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:

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)

1.To provide JROTC units the means to meet the requirements set forth in CC Regulations and 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:

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 and 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:

Actual vs. Perceived Proficiency Perceived Actual

…because we’ve always done it that way.

LESSON 1: STANDARDS & REFERENCES LESSON 1: STANDARDS & REFERENCES

CCR JROTC Program - Jul 07 (w/ Change 1 - Oct 07) Paragraphs 8-15, 9-4, and Appendices I, J, K CCR Cadet Command Safety Program – Jan 07 Chapter 4 and Paragraph 5-5 STANDARDS:

CCR JROTC Program Paragraph 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 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 NEW

CCR JROTC Program 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 JROTC Program 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 JROTC Program 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 JROTC Program 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 JROTC Program 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 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 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 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 Military Mountaineering 26 Aug 02 Chapters 3 thru 7 TC 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:

FM 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 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, Climbing Magazine Online American Safe Climbing Association Blue Water Ropes Black Diamond Equipment 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

LESSON 3: KNOTS LESSON 3: KNOTS

LESSON 4: EQUIPMENT SELECTION & INSPECTION LESSON 4: EQUIPMENT SELECTION & INSPECTION

LESSON 5: RAPPEL SITE SELECTION & PREPARATION LESSON 5: RAPPEL SITE SELECTION & PREPARATION

LESSON 6: RAPPEL & BELAY TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES LESSON 6: RAPPEL & BELAY TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES

LESSON 7: RESCUE PROCEDURES LESSON 7: RESCUE PROCEDURES