Course Title

1. Introduction to Rope Rescue Operations

• Overview of rope rescue disciplines including (high-angle, low-angle, and confined space applications)

• Applicable international standards and regulatory requirements including (NFPA 1006, NFPA 1670, and local technical rescue regulations)

• Roles and responsibilities within a rope rescue team including (rescuer, edge attendant, and team leader)

• Overview of rope rescue incidents and their primary causes including (anchor failure, rigging errors, and communication breakdowns)

• Distinguishing operations-level and technician-level rescue competency requirements

2. Rope, Hardware, and Equipment Systems
5.1 Rope and Cordage

• Rope construction types including (kernmantle static and dynamic rope) and their applications

• Rope strength ratings, safety factors, and inspection criteria

• Webbing and cordage selection for rescue applications

• Identifying rope damage requiring withdrawal from service

5.2 Hardware and Rigging Equipment

• Carabiners, pulleys, and descent control devices including (function and rated strength)

• Ascending and descending devices including (mechanical ascenders and belay devices)

• Equipment inspection procedures and rejection criteria

• Compatibility considerations between hardware components

3. Knots and Rope Handling

• Essential rescue knots including (figure-eight, clove hitch, and prusik)

• Applying knots to specific rescue functions including (anchoring, joining, and load distribution)

• Rope handling and management techniques including (coiling, stacking, and deployment)

• Verifying knot integrity and dressing before loading

4. Anchor Systems

• Natural and artificial anchor point identification and evaluation

• Constructing single-point and multi-point anchor systems

• Applying load distribution principles across multiple anchor points

• Verifying anchor system redundancy and backup requirements

• Identifying unsuitable or compromised anchor points

5. Mechanical Advantage and Rigging Systems

5.1 Mechanical Advantage Principles

• Understanding mechanical advantage ratios including (simple and compound systems)

• Constructing hauling systems for raising operations

• Applying progress capture devices within mechanical advantage systems

• Calculating system efficiency and accounting for friction loss

5.2 Belay and Backup Systems

• Constructing belay systems for fall protection during rescue operations

• Selecting and rigging appropriate backup systems

• Coordinating belay operator responsibilities during live loads

• Recognizing and correcting belay system deficiencies

6. High-Angle Rescue Operations

• Edge transition technique including (managing rope and personnel at the edge)

• Lowering operations including (controlled descent and load monitoring)

• Raising operations including (hauling system operation and communication)

• Managing high-angle rescue in confined or obstructed environments

7. Low-Angle Rescue Operations

• Low-angle terrain assessment and hazard identification

• Constructing and operating low-angle raising and lowering systems

• Litter handling technique on sloped and uneven terrain

• Coordinating team movement during low-angle evacuation

8. Patient Packaging and Litter Management

• Patient assessment considerations relevant to rope rescue packaging

• Litter selection and patient securing procedures

• Attaching litter bridles and verifying load distribution

• Litter attendant positioning and communication during transport

• Managing patient comfort and safety throughout the rescue

9. Rescuer and Team Communication

• Verbal and non-verbal communication protocols during rescue operations

• Radio communication procedures for multi-team coordination

• Managing communication in noisy or obstructed environments

• Establishing clear command and control during technical operations

10. Confined Space Applications of Rope Rescue

• Adapting rope rescue systems for vertical confined space entry

• Managing rope deployment and retrieval within restricted access points

• Coordinating rope rescue technique with confined space atmospheric monitoring

• Identifying additional hazards specific to confined space rope rescue

11. System Safety Checks and Redundancy Verification

• Conducting pre-rescue system safety checks including (anchor, rigging, and edge protection)

• Verifying redundancy at every critical system component

• Edge protection and rope management to prevent abrasion damage

• Identifying and correcting system deficiencies before committing a rescuer

12. Rescue Team Roles and Incident Command Integration

• Defining rescue team roles including (rescuer, rigger, safety officer, and edge attendant)

• Integrating rope rescue operations within the Incident Command System (ICS)

• Coordinating with other emergency response disciplines during multi-agency incidents

• Managing resource allocation and team rotation during extended operations

13. Emergency Procedures and System Failure Response

• Recognizing signs of impending system failure including (anchor movement and rope damage)

• Immediate response actions including (system lockoff and load transfer)

• Rescuer self-rescue and rescuer-of-rescuer procedures

• Post-incident actions including (equipment quarantine, reporting, and investigation participation)

14. Equipment Maintenance and Inspection

• Establishing routine equipment inspection schedules

• Documenting equipment history including (usage, damage, and retirement criteria)

• Storage and maintenance practices to preserve equipment integrity

• Managing equipment retirement and replacement planning

15. Training, Competency Verification, and Program Management

• Verifying individual rescuer competency against NFPA 1006 performance criteria

• Conducting scenario-based competency assessments

• Maintaining training records and recertification schedules

• Supporting organizational rope rescue program development and sustainment

16. Group Discussion and Case Studies

• Case studies from regional rope rescue incidents including (anchor failure, rigging errors, and successful multi-team rescues) and lessons learned in prevention

• Group discussion on common rope rescue program challenges including (equipment maintenance gaps and inconsistent training currency)

• Sharing regional best practices including (extreme heat considerations and high-rise/industrial rescue coordination)

• Discussion on sustaining a disciplined, verification-driven rope rescue culture within technical rescue teams