Self Rescue Seminar
Climbing is dangerous. Accidents happen. We hear about them all of the time, yet too few of us have the skills to save our partners. Pretty scary.
This series of seminars will help prepare you to handle such emergencies. It is taught from a climber’s perspective - offering practical solutions to real situations, involving the kind of gear you probably already carry. While we hope that you will never have to use these skills, we are certain that the knowledge gained will make you a safer climber (and better climbing partner). Happily, many of these skills are transferable to aid climbing and mountaineering.
Session 1 - Introduction, Knots, Essential Rope Skills
The first session will focus on the "foundation" skills of vertical self rescue. We will start with friction knots and then put them to use as we learn how to escape a belay and ascend / descend fixed ropes.
Session 2- Hauling Sytems
An in depth exploration of hauling systems (A.K.A. a weakling lifts a big dude) including 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, and 6:1's. We'll go from a belay escape to a hauling system and back again.
Session 3 - Rappelling and Rappel Rescue
Learn how to swoop down on an injured climber, attach them to our system and lower them to the ground. We'll also learn how to execute counterweight and two person rappel rescues.
Session 4 - Leader Rescue
Perhaps the most serious rescue is that of an injured leader who is more than half a rope length from the belay. This is a complicated task involving many of the skills taught in the earlier seminars.
Participants should have the following equipment:
- Climbing Shoes.
- Harness with a belay / rappel loop and gear loops.
- Belay Device. A tube type belay device like an ATC at minimum, preferably a Petzl Reverso or Black Diamond ATC Guide.
- 4-5 locking carabiners, two of which should be HMS/Pear shaped lockers
- 4-5 non-locking carabiners
- Two cordalettes made from 20-22 feet sections of either 5.5 to 6mm high strength tech cord (such as Sterling Pro Cord) or 7mm cord tied into loops.
- Two sections of 6mm cord 4 feet long (for autobloks/prussik).
- 2 high strength 48″ sewn runners (double length runners)
- Nut tool (recommended but optional).
Course Name
Self Rescue Seminar
Dates & Times
2014: October 29, November 5, 12, 19 (Rockville)
2015: March 3, 10, 17, 24 (Columbia) October 28, November 4, 11, 18 (Rockville and Timonium)
Contact the Private Program Department regarding private group classes.
Price
$220.00 (Includes four sessions)
Member Price
$180.00 (Includes four sessions)
Ages
13 and up
Location
Fall 2014 sessions offered in Rockville. Spring 2015 sessions offered in Columbia. Fall 2015 sessions offered in Timonium and Rockville.
Equipment
See detailed list above.
Prerequisites
Basic outdoor climbing and belaying skills at minimum. Multi-pitch climbing experience is very helpful as many of the rescues taught are intended for multi-pitch scenarios.