Rock Rescue

As low as:

$425.00 / person

(at 6:1 ratio) Next Trip: Apr 27 - 28, 2024
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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    Upcoming Trips

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  • Apr 27 - 28, 2024
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    6 spots available. $425.00

    Location: Comox Lake Crags

Add-ons

Rental Rock Rescue Kit $15.00

Includes: a harness, helmet, belay device & locking carabiner, 3 locking carabiners (one “pear” shaped), 3 non-locking carabiners (two matching flat stock “D” shaped), 7mm accessory cord (2 x five-meter lengths), 7mm accessory cord (1 x 1.5 meter length), and a double shoulder length sewn sling (120cm length, rated to 22kn)

About


Learning to enact a rock rescue is essential for anyone climbing more than half a rope length off the ground, whether a leader or follower. Without this knowledge, climbers can find themselves in high risk situations. Over two days, we’ll focus entirely on technical systems, covering the basics of improvised self-rescue and moving on to techniques used for more complicated scenarios as time allows. These skills are essential for climbers and can be called upon to deal with a variety of emergency scenarios. 

Our guides are training providers for Island-based Search and Rescue Teams and Air Force SAR Techs. Our Rock Rescue courses have been featured by Chek News.

Curriculum

  • Basics of improvised self-rescue
  • Rescue anchors
  • Station-management
  • Blocking and escaping belays
  • Raising and lowering systems
  • Tools for complicated rescue scenarios (as time and participant experience allows), including multiple lowers, rappels with victims, passing knots, rope ascending, and other techniques used in multi-pitch rescue

Included in the price

  • 2 days of instruction with an ACMG guide
  • Group technical gear

Not included in the price

  • Personal technical gear (harness, helmet, carabiners, belay devices, climbing shoes – available for rent)
  • Transportation to and from meeting point
  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Personal gear

Questions? Check out our FAQ page or send us an email!

Locations

 

Possible course locations include: 

  • Comox Lake Crags (Cumberland)
  • Flemming Beach (Victoria)

If you would like to request a specific location and date prior to booking, please reach out.

Please note that certain crags may be more suitable depending on the weather and time of year. If weather dictates that the course will be delivered more optimally elsewhere, we may suggest moving your course to a more suitable location. We encourage you to maintain some flexibility in your plans to allow for this.

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 

Itinerary


A typical day starts at 09:00 and ends around 17:00. Curriculum delivery will depend on the instructor and other factors such as weather, but below is a general idea of what to expect:

Day 1

09:00 – Meet at the location specified in your pre-trip email. Upon arrival you will sign waivers (please note that anyone under 19 needs to have their waiver signed by a parent or guardian and sent in prior to the course).

After introductions, you’ll walk a short way to the crag, where we’ll cover the basics of improvised self-rescue, from rescue anchors and station-management to blocking and escaping belays, aiming to be back at our cars around 17:00. 

Day 2 

09:00 – Meet at the specified meeting location once again. 

On day two we’ll move on to raising and lowering systems and devote time to practicing what we’ve learned. Depending on group experience level, we may also deal with more complicated scenarios involving multiple lowers, rappels with victims, passing knots, rope ascending, and other techniques used in multi-pitch rescue as time allows, once again aiming to finish around 17:00.

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Questions? Check out our
FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 

Requirements


This is an intermediate-level course, meaning we recommend that you have some previous outdoor climbing experience to get the most out of this course. To take this course, please: 

  • Have Intro to Rock 102 or equivalent experience 
  • Be prepared to spend two days outside in variable conditions

Pre-course homework:

Please know these basic knots to maximize efficiency on the day: 

  • Figure 8 follow-through 
  • Figure 8 on a bight 
  • Overhand 
  • Double overhand 
  • Double fisherman’s 
  • Clove hitch 
  • Prussik 
  • Munter hitch 

We recommend checking out the “Animated Knots” website for instructions. 

Questions about the suitability of this course? Send us an email. We’re happy to help you find or customize courses to suit your needs whenever possible. 

Gear List 


Your instructor will provide all group gear (or “the rack” -- ropes, slings, carabiners, etc.). Please bring the following, and reach out if you have any questions:

Technical Gear

  • Harness 
  • Helmet 
  • Belay device & locking carabiner 
  • 3 locking carabiners (one “pear” shaped)
  • 3 non-locking carabiners (two should be matching flat stock “D” shaped)
  • 7mm accessory cord (2 x five-meter lengths)
  • 7mm accessory cord (1 x 1.5 meter length)
  • Double shoulder length sewn sling (120cm length, rated to 22kn)

If you require any of the items on the technical gear list, please email us to request it. Most people taking this course are climbers already but we could rent a “climbing kit” which includes all the above.

Clothing: 

  • T-shirt or long-sleeve (ideally loose-fitting)
  • Pants (ideally loose-fitting, tapered at the ankle) 
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants) 
  • Mid-weight insulating jacket 
  • Approach shoes (something that will provide some support on trails to the climb)
  • Toque and/or sun hat 
  • A sturdy walking shoe or boot (climbing shoes are not required for this course)

Note: If you are taking this course in the early spring or fall, please bring additional warm layers.

Other: 

  • Sunglasses that block 100% UV 
  • Sunscreen 
  • SPF lip balm 
  • Lunch (pre-prepared) and snacks 
  • Water bottle (2L)
  • Notebook and pencil (Rite in the Rain recommended) 
  • 30L backpack 

If you own any additional equipment, you are encouraged to bring it along so that you can learn more about the gear you already own.

Rentals


Technical gear: available as a Rock Rescue Kit for $15 when you book.

Questions? Send us an email or read our blog for advice on choosing appropriate gear. 

Testimonials

Thank you IAG for setting up this Rock Rescue course! Lorne was very knowledgeable and adaptable. I certainly got everything I could have wanted from this course! Chantal, Victoria, BC.
The most well taught and invaluable course with regards to rock climbing I've ever done! Franjo Gasparovic, Courtenay, BC.
If someone had been injured while climbing I had no idea what to do until taking a course like this! Clive Powsey, Cumberland, BC.
Before I forget I thought I’d write a quick note about the Rock Rescue course we had with Lyle last weekend. It was an incredibly informative few days and well all really enjoyed it (and learned a lot). Lyle was absolutely great. Thanks for your help in putting this together for us! Alois Schonenberger, Victoria, BC.
The course was very helpful. We love the location. Graeme's teaching was effective. We had plenty time to practice. At the end of the course, we had much more confidence with the sport. Neil Han, Victoria, BC