C.C.P.C.

Newsletter 66
July 2000

THE magazine for cavers!

Bolting.

In a recent communication from Les Sykes not current members of DCA or of a member
(CNCC Technical Group) we were club of DCA. The moral of the story seems
advised to discontinue bolting until the to be -don't put in bolts (that can be
situation regarding insurance was traced back to you!) unless you have paid
clarified ie. Les wanted a definite "Yes your subs to DCA (or better still CCPC!)
you are" not_a "Yes" couched in legal ‘As a matter of interest our current "hit list"
jargon. Another point to bear in mind- includes Whalf, JH, Giants, Nettle and P8.
ina letter from Jenny Potts (DCA), cavers who With the exception of Whalf most of these are
are on the bolting list are not insured if they are replacements. Ann Kerr. (Bolt Co-ordinator)

What to do if

Following An excellent talk by our very own paramedics John and Tom I decided to jot down a few
reminders for us all to think about.

1. DON'T PANIC! (Easier said than done when it's you or your mate that's hurt.) Assess the situation
carefully then plan a course of action which will obviously vary depending on many factors. Basically
you must prevent the situation worsening and you are going to need some help. Don’t make things
worse by increasing the number of casualties!

2.Remember ABC. A. Open and maintain an air way. B. Is he/she breathing- if not do something
about it. C. Circulation. Don’t allow blood to leak all over the formations. The casualty needs it and it's
bad practice on the grounds of conservation.

3. You may be forced to move the casualty - do so carefully, be aware of any spinal injuries. Almost
anything will do as a pad-apply pressure but tourniquets are "out"

4. Keep the casualty warm, insulate using whatever tackle you have - a large poly bivvy hag is a must.
If it happens to be an attractive member of the opposite sex you can use this as an excuse to "double
up"! If they can take it then a little food will make them feel better.

5, Talk to and reassure the casualty EVEN IF THEY APPEAR TO BE UNCONSCIOUS.

What should EVERY caver carry? Being realistic the consensus of opinion seemed to be: bivvy bag,
triangular bandage, crepe bandage, tape, analgesics, balaclava, gloves, food.

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Personally | also carry a short candle, matches. spare torch (batteries and bulbs)

With the exception of the bivvy bag which will go down your wellie all this will fit into a smallish
BDH. Don't forget to check it hasn't leaked after each trip!

Pete Ton (CCPC, Safety advisor)

‘Strength of Ropes left Underground.
A French team experienced the catastrophic failure of a couple of little used ropes that had been left
underground for several years, Laboratory investigations are in progress.

Rescue Reports.
On Thursday 23 March Ralph was called out to an "Exhausted" caver in P8 and a small CCPC team
was put on standby. On arrival he was told that an "old man" (who tuned out to be several years
younger than many of the team!!) could not climb the first pitch. For some reason a helicopter, several
fire engines (including an all terrain vehicle) numerous police cars plus our
very own "Tom" in his para-wagon were in attendance. The casualty was
quickly extricated and set off with his mates probably in the direction of the
Wanted Inn! The only thing missing was Billy Smart as Ringmaster!
|, The following Sunday we had an evening call to "Wrens Nest

xt 4 Country Park" in Dudley. Apparently a group of youths had been
© sf seen going in but not coming out (I suspect this is a regular occurrence!)

(On our arrival we learned that the Mines Rescue had made contact but were unwilling

to approach the group who were described as "being high on something". (T suspect this

is also a common occurrence!) After some discussion the bobby in charge went to
Tegotiate but the group had disappeared. It was decided to leave them to their fate!

foe =Sy

©

DCRO Practice. 14 May 2000. Jug Holes.
30 cavers (12 from Crewe) turned up for this exercise masterminded by Dave Edwards. Following.
introductions and a short briefing we were divided randomly into three teams and each set about a
particular scenario, The idea was to complete all three but time overtook us and we only managed two.
My first task was a straight forward shaft using the bipod but slightly complicated by steep uneven
ground and an absence of ground stakes which had been loaned to another group. Fortunately there
were some substantial trees handy but not in the ideal location. Paul Nixon and Steve Knox were in my
group and I think they will agree that things went quite smoothly once we had recovered the cable
adjusters from "the van" -these are normally kept inside the bipod bag-check before you set off that
everything is actually inside!! Paul volunteered to be a victim finding the rear attachments on the
harness uncomfortable. If you use this harness it is better to haul on the front (chest) attachment and
only use the rear ones as a safety line or for hauling on a tight pitch such as The Narrows in Nettle. We
were also critical of the pulley jammers on the bipod head concluding that these are best left "open"
and only used if for some reason the back up jammers/Grigri/Italian Hitch have to be removed perhaps
to change over to a lower.
Following lunch in glorious sunshine we moved on to a grotty awkward extraction from the climb
down into the lower series with restricted access and spits placed far too low.(On a genuine shout this
would be rebolted) Having seen the previous group struggle we shortened the rope on the head of the
stretcher and re-rigged the pitch head to give a much higher take off point and even with a 14 stone+
victim things went quite smoothly. It is interesting to note that twisting of the 2:1 haul rope occurs
even with an anti- twist swivel in place.
The "problem" that I managed to avoid was a wide open rift reminiscent of Eldon with trees and
copious nettles. It was rigged with a Z-rig on one side (lifeline and hauling rope) and 2:1 releasable
deviations on the other as shown in the last DCRO Newsletter you should have received some time
ago. (team members that is)

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To round off the day Tony R. who had decided to go walking in the area
managed to get himself lost!! The bad news is that my passengers and I had to

wait for him to turn up for three hours!! (Team members please note-The

solicitors costs for divorce proceeding should be forwarded direct to Tony!)

‘Thanks to all those who turned up. Nigel, Matt, Tim, Mark L., Gareth,
Andy D., Rob, Steve, Steve(Colin), Paul N., Mark S. and yours truly.

s_* For Sale. Jeep Cherokee Sport. 2.5 L diesel . Red. Jan 97. 47000. One "careful"
“3, owner. £9500, (See "Eldon Hole") This is a GENUINE not-to-be-repeated
offer! Warmbac oversuit. XL £56.00 (New) Expedition Carbide/electric lamp.

Offers. CS sit harnesses £8.00 Chest £2.00. Croll £8.00. Knee pads (NEW)

#, £7.00, Protex helmets.£5.00 Undersuits L £5.00, Warmbac long john wet

“suit § £10.00. Blacks 35 | rucksack £10.00. Moae-type chocks on nylon £1.00.

F cells-free to good home! Through the headset charging adapters-free!

Plus the usual CCPC "designer" shirts £6.00, DCRO T shirts £7.00.

Remember the "Mountain Rescue" Goretex gear I had for sale? it's here again!! Ring Ralph.

Titan,
Several members have been in action at Titan albeit spasmodically!(including one man and his dog!)At
present Dave is digging vertically downwards then casting a concrete support to retain the clay filling
the hole. (Three sides are in solid rock.) Once the concrete sets the downward progress can _
continue. At the end of June the hole was about 10 m. deep. The spoil is held back by
6((2) concrete rings which will eventually line the shaft.
Whalf.

Following delays due to battery problems (and short ropes!) Whalf shaft

ime is now fully bolted. Plans are afoot for further explorations in this system including the

possibility of pumping out the sump at the bottom of the Hillocks entrance series. We have
produced a rigging topo to the Whalf-Knotlow-Hillocks system which must now rate as the best SRT
training site in Derbyshire. These are laminated A6 sheets at £1.00, all proceeds to DCRO.
Eldon Hole.

Well it finally got fenced! Thanks to a grant from PDNP, the balance being picked up by DCA. Nigel
and Lionel went up pdq and fitted a "temporary" stile to make the site stock proof. They have plans to
make either a replacement kissing gate or a new stile.
In the meantime Matt, John (Shep) Tim and Ralph went up to fit a "temporary" step to the stile (to
make it caver proof!) and to remove the rubbish left by the contractor. A trip to the bottom was also
planned. We began the day by getting Ralph's Jeep stuck!! Matt and John descended the hole while
Tim and Ralph fitted a step to the stile (we had to abandon the rubbish) then spent the rest of the
moming extracting the Jeep. Being naffed off and leaving Matt and John dangling we left for Buxton
to call at the DCRO store to pick up some stakes that Nigel had agreed to "fettle” only to find a
puncture on the trailer as we pulled onto the police station car park. A brief struggle followed but
eventually we picked up the stakes and drove home to Biddulph only to receive a phone call from
Matt-he had left his keys in the back of my car!!! We eventually met up at Ramshaw Rocks with Matt
still dressed in his oversuit! Not one of my better days!!!

[Don’t forget: www.cepe.org. uk] Free to good homes-ammo
. a aie boxes and Oldham spares.

Pooles Cavern.
For those who haven't had the pleasure of visiting this site you should. The dig has
been progressing for over a year now and although "slow", progress is being made.
Digging takes place most Wed nights. Ring before turning up.

Divers in action in Whalft!
Flushed with success after passing the first four sumps in P8 Max was persuaded to
“have a look” at the sump at the bottom of the entrance series in Hillocks, Steve

Knox and Brian recall this drying out in ('76?) leaving a passage blocked by mud.

‘Max managed to shift a few boulders(trundled in?) and was of the opinion that its
worth further investigation. Pumping is being arranged using a submersible pump with a
generator on the surface. Watch this space!

BCRC Conference (hosted by DCRO)

Amongst the attractions congratulations must go to Nigel who, assisted by Matt, did an excellent, well
received presentation on their Turkey exploits following the earthquake disaster (where they were
accompanied by Ross and Paul H.) Tom Bailey also gave a talk on the setting up of the DCRO-EMAS.
(East Midlands Ambulance Service) "Underground Response Team" On Sunday Ralph was involved
with a TEWT (Technical Exercise Without Troops) which eventually dragged on for the best part of
two hours!! During the evenings entertainment the CREG/Matt Ryan team won the quiz but
unfortunately the prize had been drunk before the winners were announced!! There were insufficient
Crewe members present to enter a team in the rescue race but once again Matt excelled himself when
the Anglo-French team of which he was a member came second to the Welsh -New Zealand team. All
in all an excellent weekend and thanks must go to everyone (Crewe members and otherwise) who
made it such a success,

Interestingly the conference voted unanimously AGAINST the motion proposed during the debate
"CRO's should restrict their activities to cave rescue." T like to think Nigel's talk may have played a
part in this decision.

Meets.
7 to 9 July. Cavers Fair Pindale 16 July Lost Johns.
22 July Castleton Street collection. (Help!) 23 July Oxlow
6 Aug Chapel le Dale 26 Aug Stoney Middleton

27 Aug Castleton Street collection (Help!)

REMEMBER. There is always lots more taking place than listed above both mid week and at
weekends!!! Sometimes trips are arranged at very short notice and sometimes trips can be
“arranged to order"! I think the current record must belong to Matt- but even he hasn't made
double figures in a week-YET! You only have to ask: Ring Mat, John or Ralph to find out more.

Ifyou hurry you've just got time to get YOUR article in the next Newsletter!!

xX

{ Interested in going abroad next year? discussions are already taking place. Should it be Europe-or
somewhere more "exotic"? India, Pakistan and Russia have been mentioned. Make your feeling
felt. Ring Ralph or Matt.

"
FING." onoitsnota fishing mag)
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