Rope Rescue technician

5 – Days (Open Enrollment or Site-Specific Closed Enrollment) This performance focus training provides rope rescue skills that address extraordinary locations that demand a much higher level of rigging knowledge. These more difficult locations typically have higher vertical challenges, may require horizontal systems, and more sophisticated elevated anchor systems.  Also addressed in greater detail is applied rigging physics that promotes a greater understanding of this next level of rope rigging practice. Prerequisites: Students who attend this class must have basic rope skills including knot-tying, constructing anchors, and operating mainlines and belay lines.  

At the completion of this class, the participants should be able to: 

1. Describe the physical principles which underlie knots, anchors and mechanical advantage. 
2. Construct a variety of anchors that can accept the expected loads and maintain safety ratios. 
3. Rig and operate tripods, bipods, and monopods.  
4. Setup and operate mainlines and perform loaded/unloaded changeovers, knot-passing, and operation of descent devices. 
5. Setup and operate both system/and individual belays. 
6. Perform Mid-wall rescues. 
7. Rig and operate a Sloping Highline.
8. Rig and operate a Horizontal Highline.

Principles of Rope Systems 

• Knots, Anchors, Mechanical Advantage 
• Mainline, Belay Review 

Applied Force Calculations 

• Vector Analysis 
• Safety Factor 
• Compression and Tension 

Knot Craft 

• Key Definitions and Physics 
• Knots, Bends, Hitches  

Anchor Rigging Concepts  

• Anchor Theory, 
• Resultant Forces 
• Single– and Multi-point back-ties 

Mainline System Setup and Operation 

• Descent Control Changeovers
• Mechanical Advantage and Hauling Systems 

Belay System Setup and Operation 

• Fall Factor and Impact Force
• Petzl ASAP Lock 
• Twin Tension Systems 

Offset and Highline Systems 

• Major Taglines 
• Dynamic Directional Systems 
• Sloping Highlines 
• Multi-bundle Highlines