Course Description
This 5-day advanced course is for rope technicians who need to solve problems that standard systems can't handle: bad anchor positions, multi-edge terrain, overhangs, and scenarios where you need to move the load horizontally before you can move it vertically.
You'll spend the week building and running artificial high directionals (AHDs)—tripods, A-frames, gin poles—and integrating them with directional offsets and simple highline-style systems to clear obstacles and manage complex terrain.
This course covers:
- AHD design, rigging, and load management (tripods, A-frames, gin poles)
- Directional offsets to clear edges, obstacles, and bad terrain
- Simple highline systems for horizontal patient movement
- Load calculations, tensioning strategies, and safety margins
- Multi-pitch operations with system resets and terrain transitions
This is advanced problem-solving, not basic skills review. You'll be expected to lead small teams, make rigging decisions, and troubleshoot systems under realistic time and terrain pressure.
Core Skills & Objectives
Artificial High Directionals (AHDs)
- Tripods, A-frames, gin poles, and bipods
- Load calculations and guying strategies
- AHD placement and terrain integration
- Multi-AHD systems for complex operations
Directional Offsets & Highlines
- Simple highline systems for horizontal movement
- Directional offsets to clear obstacles
- Load management in offset systems
- Tensioning strategies and safety margins
Complex Terrain Solutions
- Multi-edge and multi-pitch operations
- Overhangs and negative-angle problems
- Bad anchor positions and creative rigging
- System integration across disciplines
Leadership & Decision-Making
- Lead complex rope operations
- Risk assessment for advanced systems
- Team coordination and communication
- Troubleshooting under pressure
Training Methods
- Minimal classroom time—just enough to frame the problem and review load theory
- Intensive hands-on labs for AHD construction, guying, and load testing
- Progressive scenario work: simple offsets → multi-edge problems → integrated systems
- Student-led evolutions with instructor oversight and real-time troubleshooting
- Structured hot-wash after each evolution focusing on decision-making and system efficiency
Prerequisites & PPE
Prerequisites
- • Rope Rescue Technician (or equivalent)
- • Demonstrated proficiency in advanced rope systems
- • Strong physical fitness for extended technical work
- • Leadership experience in rope operations preferred
Required PPE
- • Full rope PPE (harness, helmet, gloves)
- • Personal lanyards and cow's tails
- • Appropriate footwear and clothing for extended field work
- • Eye protection and headlamp
Who Should Attend
- Rope rescue technicians looking to expand their rigging toolkit
- Team leaders and officers responsible for complex rescue operations
- SAR teams operating in multi-pitch or complex terrain
- Industrial rescue teams dealing with structural and confined space integration
- Anyone who's looked at a rescue problem and thought, "Standard systems won't work here"
Compliance & Documentation
This course builds on technician-level competencies and aligns with advanced rope rescue expectations in NFPA 1006 and NFPA 2500.
Students who meet performance objectives receive an Advanced AHD & Directional Offsets – 5 Day completion certificate documenting hours, major skill blocks, and scenario types. Final credentialing and deployment authority remain with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).