Right or Wrong to Enforce BCA Training on Club Caving Members ?

[cap n chris]

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[cap n chris]

And what has that got to do with the topic you introduced "BCA training should be made compulsory for cavers"?

The 1st poll inspired this 2nd one, on precisely the same logical/philosophical grounds but arguably way more relevantly for this forum the 2nd time round.

 

[Pete K]

Are we talking about BCA Awards training or the BCA caver training supported by the BCA Training Officer and Regional Training Officers? Either way, no to requiring it IMO.
Recreational caving should not be shackled to the need for qualifications or certification. Clubs should of course consider their own requirements for appropriate experience for those leading others (with support from BCA), but caving as a sport has existed far longer than 'awards' or formal training. I understand when it comes to introducing under 18s to caving in the club setting that it might be desirable to use qualified (or at least 'demonstrably competent') persons for insurance and parental piece of mind reasons, but adults can choose to spend their recreational time as they wish, with whoever they wish. Those who seek further training from a qualified instructor will, but most are content to learn from peers informally. That is surely part of the attraction of joining a club and engaging in social physical activity. I've been hired by recreational cavers for formal training on occasion (and had several ex-clients go on to join caving clubs), but I'd not like to see a BCA that requires it for the recreational world. I make most of my income from leading caving groups and training cavers, but I'd hate to see formal training mandated, it'd just kill volunteering in the sport dead. As well as a being caving instructor, I am also Chair of a large club (and a small one). I see where the two worlds can interact for the benefit of all, but am more than happy that the 2 sides of my caving life can remain separate.

 

[cap n chris]

Fully agree Pete, which is why I am also dead against compulsory CV-19 testing for anyone who works and loves liberty/freedom. In a free society there should be no compulsory diktat. At all. If people want it, they should at least be consistent and demand it across the board, affecting everyone/everything.

 

[Ian Adams]

There is a big difference between an elected Government and ?folk? Mr Chris.

However, this thread is not about Covid.

Odd that you didn?t know that since you are the author of it.

Ian

 

[cap n chris]

However, this thread is not about Covid.

Correct to some extent; it was supposed to highlight groupthink and demagoguery, and I hope it has done that eminently well. "Flavour of the month" would be another way of putting it. UKC forum has far too many real examples of how this is a mainstream feature for vocal lynchmob cavers nowadays. Look closer, think and reflect.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

* How about a hill walking certificate
* A scrambling certificate for grade 1 and 2 routes, and an advanced cert for harder
* IRATA certs
* Private pilots' licence

It's a sliding scale, at some point it's silly and intrusive and at the other end it's sensible safety.

Personally the idea of an mandatory SRT cert for a club sounds very silly to me. The nearest equivalent I can think of would be a certificate needed to participate in climbing with a climbing club, which also seems silly to me. Although as a disclaimer I don't SRT as part of a club so take my posts with a big pinch of salt

 

[AR]

I have always found it strange why some folk are obsessed with imposing their ideas, thoughts and values on other people wholesale.

It's not strange, it's horrifying. CV-19 Nazis should be lined up and shot for it, perhaps.

In less than an hour from the start of the thread we have a Nazi analogy from the OP. Ever thought about trying reasoned argument instead?

 

[cap n chris]

In less than an hour from the start of the thread we have a Nazi analogy from the OP. Ever thought about trying reasoned argument instead?

The word "perhaps" was the caveat; well spotted, nice try; but raise your game. Are you one of them, perhaps?

 

[AR]

If you wish to call me a Nazi,  come up to Derbyshire and have the courage of your convictions to do so to my face rather than trying to hide behind the figleaf that the perhaps is a caveat.

 

[paul]

[gmod]I'm locking this topic as it is a blatant attempt to stir up an argument about Covid 19 vaccination requirements rather than the original subject regarding enforcing BCA Training. Threre is already is a separate thread regarding Covid 19 vaccination requirements.[/gmod]