Single Person Vertical

Performing a pick off of an "unconscious" patient. Photo by K. Richards. Class Prerequisites: Ascend and descend 80 feet. Able to perform changeovers in both directions. Able to cross a knot in both directions. Duration: 6 Hours Equipment Needed: Cave Pack, with standard caving gear. Full vertical system. Caving ropes. Description: This class teaches cavers how to perform pickoffs for rescue. The student will learn how to perform a pickoff and rappel, a pickoff with fixed brake lower, and a counterbalance pickoff of an unconscious patient. Cavers will learn methods to safely transfer the weight of a patient from off of their own gear onto a descending device. They will also learn about the effects of harness pathology, and how it can affect a caver stuck on rope.