit harness and suitable cowstails with appropriate karabiners should be used rather than waist belts. Direct belay systems should be used rather than indirect belays that are only appropriate for emergency situations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAll equipment must be designed for its intended purpose and used, managed and maintained in line with manufacturer\u2019s guidance.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EG\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Euidance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EW\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehile maximum group sizes and minimum first aid requirements are defined for Caving, this does not mean they are always the most appropriate for each Caving trip you run. Depending on your risk assessment for each individual trip it may be decided to lower the maximum party size, or require more specific first aid knowledge for certain trips. This risk assessment should also look at what would happen if the permit holder were to be injured, and whether there is the need to have another competent caver in each group to deal with this situation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhen ascending or descending vertical pitches, sit harnesses and suitable cowstails with appropriate karabiners should be used rather than waist belts. Direct belay systems should be used rather than indirect belays that are only appropriate for emergency situations.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERadon\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 for more information and guidance check out the \u003Ca href=\u0022https://british-caving.org.uk/our-work/safety/#radon\u0022\u003EBritish Caving Association guidance\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Caving Assessment Checklist","buttonLink":{"name":"AC120946 Caving Nov 2024","id":null,"url":"https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/h35fopqg/ac120946-caving-may-2025.docx","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":null,"label":null},"alignment":"left"},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Download the Cave Route Plan","buttonLink":{"name":"Route plan","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/route-plan/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":{"value":null,"label":null},"alignment":"left"},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.7\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u00229a.7 Adventurous activities permit scheme\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.7\u0022\u003ERule 9a.7\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.8\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.8 Adult groups undertaking actvities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.8\u0022\u003ERule 9a.8\u003C/a\u003E Adult Groups Undertaking Activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/#9b.4\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9.35 Caving and Mine Exploration\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9b.4\u0022\u003ERule 9b.4.2\u003C/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;Caving and mine exploration\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Rules relating to Caving","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022\u0022 class=\u0022p-1 mb-5 text-reset\u0022 data-v-ae051264=\u0022\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022card-body\u0022 data-v-ae051264=\u0022\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.1\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.1 Preparation, generic rules and definitions for all activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.1\u0022\u003ERule 9.a.\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;Activities\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.6\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9a.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.6\u0022\u003ERule 9a.6\u003C/a\u003E Use of External Centres and Instructors\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv id=\u0022\u0022 class=\u0022p-1 mb-5 text-reset\u0022 data-v-ae051264=\u0022\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022card-body\u0022 data-v-ae051264=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"General activity rules","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/activities/?category=Adventure\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?category=Adventure\u0022\u003EActivities A-Z\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/route-plan/\u0022 title=\u0022Route plan\u0022\u003ECave route plan (FS120419)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/underground-activities/single-rope-technique-training/\u0022 title=\u0022Single rope technique (training)\u0022\u003ESingle rope technique (training)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Additional information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Check out our guidance on caving and download our cave route plan.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"02/12/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":46942,"nodeName":"Caving","title":"Caving","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Caving","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Check out our guidance on caving and download our cave route plan.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80Njk0MiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/caving/"}