A 5-Day course meeting current National standards for the NFPA 1670 and 1006 requirements for Technical Rope Rescue Technician. With CSFM Low-Angle Rope Rescue Operational (LARRO) & CSFM Rescue Systems-1 (RS-1) as pre-requisites, this course focuses on a higher level of technical rope rigging systems, Incident management, High-Angle Rescue Systems and associated hazards, Critical thinking and implementation of victim access options and rescue transport options. Focus is on Team coordination and individual skills performance outlined by the NFPA.
Student Requirements
Students must be 18 years old.
CSFM Rope Rescue Awareness-Operations is required.
Students must have personal medical insurance or department insurance coverage.
Student will need to provide their own Class III Harness, Helmet and Gloves for the course. Rentals are available. All other gear is provided for you.
Meeting Location
Unless otherwise notified, we will meet at 9am on the first day of class at the Oxford Suites Chico Hotel Conference Center.
Day 1: 9am – 5pm Lecture & Fundamentals of Low to High Angle Rescue Rigging – Hotel Conference Center and Chico Park Location TBA
Rope Rescue Theory, Pre-Planning, Remote Area Incident Mgmt, Harnesses, Stokes Lashing, Knots & Anchors, Hardware and Software Rescue Equipment, Intro to M/A Systems, Components and Set-up of the RPM.
Day 2-3: 8am – 5pm Intermediate Rope Rescue Rapelling, Raising & Lowering Sys – Chico Bidwell Park
Chico Bidwell Park: Rappelling and Ascending, Rigging Mechanical Advantage Sys. “Low to High Angel” Lower/Raising System w/Stokes Litter, Building A-Frames, Searching Techniques, S&R/MCI Disaster Drill.
Day 4-5: 8am – 6pm Intermediate to Advanced High-Line Rigging Sys & Rescue Scenarios – Butte Creek Canyon
Inclined Rigging System: “High Angle” Lower/Raise with Stokes, Passing knots in Raising and Lower Systems, Telfer systems, Rescue Problem: Rigging a “Telfer Line”, Test:, Clean-up.
Logistics
Personal Protective Gear, PPE
If you do not have your own Class III Harness and Helmet, we can rent them to you. Your own gear is welcome as long as it is rescue rated, and you will need to furnish your own leather gloves.
Field attire: Loose fitting jeans or cargo pants are good for harness wear, and some kind of element/thermal wear appropriate or the season. Long sleeves or a light brush coat is recommended for abrasion resistance. Class will be taught “rain or shine”, so make necessary provisions.
Footwear: Slopes are steep, unstable and rocky, so hiking or wildland fire boots w/ ankle support are recommended. Lightweight hiking boots also work well.
Gloves: You will need to supply your own leather gloves for Rope Rigging and Rapelling Evolutions.
The first day of class will be in a classroom and outdoor park training site (Rain or Shine)
Lecture and rope skills will be information intensive! Plan on getting a good night rest beforehand.
Bring note taking materials: your textbook, handouts and certification/registration paperwork will be provided.
Class refreshments will be provided. However, we will break for lunch in town.
We will be conducting outdoor rope rigging activities after lunch.
Class Days 2 – 5 backcountry field site!
We will meet at a pre-determined grocery store each morning at 7:30 for students to get lunches and then caravan or carpool to the canyon training site. Training sites are remote, wild and scenic, restrooms facilities are limited as well as cell phone signals.
Some items to consider bringing with you:
Ice Chest and/or Thermos for hot drinks
Lots of hydration fluids: A gallon of water and several sports drinks per day, per person.
Sun Screen
Hat & Sunglasses
Camera
TechNu for Poison Oak
Portable Camping Chair
Thermal clothing and jacket for winter months
Last day of class
We will finish up at the training site with a written test and certificate handout. By 6pm, you should be on the road home or traveling back to your hotel.
Curriculum
Day 1: 9am to 5pm Introduction to Intermediate Rope Rescue Rigging Skills
Introduction & Course Logistics, Overview Rope Rescue Theory
NFPA Standards 1670, 1006, 1983
Rescuer Safety: 10 and 18 of Rope Rescue, Building intermediate safe rigging systems
Personal and Team Equipment, Signal Commands, Rescue Terminology/Safety
Incident Management & Pre-Plan, Incident Size-Up and ICS System
On Scene Safety and Site Control
Remote Area Search and Rescue Techniques
Equipment and Rope Care and Maintenance
Rope & Webbing: Construction, Care, Maintenance, Safety Inspection, Usage Log
Harness: Care/Maint., Manufactured Class, Personal Harnesses (Webbing and Pre-Rig), Swiss Tied (Upper & Lower), Hanson, Hasty