Vertical Leader Group Day Assessment

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Radon Underground: Radiation Protection Adviser role for managers

Note part of this course includes access to a excel spreadsheet created for use with the detailed exposure scheme. Your spreadsheet will include your Centre/Providers name as written here (or if left blank your name). Please do not share these spreadsheets with third parties.

Course Cost: £80

Online, normally 1pm-5pm

The following training course is aimed at those who may be required to work as a Radiation Protection Supervisor for an Outdoor Education
Centre or business running cave or mine exploration activities.

The course will cover the two exposure schemes outline within the BCAs Radon Underground guidance, including guidance on selecting an appropriate scheme based on the venues used. In addition, course members will be provided a
working template spreadsheet (in excel) which can be used to work within the Detailed Exposure Scheme mapped out within Radon Underground.

Included within the cost of the course is 12 months support in the use of the schemes.

There will be opportunities to ask questions relating to the BCAs guidance document Radon Underground during the session, however the
expectation is that participants have a good working knowledge of the BCAs guidance. Course participants must have successfully completed the BCAs Radon Underground
training module (https://classroom.google.com/c/MTc2MzIxMDI1ODYz?cjc=7odn7no)

The training course will take place on-line using Google Meets, for this participants will need to have registered an email address with Google. Participants will need to attend the course with a laptop or desktop computer, reliable internet connection, a functioning webcam and have access to Microsoft Excel.

Course run time approx. 4hrs on-line with supplementary support on request (max 4hrs over 12 months)

Prior to attending this course you must be registered with the BCAs Qualification Management System. You can do this by clicking here: https://britishcaving.azolve.com/
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To pass your group day assessment I’d expect to see a well structured, challenging and safe trip all pitched at an appropriate level for your group, rigged as “user friendly” as possible, and providing appropriate coaching and supervision of your group on a range of vertical elements. You’ll be expected to provide your own group for the day (of at least 4, plus an assistant if you feel it necessary), technical equipment, and be assessed in the most challenging mine/cave on your proposed list. During your assessment you’ll be expected to demonstrate (including the full rigging of) at least 3 of the following

  • Abseil for group (not a lower)
  • Lower with a group
  • Ladder pitch with a group
  • Traverse with a group

Before your assessment

All courses need to be registered with the BCAs Qualification Management System. To do this I’ll need your membership (ME) number, first and last name (as you’ve entered it into the system) and date of birth. Alternatively I can send you a link once you’ve booked onto the assessment to register yourself. If reregistering yourself please do so as soon as possible having received the link. 

You’ll also need to have satisfied the pre-requisite experience required to attend the assessment, as well has being familiar with the syllabus. You can find all that information by clicking the Course Description button below; 

 

If you attended your Core Skills Assessment before the 7th of September 2020 I’ll need a copy of your S4B page from the assessment as well as a copy of your current qualification certificate (if applicable). In addition I’ll need to see an overview of your personal exploration experience.

Make sure you’re thoroughly familiar with the caves or mines you’d like to lead groups in, and have recent logged experience of exploring mines or caves a little more challenging than those on your list.

Annotate a plan of each of the caves/mines you’d like on your list highlighting all

  • pitches, including the length of rope needed to rig the pitch as well as ladder length (as appropriate)
  • Highlight any significant considerations for your group management at each pitch
  • areas were a tyrolean could be rigged, including what rigging kit would be required

Click here for an example of what Im after

Make sure you get these plans back to me within 5 days of your assessment. 

During your assessment

Bring your logbook! I’ll need to see your log book before the assessment so please have it with you.

I’ll need to see you kit up the group as well as see/discuss any paperwork you required from your clients before the session (I don’t need to see the personal details of your group). I’ll then need to observe the session and have some time to discuss the day and your list of venues at the end of the day. It may also be necessary to demonstrate a key skill highlighted from or missed out during your Core Skills assessment however this would normally be pointed out to you before the assessment.

Make sure you’ve packed the appropriate kit for yourself and your group, you’ll need to justify your kit choice so don’t just rely on using “the same kit as every other instructor” if you’re working at a Centre, this also goes for your ropes!

Use your second/visiting staff effectively.

Classic hiccups during assessments include not checking anchors and fixed equipment, clearing pitch heads and rope care so watch out for these!

My focus is likely to be less on you, and more on the group. Do they look engaged & safe? Try to relax!