Rappel Trainer
Certification
Springfield, MO
7 Aug 2008
TRAINING SCHEDULE:
Morning – Classroom
Welcome and Introductions
Training Schedule
Purpose and ROE
Lesson 1 - Standards / References
Lesson 2 - Equipment & Techniques
Lesson 3 - Knots
TRAINING SCHEDULE:
(continued)
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
PURPOSE:
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.
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.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:
• 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.
Actual vs. Perceived Proficiency
Proficiency
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1st yr
Perceived
Actual
2nd yr
3rd yr
Time without Training
4th yr
…because
we’ve always
done it
that way.
LESSON 1:
STANDARDS &
REFERENCES
STANDARDS:
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 07
Chapter 4 and Paragraph 5-5
CCR 145-2 JROTC Program
NEW
Paragraph 8-15. Rappel Training
Prescribes policies, assigns responsibilities, and provides
definitive 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 Forms
Includes parental consent form and covenant not to sue
NEW
Appendix J. Equipment and Rappel Site Inspection Checklist
Covers unit equipment and all types of rappel sites
Appendix K. Risk Management Worksheet
Tool for conducting composite risk management
CCR 145-2 JROTC Program
8-15. Rappel Training
NEW
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.
CCR 145-2 JROTC Program
8-15. Rappel Training
NEW
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
CCR 145-2 JROTC Program
8-15. Rappel Training
NEW
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
CCR 145-2 JROTC Program
8-15. Rappel Training
NEW
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.
CCR 145-2 JROTC Program
8-15. Rappel Training
NEW
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
CCR 145-2 JROTC Program
Appendix J - JROTC Rappel Inspection Checklist
NEW
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.
CCR 385-10 Cadet Command Safety Program
Chapter 4. Composite Risk Management Process
a. Identify Hazards
b. Assess Hazards (rappelling always “HIGH” initially)
c. Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions
d. Implement Controls
e. 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.
MILITARY REFERENCES:
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
FM 3-97.61 Military Mountaineering
Chapter 3. Mountaineering Equipment
Helmets, ropes & cord, webbing & slings, harnesses, pitons,
chocks, SLCD’s, bolts, belay devices, descenders
Chapter 4. Rope Management and Knots
Inspection and care of ropes, DA Form 5752-R
Terms, coiling, knots and hitches, tying rappel seat
Chapter 5. Anchors
Natural: trees, rocks
Artificial: pitons, chocks, SLCD’s, expansion bolts
Slinging and equalizing anchors
Chapter 6. Climbing
Improvised seat and chest harnesses
Belaying techniques
Chapter 7. Rope Installation
Fixed ropes, rappelling, rope bridges
TC 21-24 Rappelling
Chapter 1. Tower Rappelling
Tower preparation, tying a rappel seat, seat-hip rappel procedures
Chapter 2. Ground Rappelling
Selecting and establishing a rappel point, safe rappel procedures
Chapter 6. Equipment
Ropes, 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.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Risk Management Worksheet - Brigade approval
Duplicate equalized anchors, 22.2 kN system strength
Control movement on top and near anchors
Inspect harnesses prior to each rappel
Rappellers wear helmets, do not wear LBE or carry equipment
9.
10.
11.
12.
Trainers atop cliff/tower wear safety lines
Adult Belayers in position and alert
Evacuation vehicle available, hospital no more than one hour away
Extra equipment and a rescue plan in case of emergency
LESSON 2:
MODERN
EQUIPMENT &
TECHNIQUES