Speleologist Course

Lesson 1 • Cave Atmosphere and Climate

This topic examines temperature, humidity, and gas composition inside caves. Students learn to detect atmospheric hazards before and during entry.

Lesson 2 • Cave Geology and Mineralogy

This topic covers the rock types and mineral processes that shape cave interiors. Students will be able to identify common speleothems and understand their growth conditions.

Lesson 3 • What Is Speleology

This topic defines speleology as a discipline and its relationship to geology, biology, and hydrology. It establishes the vocabulary and conceptual framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Cave Formation and Classification

This topic explains how dissolution, lava flow, and erosion create distinct cave types. Students will be able to classify caves by origin and recognise formation indicators in the field.

Lesson 1 • Hazard Identification in Caves

This topic catalogues physical, atmospheric, and biological hazards encountered underground. Students will be able to prioritise risks using a structured assessment framework.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Entry Planning and Protocols

This topic covers trip planning, call-out procedures, and weather monitoring before entering a cave. Students will be able to produce a complete pre-entry safety checklist.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment

This topic details the selection, fitting, and maintenance of helmets, suits, gloves, and boots. Students will be able to match PPE specifications to cave conditions and activity type.

Lesson 4 • Risk Assessment and Documentation

This topic teaches formal risk assessment methods and documentation standards for cave expeditions. Students will be able to complete a written risk assessment for a simulated cave trip.

Lesson 1 • Packs, Bags, and Tackle Management

This topic covers equipment packing strategies for hauling gear through tight and vertical passages. Students will be able to organise a tackle bag for efficient underground deployment.

Lesson 2 • Ascending and Descending Devices

This topic introduces mechanical ascenders, descenders, and their operational principles. Students will be able to demonstrate correct device attachment and controlled movement on a rope.

Lesson 3 • Lighting Technology and Management

This topic compares primary and backup lighting systems and their power management. Students will be able to configure a reliable three-light system for extended trips.

Lesson 4 • Harnesses and Connectors

This topic explains harness types, fit, and the function of carabiners, maillons, and connectors. Students will be able to assemble and inspect a complete personal rigging system.

Lesson 1 • Navigation and Route Finding

This topic introduces underground navigation using survey data, landmarks, and systematic search. Students will be able to navigate a mapped cave section without surface GPS.

Lesson 2 • Body Movement and Passage Reading

This topic teaches efficient body positioning for different passage shapes and floor conditions. Students will be able to analyse passage cross-sections to select optimal movement techniques.

Lesson 3 • Climbing and Traversing

This topic covers free climbing, stemming, and traversing techniques on cave walls and ledges. Students will be able to apply three-point contact principles on varied rock surfaces.

Lesson 4 • Formation Protection and Cave Ethics

This topic establishes minimum-impact principles for movement near fragile speleothems and sediments. Students will be able to apply leave-no-trace practices throughout horizontal caving exercises.

Lesson 1 • Pitch Head Management

This topic addresses safe entry and exit at pitch heads, including lip negotiation and team management. Students will be able to practice controlled pitch-head transitions with a loaded rope.

Lesson 2 • Descending Safety Checks

This topic establishes a systematic pre-descent check routine covering harness, device, and anchor. Students will be able to perform buddy checks and self-checks before every practice descent.

Lesson 3 • Controlled Descending Technique

This topic develops smooth, controlled abseiling posture and speed management on vertical ropes. Students will be able to demonstrate consistent descent speed and safe stop technique.

Lesson 4 • Rope Rigging for Descents

This topic teaches knot selection, rope protection, and deviation rigging for clean descents. Students will be able to rig a pitch with appropriate rope protection and a deviation.

Lesson 1 • Passing Rebelays and Deviations

This topic teaches the sequence for safely transferring past intermediate anchors while ascending. Students will be able to pass a rebelay and a deviation without unclipping from the rope.

Lesson 2 • Ascending Safety and Self-Rescue

This topic addresses equipment failure scenarios and self-rescue options during ascent. Students will be able to practice improvised solutions for common ascending system failures.

Lesson 3 • Ascending System Configuration

This topic explains the mechanical advantage and ergonomics of a two-ascender system. Students will be able to assemble and adjust a personal ascending system for their body dimensions.

Lesson 4 • Descent-to-Ascent Changeover

This topic covers the technique for switching from descending to ascending mid-rope. Students will be able to perform a smooth changeover in a controlled environment.

Lesson 1 • Cave Mapping and Presentation

This topic covers cartographic standards for finished cave maps and their use in exploration planning. Students will be able to produce a publication-quality map from processed survey data.

Lesson 2 • Field Sketching and Notation

This topic teaches plan and elevation sketching conventions for cave passages and features. Students will be able to produce a legible field sketch from a surveyed section.

Lesson 3 • Instruments and Measurement Techniques

This topic covers compass, clinometer, and tape use for accurate leg measurement underground. Students will be able to take consistent readings and record data in standard field notation.

Lesson 4 • Survey Principles and Grading

This topic introduces survey grades, accuracy standards, and the purpose of systematic documentation. Students will be able to select the appropriate survey grade for a given exploration objective.

Lesson 1 • Communication and Surface Support

This topic covers communication protocols between underground teams and surface support personnel. Students will be able to establish a communication schedule and emergency escalation procedure.

Lesson 2 • Post-Expedition Reporting

This topic teaches documentation standards for expedition reports, survey submissions, and conservation findings. Students will be able to produce a structured post-expedition report from simulated field data.

Lesson 3 • Team Selection and Roles

This topic addresses team composition, skill matching, and role assignment for expedition success. Students will be able to assign roles and responsibilities for a simulated expedition team.

Lesson 4 • Expedition Objective and Logistics

This topic covers objective selection, permit acquisition, and logistical coordination for remote cave expeditions. Students will be able to draft a complete expedition logistics plan.