Placer County Sheriff’s

Mountain Rescue Team

Training Plan

Training Objectives

Training Module / Training Section / Training Obj. / Training Req. / Objective
1 / 1 / 0 / -1 / Pass a pre-approved Mountaineering Course for sign off of Module 1, Section 1, Objectives 1-3
1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / Module 1 - Snow and Ice Skills - Knowledge Based
1 / 1 / 1 / 0 / Personal Protective Equipment
1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Explain acceptable and unacceptable clothing for cold weather operations.
1 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Explain the importance of headgear for cold weather operations.
1 / 1 / 1 / 3 / Explain the layering system for cold weather operations.
1 / 1 / 1 / 4 / Explain the appropriate footgear for the alpine environment.
1 / 1 / 2 / 0 / Equipment
1 / 1 / 2 / 1 / Discuss the function of an ice axe and describe all components.
1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / Discuss the proper way to use the avalanche probe to probe for a victim.
1 / 1 / 3 / 0 / Avalanche Operations
1 / 1 / 3 / 1 / Discuss the importance of terrain in avalanche evaluation.
1 / 1 / 3 / 2 / Discuss the importance of snow pack in avalanche evaluation.
1 / 1 / 3 / 3 / Discuss the importance of weather in avalanche evaluation.
1 / 1 / 3 / 4 / Discuss the elements of safe route selection.
1 / 1 / 3 / 5 / Describe the proper use of a avalanche beacon within MRA standards.
1 / 1 / 4 / 0 / Patient Management
1 / 1 / 4 / 1 / Describe the four methods of heat loss and how to minimize them.
1 / 2 / 0 / 0 / Module 1 - Snow and Ice Skills - Performance Based
1 / 2 / 1 / 0 / Equipment
1 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Demonstrate possession of the appropriate PPE in accordance with the PCSOMRT Equipment List.
1 / 2 / 1 / 2 / Demonstrate knowledge of and experience with emergency snow shelter construction.
1 / 2 / 1 / 3 / Demonstrate the proper ways to carry an ice axe.
1 / 2 / 1 / 4 / Demonstrate the proper way to grasp an ice axe.
1 / 2 / 1 / 5 / Demonstrate the use of crampons while carrying a 30-40 pound pack.
1 / 2 / 1 / 6 / Demonstrate the ability to effectively travel on skis or snowshoes with a 30-40 pound pack.
1 / 2 / 2 / 0 / Snow and Ice Skills
1 / 2 / 2 / 1 / Demonstrate the proper method to ascend a slope in steep snow
1 / 2 / 2 / 2 / Demonstrate the Rest Step
1 / 2 / 2 / 3 / Demonstrate the proper way to descend a slope in steep snow/ice.
1 / 2 / 2 / 4 / Demonstrate the proper way to Glissade in the sitting position.
1 / 2 / 2 / 5 / Demonstrate tying into a Rope Team - End Position.
1 / 2 / 2 / 6 / Demonstrate tying into a Rope Team - Middle Position.
1 / 2 / 2 / 7 / Demonstrate the quick belay - Boot-Ax Method.
1 / 2 / 2 / 8 / Demonstrate the quick belay - Carabiner/Ice-Ax Method.
1 / 2 / 2 / 9 / Demonstrate the sitting hip belay - without an anchor.
1 / 2 / 2 / 10 / Demonstrate the proper way to self-arrest in steep snow.
1 / 2 / 3 / 0 / Avalanche Operations
1 / 2 / 3 / 1 / Demonstrate the proper use of an avalanche probe.
1 / 2 / 3 / 2 / Demonstrate the proper use of an avalanche beacon.
1 / 2 / 3 / 3 / Demonstrate the ability to perform a hasty snow pack evaluation
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / Demonstrate the ability to perform a safety rating based on snow pack, weather and terrain.
1 / 2 / 3 / 5 / Demonstrate the ability to perform a safe route selection
1 / 2 / 3 / 0 / Anchor Systems for Snow and Ice
1 / 2 / 4 / 1 / Demonstrate the use of a Deadman Anchor.
1 / 2 / 4 / 2 / Demonstrate the use of a Single Vertical Snow Picket.
1 / 2 / 4 / 3 / Demonstrate the use of Horizontal Tandem Snow Pickets
1 / 2 / 4 / 4 / Demonstrate the proper use of a Snow Fluke.
1 / 2 / 4 / 5 / Demonstrate the proper use of a Snow Bollard.
1 / 2 / 4 / 6 / Demonstrate the use of multiple snow anchors.
1 / 2 / 5 / 0 / Rescue Systems for Snow and Ice
1 / 2 / 5 / 1 / Demonstrate the ability to construct a lowering system using snow anchors.
1 / 2 / 5 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to construct a raising system using snow anchors.
1 / 2 / 5 / 3 / Demonstrate the ability to construct a belay system using snow anchors.
1 / 2 / 6 / 0 / Patient Management
1 / 2 / 6 / 1 / Demonstrate internal and external lashing of the hypothermic patient.
1 / 2 / 6 / 2 / Demonstrate the proper method of attaching the mainline to the litter.
1 / 2 / 6 / 3 / Demonstrate the proper method of attaching the belay line to the litter.
1 / 2 / 6 / 4 / Demonstrate the proper method of attaching the rescuer to the raising/lowering system.
2 / 1 / 0 / -1 / Pass a pre-approved Rigging Course for sign off of Module 2, Section 1, Objectives 1-4
2 / 1 / 0 / 0 / Module 2 - Technical Rock Rescue - Knowledge Based
2 / 1 / 1 / 0 / Hardware / Software / Safety
2 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Explain the importance of safety checks and the buddy system.
2 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Discuss the pro’s and con’s of a single rope system vs. a double rope system.
2 / 1 / 1 / 3 / Discuss the various components of your PPE.
2 / 1 / 1 / 4 / Explain the importance of a Safety Officer.
2 / 1 / 1 / 5 / Explain the construction and strength of our rescue ropes.
2 / 1 / 1 / 6 / Explain the construction and strength of the various webbing.
2 / 1 / 1 / 7 / Explain the purpose of a rope bag.
2 / 1 / 1 / 8 / Discuss the Pro’s and Con’s of aluminum and steel carabiners.
2 / 1 / 1 / 9 / List the usages of the Kootenay Knot-Passing pulley.
2 / 1 / 1 / 10 / Describe the purpose of an anchor plate.
2 / 1 / 1 / 11 / Discuss the various ways to increase lifting power.
2 / 1 / 1 / 12 / Discuss materials that may be used for edge protection.
2 / 1 / 1 / 13 / Discuss the safety issues and duties of an edge tender.
2 / 1 / 1 / 14 / Explain the terms Static System Safety Factor (SSSF), Safe Working Load (SWL) and Impact Force.
2 / 1 / 1 / 15 / Discuss the meaning of a 10:1 Static System Safety factor (SSSF).
2 / 1 / 2 / 0 / Anchors
2 / 1 / 2 / 1 / Describe a Bomb Proof Anchor.
2 / 1 / 2 / 2 / Discuss suitable natural anchors.
2 / 1 / 2 / 3 / Discuss Critical Angle in an anchor system.
2 / 1 / 3 / 0 / Litter Rigging and Tending
2 / 1 / 3 / 1 / Discuss the various options for a low angle evacuation.
2 / 1 / 4 / 0 / Highline Rescue Systems
2 / 1 / 4 / 1 / Define the acceptable rules for tensioning a highline.
2 / 1 / 4 / 2 / List the components of a Kootenay Highline.
2 / 1 / 4 / 3 / List the components of a Reeving Highline System.
2 / 1 / 5 / 0 / Rock Climbing
2 / 1 / 5 / 1 / Explain why a dynamic rope is used in technical rock climbing.
2 / 1 / 5 / 2 / Discuss the meaning of fall factor and how it can be reduced.
2 / 1 / 5 / 3 / Explain the Class System used to classify terrain as Class 1 through Class 5.
2 / 1 / 5 / 4 / Explain the Yosemite Rating System in technical rock climbing.
2 / 1 / 5 / 5 / Explain meaning of the equipment rating in kiloNewtons (kN) that appear on climbing gear. Discuss how that rating may influence the selection of gear for fall protection.
2 / 1 / 5 / 6 / Discuss how equipment ratings in kiloNewtons (kN) may influence the selection of gear for fall protection.
2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / Module 2 - Technical Rock Rescue - Performance Based
2 / 2 / 1 / 0 / Hardware / Software / Safety
2 / 2 / 1 / 1 / Demonstrate the proper way to inspect and clean a Rescue Rope.
2 / 2 / 2 / 0 / Knots
2 / 2 / 2 / 1 / Demonstrate the Figure Eight on a Bight.
2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / Demonstrate the Figure Eight Follow-through.
2 / 2 / 2 / 3 / Demonstrate the Double Fisherman’s knot.
2 / 2 / 2 / 4 / Demonstrate the In-Line Figure Eight.
2 / 2 / 2 / 5 / Demonstrate the Water Knot.
2 / 2 / 2 / 6 / Demonstrate the Munter Hitch.
2 / 2 / 2 / 7 / Demonstrate the Radium 3 Load Releasing Hitch.
2 / 2 / 2 / 8 / Demonstrate the Butterfly knot.
2 / 2 / 2 / 9 / Demonstrate the Girth Hitch.
2 / 2 / 2 / 10 / Demonstrate the Clove Hitch.
2 / 2 / 2 / 11 / Demonstrate the Round Turn / Two Half Hitches.
2 / 2 / 2 / 12 / Demonstrate the Triple Wrap Prusik.
2 / 2 / 2 / 13 / Demonstrate a Tensionless Hitch.
2 / 2 / 2 / 14 / Tie an Improvised Sit Harness.
2 / 2 / 2 / 15 / Tie an Improvised Chest Harness.
2 / 2 / 3 / 0 / Anchors
2 / 2 / 3 / 1 / Construct a Three-Wrap-Two-Pull anchor.
2 / 2 / 3 / 2 / Construct a Pre-Tensioned Back Tie.
2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / Demonstrate the difference between Load Sharing and Load Distributing anchors.
2 / 2 / 3 / 4 / Demonstrate the proper application of various types of edge protection.
2 / 2 / 3 / 5 / Demonstrate the proper method of tying in as an edge tender.
2 / 2 / 4 / 0 / Belay Systems
2 / 2 / 4 / 1 / Demonstrate the Tandem Prusik Belay system.
2 / 2 / 4 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to reverse the direction of the load.
2 / 2 / 4 / 3 / Demonstrate the ability to pass a knot through the system.
2 / 2 / 5 / 0 / Lowering Systems.
2 / 2 / 5 / 1 / Establish an anchor and demonstrate the use of a Brake Bar Rack for a Lowering System
2 / 2 / 5 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to reverse the direction of the load.
2 / 2 / 5 / 3 / Demonstrate the ability to pass a knot through the system.
2 / 2 / 6 / 0 / Raising Systems
2 / 2 / 6 / 1 / Demonstrate the 3:1 "Z" Rig Mechanical Advantage.
2 / 2 / 6 / 2 / Demonstrate a Simple 5:1 Mechanical Advantage.
2 / 2 / 6 / 3 / Demonstrate a 6:1 Mechanical Advantage.
2 / 2 / 6 / 4 / Demonstrate the ability to reverse the direction of the load.
2 / 2 / 6 / 5 / Demonstrate the ability to pass a knot through the system.
2 / 2 / 7 / 0 / Rappels
2 / 2 / 7 / 1 / Demonstrate rappelling with a Figure Eight.
2 / 2 / 7 / 2 / Demonstrate the tie-off of a Figure Eight.
2 / 2 / 7 / 3 / Demonstrate rappelling with a Brake Bar Rack.
2 / 2 / 7 / 4 / Demonstrate the tie-off of a Brake Bar Rack.
2 / 2 / 7 / 5 / Demonstrate rappelling with a Munter Hitch.
2 / 2 / 7 / 6 / Demonstrate the tie-off of the Munter Hitch.
2 / 2 / 7 / 7 / Demonstrate rappelling with a self-belay device.
2 / 2 / 7 / 8 / Demonstrate the ability to pass a knot on a rappel and while ascending.
2 / 2 / 7 / 9 / Demonstrate the ability to change from a rappel to an ascend.
2 / 2 / 8 / 0 / Ascending the Rope
2 / 2 / 8 / 1 / Demonstrate the ability to ascend a fixed rope using ascenders and foot stirrups.
2 / 2 / 8 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to change to a rappel.
2 / 2 / 8 / 3 / Demonstrate the ability to ascend past a knot.
2 / 2 / 9 / 0 / Pick-Off Rescues
2 / 2 / 9 / 1 / Demonstrate the ability to execute a Rappel Pick-Off.
2 / 2 / 9 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to be lowered and execute a Pick-Off.
2 / 2 / 9 / 3 / Demonstrate the ability to perform a Tilt-lift Pick Off with a stokes.
2 / 2 / 10 / 0 / Litter Rigging and Tending
2 / 2 / 10 / 1 / Demonstrate the ability to rig the litter with spider straps.
2 / 2 / 10 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to adjust the spider straps for various angles.
2 / 2 / 10 / 3 / Demonstrate that ability to tie into the litter rigging as an Attendant.
2 / 2 / 10 / 4 / Demonstrate the ability to move inside and outside of the spider straps.
2 / 2 / 10 / 5 / Demonstrate the ability to tie the litter to the mainline.
2 / 2 / 10 / 6 / Demonstrate the ability to tie the litter to the belay line.
2 / 2 / 11 / 0 / High Line Rescue Systems
2 / 2 / 11 / 1 / Demonstrate the ability to rig a high line.
2 / 2 / 11 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to operate a high line.
2 / 2 / 12 / 0 / Rock Climbing
2 / 2 / 12 / 1 / Demonstrate communication with another climber using proper climbing commands.
2 / 2 / 12 / 2 / Demonstrate the ability to properly tie in as both a climber and a belayer.
2 / 2 / 12 / 3 / Demonstrate the ability to properly belay a climber.
2 / 2 / 12 / 4 / Demonstrate the proper placement of active protection, such as a cam device, in both a vertical and horizontal crack system.
2 / 2 / 12 / 5 / Demonstrate the proper placement of passive protection, such as a hex, wedge or nut, in a crack system.
2 / 2 / 12 / 6 / Demonstrate the ability to properly describe the forces that will be applied to active and passive protection devices in the event the device is loaded.
2 / 2 / 12 / 7 / Demonstrate the ability to build a Load Distributing Anchor (LDA) or Load Sharing Anchor (LSA) using active and/or passive climbing protection, and cordage and/or webbing.
3 / 1 / 0 / 0 / Module 3 - Search Management Techniques - Knowledge Based
3 / 1 / 1 / -1 / Attend the OES Direction and Control of the Search Function for sign off of Module 3, Section 1, Objectives 1-9
3 / 1 / 1 / 0 / Search Management
3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / Describe the application of the concept of urgency of response.
3 / 1 / 1 / 2 / Describe the PCSO MRT Call-Out procedures.
3 / 1 / 1 / 3 / Describe the application of the search technique - Confinement.
3 / 1 / 1 / 4 / Describe the application of the search technique - Trail Blocks.
3 / 1 / 1 / 5 / Describe the application of the search technique - Attraction.
3 / 1 / 1 / 6 / Explain the relationship of the ICS modular concept as it relates to a typical search incident.
3 / 1 / 1 / 7 / Explain the five (5) functional sections of the ICS.
3 / 1 / 1 / 8 / Explain the four management levels of the Operations Section.
3 / 1 / 2 / 0 / Probability of Detection (POD)
3 / 1 / 2 / 1 / Define Probability of Detection (POD).
3 / 1 / 2 / 2 / Describe the factors that effect the Probability of Detection (POD) for a search team.
3 / 1 / 3 / 0 / Observation Skills and Techniques
3 / 1 / 3 / 1 / Describe Clue Awareness as a scanning and observation skill or technique.