4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training rope rescuers in regard to their rope rescue specific knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide is an advanced rope rescuer.

4.1.1 Every person who is identified as an advanced rope rescuer shall have met the requirements of this guide.

4.1.2 This guide is the third level of training for rope rescue personnel and, in conjunction with Guides F2751, F2752, and F2954, only establishes the minimum knowledge and skills required for a person to perform or lead advanced rope rescue. No other skills are included or implied.

4.1.3 In addition to meeting the requirements of this guide, an advanced rope rescuer shall also be adequately trained to operate safely and effectively in the environment in which he or she is expected to work (i.e., wilderness, urban, etc.).

4.2 Advanced rope rescue endorsement is an indication that a person possesses adequate field skills and knowledge to make mission-critical decisions. A person so endorsed is qualified to support or direct a rope rescue team in an area with high fall exposure and/or falling hazard potential, including high angle environments.

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 advanced 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 an advanced rope rescuer or for an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to properly evaluate a training program or text.

4.4 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that an advanced 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 advanced 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 advanced 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 An advanced 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, F2752, and F2954 (or equivalent for other environments), defines the basic training required for a person who participates in rope rescue at the highest level of responsibility and complexity, as part of a larger rescue duty.

1.1.1 Specifically, this guide defines the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a person to support or direct a rope rescue team in advanced rope rescue functions including pre-planning and size-up of rope rescue operations, designing and directing the construction of rope systems for moving a victim in low and high angle environments, directing the construction and operation of highline and related rope systems, and performing advanced rope rigging functions, in conjunction with other rescue duties.

1.1.2 This guide establishes the minimum training standard for an advanced rope rescue endorsed person in regard to general, field, and rope rescue-specific knowledge and skills.

1.2 An advanced rope rescuer performs rope rescues in all terrain and is capable of directing basic and intermediate rope rescuers.

1.2.1 An advanced 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 performing or assisting with rescues in partially or fully collapsed structures, in or on water, in confined spaces, or underground (such as in caves, mines, and tunnels).

1.2.2 This guide alone does not define the minimum training requirements for climbing Class 52 or higher rock and/or ice to perform a rescue.

1.3 An advanced rope rescuer is required to have knowledge and skill sets pertaining to the advanced roped evacuation components of rescue. These include, but are not limited to, advanced knots and rigging, functioning as a litter attendant in a high angle lowering or raising operation, and directing a rope rescue team in the rescue of a subject suspended in a high angle environment.

1.4 An advanced rope rescuer may be part of a rope rescue team as defined in Classification F1993.

1.4.1 Further training may be required before an advanced rope rescuer may actually participate on a particular kind of rope rescue team, depending on the regulations or policies of the authority having jurisdiction.

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.