Rappel Trainer Certification

Rappel Trainer Certification

7 Aug 2008Springfield, MO

Morning – Classroom

Welcome and Introductions

Training Schedule

Purpose and ROE

Lesson 1 - Standards / References

Lesson 2 - Equipment & Techniques

Lesson 3 - Knots

TRAINING SCHEDULE:TRAINING SCHEDULE:

Afternoon – Tower

Lesson 4 – Equipment selection and inspection

Lesson 5 - Rappel site selection and preparation

• Access

• Hazards

• Anchor selection and evaluation

• Building anchor systems

Lesson 6 - Rappel and belay techniques and procedures

• Duties and responsibilities

• Inspection and hook-up

• Commands

Lesson 7 - Rescue procedures

TRAINING SCHEDULE: (continued)

TRAINING SCHEDULE: (continued)

1. To provide JROTC units the means to meet the requirements set forth in CC Regulations 145-2 and 385-10.

2. To promote the use of safe and responsible techniques and equipment that are most appropriate for non-tactical cadet rappelling.

3. To preserve cadet rappelling by preventing accidents, injuries, and violations that might lead to future restrictions or prohibitions.

PURPOSE:PURPOSE:

This is a class to train and certify Army ROTC/JROTC instructors to conduct cadet rappelling.  Personnel who successfully complete this training will be certified by the Commander, Western Region to conduct rappelling for Army JROTC cadets IAW Cadet Command Regulations 145-2 and 385-10. Certification will be valid for five years however annual refresher training is required.

While certification provides the authority to conduct cadet rappelling, it does not guarantee competence to do so. Individual study of the reference materials and continued practice will be required to hone and maintain instructor skills. If you don’t feel absolute confidence in your ability to conduct safe rappelling for cadets, DON’T DO IT. Seek the assistance of others, practice the techniques yourself, and get additional training before taking personal responsibility for the safety of your cadets. Remember, mothers and fathers have entrusted us with the lives of their children. There is no margin for error; no freedom to fail. 

• Informal, friendly, fun.

• Share information and experiences.

• Critical thinking expected. DEMANDED

• Hands-on. No spectators.

• Nobody leaves with an unanswered question.

• Nobody leaves without being proficient.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

Actual vs. Perceived Proficiency

0102030405060708090

100

Proficiency

1st yr 2nd yr 3rd yr 4th yr

Time without Training

Perceived

Actual

…because we’ve always done it that way.

LESSON 1:

STANDARDS & REFERENCES

LESSON 1:

STANDARDS & REFERENCES

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program - Jul 07 (w/ Change 1 - Oct 07)

Paragraphs 8-15, 9-4, and Appendices I, J, K

CCR 385-10 Cadet Command Safety Program – Jan 07Chapter 4 and Paragraph 5-5

STANDARDS:STANDARDS:

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program

Paragraph 8-15. Rappel TrainingPrescribes policies, assigns responsibilities, and providesdefinitive guidance for the planning, organization, and conduct of JROTC rappelling

Paragraph 9-4. JCLC Training Activities

Lists rappelling as a “mandatory training activity”Provides justification for spending appropriated funds

Appendix I. JCLC FormsIncludes parental consent form and covenant not to sue

Appendix J. Equipment and Rappel Site Inspection ChecklistCovers unit equipment and all types of rappel sites

Appendix K. Risk Management WorksheetTool for conducting composite risk management

NEW

NEW

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program

8-15. Rappel Training

a. Approval.

(1) School: Must be approved in advance by the school principal, district superintendent, or

similar official having jurisdiction.

Establishes school “ownership” of the activity.

(2) Brigade: Must be approved in advance by the Brigade Commander or designated

representative.

Verifies current cadre certification, school approval, risk management, equipment & site inspection.

NEW

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program

8-15. Rappel Training

b. Instructor training and certification.

(1) Certification may be obtained in one of three ways

- Attend Sr ROTC certification class at LDAC/LTC

- Attend Brigade-sponsored certification class

- Direct certification by the Brigade Commander based on documented training or experience

(2) Certification valid for 5 years, however …

Annual refresher training is required to retain certification.

- May be conducted at brigade, district or unit level

- Must be documented and reported to brigade HQ

- Must include hands-on review / practice

NEW

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program

8-15. Rappel Training

c. Rappel site and equipment standards.

(1) Rappel Sites: safe, sound, and authorized for use

- On-campus sites must be approved by the school

- Military, BSA, or Fire Dept sites must be certified by owner

- Other sites must be inspected/approved by brigade SME

(2) Anchors and Rigging: minimum strength 22.2 kN (5000 lbf)

(3) Ropes and Equipment: serviceable and properly maintained

- Ropes: 11mm dynamic (climbing) or static (caving)

- Webbing: 1-inch tubular nylon or stronger

- Carabiners: intended for climbing/rescue

- Figure-8 rappel devices and sewn harnesses: recommended

- Helmets: Kevlar or BMX/skateboarding

- Heavy leather gloves – military or civilian

NEW

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program

8-15. Rappel Training

d. Rappel procedures.

(1) Rappel only cadets and directly involved adult support personnel

(2) Maintain adequate supervision & control, provide safe access

(3) Have emergency plan, medical support, vehicle, confirmed commo

(4) Certified instructors check for hazards, rappel each lane first

(5) Instructors inspect rappellers prior to each rappel

(6) Certified instructors operate each lane, hook up rappellers

(7) Trained & supervised adults may belay. No cadet belayers.

(8) No Australian, buddy or equipment rappels. Bounding discouraged.

(9) Cadre need not actively participate when rappel training is

conducted by host agencies (military units, BSA, etc.), but

must perform risk management and remain on-site to supervise.

NEW

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program

8-15. Rappel Training

e. Responsibilities.

(1) Brigade Commander will -

(a) Appoint rappelling Subject Matter Experts (SME)

(b) Provide certification training, grant certifications

(c) Inspect unit equipment and rappel sites

(d) Review & approve risk management worksheets

(e) Approve unit requests to conduct rappelling

(2) Senior Army Instructor will -

(a) Obtain instructor certification

(b) Obtain written school approval to conduct rappelling

(c) Obtain approval of equipment & site, and site access

(d) Obtain approval of risk management worksheet

(e) Obtain brigade approval to conduct rappelling

(f) Conduct rappelling IAW para. 8-15d

NEW

CCR 145-2 JROTC Program

Appendix J - JROTC Rappel Inspection Checklist

Section A. Administrative Data

Section B. Unit Equipment

Section C. Rappel Site – Cliff

Section D. Rappel Site – Tower or Building

Can be applied to any cliff, tower, or building used for rappelling.

Covers unit equipment as well as rappel sites.

Designed to be used for Pre-Op and Post-Op checks as well as for annual inspection by brigade staff or brigade-appointed SME.

Addresses equipment and facilities rather than procedures. Annual inspection can be done ICW regularly scheduled unit visits and formal inspections.

NEW

CCR 385-10 Cadet Command Safety Program

Chapter 4. Composite Risk Management Process

a. Identify Hazardsb. Assess Hazards (rappelling always “HIGH” initially)c. Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisionsd. Implement Controlse. Supervise

CCF 385-1-R-E. Composite Risk Management Worksheet

Chapter 5-5. Rappel Training

c. Senior ROTC cadre may conduct rappelling for JROTC cadets ONLY at approved JCLC’s.

FM 3-97.61 Military Mountaineering 26 Aug 02

Chapters 3 thru 7

TC 21-24 Rappelling 10 Sep 97

Chapters 1, 2, 6, and 7

Course Material and Student Handouts from: - NWTC/MWS Basic Mountaineering Course

- NWTC/MWS Assault Climber Course

- Air Assault School

- Air Assault Rappel Master Course

MILITARY REFERENCES:MILITARY REFERENCES:

FM 3-97.61 Military Mountaineering

Chapter 3. Mountaineering EquipmentHelmets, ropes & cord, webbing & slings, harnesses, pitons, chocks, SLCD’s, bolts, belay devices, descenders

Chapter 4. Rope Management and KnotsInspection and care of ropes, DA Form 5752-R Terms, coiling, knots and hitches, tying rappel seat

Chapter 5. AnchorsNatural: trees, rocksArtificial: pitons, chocks, SLCD’s, expansion boltsSlinging and equalizing anchors

Chapter 6. ClimbingImprovised seat and chest harnessesBelaying techniques

Chapter 7. Rope InstallationFixed ropes, rappelling, rope bridges

TC 21-24 Rappelling

Chapter 1. Tower RappellingTower preparation, tying a rappel seat, seat-hip rappel procedures

Chapter 2. Ground RappellingSelecting and establishing a rappel point, safe rappel procedures

Chapter 6. EquipmentRopes, snaplinks, gloves, helmets, alternate methods

Chapter 7. Knots Terms:

Working end, standing part, bight, loop, round turn, half-hitch, overhand knot

Knots & Hitches:

Square knot, double fisherman’s knot, water knot, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, figure eight retrace, clove hitch, wireman’s knot, butterfly knot, bowline on a bight, figure eight loop, prusik knot

Other Useful References

Climbing Anchors, Second Edition, John Long & Bob Gaines, Falcon Publishing, Inc., Guilford, CT, 2006

Rappelling, Edition II, Tom Martin, Search, Mt. Sterling, KY, 1988

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, 7th Edition, The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA 2003

On Rope, Bruce Smith & Allen Padgett, National Speleological Society, Huntsville, AL, 1996

www.climbing.com/techtips, Climbing Magazine Online

www.safeclimbing.org, American Safe Climbing Association

www.bluewaterropes.com, Blue Water Ropes

www.bdel.com, Black Diamond Equipment

www.petzl.com, Petzl

JROTC Unit Rappelling Checklist

1. Instructor certifications on file

2. Rappel site inspection on file

3. School approval

4. Risk Management Worksheet - Brigade approval

5. Duplicate equalized anchors, 22.2 kN system strength

6. Control movement on top and near anchors

7. Inspect harnesses prior to each rappel

8. Rappellers wear helmets, do not wear LBE or carry equipment

9. Trainers atop cliff/tower wear safety lines

10. Adult Belayers in position and alert

11. Evacuation vehicle available, hospital no more than one hour away

12. Extra equipment and a rescue plan in case of emergency

LESSON 2:

MODERN EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES

LESSON 2:

MODERN EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES