Rock Rescue First Aid

As low as:

$425.00 / person

(at 6:1 ratio)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
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  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
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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


Typically climbers take their first aid training and their rope rescue training as separate courses leaving a gap between the two around how they combine in real life situations. The reality of course is that many rescue scenarios will involve both technical rope rescue and first aid being intertwined into a sometimes complex situation. Preparing you to meet these challenges is the purpose of this course. Learn how to apply both rope rescue and first aid skills in the vertical environment - for the best outcomes for subjects and while keeping both rescuers and subjects safe throughout. Participants will complete this course with many new and very useful skills but a recognized first aid certificate will not be issued.

Included in the price:

  • 2 days of instruction with an ACMG and BC Ambulance certified instructor
  • Group technical gear

Not included in the price:

  • First Aid Certification/Certificate
  • Personal technical gear (harness, helmet, carabiners, belay devices, climbing shoes - available to rent as an add-on).
  • Personal gear - including a required personal first aid kit.
  • Transportation to and from meeting point
  • Food
  • Accommodation

Course Location


  • Comox Lake Crags (Cumberland). 

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

Course 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:

Scenarios:  
  • Minor injured climber, raise to ledge and treat. (Ankle fracture).
  • Minor injured climber. Set up a counterbalance rappel, treat the patient and rappel to ledge. (Shoulder dislocation/ Arm fracture).
  • Major fall (set up counterbalanced rappel and lower U/C patient out) treat on ledge but still tied in. station management.

First Aid Skills: 
  • Upper extremities (splint arm and sling).
  • Lower Extremities (Ankle, lower leg) Splint/zap strap.
  • Major fall (TBI, Pelvis, Poly trauma Pt) Talk about how to position your patient with a TBI , improvised pelvic binder, Hypothermia, pneumothorax/short of breath. 
  • Suspension trauma (improvised chest harness). 

Companion Rescue Skills:
  • Station management. 
  • Escape the belay. 
  • Mechanical advantage for a raise. 
  • Transferring load.
  • Foot/hand line to help injured climber get over the edge.  
  • Rappel down to our subject and either do a counterbalance rappel or accent back up after minor first aid was given. 

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

Requirements


This is an intermediate-level course. Prior to registering, participants should:

  • Have completed a Rock Rescue course (or have equivalent training/experience)
  • Have a First Aid Certificate (min 20hr)
  • Are comfortable building basic anchors off both natural and bolted foundations 
  • Are comfortable with the following basic knots/hitches (figure eight on a bight, figure eight follow-through, prussik, clove hitch, munter hitch, tied off munter). We recommend checking out the “Animated Knots” website for instructions.
  • Prepared to spend 2 days (9am - 5pm) outside in variable conditions (our courses run rain or shine)
  • Comfortable to hike short distances along uneven terrain

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: 

  • Personal first aid kit *see below for full details
  • 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.

Rock Rescue First Aid Kit should include the following items:

Emergency:
  • CPR Mask with One way Valve (1)
  • Nitrile Gloves (4)
  • Compress Bandage 4” (1)
  • Abdominal Trauma Pad (1)
  • Emergency Blanket (1)
  • Electrolyte packet (1)
  • Honey Packet (3)

Wound Care:

  • Gauze Pad 4”x4” (4)
  • Non-Adherent Pad 3”x5” (4)
  • Roller Gauze 4” (1)

Minor Wounds:

  • Fabric Bandage Standard (10)
  • Fabric Bandage Knuckle (4)
  • Fabric Bandage Fingertip (4)
  • Fabric Bandage Large (4)
  • Butterfly Bandage (4)
  • Hydrocolloid Blister Bandage (1)
  • Moleskin Pad 3”x3” (1)
  • Alcohol Swab (4)
  • BZK Antiseptic Swab (4)

  • Bone/Muscle/Joint Injuries:

  • Triangular Bandage (2)
  • Safety Pins (4)
  • Elastic compression Wrap 3” (1)
  • Padded splint 4.25” x 36” (1)
  • Self Adherent wrap 2” roll (1)
  • Tongue Depressor (2)

Optional First Aid gear:

  • Cat gen 7 Tourniquets
  • Trauma shears

Rentals


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

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

Testimonials

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