VRCau - Vertical Rescue Challenge Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I/we register?
- Go to the Downloads page of this website. Download the Registration form (adobe .PDF format) and print it out. Fill in all your details and mail this along with your cheque to the address shown on the form so that it will be received prior to the closing date for registrations. If you cannot download or print the file, send an e-mail to Central West Division State Emergency Service or ring on +61 2 6332 3656 to have the registration form mailed out to you.
- I want to come and watch. Do I need to register?
- Yes and no. If you want to participate or view the symposium sessions, camp at the showground, attend any social functions or have your meals supplied, you must register. If you only want to watch the Skins Elimination Competition or the Finals Scenario Competition, you do not need to register.
- What gear do we (competing team) need to bring?
- The gear that will be supplied by the event organizers is spelled out in the Rules. You will need to bring everything else. However, we are attempting to negotiate the loan of additional gear which will help teams that are short of gear. We appreciate that teams need to cover rescue at home as well as the competition. We hope to have enough spare gear to make up any short falls that teams may have.
- How many members in a team?
- Five members constitute a team.
- Can the team or squad have more than 5 members and change members between events? ie have active reserves?
- Yes and no. Reserves are permitted. The squad (i.e. team plus reserves) may have as many members as you like, but the team must consist of the SAME five members for ALL the events in the skins competition. The team membership may change between the skins competition and each of the finals events, except for two members who must be a part of the team at all times. The membership of the team may not change during the skins competition, nor during a finals evolution. This is to promote training across all members of the team, but still allow the team to have one or more "reserves" who can still participate in the competition.
- In the "Individual" and "Pairs" Skins events, how will the individual or pair be chosen?
- The VRC2k committee reserves the right to choose the individual competitor by either of a) the team's choice; b) the judge's choice; or c) a random choice. The method(s) of choice will be advised on the day of the competition. This is to promote training across the team rather than the development of "specialists".
- What is the ruling on racks as rescue descenders?
- Rescue descenders must meet the equipment specifications of the NSW State Rescue Board as summarized in the Rules. Any device suspected of not being approved for use by the NSWSRB must be presented for scrutineering prior to the start of competition. The competition judges will then issue a decision as to whether or not it may be used, and if so possibly how so as well. We recognize there may be teams from outside the NSWSRB jurisdiction who may have different protocols, standards and equipment.
- What is the ruling on the use of "personal" descenders?
- Personal descenders (i.e. descenders not approved for use in rescue systems, but used by the participant for vertical mobility) will be judged according to the judges own personal beliefs on the matter. We recognize some teams have a need for lightweight double rope access equipment. We also recognize that the judges opinions will vary! As a tip... don't expect a personal descender alone is acceptable minimum kit. Personal descenders must not be used in any rescue system.
- Will the judges concur on decisions, scores and comments?
- The judges may confer, but they may not necessarily concur! The judges have been instructed to judge, score and comment based on their own personal beliefs. There will be differences of opinion between judges. Take them all in and digest them. The judges have been given guidelines, mainly so they each know what each scoring criteria relates to, and so they can all use a similar scoring regime. They are, however, encouraged to judge and comment based on their own experience and opinions to give the participants the best quality feedback they can get.
- Why doesn't the VRCau supply all the gear, rather than having teams bring their own?
- Several reasons. Firstly, we want to see what each team actually does: how they store gear, what pre-rigging they do, etc. In short, we want to see what tricks they've developed to be more efficient on the job, so we can all learn from them. Secondly, the VRCau is a non profit event and the purchase of gear specifically for the event would dramatically increase the entry fee. Thirdly, teams using their own gear are more likely to look after it, and not damage it, thus affecting the chances of following teams.
VRCau - Vertical Rescue Challenge Australia / Alan Sheehan / als@ix.net.au / July 14, 2002