If you have concerns about a participant's suitability for the trip, you must contact the Caving Officer to discuss it, ideally at least 5 days beforehand. This gives time to resolve the issue without causing disappointment on the day.

Yes, as long as you have studied the route description and survey, and you are confident that the cave is within your and the group's capabilities. Pre-visits are recommended for hard-to-find entrances.

Be flexible. Before the trip, check the forecast and be prepared to change plans. On the day, you have the final say. If you arrive and find conditions have changed (e.g., a thunderstorm has made the cave dangerous), be decisive. Change the objective to a safer alternative, like a local mine, or cancel the underground portion of the trip.

All participants must pay the same so that no one can be seen to be getting payment in kind or backhanders, which might invalidate the BCA insurance coverage and is against the club constitution.

Making a mistake is not a problem as long as you recognise it, remain calm, and work methodically to get back on track. The key is to ensure the group remains safe.

The group's well-being is your priority. You may need to shorten the trip or turn back. You can also ask the Seconder to escort the struggling person out while you continue with the rest of the group if it's safe to do so.

Yes. Be aware of your weaknesses and plan accordingly. You can ensure there's a competent Seconder or another experienced caver on the trip who can assist with those specific challenges. Avoid leading trips that are heavily focused on your weakness.

As a rule of thumb, 1 Leader and 1 Seconder to 4 novices is a good ratio for horizontal caves. For SRT trips, ratios should be lower, especially in complex environments, and are highly contextual.

Yes. Every official club trip must carry a Caving Crew Leader Bag to ensure a consistent standard of safety and first aid equipment is available.

You must be aware of the vulnerability of popular sites and set a good example. Ensure your group does not touch formations, respects conservation tape, and removes all litter.

You should have a basic knowledge of First Aid procedures, particularly in the underground environment. A caving-specific First Aid workshop is highly recommended. While a formal certificate is good advice, it is not a mandatory requirement.

You must be able to assess fixed aids. Check for damage or wear on ropes and anchors. If you are in any doubt about their safety, you must rig your own rope.