Following on from the proposed SRT practice day (replaced with a day underground - due to the fact that the weather will be far too cold for hanging around doing ropework) a couple of people have suggested the idea of proper SRT training days, indoors, and with a qualified instructor.

Robnorthwales has made some enquiries with a couple of potential indoor venues and a number of qualified instructors.

Basically we would be looking at either one day, or a number (subject to demand) of training days. If a number, they would be for different skill levels. From 'never worn a harness' to more advanced techniques such as rebelays, deviations and rigging.

Each day is likely to be limited to 6 people maximum. Costs would be no more than £50 per day (and that is at the top end of the likely cost), this to cover both hire of the location and the instructor. Gear hire for beginners may be available.

Davel is looking into the possibility of grant funding, either through the BCA (of which AN is a member) or the CCC. If grant funding is available it will part fund the cost per person, and will also likely mean that more people can be accommodated and that the sessions would be open to all mine explorers and cavers.

Dates would be Saturdays in 2009.

This is basically a heads up to gauge the level of interest. If you would be interested please can you add yourself here (it's not a commitment, just to see if enough are interested) and indicate which sort of training (beginner to advanced) you'd be interested in.

Certainly a lot of people are self taught or learn as they go along, but there is definitely room for proper tuition in this area.

Thanks to Robnorthwales and Davel for work done in getting the idea this far.

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Beginner training required here !

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I'm interested in a bit of that!
Some training in tying knots would be good as i'm hopeless, not a good start really is it 😢

....Lister

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As far as knots are concerned, this site http://www.animatedknots.com/  may be of interest.

Dave

A lot of knottsto remember there. here is another interesting one describing a simple way of abseiling with minimal gear.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IRYkca9xEjc&feature=related

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The knot described is also known as an "Italian Hitch", I use it a lot for life-lining underground (when I'm above the climber that is, not for protecting a lead climber).

Although it can be used to abseil on, it's probably best only to do this if no other alternative is available, as it tends to twist the rope and make it furry.

Dave

I would be willing to travel to N. Wales for SRT training but would prefer it if there was anything available in the Lake District. Anyone know of any such course?
There are plenty of climbing walls around but they all want to show you how to climb up a rock face "the hard way" Any info would be most welcome.

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The possible training we have found has involved us finding local instructors, venues if needed, etc. I'll leave out the grant possibilities, as it's not my area.

You will find a list of instructors on
http://www.caveinstructor.org.uk/pages/instructors.php#about 
What we did was simply contact those in North Wales, and ask about possible training.
If anyone wants to do the same for another area, then I would suggest that they start a thread, get a group together, and take it from there. Far better than individually contacting an instructor.
The alternative might be to get training through a caving group - might be best trying to go this way first.
Please, don't all individually contact instructors, and then expect them to sort it all out. Go in as a group, and try from there.

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I'd be interested in beginner training, particularly if I could hire kit.

any one of these CIC holders could do you a srt training thing and find a place to dd it as well as get kit to borrow this there job
there are some in thelakes as well as wals and derbyshire
http://british-caving.org.uk/?page=51 

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I don't think that approaching an instructor with the "It's your job to sort kit/locations/course dates out" will get you far, as I've said previously.
In addition, for absolute beginners, an instructor will probably want to teach in a far better environment than underground - climbing wall, etc.
On the other hand, if you get in touch with an instructor, as a part of a already organised group, then they can see that you're serious, and prepared to put some time and effort in, and they will probably respond in kind.

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I no several people registered for ther lcmla and one cic holder who has 10 srt sets to loan/hire as well as just underground gear(ralph), another cic i know has loads of shiny things to play with (chris)as they half to no how to use all the kit is available and advise on its use
teaching a group who are using the same/similar kit would be better than a mixed bag of bits.
being able to get gear and places is part of the course and being cic but it would be better to have firm ideas of where to go and what to use

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When I started doing SRT, it was 3 of us and we basically taught ourselves (as is the case with many of you) from books and practice from trees and quarries.

After having got to grips with it hand having some practice, we arranged an instructor to spend a day with us, were we could ask questions, they could check out our technique, point out what is wrong, give extra info on rigging etc....

It cost £150.00 for the day, (in 2003) £50.00 each. If there had been more of us it would have been cheaper. Unless you have access to experienced SRTers or training via a club as new members, it is a very good idea to get an instructor in to check things over with you.

It would be a good idea for the ones who have no practice or training to get some basic ground work in, so as not to waste valuable time starting from scratch on the training day.

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Bri spoke to Ralph tonite, £120 a day, more you have the less 1 to 1 time you get, sais best to find an indoor venue and he knows of some in the peak....

Haven't time (or inclination) to join forum.
If by some means you suggest they (or someone ) gets in touch by e mail I will point them in the right direction.
Their best be is to contact an instructor, I will recommend a few names to them.
Forums don't usually advertise.
I'm more than willing to help.

His name is on the list i linked to earlier or can givr you his email direct

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I think most of us are basicaly self taught in desending ropes.
The method I used to get the hang of srt was to start on the horizontal (flat) by tying a rope onto a post . Attaching the rope onto your carebina using the Italian hitch then walking backwards, not forgeting to attach the carebina to your belt of course.
Then after doing a few on the flat do it on a slight downward gradiant or down steps in your back yard etc. to get the confidence that you are held safely by the rope. Then you can do it from a tree or a bridge etc.
But by doing it firstly on the flat will give you the confidence needed. Rather than starting from a vertical height.

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Did anything ever come of this? I am no longer an absolute beginner but am still in need of training.

I would be happy to run some SRT/rope work sessions for those willing to travel to Cornwall.
You would have to provide your own harness etc. or use an industrail set up which could be provided by my employer for a small charge.

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Did anything ever come of this? I am no longer an absolute beginner but am still in need of training.

Sorry Skimble, this is one thing I've just not had the time to arrange for those who wanted it.

Is there still demand? And does anybody want to take over the arranging of it? (calendar is going to keep me busy for a few weeks yet)

Pat - I'm sure you'll get some takers for that, thanks :flowers:

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I would be happy to help out with SRT training, not used it that much over the past few years, but have had a fair bit of training and am just getting back up to speed on it.

Pat i am very interested but dont have my own kit so would like to hire the kit if possible