National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC)

07/22/2026

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2026 Steve Hudson Award for Cave Rescue, Phil Whitfield! This distinguished recognition was announced during the recent NSS Convention awards banquet.

Phil has spent decades in the cave rescue world teaching hundreds of cavers, organizing and assisting with many classes, and being an inspiration.

Known by some as the father of cave rescue in Canada, Phil has influenced more than a generation of cavers. He's also taken some NCRC classes and is an NSS member.

Congratulations, Phil!

05/20/2026

The NCRC national weeklong seminar finished with an all day mock rescue. Our students nailed the mock 😁

There were four patients, one of which needed a full carry out. A very smooth cross haul allowed the patient to span the waterfall dome and from there it was all hands on deck. Another of the patients was stuck in a crevice but very carefully was extracted. A third patient was stuck in a slippery basin and had to get hauled out.

Our IQ students were marvelous and put in tons of effort into the scenario and scouting.

A huge thank you to Larry and the camp staff for graciously hosting us and cooking delicious meals. Thank you to all of the instructors and gold shirts who allow us to continue teaching cave rescue and making caving safer for us all. And a heartfelt thank you to our students who come eager to learn and work very hard all week. We hope you all enjoyed your time but even more importantly learned something new that you will take with you and continue to share with others.



Photo credits: Rishab Syed, Kim Lughart, Bri Bennett

05/13/2026

Day 4! Spirits were high and lots of smiles today! It's the mid-point of our week long and all of the students are working hard and developing awesome team dynamics. It's been great seeing everyone come together and foster new friendships.

Level 1 spent their day in cave working on raising and lowering with purpose designed devices.

Level 2 also went in cave to practice counterweight systems.

Bridge received lessons in bolting then put their skills to the test.

This evening all students had the night off after dinner! However, we've started an "open mic night" tradition where anyone can come give a talk or mini presentation about any topic of their interest. Some talks included snake safety, rescue training in Hungary, the princess and the cave, a few talks about cave rescues, and the much anticipated repeat lecture of the Pstyle (the freedom to stand and p*e as a female).



Photo credit: Ian Tullos
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQ5dVQgNLq/?igsh=dzR5NXEydHk5a3Jl

05/10/2026

Several NCRC instructors participated in this multi-day international training. Thanks to European Cave Rescue Association, Hungarian Cave Rescue Service, and Aggtelek National Park for hosting!

05/10/2026

Day 1 of the NCRC National Seminar saw the debut of new curriculum, which started being planned in 2022. Some of the new areas are simplified patient packaging, bolting practice, and using purpose designed devices (like the clutch). There are more cross-currucular references, plus we end by 8 pm every night and even have a free evening! Old favorites like crack and crevice and counterweights are still in place.

05/09/2026

Today was the NCRC instructor update, which instructors are required to attend regularly to stay current as instructors. Now we're ready to start the NCRC national seminar in Mentone, Alabama.

04/21/2026

Thanks to all the volunteers out there!

Happy National Volunteer Week!

To celebrate our incredible cave rescue volunteers, today’s Cave & Karst Word of the Week is: Litter.

While it might sound like a group of puppies or kittens, in the world of search and rescue, a litter is a specialized stretcher designed for rugged terrain. The term originates from the French word litière, meaning a bed or bedding.

During a cave rescue, a litter is used to securely support and protect a patient as they are carried through passages and past hazards. These litters are constructed from durable materials specifically designed to shield patients from sharp rocks and abrasive surfaces.

Choosing the right equipment, safely "packaging" a patient, and navigating a difficult egress (exit) requires immense skill and coordination. This week, we want to acknowledge the dedicated professionals and volunteers who spend countless hours training to keep our caving community safe. Thank you for all that you do!

To find out more information about cave rescue go to https://caves.org/ncrc

Photo description: photos of litters being used during an Orientation to Cave Rescue that was held at NCKRI headquarters and other sites in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

04/12/2026

Limited spaces available! Join Level 1 or the Bridge Class (for those who have already taken Level 2) at the NCRC National Weeklong Seminar and check out the new curriculum in TAG!

https://ncrc.regfox.com/2026-national-mentone-seminar