Cave Initiation: A cave initiation to initiates.
Initiate: A participant in a cave tour who is not a speleologist.
Cave tour: A guided tour for visitors who are unfamiliar with the cave, led by guides
Guide : A speleologist who, as the guide during a cave tour, is responsible for all aspects of the tour:
- The guide explains the behavioral and safety rules that are important for the tour
- The guide is responsible for the safety of the visitors by:
- explaining how the safety equipment works (harnesses, lanyards, helmets)
- checking that all visitors are using the safety equipment correctly
- assessing the group’s physical and mental capabilities and adapting the tour accordingly
- securing dangerous sections
- demonstrating how difficult obstacles can be safely navigated
- knowing and showing the way: This means that, in case of an emergency, the guide knows the fastest and safest route to the exit at any location and at any time
- being physically and mentally capable of safely conducting a cave tour in the cave in question
- The guide answers questions
- The guide takes charge in the event of any accidents (administering first aid, notifying Speleo Secours)
Organising cave inititations
Allowed cave initiations
- Non-commercial requests from groups not affiliated with the club
- Organized by club members for family, friends, or acquaintances
- Organized by the club for prospective new members
Rules for all cave initations
- Cave introductions can only be organized in the following caves: Grotte Sainte Anne, Trou d’Haquin, Nou Moulin, Trou de l’Eglise
- Cave introductions always follow the standard routes of a cave where no rope techniques are required. In exceptional cases, the participant must clip their lanyard into a guide rope or be belayed.
- At least 2 guides are required for every 10 participants. For cave introductions involving children, additional guides may be necessary.
- The group is never split up during the guided tour. Only in the event of an incident may a guide decide, after consulting with the other guide(s), to leave the cave alone or with one or more participants.
- Every participant must be insured through a one-day insurance policy purchased through the VVS. See also the checklist below.
- In addition to their own lighting, every guide carries emergency lighting.
- Every guide brings their own harness, equipped with at least lanyards and a foot loop.
- Every guide must be able to quickly call Speleo Secours in the event of an accident. Keep the following in mind:
- Cell phones (battery charged? Speleo Secours number saved?)
- Where and how the car keys are stored (can you always access your phone?)
- The distance between the parking lot and the cave entrance. At Trou d’Haquin, it is recommended to either bring a cell phone or hide it near the cave entrance
- One of the guides is the lead guide. This guide is considered the organizer / person in charge / contact person for the cave initiation.
- The lead guide goes through the following checklist
| Step | Description | Timing |
| 1 | The head guide requests approval from the Spekul board for the cave initiation. | No later than 2 weeks before the cave introduction |
| 2 | The head guide handles all fees related to the cave initiation (fees per guide, fees for the use of club equipment) | Following approval of the cave initiation |
| 3 | The lead guide ensures that every participant is insured | After approval of the cave initiation and no later than 1 week before the cave initiation |
| 4 | The lead guide asks all participants to indicate whether or not they have any medical conditions that could pose a risk to the safety of the cave initiation (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, physical limitations, etc.). Any potential medical risks are discussed with the board and the participant before the initiation can proceed. | After approval of the cave initiation. The answers must be collected no later than one week before the cave initiation so that they can be discussed if necessary |
| 5 | The lead guide will inform all participants about all practical matters related to the cave tour: meeting location and time, and a list of what participants need to bring (clothing, food and drinks, batteries – list here) | After approval of the cave initiation and no later than 2 days before the cave initiation |
| 6 | The lead guide ensures that all necessary equipment is brought along for the cave introduction | Right before the cave initiation |
| 7 | The head guide ensures that all borrowed materials are returned to Spekul in good condition | After the cave initation |
| 8 | Indien van toepassing, brengt de hoofdgids hIf applicable, the lead guide will inform the board of any incidents that occur during the cave initiation | After the cave initation |
Rules for cave initiation activities involving children (under 18)
- Every child (elementary school) must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.
- Every child (middle school) who is not accompanied by a parent or guardian must obtain written permission from a parent or guardian. The lead guide collects the permissions and submits them to the board along with the participant list required for the permits.