All major rescue equipment will be provided by the course coordinator.

Students must provide their own personal safety equipment. Students lacking any required equipment will not be allowed to participate in the course. Please be advised that lava tubes have extremely sharp and abrasive rock. Equipment should be very rugged or it will not stand up to the cave environment.

Required Equipment:

• A sturdy helmet with a non-elastic chinstrap equipped with a quick release buckle. Helmet should be UIAA or CE rated. Fire type helmets are not acceptable for cave rescue.
• Three independent sources of light - each capable of allowing safe exit from a cave. The primary light must be helmet mounted. The light must be sufficient for several hours of continuous use.
• Sturdy boots with cleated soles.
• Leather palmed gloves
• Appropriate rugged clothing for warm, 68 degree caves. Expect to tear it up on the lava. No bunker pants or turn out coats.
• A small rugged cave pack suitable for carrying personal supplies underground. An excessive amount of straps on the pack guarantees that it will get snagged on the rocks. Zippers can clog with dirt or mud.
• Small personal first aid kit.
• 2 large garbage bags.
• Personal food and water for eight hours, to be used during the Mock exercise on Sunday. If you can sit on your food, it is well suited for caving.
• VERTICAL EQUIPMENT IS NOT REQUIRED.

Recommended Equipment

• Knee pads (strongly recommended). Wrestling or skateboard pads work well. You may also find several good pads in the hardware store.
• Elbow pads. In-line skate pads work, as well as the soft soccer shin guards.
• 20 feet of tubular webbing
• 2 locking carabiners
• Knife
• Whistle
• Sun Screen
• Lawn chair
• Paper and pencil in a plastic bag.

Thanks to John Chenger, John Hickman, and Cindy Reid for providing photographs of recent OCRs.