ASTM F2955-19

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2955 − 12 F2955 − 19
Standard Guide for
Training for Level III Rope Rescue (R3) Advanced Rope
Rescuer Endorsement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2955; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide is intended to be used guide, 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 defines the basic training required for a
rescuerperson who participates in rope rescue at a higherthe highest level of responsibility and complexity.complexity, as part of
a larger rescue duty.
1.1.1 Specifically, this guide is intended to define the training that would prepare an endorsed Level III Rope Rescuer (LRT-R3)
or equivalent defines the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a person to support or direct a rope rescue team in advanced
rope rescue functions,functions including pre-planning and size-up of rope rescue operations, designing and directing the
construction of rope systems for moving a victim in low and high angle environments, directing the construction and operation
of highline and related rope systems, and performing advanced rope rigging functions, in conjunction with other rescue duties.
1.1.2 This guide establishes the minimum training standard for an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer as related advanced rope rescue
endorsed person in regard to general, field, and rope rescue-specific knowledge and skills.
1.2 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer performs rope rescues in low and high angle all terrain and is capable
of directing LRT-R1 and LRT-R2 Rescuers.basic and intermediate rope rescuers.
1.2.1 An advanced rope rescuer endorsement applies only to rescues on the surface of the land; additional endorsements are
required to perform this level of rope rescue in other environments. This guide alone does not providedefine the minimum training
requirements for performing or assisting inwith rescues that occur in partially or fully collapsed structures, in or on water, in
confined spaces, or underground (such as in caves, mines, and tunnels).
1.2.2 This guide alone does not providedefine the minimum training requirements for climbing Class 5 or higher rock and/or
ice to perform a rescue.
1.3 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer is required to have knowledge and skill sets pertaining to technically
advanced subject evacuation. These includethe advanced roped evacuation components of rescue. These include, but are not
limited to, advanced knots and rigging, functioning as a litter tenderattendant in a high angle lowering or raising operation, and
directing a rope rescue team in the rescue of a subject suspended in a high angle environment.
1.4 Type III teams, as defined in ClassificationAn advanced rope rescuer may be part F1993, which may utilize personnel
trained to this guideof a rope rescue team as defined in Classification F1993are Kind A (wilderness), Kind B (urban), and Kind
C (mountainous).
1.4.1 Further training may be required before an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer canadvanced rope rescuer may actually participate
on a particular kind of rope rescue team, depending on the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) regulations or policies.regulations
or policies of the authority having jurisdiction.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel, Training and
Education.
Current edition approved June 1, 2012April 1, 2019. Published August 2012June 2019. Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F2955–12.
DOI: 10.1520/F2955-12.10.1520/F2955-19.
Classification per Yosemite Decimal System in Eng and Van Pelt, eds., p. 564.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2955 − 19
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn 2017)
F1768 Guide for Using Whistle Signals During Rope Rescue Operations
F1773 Terminology Relating to Climbing, Mountaineering, Search and Rescue Equipment and Practices
F1993 Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
F2047 Practice for Workers’ Compensation Coverage of Emergency Services Volunteers
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
F2751 Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue Team Member
F2752 Guide for Training for Basic Rope Rescuer Endorsement
F2954 Guide for Training for Level II Rope Rescue (R2) Intermediate Rope Rescuer Endorsement
F3068 Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book (PTB)
F3222 Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Rescue Standards and Guides
2.2 Other Document:
“Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills,” 8th ed., Ronald C. Eng and Julie Van Pelt, eds., Mountaineers Books, Seattle, WA,
2010, p. 564.
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide, see TerminologyGuide F1773F1633, GuideTerminology F1633F1773,
Classification F1993, Practice F2047, Terminology F3222, and other references within this guide.
3.2 Except where noted, this document shall use terminology as found in Guides F2751, F2752, and F2954.
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.3.1 Rope Rescuer, Level III (LRT-R3), advanced rope rescuer, n—a member or a leader member of a rope rescue team who,
at a minimum, meets the requirements of this guide. These requirements define the advanced rope rescue knowledge, skills, and
capabilities.
3.3.2 low angle, n—terrain whose average slope has an angle of 30 to 50° from horizontal.
3.3.3 high angle, n—terrain whose average slope has an angle of greater than 50° from horizontal.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training rope rescuers as it relates in regard to their rope rescue specific
knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide is an endorsed Level III Rope Rescuer (LRT-R3 Rescuer).advanced rope
rescuer.
4.1.1 Every person who is identified as an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall have met the requirements of
this guide.
4.1.2 This guide is only the third level of training for rope rescue personnel and, in conjunction with Guides F2209, F2751,
F2752, and F2954, only establishes the minimum knowledge and skills required for a person to perform or lead advanced rope
rescue. No other advanced skills are included or implied.
4.1.3 In addition to meeting the requirements of this guide, an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall also be
adequately trained to operate effectivelysafely and safelyeffectively in the environment in which he or she is expected to work (that
is, (i.e., wilderness, urban, industrial, and so forth).etc.).
4.1.4 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements for its own members.
4.2 Endorsement to Level III Rope Rescue (LRT-R3 Rescuer) Advanced rope rescue endorsement 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.advanced rope rescuer. It may, however, be used in the development of, or as part of, a complete
training document or program.
4.3.1 This guide does not stand alone. Italone and must be used with the referenced documents to provide the specific
information needed by an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer or for an AHJ authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to
properly evaluate a training program or text.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
F2955 − 19
4.4 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope
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.
4.4.1 Determining the requirements and qualifications for land rescue team members is the responsibility of the AHJ.
4.4.2 Nothing in this guide precludes an AHJ from adding additional requirements for its own members.
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 Personnel endorsed as advanced rope rescuers shall complete all activities based on an
analysis of risk versus benefit, and shall follow applicable and mandatedall applicable national, federal, state, provincial, and local
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.advanced rope 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 requirementsdefined 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.
4.8.1 An advanced rope rescuer shall document his or her training by completion of a position task book, compliant with Guide
F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified supervision.
4.8.2 Unless stated otherwise, an ability or proficiency in a skill shall be demonstrated for initial qualification and then as often
as required by the AHJ.
5. General Knowledge and Skills
5.1 General Requirements:
5.1.1 As a prerequisite, an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall possess some training, certification, or an
endorsement in the environment in which he or she is expected to work (urban, wilderness, mountainous, and so forth).etc.).
5.1.2 For Land Rescue Personnel, meeting the requirements of Guidesland rescue personnel, endorsement in accordance with
Guide F2751, F2752, and F2954 shall be considered sufficient for meeting the requirements of 5.1.1.
5.1.3 The AHJ shall verify that the endorsee possesses both attitude and aptitude for working and directing a rope rescue team
at height, for example, he or she must be comfortable with exposure, have height (e.g., comfort with exposure, the ability to move
safely and effectively in the working environment, have the over the surface of terrain common to the normal area of operations,
the ability to lead a team in a vertical environment, and have the ability to serve as a safety officer in rope rescue
operations.operations).
5.2 Personal Equipment:
5.2.1 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescuer shall possess and carry, advanced rope rescuer shall carry and appropriately use, at a
minimum, sufficient Personal Protective Equipmentpersonal protective equipment (PPE) and rope rescue equipment to maintain
personal safety while working on or around a rope rescue. Suitability of participating in rope rescue operations. The suitability of
the equipment shall be verified by the AHJ to include, but not be limited to:to, the following:
5.2.1.1 Head protection (helmet).
5.2.1.2 Hand protection (gloves).
5.2.1.3 Eye protection (glasses/goggles/shield).
5.2.1.4 Adequate clothing.
5.2.1.5 Harness.
5.2.1.6 Connectors (carabiners).
5.2.1.7 Slings/lanyards (for personal use).
5.2.1.8 Ascending equipment.
5.2.1.6 Eye protection (glasses/goggles/shield).
5.2.1.7 Adequate clothing.
5.2.1.8 Connectors (carabiners).
5.2.1.9 Descending equipment.
5.2.2 Additional rope rescue equipment necessary for an endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer to safely participate
in in, lead, or leaddirect a rope rescue varies by type of rope rescue, team assignment, season, environment, and terrain.
5.2.3 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall explain the reasons to carry, and explain or demonstrate the use
of, all personal rope rescue equipment required by the AHJ.
5.2.4 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall be able to inspect PPE and personal rope rescue equipment for
the purpose of identifying wear, damage, and operational readiness.
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5.2.5 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to perform rope rescue equipment
maintenance procedures, including cleaning, as well as maintenance of equipment logs and records.
5.3 Team Equipment:
5.3.1 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall have an expert knowledge of team rope rescue equipment
identified and commonly used by the AHJ (not including equipment required for climbing Class 5 or higher rock and/or ice). Such
equipment may include, but is not limited to, the following:
5.3.1.1 Medical equipment.
5.3.1.2 Patient packaging equipment.
5.3.1.3 Ropes.
5.3.1.4 Slings.
5.3.1.5 Rope grab devices.
5.3.1.6 Litters.
5.3.1.7 Communications equipment.
5.3.1.8 Lowering devices.
5.3.1.9 Hauling or raising devices.
5.3.1.10 Connectors and other hardware.
5.3.2 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall explain the reasons to carry, and explain or demonstrate the use
of, all team rope rescue equipment required by the AHJ including, at a minimum, those items listed in 5.2.1 and 5.3.1.
5.3.3 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall be able to inspect team rope rescue equipment used by the AHJ
to identify for the purpose of identifying wear, damage, and operational readiness for, at a minimum, those items listed in 5.2.1
and 5.3.1.
5.3.4 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to perform appropriate maintenance
procedures on rope rescue equipment used by the AHJ. These shall include cleaning and packing, as well as maintenance of
applicable logs and records for, at a minimum, those items listed in 5.2.1 and 5.3.1.
5.4 Communications:
5.4.1 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall be familiar with, and conversant in, the use of whistle signals
as found in Guide F1768, or as required by the AHJ.
5.4.2 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall be familiar with, and conversant in, the use of hand signals as
required by the AHJ.
6. Rope Rescue Concepts and Capabilities
6.1 Rope Rescue Concepts:
6.1.1 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate an understanding of the principles of physics
involved in constructing rope rescue systems, including, but not limited to, the following:
6.1.1.1 System safety factors.
6.1.1.2 Critical (force-multiplying) angles.
6.1.1.3 Causes and effects of force multipliers.
6.1.1.4 Identification of the weakest component or link in any rescue system.
6.2 Rope Rescue Capabilities:
6.2.1 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall be self-sustaining and shall be able to safely and effectively
direct a rope rescue operation in the team’s normal area of operations for a period of at least 12 hours.h.
6.2.2 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively direct a team
in performing rope rescue duties within an incident management system.
6.2.3 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall be able to perform any of the common rope rescue team
functions including, but not limited to, the following:
6.2.3.1 Raising/lowering system operator.
6.2.3.2 Litter attendant.
6.2.3.3 Safety officer.
6.2.3.4 Belay operator.
6.2.3.5 Edge attendant.
6.2.3.6 Team leader.
6.3 Rope Rescue Techniques:
6.3.1 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to locate and safely access a patient
using techniques that require him or her to be raised or lowered on high angle surfaces, which surfaces or other terrain that may
expose the rescuer to a significant fall hazard.
6.3.2 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall have advanced knot tying skills.skills, including the ability to
tie the following:
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6.3.2.1 Two or more different bends suitable for rope, cord, and webbing.
6.3.2.2 Two or more different mid-line hitches on rope, cord, and hardware.
6.3.2.3 Two or more different end hitches on rope, cord, and hardware.
6.3.2.4 Two or more different single strand directional mid-line loops.
6.3.2.5 Two or more different multi-strand directional mid-line loops.
6.3.2.6 Two or more different single strand non-directional mid-line loops.
6.3.2.7 Two or more different multi-strand non-directional mid-line loops.
6.3.2.8 Two or more different single strand end loops.
6.3.2.9 Two or more different multi-strand end loops.
6.3.2.10 Two or more different stopper knots.
6.3.2.11 Two or more different friction hitches on rope, cord, and hardware.
6.3.3 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall understand advanced anchoring concepts and shall be expert in
rigging single and multi-point anchors.
6.3.4 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to direct a team in the construction of
a fixed rope system.
6.3.5 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to direct a team in the placement of edge
protection.
6.3.6 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to direct a team in the placement of rope
protection along the path of the rope, should it be necessary.
6.3.7 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to direct a team in the construction of
a simple rope mechanical advantage system.
6.3.8 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to direct a team in the construction of
compound and complex rope mechanical advantage systems.
6.3.9 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to direct a team in the selection and
construction of a highline/guiding line/offset rope system.highline, guiding line, and offset rope systems.
6.3.10 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to operate,operate and direct a team
in the operation of, a highline/guiding line/offset rope system.of highline, guiding line, and offset rope systems.
6.3.11 An endorsed LRT-R3 Rescueradvanced rope rescuer shall demonstrate the ability to utilize litter attendants within a
highline/guiding line/offset rope system
...