Caving

The Local Cave Leader (LCL) award applies to most educational caving activities to be found in the south west. In exceptional circumstances some leaders may still have valid local approval and some may have undertaken the national training scheme and will then be using a local endorsement.

Details of the schemes, of local training providers and to register for training are all on the British Caving Association website.

For the assistance of party leaders seeking information about providers of caving activities it may be helpful to know that there are other local schemes that apply in other regions around the country.

Caving leaders would normally need to be level 1 in the scheme for the area they intend to use, there is a second level for leaders who take groups in caves where there are vertical pitches. Beyond that there is a national qualification for those who lead in more demanding caves and around the country, the Cave Instructors Certificate (CIC).

Caving generally requires the provider to hold an Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) licence or in the rare event that the activity is led by the Council staff they need to meet the same operational and safety standards.