High Angle Rescue Dynamics

[ Rescue Highline ] These courses define where the name Rescue Dynamics came from. High angle rock rescue and mountain rescue at it's finest. There are rescue courses for all abilities ranging in length from two to seven days. Custom courses can be arranged if you really want to expand a group's capabilities.

All technical equipment is provided for these courses. Each student is responsible for clothing suitable for a harsh environment. Outdoor classes are held every day and mountain weather can be extreme, both hot and cold. Clothing should be comfortable to allow good mobility. Leather gloves, sturdy hiking/climbing or work boots with a vibram type sole and rain gear including jacket and rain pants are essential. A complete equipment list is sent upon registration. Participants are responsible for their own meals and accommodation. Lunch is typically spent outdoors each day. There will be evening sessions on one or two nights during the course.

High Angle Rescue Dynamics Level One and Two courses are normally held in the Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains between Hinton and Jasper, Alberta, Canada. The Rescue One for Wilderness Leaders session normally operate out of Jasper and the Columbia Icefields, while the Pro sessions are centered in Jasper. Custom courses can be held for groups in almost any location with suitable facilities and adequate training locations.

Rock Rescue Essentials

This two course provides an introduction to "self rescue" (SRT) rope systems for climbers. (A three day version of the course is occasionally offered.) Focusing primarily on safety, escaping the system, raising, lowering and self rescue, this course has been very well received over the years. Rappel safeties, improvised stretchers and carries are also introduced. Along with a first aid course, every self respecting climber should have this level of training. Prerequisite: Basic Rock Climbing course. An introductory letter containing further details for prospective course applicants can be viewed online.

High Angle Rescue Dynamics

High Angle Rescue Dynamics is a series of five to seven day courses designed to introduce the participants to a broad range of skills in basic rescues and transport of the injured in difficult or high angle terrain. A large proportion of the course material involves extrication procedures and rescues on steep and vertical rock and scree terrain. Participants are introduced to belaying, rappelling, knots & equipment, anchors, carries, litter use, raising systems, lowering systems and a broad range of other technical subjects. First offered in 1982, these courses have undergone a dramatic evolution in the past two decades.

There are two different streams of Rescue courses offered by Rescue Dynamics, one for professionals and one for wilderness leaders. If in doubt, we can help you decide which may be best for your particular needs.

High Angle Rescue Dynamics for Wilderness Leaders - Level One

"HARD & Wild"

For the trip leader and serious climber, this is the next step. HARD & Wild assumes that the participant will primarily be using improvised systems and solutions to purely backcountry problems. It is best taken by climbers, cavers, river travelers, and others whose primary role may be leadership of outdoor groups, but whose situations may require the use of technical rope systems and related skills. This course assumes some previous basic knowledge of ropework and knots (i.e. Basic Rock course or equivalent). Based on the successful Rescue One for Wilderness Leaders course, the curriculum was completely revised in 1995 to add two extra days of intense training. In 2018 it was completely updated again to integrate the recent EMBC testing done in 2016. In one week, HARD takes you beyond the basics and provides the tools to deal with more complicated accidents by expanding your skill set to include the Options System and DCTTRS.

The HARD & Wild - Level One course deals primarily with the single rope "self rescue" style of systems (SRT). First, we review basic ropehandling skills. Then we deal with improvised stretchers and carries. We begin the Options System by escaping the system and quickly add pulley system theory, simple raises and lowers. Next we deal with rappel rescues, the counterbalance system and rescuing a lead climber. The proper use of prusiks and ascenders is added. We also introduce \ two rope rescue DCTTRS basics involving a litter. Then we spend two days going over a complete array of crevasse rescue systems. Finally we top it off with a review and exam day where the Options System is put to the test. HARD and Wild won't necessarily stop an accident from happening, but it sure can help save your bacon if it does. Prerequisites: Basic Rock Climbing Course. Basic Snow & Ice and Intermediate Rock are highly recommended.

High Angle Rescue Dynamics - Rescue One - Pro

HARD Rescue One is a five day course designed to introduce the participants to a broad range of skills in basic rescues and transport of the injured in difficult or high angle terrain. A large proportion of the course material involves extrication procedures and rescues on steep and vertical rock and scree terrain. Participants are introduced to belaying, rappelling, knots & equipment, anchors, carries, litter use, raising systems, lowering systems and a broad range of other technical subjects. This course focuses primarily on two rope rescue systems. First offered in 1982, this course has undergone a dramatic evolution in the past four decades.

HARD Rescue One - Professional assumes that the participant has an interest in rescue or emergency services in either a full time, part time or volunteer capacity. Even experienced personnel have found this course to be a tremendous opportunity to expand their knowledge base. Many participants have noted that it has vastly increased their confidence in dealing with challenging situations well beyond the confines of the course. Course content is geared toward an organized rescue response to technical rescue situations in terrain such as cliffs, embankments, canyons or natural tight spaces using appropriate rescue equipment as may be available to those with designated emergency roles. Prerequisite: no previous background required. An introductory letter containing further details for prospective course applicants can be viewed online.

High Angle Rescue Dynamics - Rescue Two - Pro

Rescue Two takes off where Rescue One began. It best serves those who have an interest in rescue or emergency services in either a full time, part time or volunteer capacity. After reviewing the fundamentals from Rescue One, more advanced anchors and advanced pulley system theory are introduced. Artificial High Directionals come into play. Wall pick-offs are studied. We dig into not just the Hows, but the Whys of rescue systems.

Once the group is solid in the basics, we move to the aerial ropeways and rescues in difficult conditions. Participants role play as team leader and are trained to develop a critical eye for rope systems. This course is ideal for the student who wants a more comprehensive background in a wide range of situations with an eye to becoming a rescue team leader. Prerequisite: HARD Rescue One.

High Angle Rescue Dynamics - Rescue Three - Professional

This course is only run as dictated by demand. It is primarily intended for persons who want a stronger theoretical and practical systems background with an eye toward becoming a team leader / trainer. This is an extremely rigorous curriculum where perfection and a critical eye are expected and demanded. This course takes place over a five day period and is a mix of classroom theory and advanced field sessions. Prerequisite: HARD Rescue Two, first aid certificate and recommendation of instructor. An introductory letter containing further details for prospective course applicants can be viewed online.

Other Courses: We offer an introductory two day seminar for professional agencies who want to train a large number of staff to be team members in support of a team leader. Training can take place at your location or ours. Custom courses in Climbing, PreHospital Care & Rescue are also available.

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