4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for training rope rescuers in regard to their rope rescue specific knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide is an advanced rope rescuer.

4.1.1 Every person who is identified as an advanced rope rescuer shall have met the requirements of this guide.

4.1.2 This guide is the third level of training for rope rescue personnel and, in conjunction with Guides F2751, F2752, and F2954, only establishes the minimum knowledge and skills required for a person to perform or lead advanced rope rescue. No other skills are included or implied.

4.1.3 In addition to meeting the requirements of this guide, an advanced rope rescuer shall also be adequately trained to operate safely and effectively in the environment in which he or she is expected to work (i.e., wilderness, urban, etc.).

4.2 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 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 and must be used with the referenced documents to provide the specific information needed by an advanced rope rescuer or for an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to properly evaluate a training program or text.

4.4 Though this guide establishes only minimum standards, it does not imply that an advanced rope rescuer is a "trainee," "probationary," or other similar term member of an organization.

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. Personnel endorsed as advanced rope rescuers shall complete all activities based on an analysis of risk versus benefit, and shall follow all 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 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 defined 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.