Annexes II

Aptitude test

1. Test to verify theoretical and practical safety knowledge

The purpose of the test to verify theoretical and practical safety knowledge is to verify, by means of an interview and on the basis of the candidate's experience, his/her theoretical and practical safety knowledge.

During the interview, which lasts between thirty and forty-five minutes, the candidate explains and analyses his professional experience on the basis of his list of routes, produced beforehand, including twenty routes in class 4 caves, carried out in four different karstic massifs, including at least :

- two caves more than six hundred metres deep (excluding traverses), at least one of which is on the reference list drawn up by the national technical director for caving;

- two caves more than three hundred and fifty metres deep (excluding traverses), at least one of which is on the reference list drawn up by the national technical director for caving;

- two aquatic caves requiring the use of specific equipment (neoprene wetsuit, pontoon boat or canoe) for a minimum of two hours, at least one of which is on the reference list drawn up by the national technical director for caving;

- two caves requiring at least three kilometres to explore (crossings allowed), at least one of which is on the reference list drawn up by the national technical director for caving;

- twelve caves over one hundred and fifty metres deep (traverses permitted), at least six of which are on the reference list drawn up by the national technical director for speleology.

2. Technical safety test

The technical safety test is designed to test the candidate's ability to master progression techniques. It is made up of three tests:

2.1 First test: ease course

The ease course enables the candidate to demonstrate in safety the elementary technical gestures of rope progression. It is also designed to test the candidate's ability to intervene with people in difficulty. It lasts approximately one day. It takes place in a cave, except in cases of force majeure.

The rope course can be done on an artificial structure, on a natural cliff or in a training cave. Participants move around on ropes pre-installed by the training organisation. The course is completed within a time limit set by an instructor. The time taken by candidates to complete the course is increased by 20%.

It includes the following scenarios:

- progression on handrails: safety and progression;

- descents on single ropes of different diameters with a stop on a locking key;

- split descents and ascents;

- deviated descents and ascents;

- pendulum movements;

- passing a knot on descent and ascent.

The candidate will be able to free a team member from blockers using a balancing method, a technique of their choice, in a time limited to three minutes and thirty seconds.

The equipment of a vertical section comprising at least one split in a cliff or cavity.

The course may include :

- one or more exceptional situations;

- one or more situations involving intervention with a person in difficulty or distress;

- a situation in which a victim is placed on standby and help is summoned in French.

The candidate must have mastered the following elements:

a) In the field of exceptional techniques :

- climbing techniques for ascending a shaft or improvised escape route;

- setting mountain-type anchors (pitons, stoppers);

- making and using escape equipment (loss of equipment);

- techniques for avoiding wet wells (safe installation of guides and ascents with guides).

b) In the field of intervention techniques :

- interventions using a balance beam with or without auxiliary ropes and upward releases;

- releases and evacuations using handrails;

- releases and evacuations using a zip line or guide rope;

- vertical rope releases, from above or below, downward ;

- vertical rope access, from the top or from the bottom, downwards, with splits;

- vertical rope access, from the top or from the bottom, downwards, with deviations;

- freeing people trapped at the bottom of a split loop.

c) In the field of assistance techniques:

- first aid procedures and gestures in an emergency environment;

- putting a victim on standby;

- setting up a hot spot;

- the stages involved in activating the emergency system.

2.2 Second test: large-scale exploration

The aim of this simulation is to test the candidate's ability to demonstrate caving techniques safely underground. It lasts approximately one day. During an outing in a class IV cave, the candidate must manage a 200-metre section of vertical drop (equipping and de-equipping). At the end of the outing, the candidate will perform a rope clearance for a team member in less than three minutes and thirty seconds (using a method and technique of their choice, without cutting the rope and using force). This exploration must be a round trip, excluding any underground traverse.

During the technical and committed route, the candidate must be able (EC) to master the following elements:

a) In the field of preparing an outing:

EC to analyse a topography;

EC to analyse an equipment sheet;

EC to analyse a map;

EC to analyse a weather report;

EC to analyse a hydrogeological context;

EC to make choices and decisions based on observable weather data.

b) In the field of progression off the apparatus :

- moving around on varied, chaotic and slippery terrain;

- climbing;

- moving through water;

- negotiating narrow passages;

- moving through meanders;

- orientation and interpretation of available topography.

c) In the field of vertical progression:

On descent:

- the different braking techniques;

- stopping on a locking key;

- passing through simple, full and staggered splits;

- negotiating a knot;

- conversion;

- equipment loss recoveries.

Ascent:

- rope ascents, conversions;

- loss of equipment re-escapes;

- crossing a knot;

- passing through splits, simple, full voids, staggered.

In the field of communication :

- use of sound code;

- use of terminology adapted to the French language;

- anticipation.

In the field of material and logistical organisation of the outing:

- management of equipment on the person;

- management of equipment in each bag;

- packaging of food;

- management of equipment in the team;

- control of access routes and approach walks;

- collective organisation of the outing and distribution of roles.

In the field of equipping obstacles:

- analysis and decision-making;

- protecting access to vertical areas;

- installing handrails;

- adjusting the height and tension of handrails.

Managing friction:

- protection ;

- avoiding friction (deviations, splits).

Non-flood equipment:

- handrail extensions;

- staggered lines and splits;

- guided abseiling equipment;

- installation of deviations.

Long verticals:

- anticipating rope lengths;

- adjusting split loops;

- comfort splits;

- safety instructions.

2.3 Third test: supervising a group safely underground.

This session is designed to test the candidate's ability to ensure the safety of caving enthusiasts and third parties. It lasts approximately one day. The candidate is put in a situation where he is supervising a group of people in a class 4 cave. The public is an application public, who may be prepared or have good physical and sporting qualities that are transferable to a challenging and technical underground outing.

The candidate must master the following elements and behaviours:

a) In the field of session design :

- finding the cave;

- finding and taking into account relevant safety information;

- analysing the constraints and potential of the route;

- defining safety objectives;

- taking into account the expectations and abilities of the public;

- using a session preparation sheet;

- involving the public in the outing.

b) Implementation of the session:

Organisation of logistics:

- planning the timing;

- preparing collective equipment;

- repairing and checking individual equipment;

- preparing access points;

- organising any shuttle service (in the case of a crossing);

- preparing bags;

- packing meals.

Overcoming technical obstacles by the group:

- Analysis and rapid equipment of obstacles;

- Multiple equipment if necessary.

c) Conducting the session:

Communicating with the group in French:

- taking charge of the group;

- presentation of the outing and session plan;

- general briefing, principles of moving on narrow, chaotic, slippery and rough terrain;

- stating, respecting and passing on safety instructions;

- balancing putting the group into action and stating instructions;

- postural and behavioural communication.

Checks :

- initial inspection of personal equipment;

- regular inspection of personal equipment;

- checking underground equipment.

Vigilance :

- availability for well handrail equipment tasks;

- physical availability, ability to move quickly;

- placement enabling vigilance and advice.

Group organisation:

- managing the approach (pace, carrying, instructions, environment);

- managing the return (pace, carrying, instructions, environment);

- organising or taking charge of parries in exposed passages, climbs, de-escalations;

- organisation of group dynamics.

Assessment:

- chronic assessment of the level of autonomy and skills;

- chronic assessment of the physical and psychological state of the participants;

- assessment of your own condition.

Regulation:

- modification of session objectives;

- intervention on 3F symptoms: hunger, cold, fatigue;

- intervention on a participant in difficulty or distress;

- Respecting timetables.