Rope Rescue Operator
The 5-day Safe Work at Height & Rope Rescue Operator course equips delegates with essential knowledge and skills to work safely at height and perform rope rescue operations
Rope Over Water Rescue
Course length
40 hours (5 days)
Instructor
1:6
Period of validity
3 years
Certification
Outreach Rescue Certificate of Achievement
Venue
Outreach Rescue, Tan-y-Bwlch Centre, Llanllechid, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales LL57 3HY
Water Rescue Advanced Skills
Goal
To equip emergency responders with advanced skills in water rescue, including rope systems, complex access, and technique limitations to enhance their effectiveness and safety in challenging rescue scenarios.
Target group
Personnel who may need to execute complex water rescues beyond the scope of the Water Rescue Technician
Highlights
Advanced skills combining in-water and rope rescue skills for complex access incidents.
Training covers high-angle rope-over-water rescue techniques.
Accredited with Coventry University as credits towards the Diploma in Specialist Rescue.
Description
This 5-day course combines Mod 3 water rescue techniques with rope rescue techniques to enable operators to conduct safe rescues in complex and difficult access water environments where rope-over-water rescue techniques are required.
This physically demanding 5-day course is designed for those who may need to execute more complex rescues from water for which the standard Water Rescue skillsets of a Water Rescue Technician would not be appropriate. Such situations may involve difficult access, such as steep-sided waterways, inaccessible banks or hydrology not compatible with ‘in’ or ‘on’ water rescue techniques. The course combines key skillsets of water rescue, such as in-water PPE, releasability, hydrology, rescue craft and water safety protocols, with skills taken from rope rescue, including rope equipment and PPE, cableways, tensioned lines, reeve systems and stretchers. The outcome is that delegates learn a variety of approaches to complex rescues from water, learning the limitations of the equipment and techniques, and how the environment will dictate what is suitable. The course is predominantly practical, with an emphasis on scenario-based training.
Compliance
BS 8454, Work at Height Regs
Builds on the skillsets of the DEFRA FRCO 2025 Mod 3 holder
Previous knowledge
In-date DEFRA Mod 3 compliant award AND Rope Rescue Operator award or equivalent
Requirements
Age 18+. Delegates must be fit for this physically demanding course requiring the ability to demonstrate all Water Rescue Technician (Mod 3) skillsets as well as Rope Operator skillsets.
Progression
Recertification is recommended every 2 years by means of the 3 day recertification course. Completion of this course at Outreach Rescue satisfies Module ‘Specialist Rescue 2' (5085EXQ)’ for the Diploma in Specialist Rescue and is worth 30 credits.
Theoretical elements
- This is a predominantly practical course focused on scenario-based learning.
- Some basic legislative requirements are covered in classroom sessions.
- A course manual is issued.
Practical elements
- Practical sessions will be conducted across a multitude of venues each offering new and challenging rescue scenarios requiring different advanced skillsets.
- Sessions will include equipment familiarisation, rope rescue skillsets, releasability in systems near water, task management, cableways, tethered craft, stretcher attachments, lowers and raises.
- All technical equipment can be provided.
- This course is holistically assessed throughout. "
Associated training
Rescue Craft Paddling Instructor Module
This 2-day instructional skills module builds on an experienced Water Rescue Technician Instructors' skillsets in instructing and coaching their delegates in the use of Rescue Craft for Water Rescue operations.
Rope Rescue Supervisor Recertification
This 3-day recertification course provides refresher and update training for existing Rope Rescue Supervisors and re-establishes competence in the Rope Rescue Supervisor skillset.
Rescue Craft Paddling Skills
A 2-day course designed for emergency services personnel to develop paddle manoeuvring skills for water rescue operations beyond basic techniques covered in DEFRA MOD 3 Water Rescue Technician training.
Water & Flood Rescue Supervisor
This 5-day course is designed for experienced and proficient Mod 3 award holders who are required to be a sector competent lead of water rescue teams at both large scale flooding incidents and also at a local level.
Water Rescue Advanced Skills Recertification
This 3-day course refreshes and updates holders of an in-date Water Rescue Advanced Skills award as well as re-establishes their competence in the advanced skillsets of rescues involving rope over water.
Water & Flood Rescue Boat Operator
This 4-day course trains emergency service personnel and organizations involved in water rescue response to helm powered rescue craft. Delegates learn to identify the rescue limitations and effectively use powered boats and associated equipment in inland waters and flooding, by day or night, in various water conditions.
Water & Flood Rescue Technician Instructor Training
This 5-day course is designed for experienced and proficient Mod 3 award holders who wish to train personnel in the skillsets of the Water Rescue Technician (Mod 3). It provides the framework of instructional skills and associated knowledge and understanding to instruct others to this level.