2002
National Top Rope Instructor Certification Course Content:
(These are only a few of the many topics that will be covered
during this intensive top rope instructor certification course.)
1. The importance of making sure of having properly signed waivers; completed
medical forms; complete knowledge of any medical conditions of participants;
developing an emergency medical plan that is ready to initiate; proper staffing
ratios; a first aid kit and a cell phone with a charged battery with emergency
numbers to call; knowledge of the professional expectations and the
administrative concerns; and that each participant has proper nutrition,
hydration, clothing, rain gear, proper footwear, etc. prior to starting
out for the day.
2. Complete overview of all top rope climbing equipment, precautions when using
certain gear, designed use and improper use, care and selection, when to retire
gear, learning nine most commonly used climbing knots, and evaluating climbing
harnesses (safest for group use), helmets, etc. All types of climbing equipment
will be used throughout this six-day course.
3. This course will show participants how to manage a group safely in a top rope
environment. This course will show what safety concerns and precautions should
be considered when trying to select a safe climbing site for your group; how to
handle 3-4th class terrain using quick effective anchoring with natural and
artificial gear; the importance of reserving the group climbing site that is
your first choice by getting up early and setting up the desired climbs; what
safety precautions to be aware of while getting the group to the climbing site;
the safety precautions that must be shared with every outdoor rock climbing
group, and individuals, to keep them safe while at the climbing area;
recognizing the signs of a group’s growing mental fatigue and it’s loss of
attention and focus; knowing when to quit and when to start heading the group
back to the cars; recognizing incoming weather changes and having a plan of
action; always knowing that the group’s safety is the highest priority of a top
rope instructor and knowing the importance of always making safe and proper
decisions that always protect your clients; that the safety of your group
precedes worries of not fulfilling planned schedules, planned itineraries, or
the required number of hours needed on the rock to qualify for credit, or
everyone getting a “last climb” or even a pre-determined number of climbs prior
to quitting due to excessive heat, cold, rain, approaching electrical storm,
signs of exhaustion, lack of focus or deteriorating attention spans.
4. The major emphasis of this six-day National Outdoor Top Rope Instructor
Certification Course will also be on learning how to construct very secure and
equalized anchor systems from which all-safe top rope rock climbing and
rappelling is DEPENDENT. Each course participant will master this most important
part of this course by learning how to set natural and artificial anchor systems
safely. Each course participant will construct over 35 top rope anchor set-ups
for 35 different climbs and rappells and 35 additional systems to secure the
belayer. Thirty-five belay set ups will be designed and constructed for
anchoring the belayer either at the top (traditional) for belaying a rappell or
a climber, or at the bottom of the climb (re-directed or slingshot). Each
participant will then actually climb and belay these climbing routes. Climbing
routes will be analyzed for a safe approach, rock fall concerns, stability of
rock for chock placements, sharp edges, anchor set-up safety concerns, exposure
of the climbing site to other climbers and hikers, rope and belay management
concerns, group management safety concerns, etc. The 35 natural and equalized
artificial chock anchor set-ups will each be designed to hold a minimum of 6000
pounds. Every anchor system set up will be different. Every belayer must be
secured in outdoor top rope climbing in order to eliminate the risk of injury to
either your clients or staff. Emphasis will be on setting top rope anchors
systems that do not expose the instructors to the safety risks and concerns of
falling off the top of the climb while setting them up; course participants will
learn how to set anchor systems that do not expose themselves to being on the
very edge of the climb or having to ever hang out over the edge of the climb to
adjust or equalize an anchor system; participants will be taught methods for
staying secured when near an exposed edge in order to drop ropes, and how to set
up self adjusting self equalizing anchor systems. Course participants will find
safe rappelling sites that will allow for a ‘below the anchor’ start for easier
and safer rappells, and how to manage the top rope rappelling site safely. Using
bolted anchor systems for belaying and rappelling will also be discussed.
5. Course participants will be able to set up and climb 35 very enjoyable
instructional climbs during the course. This will allow course participants to
assess instructional climbs and the various methods of teaching, various
coaching methods, belaying safety techniques and concerns, objective dangers and
concerns, and group management concerns.
6. Twenty absolutely crucial safety measures will be taught that will eliminate
top rope climbing risks nearly 100 percent. These twenty safety measures, if
followed, will absolutely eliminate every risk that has ever caused top rope
climbing and mountaineering fatalities in the past.
7. Course participants will be taught a dozen different climbing techniques.
They will learn how to coach, encourage and teach beginning and intermediate
climbers. Course participants will learn teaching sequencing that gets people’s
fears alleviated, their balance and movement skills primed, and their climbing
confidence enhanced.
8. They will learn the five most important climbing techniques that must be
taught that will make for the safest outdoor rock climber and mountaineer. These
techniques can be used both while both ascending or descending and will help to
keep beginning climbers from falling and from pulling, kicking and dislodging
rock down on other people below them.
9. Course participants will be taught how to teach proper and safe belaying
techniques and when and why it is important to safeguard the belayer, at times,
with a backup belayer. In addition they will learn how to use eleven different
locking belaying devices that are now sold on the market plus other popularly
used belaying devices. Every advantage and disadvantage of each belaying device
will be taught. Course participants will be able to assess the safest belay
devices to use and will be able to see first hand the safety concerns of each
type.
10. Course participants will learn how to tie off the belay, how to lower a
climber, and other basic rescue techniques and procedures. They will learn
methods of freeing a jammed rope from a crack; or what to do if someone gets a
shoe stuck in a crack; or what to do if someone’s shirt or hair gets caught in a
rappelling device while on a rappell descent; or what to do if a group moves in
on your climbs and poses a risk to your group’s safety. Every ‘what if’ will be
covered during this course. There is nothing that prepares a top rope instructor
more than having a safe solution for every ‘What if’ scenario.
11. Course participants will learn what to do in case of an injury or an
emergency health condition and what kind of plan of action they should consider.
12. Each course participant will learn how to keep an area clean (leave no trace
practices) and how to use an outdoor top rope area without ever damaging the
natural environment. We will spend many hours on this issue. Environmental
education is a big part of each top rope group leader's responsibility.
13. Each course participant will be introduced to the many different methods
that they can use to help them process a group’s climbing activities at the end
of the day.
