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1.1 This guide is intended to be used in conjunction with, and as an add-on to, Guides F2751, F2752, and F2954 (or equivalent for other environments), to address the specific knowledge and skills required for a rescuer who participates in rope rescue at a higher level of responsibility and complexity.

1.2 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer performs rope rescues in low and high angle terrain and is capable of directing LRT-R1 and LRT-R2 Rescuers.

1.3 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer is required to have knowledge and skill sets pertaining to technically advanced subject evacuation. These include but are not limited to advanced knots and rigging, functioning as a litter tender in a high angle lowering or raising operation, and directing a team in the rescue of a subject suspended in a high angle environment.

1.4 Type III teams, as defined in Classification F1993, which may utilize personnel trained to this guide are Kind A (wilderness), Kind B (urban), and Kind C (mountainous).

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training rope rescuers as it relates to their rope rescue specific knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide is an endorsed Level III Rope Rescuer (LRT-R3 Rescuer).

4.2 Endorsement to Level III Rope Rescue (LRT-R3 Rescuer) is an indication that a person possesses adequate field skills and knowledge to make mission-critical decisions. A person so endorsed is qualified to support or direct a rope rescue team in an area with high fall exposure and/or falling hazard potential, including high angle environments.

4.3 This guide by itself is not a complete training document. It is only an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer. It may, however, be used in the development of, or as part of, a complete training document or program.

4.4 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer is a “trainee,” “probationary,” or other similar term member of an organization. It is the responsibility of the AHJ to determine the requirements and qualifications for member ratings.

4.5 Because technical rope rescue is inherently dangerous, and rope rescuers are frequently required to perform rigorous activities in adverse conditions, regional and national safety standards shall be included in agency and organization policies and procedures. An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer shall complete all activities based on an analysis of risk versus benefit, and shall follow applicable and mandated safety standards.

4.6 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to determine if its content includes the topics necessary for training an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer. Likewise, this guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the requirements of this guide.

4.7 The knowledge and skills requirements in the following sections are not presented in any particular order and do not represent a training sequence.

4.8 Except where a physical skill needs to be shown, it is up to the AHJ to determine the best way to evaluate a person’s knowledge. This may be by written exam, oral exam, demonstration, or by some combination of the three.