ASTM F2955-19

4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training rope rescuers in regard to their rope rescue specific knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide is an advanced rope rescuer.

4.2 Advanced rope rescue endorsement is an indication that a person possesses adequate field skills and knowledge to make mission-critical decisions. A person so endorsed is qualified to support or direct a rope rescue team in an area with high fall exposure and/or falling hazard potential, including high angle environments.

4.3 This guide by itself is not a complete training document. It is only an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating an advanced rope rescuer. It may, however, be used in the development of, or as part of, a complete training document or program.

4.4 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that an advanced rope rescuer is a “trainee,” “probationary,” or other similar term member of an organization.

4.5 Because technical rope rescue is inherently dangerous, and rope rescuers are frequently required to perform rigorous activities in adverse conditions, regional and national safety standards shall be included in agency and organization policies and procedures. Personnel endorsed as advanced rope rescuers shall complete all activities based on an analysis of risk versus benefit, and shall follow all applicable national, federal, state, provincial, and local safety standards.

4.6 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to determine if its content includes the topics necessary for training an advanced rope rescuer. Likewise, this guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the requirements of this guide.

4.7 The knowledge and skills defined in the following sections are not presented in any particular order and do not represent a training sequence.

4.8 Except where a physical skill needs to be shown, it is up to the AHJ to determine the best way to evaluate a person’s knowledge. This may be by written exam, oral exam, demonstration, or by some combination of the three.

1.1 This guide, in conjunction with, and as an add-on to, Guides F2751, F2752, and F2954 (or equivalent for other environments), defines the basic training required for a person who participates in rope rescue at the highest level of responsibility and complexity, as part of a larger rescue duty.

1.2 An advanced rope rescuer performs rope rescues in all terrain and is capable of directing basic and intermediate rope rescuers.

1.3 An advanced rope rescuer is required to have knowledge and skill sets pertaining to the advanced roped evacuation components of rescue. These include, but are not limited to, advanced knots and rigging, functioning as a litter attendant in a high angle lowering or raising operation, and directing a rope rescue team in the rescue of a subject suspended in a high angle environment.

1.4 An advanced rope rescuer may be part of a rope rescue team as defined in Classification F1993.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.