Climb on a Rope? Take a Rock Rescue Course

In many parts of Canada, the United States, and Europe, the 2025 outdoor climbing season in 2025 is quickly approaching. Climbers are training hard, purchasing new gear, setting goals, and making dream tick-lists. Understandably, most climbers are not thinking about things that could go wrong the next time they rope up for a day of cragging or a multi-pitch adventure. But things do go wrong. And when they do, in many climbing areas, a team of heroes is standing by for the call.

Most search and rescue teams are either entirely volunteer-run or are a hybrid of staff and volunteers. These teams require very highly trained individuals that must be ready to respond to a call at any given time of day. The tasks they perform are dangerous and they must be in peak physical condition while they execute often logistically complicated rescues. 

The hope is that we will never have to interact with search and rescue. But if they are working around the clock to ensure our safety, the very least we can do try and learn how to keep ourselves safe in the first place.

If you’re a sport or trad climber, you should seriously consider taking a rock rescue course. This is especially true if you like climbing multi-pitches. It doesn’t matter if you’re a new climber or if you’ve been climbing for a decade, unless you’ve studied the subject in detail, you’re almost certain to learn something new in a rock rescue course. If you have already taken a course but your skills are rusty, it may be time for you to practice the skills you’ve previously learned or even take a refresher course. 

Rock rescue course topics can vary, but they usually include things like:

• Executing technical skills like escaping a loaded belay 
• Ascending a rope with a prussik
• Setting up pulley systems
• Tandem lowering or rappelling techniques with an injured partner
• Friction brakes for lowering an injured climber
• Passing a knot or bad section of rope

Courses are sometimes offered in large groups or you can join a couple of friends and pay for a private session together with a certified rock guide.  If you’re new to outdoor climbing, a rock rescue course with a local guide should be top of mind as you transition to climbing outdoors, particularly if you think you’ll be multi-pitching or climbing in remote areas. Joining a first aid or wilderness first aid course is never a bad idea as well.

Most search and rescue organizations rely on donations to continue with their crucial work. Consider making a donation to your local search and rescue team and budget a donation to areas you visit on your climbing trips.