Course Description:


This immersive, scenario-based program is designed to meet the NFPA 1006: Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications (Rope Rescue Level II) and NFPA 2500: Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents requirements for rope rescue operations.

Participants will advance beyond awareness-level concepts to gain the knowledge and practical skills necessary to perform rescues involving elevated or suspended environments using mechanical advantage systems, high-angle techniques, and team-based operations. Through realistic field evolutions and problem-solving scenarios, students will develop proficiency in rigging systems, load management, belay operations, litter packaging, lowering and raising systems, and rescuer safety.

Course Topics:

  • Rope rescue systems and the physics of rope tension
  • Anchoring, belay, and mechanical advantage systems
  • Edge transitions, litter handling, and attendant operations
  • Rescue team communication and coordination
  • Incident command and safety protocols under NFPA 2500
  • Practical evolutions in vertical and high-angle rescue environments

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course. NFPA Awareness Level objectives are included in the pre-course work, with skills portions evaluated during the hands-on portion.

Certification:

Successful completion of written and practical evaluations qualifies participants for Rope Rescue Operations certification in accordance with NFPA 1006 and NFPA 2500.

Course Content

Pre-Course Requirements
Introduction to Rope Rescue
4 Topics
Software
Hardware
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Knotcraft
Post-Course Student Resources
Rope Rescue Systems
3 Topics
Dedicated Main, Dedicated Belay
Two Tensioned Rope Systems (TTRS)
Friction Devices
Anchoring
1 Topic
Connections
Belay systems
Patient Packaging
Lowering (Going Down)
2 Topics
Rappelling
Self-Rescue
Mechanical Advantage
1 Topic
Pulley Systems
Raising (Going Up!)
Pickoff Rescues (Going Down, Up, Down)
High Angle Litter Operations
Low Angle Patient Handling
Safety Factors
Incident Management for Rope Rescues
2 Topics
4-Phase SOG
Rope Rescue Operational Commands
Final Quiz
Rope Rescue Operations Final Assessment