Personal Skills & Climber Rescue

Learn must-know skills on rappelling, ascending fixed lines, single body belay techniques, pick-off, and rope management skills in this Rigging Lab Academy exclusive course.

About this Course

Personal skills include, among other things, rappelling, ascending fixed lines, single body belay techniques, pick-off skills, and rope management. We’ll cover most of these topics through this unique Personal Skills & Climber Rescue course. There are, however, a few like pick-offs that will be covered in more depth in other courses.

Rappelling is a common method for quick patient access from above when climbing down to the patient is impractical or unsafe. The ability to safely climb a fixed rope is a valuable skill in rope rescue. Regardless of the method chosen, the rescuer must be proficient in its use. Ascending is a skill that can cost an incompetent rescuer a great deal of time, energy, and trouble. As a single person belay, a Munter hitch is simple and efficient. Proper technique allows the rescuer to quickly feed and take the rope. A Munter Hitch is adequate as a single person belay only. The pick-off is a rescue method whereby the rescuer either rappels or is lowered from above to the victim. The rescuer secures and transfers the victim to the rescuer’s system. The victim may be a critically injured patient, slightly injured, or merely stranded.

What You’ll Learn

Here’s what we’ll cover in the Personal Skills & Climber Rescue course:

Ascending Methods

Descending and Rappelling Methods

Changeovers and Self-Rescue Methods

An overview of Ground Up Access

Bonus Units: Rope Access Personal Skills (SPRAT Level 1)

Course Curriculum

Unit 1: Welcome

1.1 Welcome

Unit 2: Descent Rappelling

2.1 Descent Rappelling

2.2 Video Tutorial: Short Descent with Friction Hitches

2.3 Video Tutorial: Passing Knot with Plaquette on Descent

2.4 Video Tutorial: Passing Knot Pre Plan: Releasable Backup

2.5 Video Tutorial: Figure 8 Working Hands Free

2.6 Video Tutorial: Petzl ID Rig Ascenders Descenders

2.7 Quiz: Descent Rappelling

Unit 3: Ascending

3.1 Ascending a Line with an Independant Line

3.2 The Tender System

3.3 Working at Height Ascension – Texas & Frog System

3.4 Working at Height Ascension – RAD System (Rapid Ascent and Descent)

3.5 Video Tutorial: Ascending w/ Friction Hitches

3.5 Video Tutorial: Hardware Needed for Ascending the Rope

3.6 Video Tutorial: Petzl ID Rig Ascenders Descenders

3.7 Video Tutorial: How to Basic Ascent with the Petzl Ascension in a RAD System

3.8 Quiz: Ascending

Unit 4: Self Rescue & Changeovers, Part 1

4.1 Self Rescue & Changeovers, Part 1

4.2 Video Tutorial: Changeover: Friction Hitches & Carabiner Brake

4.3 Video Tutorial: Passing Knot with Plaquette

4.4 Video Tutorial: Passing Knot Pre Plan: Releasable Backup

4.5 Video Tutorial: Passing Knot With a Purcell

4.6 Video Tutorial: Changeover: Mechanical Assist Belay Device (GriGri)

4.7 Video Tutorial: Changeover: Tube Belay Device/Plaquette Mode

4.8 Quiz: Self Rescue & Changeovers, Part 1

Unit 5: Self Rescue & Changeovers, Part 2

5.1 Self Rescue & Changeovers, Part 2

5.2 Video Tutorial: Twin Highline and Track Line Using a Self Belay, Part 1

5.3 Video Tutorial: Twin Highline and Track Line Using a manned Belay, Part 2

5.4 Video Tutorial: Testing Out Descending Devices

5.5 Video Tutorial: RAD (Rapid Ascend Descend) Technique

5.6 Video Tutorial: Fast Fours Fallen Worker Recovery

5.7 Quiz: Self Rescue & Changeovers, Part 2

Unit 6 Bonus: Safe Leader Climbing

6.1 Safe Leader Climbing

6.2 Video Tutorial: Safe Leader Retreat on a Two Ropes

6.3 Video Tutorial: Safe Leader Retreat on Single Ropes

6.4 Video Tutorial: Safe Leader Retreat: Mid-Pitch Anchor Transition

6.5 Video Tutorial: Safe Leader Retreat: Bail Back-Up Hitch

6.6 Video Tutorial: Safe Leader Retreat: Double Rope Rap

6.7 Video Tutorial: Safe Leader Retreat: Terminal End Changeover with Trolley Lower (Overhang)

Unit 7 Bonus: Rope Access (SPRAT Level 1), Part 1

7.1 Rope Access (SPRAT Level 1), Part 1

7.2 Video Tutorial: Ascent Using A Descender

7.3 Video Tutorial: Ascent & Change Over to Descent

7.4 Video Tutorial: Passing Knots

7.5 Video Tutorial: Aid Climbing

7.6 Video Tutorial: Fall Arrest Lanyard

7.7 Video Tutorial: Rope to Rope Transfer

Unit 8 Bonus: Rope Access (SPRAT Level 1), Part 2

8.1 Rope Access (SPRAT Level 1), Part 2

8.2 Video Tutorial: Passing Edge Protection

8.3 Video Tutorial: Passing Short Deviation

8.4 Video Tutorial: Passing a Long Deviation (Re Belay)

8.5 Video Tutorial: Rescuer Using Rescuer’s Equipment

8.6 Video Tutorial: Rescue Using Victim’s Equipment

Unit 9: Improvisation: A Minimalist Approach

9:1 Overview of the Improv Lessons

9.2 Friction Hitches

9.3 Adding Friction

9.4 Progress Capture

9.5 Transferring Tension

9.6 Patient Connections

9.7 Improvised Patient Packaging

Unit 10: Wrap Up

10.1 Wrap Up

Added Perks

Additional features Rigging Lab Academy Members are enjoying

Certificate of Completion

Download your personalized Certificate of Completion after completing the course.

100% Self-Paced

Go through the course material as fast or as slow as you’d like.

Private Discussion Board

Ask questions, meet other students, and even chat with the course instructor.