4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training intermediate level rope rescuers as it relates to their general, field, and rope rescue specific knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide is an Intermediate Rope Rescuer.

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

4.1.2 This guide is only the second level of training for rope rescue personnel and, in conjunction with Guides F2209 and F2752, only establishes the minimum knowledge and skills required for a person to perform Intermediate Rope Rescue. No other advanced skills are included or implied.

4.1.3 In addition to meeting the requirements of this guide, an Intermediate 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 Intermediate Rope Rescue endorsement is not an indication that a person possesses adequate field skills or knowledge to make mission-critical decisions. Under qualified supervision an Intermediate Rope Rescuer is qualified to work in an area with high fall exposure and/or falling hazard potential, including high angle terrain.

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 an Intermediate Rope Rescuer or by an AHJ. 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 an Intermediate Rope Rescuer or by an AHJ.

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

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 and organization policies and procedures. Personnel endorsed as Intermediate 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 an Intermediate 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 skill 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 An Intermediate 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, Guides F2751 and F2752 (or equivalents for other environments) defines the training required for a person who participates in rope rescue operations at an intermediate level of responsibility and complexity as part of larger rescue duty.

1.1.1 Specifically, this guide defines the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a person to assist, support, and direct rope rescue operations at an intermediate level, including patient packaging, litter rigging, ascending and descending fixed ropes in a high angle environment, constructing raising and lowering systems, and directing simple low angle rescue operations, in conjunction with other rescue duties.

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

1.1.3 An Intermediate Rope Rescuer may directly supervise low angle rope rescue operations.

1.1.4 An Intermediate Rope Rescuer must work under the direct supervision of qualified rope rescue personnel during high angle or complex rope rescues.

1.2 An Intermediate 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 An Intermediate Rope Rescuer is required to have knowledge and skill sets pertaining to the intermediate roped evacuation and carryout component of rescue. These include but are not limited to patient packaging, construction of an anchor system, construction of simple, compound, and complex rope mechanical advantage systems, and construction and use of lowering (fixed-brake) rope systems.

1.4 An Intermediate Rope Rescuer may be a member of a Rope Rescue Team or Rope Rescue Task Force or Group, as defined in Guide F1993.

1.4.1 Further training may be required before an Intermediate 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.