CAVE DIVING RESCUE EXERCISE NAJDENA JAMA 2012 (NEWFOUND CAVE 2012)

Abstract

Cave diving is a form of diving which requires much specific knowledge and special equipment. It is a special type of technical diving where, in the event of a danger, it is not possible to swim vertically to an open surface. In spite of all the risks associated with cave diving, water-filled caves often attract both domestic and foreign divers and cavers. There are three types of water-filled caves in Slovenia: springs, sinkholes and sumps. The first two types are easily accessible, and the rescue from such caves is carried out by the Technical Diving Unit. The most challenging types of rescue are sump rescue operations, as these require the specialised knowledge of cave rescue techniques. The need of educating comprehensively organised cave rescue teams and technical divers for sump rescue operations resulted in the organisation and performance of the cave rescue diver exercise "Najdena jama 2012" (NewFound Cave 2012). The international exercise involved 63 participants from ten European countries. The hauling-out of the injured person was conducted from the location of 150 metres behind a 30-metre long sump (700 metres from the cave entrance and at the depth of 100 metres). According to the management and supervising bodies, the exercise was well-organised and a success in terms of performance. The exercise itself and its conclusion served as the basis of the preparation of the training programme designed for divers rescuing from cave sumps. The programme was prepared by the Training Centre for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief in cooperation with the Cave Rescue Service and the Technical Diver Unit.