Release of Liability
Read Before Signing
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the Vertical Training Commission (VTC) and National Speleological Society (NSS) program to be held in Rome, Georgia beginning on the 11th day of July, 2025, related events and activities, the undersigned acknowledges, appreciates and agrees that:
1. The risk of injury from the activities involved in this program could be significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis or death, and while particular rules, equipment and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,
2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and,
3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately.
4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS THE VERTICAL TRAINING COMMISSION and THE NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, their officers, officials, agents, instructors, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event ("Releasees"), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, including but not limited to rope work including but not limited to work with knots, climbing ropes and associated gear. This release is intended to cover any and all claims associated with any of the activities of VTC and all its volunteers to the fullest extent permitted by law.
5. Images of me taken can be used for promotional, educational and commercial purposes.
The Vertical Training Commission is a Commission within the National Speleological Society, Inc—an Alabama not for profit corporation with its principal and only office located in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama. The undersigned agrees as part of this Release of liability that if any litigation is pursued by the undersigned as a result of any accident that the only forum available is the Circuit Court of Madison County, Alabama and that the law applicable to any such lawsuit is the substantive law of the State of Alabama regardless of where the accident may occur. These requirements are to be separate and several and an integral part of the contract between the parties.
I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTIONS OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE RELEASED PARTIES ABOUT THE AGREEMENT I AM FREELY SIGNING IN THE EVENT I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ANY PART OF IT.