4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training rope rescuers in regard to their general, field, and rope rescue specific knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide is a Basic Rope Rescuer.

4.1.1 Every person who is identified as a Basic Rope Rescuer shall have met the requirements of this guide.

4.1.2 This guide is only the first level of training for rope rescue personnel and, in conjunction with Guide F2751, only establishes the minimum knowledge and skills required for a person to perform basic rope rescue. No other advanced skills are included or implied.

4.1.3 In addition to meeting the requirements of this guide, a Basic Rope Rescuer shall also be adequately trained to function safely and effectively in the environment in which he or she is expected to work (that is, wilderness, urban, etc.)

4.2 Basic Rope Rescue endorsement is not an indication that a person possesses adequate field skills or knowledge to make mission-critical decisions. Endorsed Basic Rope personnel are qualified to work primarily in terrain with limited exposure and fall hazard potential.

4.3 This guide by itself is not a complete training document. It is only an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating a Basic Rope Rescuer. It may, however, be used in the development of, or as part of, a complete training document or program.

4.3.1 This guide does not stand alone and must be used with the referenced documents to provide the specific information needed by a Basic Rope Rescuer or by an AHJ.

4.4 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that a Basic Rope Rescuer is a “trainee,” “probationary,” or other similar term member of an AHJ.

4.4.1 Determining the requirements and qualifications for land rescue team members is the responsibility of the AHJ.

4.4.2 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements for its own members.

4.5 Because technical rope rescue is inherently dangerous, and rope rescuers are frequently required to perform rigorous activities in adverse conditions, regional and national safety standards shall be included in agency policies and procedures. Personnel endorsed as Basic Rope Rescuers shall complete all activities based on an analysis of risk versus benefit, and shall follow all applicable national, federal, state, provincial, and local safety standards.

4.6 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to determine if its content includes the topics necessary for training a Basic Rope Rescuer. Likewise, this guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the requirements of this guide.

4.7 The knowledge and skills defined in the following sections are not presented in any particular order and do not represent a training sequence.

4.8 Except where a physical skill needs to be shown, it is up to the AHJ to determine the best way to evaluate a person’s knowledge. This may be by written exam, oral exam, demonstration, or by some combination of the three.

4.8.1 A Basic Rope Rescuer shall document his or her training by completion of a position task book, compliant with Guide F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified supervision.

4.8.2 Unless stated otherwise, an ability or proficiency in a skill shall be demonstrated for initial qualification and then as often as required by the AHJ.

1.1 This guide, in conjunction with, and as an add-on to, Guide F2751 (or equivalent for other environments) defines the basic training required for a person who participates in rope rescue as part of a larger rescue duty.

1.1.1 Specifically, this guide defines the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a person to assist with, and support, (under qualified supervision) basic rope rescue operations, including patient packaging, litter rigging, and basic rigging, in conjunction with other rescue duties.

1.1.2 This guide establishes the minimum training standard for an endorsed Basic Rope Rescuer as related to general, field, and rope rescue-specific knowledge and skills.

1.1.3 A Basic Rope Rescuer must work under the direct supervision of qualified rope rescue personnel.

1.2 An Endorsed Basic Rope Rescuer endorsement applies only to rescues on the surface of the land; additional endorsements are required to perform this level of rope rescue in other environments. This guide alone does not define the minimum training requirements for rescuing in partially or fully collapsed structures, in or on water, in confined spaces, or underground (such as in caves, mines, and tunnels).

1.3 A Basic Rope Rescuer is required to have knowledge and skill sets pertaining to the basic roped evacuation and carryout components of rescue. Only basic knots, rigging, and other patient transport skills are required of a Basic Rope Rescuer.

1.4 A Basic Rope Rescuer may be a member of a Rope Rescue Team or Rope Rescue Task Force or Group, as defined in Classification F1993.

1.4.1 Further training may be required before a Basic Rope Rescuer may actually participate in a particular kind of rope rescue team, depending on the regulations or policies of the AHJ.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.