Personal Skills & Climber Rescue

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.