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Self Rescue and Small Team Response- Ouray, CO
September 11th, 2023 - September 15th, 2023 | Ouray, CO
Partner rescue and improvised team-based rescue
The Rigging for Rescue Self Rescue and Small Team Response Workshop is designed to meet the needs of those seeking to take their own on-rope and rigging skills to the next level. The workshop continuum begins with personal ropework skills, transitions into companion rescue scenarios, and finishes with team-based exercises utilizing small groups of 2-3 respondents. It is ideally suited to recreational climbers, climbing guides, the Special Operations Community, and mountain rescue personnel.
Competently executing a patient evacuation using ropework and rigging – by yourself or in a small team setting – requires a high degree of skill and a calm demeanor. Having these skills is a requisite part of being a competent climber or rope rescue professional. We are all lifelong students of the science and art of practical rigging and we invite you to expand your own skill set and join us for an intense week of training.
Fees: $1,395
- personal ropework and rigging skills for climbing and rescue
- companion rescue scenarios (aka Self Rescue or Partner Rescue)
- small team approaches to challenging ropework evacuations
- anchor building and evaluation (including qualification and quantification)
- physics principles as they apply to both climbing and rescue scenarios
- climbing belays and lightweight rescue belays using non-specialized gear
- ascending/descending techniques (with mechanical and non-mechanical devices)
- knot passes
- single pitch approaches
- multi-pitch approaches and transitions
- pulley systems
- improvised harness construction and application
- rope management skills
- belay escapes and various plaquette transitions
- rescuing the ‘second’ in a multi pitch setting
- rescuing the ‘leader’
- counter balance techniques
- tandem rappels
- use of both ‘dynamic’ and ‘static’ ropes
- rescue belays for 2-person loads
- communication
- risk management and decision-making
- pickoff techniques
- patient packaging
The above list is not exhaustive, nor is it a checklist. One of the hallmark traits of a Rigging for Rescue program is the flexible curriculum. Specific techniques & topics covered are influenced by the overall participant mix and their interests. Each Rigging for Rescue seminar or workshop is a custom experience.
Rigging for Rescue Seminar – Personal Protective Equipment
Personal gear participants are expected to bring:
- Note-taking supplies
- Warm, rugged outdoor clothing
- Hiking/climbing or work boots with grippy soles
- 4 locking carabiners
- 5 metres of 25 mm (or wider) nylon webbing (to construct a chest harness and connector strap)
- 10 metres of 6mm nylon kernmantle cord (or a completed set of Purcell Prusiks)
- 10 metres of 8mm nylon kernmantle cord (to construct a personal edge restraint system)
- Personal descent control device. Preferably, a device that includes a plaquette style auto- locking feature (e.g. Petzl Reverso, Kong GiGi, etc.).
- Headlamp
- Helmet
- Leather gloves
- Harness
- Backpack
- Personal first aid kit
Optional equipment:
- Dyneema/Spectra runners
- Specialty ropes or cord you would like to see used and/or evaluated
- Mini Prusik-minding-pulleys
- Devices you find useful for your personal on-rope or rescue systems
- VT Prusik (from Bluewater Ropes)
We want to see what you use, how and why. We are looking for the best possible way to rig and conduct rescue. Printed materials, video clips of trainings, and favorite rescue books are all welcome additions to the seminar. Active participation is the best way to foster a rich and rewarding learning environment.
Self Rescue and Small Teams Response is 5 full days (45+ hours) and runs from 08:00 Monday to approximately 17:00 Friday. Each participant is responsible for their own transportation, personal equipment, food, and accommodation.
Fees: $1395 US. A deposit of $450 US is required upon registration with final payment due two months prior to the workshop start date. Includes a smaller participant-to-instructor ratio than our RfR Seminar offering.
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