Get Involved

There are two ways to join the fight to bring cave divers home: train as a volunteer diver on the call-out list, or support the mission as a partner organization or individual contributor.

Volunteering

Volunteering

If you would like to volunteer to be an active member of the IUCRR, read on. If you would rather support the mission without becoming a participating member, see Supporters below. Note: there is no such thing as automatic IUCRR membership — meeting the requirements below, agreeing to our by-laws, and completing RRSOM training does not by itself make you a member. Everyone who volunteers must also be vetted and approved by their Regional Coordinator before being granted IUCRR membership.

• Vetted and approved by your Regional Coordinator before IUCRR membership is granted — this applies to every volunteer, no exceptions.
• Minimum experience: 100 significant cave dives completed after becoming certified as full-cave.
• Actively diving: a minimum of 10 significant dives per year (Regional Coordinators may set a higher minimum for their region).
• Attend the RRSOM (Rescue/Recovery Surface Operations Management) course as soon as possible after joining — this may be done remotely if no local classes are available — plus a refresher RRSOM class every 2–3 years.
• In-water training is encouraged, but is not a requirement.
• Commit to checking email at least once a day, and/or keep an active cell phone number on file with the IUCRR, so you can be reached for a call-out.
• Strictly adhere to all IUCRR rules and by-laws, and never misrepresent or speak on behalf of the IUCRR — except as the Surface Operations Manager (SOM) briefing the attending Law Enforcement Officer.
• If you activate for a call-out, see your role through from start to finish, and submit a written report to your Regional Coordinator within 48–72 hours of its conclusion.

Every volunteer has a full-time job and family responsibilities, so you are never required to activate for every call-out. Your involvement on any given call-out can be whatever level you are able to offer — from no involvement at all, to lending resources, to serving as a support person, Surface Operations Manager (SOM), in-water support diver, or recovery diver.

Interested in becoming an IUCRR member? Contact your Regional Coordinator, or send an email to IUCRR-info@iucrr.org.

Supporters

Supporters

Thanks to all these organizations for their support! (All links below open a new window.)

National Speleological Society, Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) · National Association of Cave Divers (NACD) · International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) · Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) · Technical Diving International (TDI) · Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) · National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) · SCUBA Educators International (SEI)

Individual Contributors

Thanks to these individuals who have contributed to the mission of the IUCRR (in alphabetical order by last name):

Jeff MacKenna · Ron Rittenmeyer · Michael Rothschild

If you and/or your organization would like to support the IUCRR and have your name and a link listed here, get in touch for more information.

Emeritus

Emeritus

While the IUCRR is an all-volunteer organization — making every single volunteer, contributor, and donor truly special — three divers on our team deserve to be singled out for recognition.

Though each has retired from active duty with the IUCRR, all have earned the title “emeritus” — their input and support will always be welcome. Thanks, guys!