Merlin Mine Rescue Practice Session

• We arrive at the meeting location (often at slightly different times)
• We get kitted up
• Everyone is introduced and the plan for the day is explained
• We focus on learning and practicing specific caving skills
• We take breaks to discuss techniques and share feedback
• We often share picnics or snacks afterward

Training trips are more structured than regular caving sessions, with a clear focus on skill development in a supportive environment. The Messenger group chat is available to answer questions before and during the trip.

Each training trip focuses on specific skills, which will be outlined in the trip description.

Common training topics include:

• SRT basics (ascending, descending, changing over)
• Advanced SRT techniques
• Navigation in caves
• Rigging and rope management
• Cave safety and hazard assessment
• Group leadership skills

The training will be adapted to suit the level of the participants, with options for beginners through to more experienced cavers.

Training trips focus primarily on skills rather than challenging caving.

We typically choose easier cave environments so you can concentrate on learning techniques without being distracted by difficult passages or exhausting journeys.

The physical caving will generally be less demanding than our regular trips, as the emphasis is on practice, repetition, and mastering specific skills.

People tend to meet at the specified arrival time, though some arrive earlier and others slightly later.

We discuss specific arrival times in the group chat beforehand to make sure everyone is on the same page.

It’s important to arrive on time for training trips as we often need to cover introductions and safety briefings before starting.

We often can help people get to training sessions with a combination of driving and public transport.

On our signup form, we’ll ask where you’re traveling from and whether you need or can offer a lift.

It helps greatly if you can make your way to central Manchester or train stations like Chapel-en-le-Frith, Glossop, Hope, or Buxton – from these places, we can usually arrange the final part of your journey.

If you’re unsure – just sign up! We won’t be able to sort out transport until we know you’re actually committed to coming.

The minimum requirement is to have caved with us at least once before.

One option is to join one of our Extra-Welcoming Giggletrips first to get comfortable with basic caving.

If you’re an experienced caver who hasn’t been with us before but is keen to join a training session, please drop us a message.

Each training trip will specify any additional prerequisites in the description.

For training sessions, people need to have been on at least one previous trip with us.

This ensures everyone has basic familiarity with caving and our group dynamics before focusing on technical skills.

Your friend is welcome to join one of our Extra-Welcoming sessions first, and then sign up for future training opportunities.

Yes! Our Kit Coordinator ensures anyone without the right equipment gets what they need from our tacklestore in Glossop.

Just indicate what you need when you sign up, and we’ll make arrangements.

For specialized training sessions (like SRT), we provide all technical equipment needed.

UK weather is unpredictable, but we plan our training trips with contingencies in mind.

We’re likely to adapt around challenging conditions – during rainy periods, for example, we might choose dry, unfloodable mines, or focus on above-ground skills practice.

Safety is always our priority, and we’ll communicate any weather-related changes via the group chat.

It’s best to avoid canceling after midday the day before the trip.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you can’t make it. The best way to tell us is by messaging us directly.

Last-minute cancellations are particularly problematic for training trips, as they’re often designed with specific group sizes in mind.

We usually can’t offer discounts for cancellations on training events.

Unlike regular caving trips, training sessions sometimes include designated breaks where we stop to discuss techniques.

It’s always good to bring snacks and water for these breaks.

After training, many people share treats at the cars – bringing cake or snacks to share is a wonderful tradition that’s always appreciated!

Pro tip: Don’t take cake into the cave unless you know the cave very well.

Photos & videos are a great way of remembering our adventures. People often take video and photos in accordance with our Photography and Video Policy.

If they’re over 18, absolutely!

These events are specifically for adults (18+) in accordance with our policies.

Everyone needs to sign up individually through our website to ensure proper planning and equipment allocation.

While we love well-behaved dogs, training sessions require focus and consistent participation.

We generally recommend leaving your four-legged friends at home or safely in your car during training trips.

We do our best to support cavers with diverse mobility and accessibility needs.

If you have specific requirements, please note them in the comments section when you sign up.

Training locations are often selected for their accessibility, but if you’d like to discuss your needs beforehand, please feel free to message us.

We’ve successfully supported pregnant cavers and people with various requirements in the past, and we’re continuously improving our awareness of different venues’ accessibility.

Training events take significant planning to run smoothly.

We have several key roles:

• A Training Coordinator who leads the event and manages the educational content
• A Kit Coordinator who ensures everyone has the right equipment
• A Reporter who shares highlights and learning points with the Crew afterward

Everyone helps out in some way, whether it’s demonstrating techniques, providing feedback, or supporting newer members.

Membership is required for our outdoor events to ensure everyone has third-party BCA insurance, which is required by the British Caving Association.

This protects both you and the Crew during all caving activities, including training.

Membership also helps fund training equipment and resources.

Our approach to training focuses on building skills in a supportive, structured environment.

We organize smaller groups to ensure everyone gets personal attention and feedback.

By focusing specifically on skill development rather than just exploration, we help cavers build confidence and competence at their own pace.

This approach has proven effective in helping people progress from beginners to confident cavers who can safely tackle more challenging environments.

After each training trip, we send out feedback forms specifically designed to improve our training approach.

Every comment is read and considered carefully by our training team.

Your input directly shapes future training events, so please share both positive experiences and constructive suggestions.

This feedback is particularly valuable for training events as it helps us refine our teaching methods and identify topics for future sessions.

Our training events are peer-led skill development sessions, not formal qualifications.

While they will help you become a more competent and confident caver, they don’t result in certification.

If you’re interested in formal qualifications, we can direct you to BCA-approved training courses and assessments.

We offer a progression of training opportunities throughout the year.

After mastering the basics, you’ll be invited to more advanced sessions and encouraged to practice your skills on regular trips.

The more you volunteer with the Crew, the more training opportunities we’ll suggest to support your development.

Many of our most skilled cavers started as complete beginners and progressed through our training program!

Here’s what you should bring:

• Some warm older/less nice clothes to wear as a base layer underneath the caving-specific clothes we will provide. Some examples
  • Fleece jumpers
  • Leggings
  • Thermal base layers
  • Outdoorsy t-shirts

Avoid anything made from cotton or untreated wool (such as t-shirts or wooly jumpers); synthetic fabrics that keep their warmth when wet work best here. You will be provided with a thick fleece layer and a protective outer layer to wear over this, so if all you have is cotton you’re better going without.

• Change of socks/underwear/replacement clothing. Anything you wear into the cave will likely be too wet and dirty to wear afterwards in the car, so make sure you have spare clothes for the drive home.
• Wellies (we do have spares if necessary, but the sizes and stock are limited). These aren’t special wellies – £12 wellies from go-outdoors or sparkling pink wellies with fur linings are great for caving.
• Towel
• Any important medicines you take
• Contact lenses or string for your glasses.
• A full sealed snack you enjoy eating (eg a mars bar)

What will I be borrowing?

If you don’t already have them:

• Caving Oversuit to go over your undersuit
• Caving Undersuit to go underneath your oversuit
• Caving Helmet with Caving Headtorch and fully charged Batteries
• Gloves
• Kneepads
• Wellies
• SRT Kit

We’ll also be carrying the appropriate group equipment.

This is what we’d expect from experienced cavers:

• Undersuit
• Oversuit
• Helmet + Light
• Wellies
• Kneepads
• Gloves

SRT Kit:

• Descender
• Ascender + security link
• SRT Harness
• Chest Harness
• Cowstails

• If it’s not already filled up, 12:00, signup will close and we will review the skills and locations of everyone who has signed up.
• Before 7pm, you’ll receive a Facebook Messenger Message confirming the location you’re headed to.

• We arrive at the cave meeting point – often at slightly different times.
• We get kitted up and head to the venue
• We have a fun trip together

• The Training Reporter will share a post from your cave about what happened there in the next few days