Modern rope rescue does not always happen in a straight vertical line.

Many rescue environments require rescuers to move patients across terrain, around obstacles, through offset pathways, and into areas where traditional raise-and-lower systems become inefficient or impossible. This workshop was designed to challenge rescuers to think beyond conventional vertical rope rescue and explore advanced techniques for horizontal movement, vector management, and dynamic system integration.

Over three physically demanding days, students will build, analyze, and operate a wide variety of offset and traverse systems designed for real-world rescue environments. The focus of this workshop is not simply constructing systems, but understanding how to safely and efficiently plan and execute movement through complex terrain while managing force, edge transition, patient care considerations, and operational limitations.

This is a highly hands-on, scenario-driven workshop intended for rescuers operating at or near the Rope Rescue Technician level. Students should expect extensive field operations, team-based problem solving, hiking, equipment movement, and long operational periods in rugged terrain throughout the Red River Gorge region.

Topics Covered

Some examples of systems and concepts covered include:

• Reeving systems

• Tyrolean highlines

• Skate block systems

• Offset systems

• Dynamic deflections

• Horizontal movement systems

• Vector management

• Artificial high directional integration

• Force analysis and system loading

• Edge transition management

• Patient movement considerations

• Operational risk management

• Wilderness and austere rescue considerations

• Scenario-based rescue problem solving

Equipment & Platforms

Students may work with a wide variety of modern rescue equipment and system configurations, including:

• Arizona Vortex

• TerrAdaptor

• SMC Vector

• Eyolf Pythagoras

• Force manmagement Devices (Load cell/Radix)

• Dynamic directional systems

• Specialized edge management systems

Physical Expectations

This course is physically demanding. Students should be prepared for:

• Hiking in rugged terrain

• Carrying rescue equipment

• Operating near exposed edges

• Long operational periods

• Team-based rescue activities

• Dynamic scenario execution

Prerequisites

Students should possess Rope Rescue Technician-level knowledge or equivalent operational experience prior to attending this workshop.