This page was an updated kitlist, which has now been merged back into the main handbook kitlist

From Frank's Expo Training Weekend

On 3rd-4th May Frank and Martin went to an expedition training weekend in Wales run by Joel Corrigan (who does the Dachstein expeditions). Frank wrote a document with a list of useful kit that was suggested during the weekend. I've pasted it below as Frank doesn't currently have wiki access. Feel free to comment, as it's interesting to see how the Dachstein people kit themselves out slightly differently from us. Edvin

Report on Expedition Training Weekend 3rd -4th May 08 South Wales Climbing Centre and OFD Organised on by Joel Corrigan and others to give university clubs some advice about expeditions Attendees; Frank Tully; Martin Jahnke

Writing this report primarily because lots of useful stuff was discussed.

First aid

Over the weekend I attended a 2-3 hour seminar on first aid which was useful, it always is. Covered all the basics. Much the same as Martins talk which he has done on expo a few times. Something I found useful is a list of stuff that would be useful to carry in a first aid kit.

Personal first aid kit could include:

• Note If your not going deep you may require less, similarly within a team you do not need loads of duplicated kit. Although do not put it all into one bag because sods law says someone will drop the lot down a pitch. Most of the stuff fits into a small BDH, 8”x3”
• Triangular bandage, Useful for loads of stuff,
• PVC Electrical tape, Useful for everything, Don’t bother carrying surgical tape.
• Tube of Eyewash, Washing stuff out of wounds or eyes.
• Steri-Strips, Cheap from Boots useful for many small wounds
• Tampons, very absorbent
• Non-stick dressing, Less useful but if you have room it doesn’t weigh much.
• Crepe bandages Again less useful but doesn’t weigh much
• Small personal lightweight bivibag, Put over head and breathe through hole.
• Candles/nightlights, if used with bivibag will keep you warm, especially as we no longer use carbide. *Note they produce a small amount of carbon monoxide so you must not use them without breathing through a hole in your bivibag.
• Waterproof matches for candle.
• Paracetamol, a very effective pain killer that few are allergic to. Write down maximum dose on paper if you cannot remember it.
• Sachet of Imodium, shits on a pitch is unpleasant.
• Antacid or Ranatadine, weights nothing could make things much more pleasant.
• Emergency food, marzipan or similar, something you don’t like is better because then you wont eat it unless it’s an emergency.
• Bit of karimat in personal bag or wrapped around first aid kit, to sit on in emergency

• Spare batteries for light
• Spare top, put on when waiting
• Balaclava
• Water

Stuff to be shared between pushing team

• KISS shelter, sort of like a super light nylon tent where you are the poles, Makes long waits less unpleasant, weights next to nothing
• Brew kit, ultra light re-sealable gas type using smallest propane mix cylinders.

Stuff for top camp which could be useful

• Sudocrem, arse cream for babies, great fro grot rot or harness pressure sores. Was told story about someone who repeatedly used the alcohol hand cleansing gel on harness pressure sore… very unpleasant don’t do it.

Clothing for Austria

• Their caves are similar in temperature to ours but the clothing they use is slightly different. Generally they wear more thinner layers and a ‘Gimp top’.

• Oversuit, Possibly carried in bag when moving fast in the dry. Cordura or PVC

PVC is warmer but modern suits wear out quick, Cordura is similarly warm when new and is harder wearing.

• Thermal top
• Spare thermal top
• Thermal salopettes, A favourite seems to be using ‘Imax’ fishing thermals (cheap), instead of a fury suit
• Biking lycra pants.
• Balaclava
• Snood type thing round neck
• Wetsocks and thin socks as liners
• Spare light (Tika or similar) Keep in first aid kit or round neck for when helmet goes down pitch etc.
• Spare batteries. It is not uncommon for something to go wrong when charging.
• Look at the Blizzard vest, Expensive but can really keep you warm in an emergency,
• Water of dilute juice, there may not be any water underground in Austria.
• Gimp top

Gimp top, One of those super cheap nylon rain coats prized by church walking groups on trips to the lake district. Charity shops are the best place to find them, envy and adoration by other cavers for the most unplesant colours.

• • Don't spend much money as caving will destroy them in no time.

The gimp top was first used as a way of staying warm at the top of pitches however people soon started taking off their oversuit and using the gimp top when moving fast and ascending on dry pitches.

This has been recomended by people who cave extensivly in the hill 20 miles west of our hill.