Climb On Safely Crew 611 Climbing & Rappelling Training 11/6/99

Climbing to greater heights within the Scouting Program

The 8 Points of Safe Climbing Qualified Supervision Qualified Instructors Physical Fitness Safe Area Equipment Planning Environmental Conditions Discipline

Qualified Supervision At least 21 Years Old Willing to accept RESPONSIBILITY for youth in his/her care Additional leader, may be 18, to fulfill 2 deep leadership requirement 2 additional adults leader for each 10 youth members present

Qualified Supervision At least one adult in group needs to be certified in Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR. In Addition, The Red Cross Module – “When Help is Delayed” is suggested For Backcountry Areas the Red Cross’ Emergency Response – a 43 ½ hour course is highly recommended.

Qualified Instructors A qualified rock climbing/rappelling instructor who is at least 21 years of age must supervise all BSA climbing/rappelling activities. This instructor must have successfully completed a minimum of 10 hours of climbing/rappelling instruction from one of the following: –Nationally or Regionally recognized organization –A recognized climbing school –A college level climbing/rappelling course –Or is a BSA qualified climbing/rappelling instructor

Qualified Instructors BSA has future plans to offer a section of the National Camping School for climbing/rappelling supervisors. These supervisors can in turn offer two-day training courses for climbing/rappelling activities Until that time this training can be administered by a COPE certified instructor, as long as it adheres to the guidelines in the OSI – Climbing/rappelling manual and the Climb On Safely course.

Physical Fitness Climbing/rappelling requires evidence of recent physical examination, such as a BSA Personal Health and Medical Record – Class 1. This Medical Form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian. The adult in charge should adopt all supervision, discipline and precautions to anticipate any potential risks associated with individual health conditions.

Physical Fitness If a significant health condition is present – an examination by a licensed health care practitioner should be required by the adult supervisor before permitting patricipation in any climbing/rappelling activity. The adult supervisor should inform the climbing instructor of each participant’s medical conditions.

Safe Area All BSA climbing/rappelling activities must be conducted using an established or developed climbing/rappelling site or facility. A qualified climbing/rappelling instructor should survey the site in advance of the activity to identify and evaluate possible hazards and to determine whether it is suitable for the age, maturity, and skill level of the participants.

Safe Area The instructor should also verify that the site is sufficient to safely and comfortably accommodate the number of participants in the activity within the available time. An emergency evacuation route must be identified in advance

Equipment The climbing/rappelling instructor should verify that the proper equipment is available for the size and ability level of the participants. All Helmets, Rope, and Climbing Hardware must be approved by the UIAAA and/or ASTM. All equipment must have been acquired new by the participant, or furnished by the instructor.

Equipment Records must be kept on the use and stresses(the number of hard falls) on each item of equipment. These records should be referred to by the instructor before the activity Participants who bring their own equipment should be asked if they know of any stresses that have been out on the equipment

Equipment Any rope or webbing that has been subjected to more than three hard falls or is more than four years old(whatever its use) must not be used. Refer to the Project COPE manual, # 34371, concerning records that must be kept and made available even by outside providers

Planning Items to remember when planning a climbing/rappelling activity: –Obtain written parental consent to participant in climbing/rappelling activities from each participant. –In the event of severe weather of other problem, share the climbing/rappelling plan and an alternate plan with the parents and unit committee

Planning –Secure the necessary permits or written permission for using private or public lands –Enlist the help of qualified climbing/rappelling instructors as needed –Be sure the instructor has a topographic map for the area being used and obtains a current weather report for the area before the group’s departure

Environmental Conditions The instructor assumes all responsibility for monitoring potentially dangerous environmental conditions that may include: –Loose Rock, that may pose a danger –Crumbly or unsafe rock, that might develop as a result of the activity –Poisonous Plants or Animals –Wildlife –Inclement Weather

Environmental Conditions Use the “Buddy System” to monitor concerns such as dehydration, hypothermia, and an unusually high degree of fear or apprehension. The adult supervisor is responsible for insuring the group leaves no trace of its presence at the site. In all matters concerning environmental dangers the climbing instructor has the final word, since he is responsible for the safety of the participants.

Discipline Each participant should know, understand and respect the rules and procedures for safely climbing and rappelling and has been oriented in Climb on Safely. All BSA members should respect and follow all instructions and rules of the climbing instructor. These applicable rules should have been presented and learned prior to the outing and should be reviewed for all participants before the climbing/rappelling begins.

Discipline Remember to explain the reason for the rules – when a person knows the reasons for the rules, they are more likely to follow them. The climbing instructor must be strict and fair, showing no favoritism.

Rigging Guidelines The BSA limits unit climbing, at this time, to top roping only. Top Roping refers to the rigging method of having a stress bearing rope running from the top of the rock, to the participant.

Rigging Guidelines A separate belay safety rope with a separate anchor system is used in all BSA unit rappelling activities A UIAA and or ASTM approved climbing helmet must be worn during all BSA climbing/rappelling activities.

Rigging Guidelines When ever possible use the Slingshot Belay When rappelling use the double-rope setup Remember the catchy phrases like: –If you can see red you are dead –Screw down, so you don’t screw up –If you scratch your navel, the carabiner is on right –Back off the screw a half turn to insure it does not get stuck

Basic Rock Commands On Belay/Belay On Climbing/Climb On Slack Tension Falling Off Belay/Belay Off ROCK