Rope Specialist

Course content

• Competences of the rope specialist
• Equipment knowledge
• Belaying theory basics
• Rope work
• Belaying techniques
• Improvised rescue techniques
• Building belay stations
• Climbing technique
• Climbing with customers
• Abseiling
• Via ferrata routes

Practical exam

• Admission test: sport climbing 6a (redpoint) at the start of the training.
• Final exam: two practical exam scenarios (e.g. improvised rescue on a via ferrata)

Theory exam

• Written exam on the course content

Qualification

The course is passed if it was attended in full and all partial exams were passed.

Recommended reading (not compulsory; to be obtained yourself):

K. Winkler, H.-P. Brehm, J. Haltmeier (2022): Bergsport Sommer. Technik/Taktik/Sicherheit. 6th, completely revised edition. Swiss Alpine Club.

Required equipment 

Clothing:

• Mountain boots
• Outdoor clothing suited to the weather

Technical equipment:

• Complete climbing equipment: rucksack, climbing harness, climbing helmet, climbing shoes, various belay devices (Reverso, Grigri or similar), prusik, various accessory cords (1x at least 5 m), slings 60 cm + 120 cm, lanyard (Dual Adjust or similar), progress-capture pulley (Micro Traxion, Nano Traxion or similar), additional pulley, rope clamp, sufficient HMS and screwgate karabiners, 7 quickdraws, 50 m rope
• Via ferrata equipment: via ferrata set, 30 m rope for rescues

Miscellaneous:

• Small first aid kit
• Food
• Writing materials

General admission requirements

• Minimum age 18
• Good general health

Sport-specific admission requirements

• Sport climbing at grade 6a
• Good knowledge of knots, rope and belaying techniques
• Basic climbing skills

Supporting documents

• First aid course and BLS-AED-SRC complete course or First Aid Level 1 IAS (IVR) (all max. 2 years old)
• Proof of experience: route list as a PDF file (at least 10 climbing routes with route name, climbing area and grade).
• At least 5 via ferrata ascents
• Proof of private accident insurance

Copies of all supporting documents must be handed to the course leader on site. SOA cards and certificates are only issued once all documents have been received.

Courses/exams are only considered passed once all documents have been submitted; certificates are issued only then. Missing documents (e.g. BLS/AED, first aid, logbooks) can be submitted up to 3 months after completing the course/exam – after that, any claim to certification of the training/exams/courses lapses. The same applies to any resits, which must also take place within 3 months of the exam date. For later certification, the training/exams/courses must be repeated in full. This rule applies from the 2024 course year onwards.