Tackle

Tackle Store Inventory 2025

The tackle store is accessible to members only by using their Belfry key fobs. A selection of ladders, ropes, tackle sacks, metalware and other items are available.

Tackle can be borrowed by members provided you:

Fill out the Tackle Signing Out book,
Clean and return it after use (use the hosepipe outside or the rope washer)
Notify the tackle master of any damage

…and follow the rest of the instructions.

Some items of valuable equipment (such as the surveying kits and drill) are locked in the “inner sanctum” and can only be borrowed with the assistance of a committee member. Some of these items also require a deposit in the form of a cheque.

Tackle Borrowing Rules

The Bristol Exploration Club Limited (BEC) owns tackle for members to borrow to rig hand lines, lifelines and use for SRT. Most of this is in the tackle store and can be borrowed subject to the rules below. The surveying equipment is kept in the inner sanctum and is available subject to paying a deposit

There is also “the Rathaus” which, amount other things, contains digging equipment. It is locked and the key is kept in the tackle store but the digging equipment can be used by anyone.

Rules

Only full members can borrow club tackle
Kit must only be used and stored in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
Club tackle must not be used if significant wear or exposure to harmful chemicals is unavoidable. Do not take club rope into mines with caustic effluent that could damage our tackle
If rub points can’t be avoided through appropriate rigging, use a rope protector
Club tackle must be transported in tackle sacks.
Damage to club tackle must be reported immediately.
The BEC has a “You bend it, you mend it” policy. Equipment lost or damaged through negligence must be replaced.

Step by step guide to borrowing tackle

Fill out the logbook with your name, the items you wish to borrow, the intended trip and the date.
Inspect the equipment for visual damage.
Have a great trip! Use tackle in accordance with the rules above.
Clean tackle thoroughly and return it to the tackle store dry. Ropes should be coiled (not daisy chained) and metal work left closed. If you are leaving Mendip before your rope is dry please leave it in a dark part of the drying room and let the committee know.
Inspect everything you borrowed. Report any damage to the tackle warden immediately.
If equipment is damaged or suspect attach a red tag (provided) to prevent further use.
Complete your log entry with the date of return and how and where the equipment was used.

Use of “personal kit” on BEC trips

At times members may use their personal kit on club trips. When this is the case the responsibility for any loss, damage or wear rests with the people undertaking the trip, not the BEC. We advise that groups discuss this before starting the trip.

Liability Disclaimer

It is each borrower’s responsibility to inspect kit before use to confirm it is in a safe condition. While every reasonable effort is made to safeguard our members, The BEC is not liable for any accident or injury that may occur during the use of club tackle.

Version 1.0 March 2025

FAQ

Take a blank form and assemble all of the equipment you need to borrow.

Q1. I have found a piece of equipment with no tag. What do I do?

Place in the OUT OF SERVICE box in the tackle store, complete the un-shaded boxes on a damage
report and place in the “Damage Reports” tray in the Tackle Store. Equipment must not be borrowed if it
has no tag as we cannot then keep an accurate picture of its usage.

Q2. I have found a damaged piece of equipment while getting ready to borrow some equipment.
What do I do?

Place in the OUT OF SERVICE box in the tackle store, complete the un-shaded boxes on a damage
report and place in the “Damage Reports” tray in the Tackle Store. Don’t leave it in the store for someone
else to borrow!

Q3. I want to go caving off Mendip. Can I borrow club equipment?

If you want to borrow equipment for any longer than 1 week then you must get the permission of the
Tackle Warden. Borrowing equipment for use off Mendip is not a problem, but please bear in mind that
the equipment in the tackle store is primarily for use on Mendip and we have limited supplies. Therefore,
if you want to go off Mendip caving I would ask you to be considerate of other users and not empty the
tackle store! Reasonable requests will not be refused.

Q4. I want to go caving abroad. Can I borrow club equipment?

Q5. I am going caving and not everyone in my party is a BEC member. Can I still borrow club
equipment?

The club equipment is provided for the use of BEC members. However, we recognise that most
people have friends in many clubs and may take other friends caving. You can borrow tackle, but we
would ask that you remember that this is your equipment which you have paid for through your
subscriptions and suggest that you should not be providing all of the tackle all of the time for your friends use. Get them to raid their club store too. No one likes a freeloader!

Q6. I had a look at the equipment available list and saw that some items were listed as “Refer to
Committee”. What does that mean?

Some items in the club store are either extremely valuable or easily lost. It was decided that these
items should still be available for use by club members but access to them would be more tightly
controlled and in some cases a deposit required. If you want to borrow one of the items just contact a
committee member, pay the deposit if applicable (which can be in the form of cash or a guaranteed
cheque)complete the receipt form so that we know we have your money, fill in the normal Equipment
Loan Form and away you go.

Q7. I need to borrow an item which requires a deposit on a regular basis. Do I need to keep
writing cheques?

In this instance we would suggest that you keep the original cheque and you can use it for up to
four months from the original date. This can be done by either leaving the cheque with the club or
repeatedly presenting it. It is your choice!

Q8. How do I contact a committee member to borrow a “Refer to Committee” item?

Contact details for committee members are on the back of your Address Booklet. Failing that, one
of us will probably be found passed out under a table somewhere between the Belfry and the Hunters.

Q9. On the Equipment Loan form why are some boxes shaded?

A13. The non shaded boxes are the ones you have to fill in before you take the equipment out. The
shaded ones are the ones to be completed when you bring it back.

Q10. I only want to return some of the items I have borrowed. Can I do that?

Yes, you can. Just fill in the information including the date returned for all the items returned and
leave the form on the clipboard for equipment on loan. When the last piece of equipment has been
returned, complete the form and place on the completed clipboard.