Self-Rescue Course in North Wales
Learn the essential rope skills to be safe and self-reliant when climbing on adventurous terrain.
Why a self-rescue course is important?
Self-Rescue skills can not only help you escape from problematic situations safely and efficiently, but perhaps, even more importantly, give you the knowledge and foresight to minimise the chances of the incident occurring in the first place.
However, despite our best intentions and actions, accidents can happen and mistakes can be made made. When this happens, it is very useful to have the rope work and rescue skills necessary to get out of from the situation.
This course is customised to your requirements and the instruction is given from a climber's perspective - offering practical solutions to real situations using just theequipment you normally carry
Course Content
- Anticipating problems: avoiding a difficult situation is always better than having to escape from it.
- Belay management, rope work and equipment.
- Situation analysis and correct choice of rescue strategy - Once a problem occurs, there are often many solutions to the problem. Having the knowledge, staying calm and thinking clearly will keep you safe and save time and effort.
- Knots - the key building blocks for rope rescue.
- Escaping from the system - a key skill that gives you independence to perform more complex rescues.
- Using prusiks and ascenders - choosing the best prusik knot for the job to be done. Advantages and disadvantages of various mechanical ascenders.
- Hauling and Pulleys - building efficient pulley systems.
- Crag evacuation - Hoisting, lowering and abseiling.
- Rescues involving leaders and traverses - complex scenarios that are not quite so intimidating, once the core skills are in place.
Who is it for
This is an advanced course and, to get the most from it, you should be competent and safe with basic rope work such as belaying and abseiling.
Self-rescue tips
- Always carry 2 or 3 prusiks - you won't have to use them often, but when they are needed they are invaluable. Sling your chalk bag on 5mm or 6mm accessory cord of a length long enough to form a prusik (at least 1.20m)- that way there is always a spare for the team.
- Know your prusiks - the standard prusik knot has been pretty much superseded by the Klemheist prusik now because it can be released under load. The French prusik is also commonly used by climbers and can also be released under load, although it does have a tendency to lose shape and release a bit too easily. Too many turns on the prusik can cause too much friction. Normally 3 or 4 loops, works well. However, this depends on the conditions and diameters of ropes and the prusiks being used.
- Try to keep things simple - when accidents happen, it is easy to lose some clarity and feel pressured to take action quickly - simple techniques that have been engrained through regular use will be most effective in resolving the situation.
More info - Self rescue course
This course is best run over two days, as this gives us the chance to cover the most common scenarios.
- The classic problems are: stuck ropes, the leader or second falling into space, ropes being too short to reach the ground and having to ascend ropes.
- Less common problems include: rescuing injured partners who may or may not be unconscious.
We will simulate real life situations: rescuing your climbing partner when you are on a multi-pitch climb, simultaneous abseils with an injured climber and passing a knot through the belay system/abseil device.
This course is suitable for all climbers who have a basic knowledge of rope work skills and want to learn more advanced techniques to become more competent, safe and independent climbers.
All of our scrambling instruction is by arrangement and totally customisable. Please contact us with your requirements and we will do our best to help.
Rates per person
The course price depends on the ratio of clients to instructor.
Half Day
Ratio 1:1
£150 per 1/2 day
Ratio 2:1
£95 per 1/2 day
Ratio 3:1
£75 per 1/2 day
Ratio >6:1
£60 per 1/2 day
Full Day
Ratio 1:1
£220 per day
Ratio 2:1
£120 per day
Ratio 3:1
£95 per day
Ratio >6:1
£75 per day
Need more information Check FAQs
Booking
We run open & private courses. Please contacts us with your specific requirements; we will arrange something suitable for you.
To make a booking please click here