ITRA Tactical Rappel Master Certification
(in conjunction with ITRA Level 3 / Instructor Course)
Dates: May 13 - 18, 2024
Location/Host: Spokane County Sheriff's Office, SWAT Building, 5505 E. Rutter Ave. Spokane WA. 99212
Tactical Rappel Master Course (with helicopter endorsement) (TRM-H) (ITRA Qualification Course - 3 Year Certification)
The DAV Tactical Rappel Master with helicopter endorsement (TRM-H) is a 48 hour ITRA Certification course (3 year) delivered in 6 days, designed to give law enforcement officers an alternative safe solution to many situations, and develop true vertical mobility in a tactical situation, that is, an incident that involves a human antagonist, armed or unarmed. This is an advanced level 1 course, and will also address inspections and methodology needed to safely conduct basic rope training for police departments. The helicopter endorsement includes the ITRA component of helicopter rappel and extraction.
Cost: $1350
Cancellation Policy: Registration can be cancelled up to 30 days prior to the course to receive a full refund of the total amount paid (minus any course associated purchases). No refund will be given if registration is cancelled within 7 days or less of the start of the course.
Slots Available: There are 12 slots available for the TRM-H. Course minimum is 10 registrations for either level course.
Target Audience: Special Operations police and military units tasked with direct action operations to access areas by a vertical medium (urban or wilderness) to effect an arrest, conduct hostage rescue, rescue/transport downed operators, set up over watches or containment, board vessels, or infiltrate criminal facilities.
Prerequisites: There is no specific course pre-requisite, but operators attending this advanced level 1+ course should already have basic knowledge of a few knots, donning a harness, basic rappelling (and tie off) and basic ability to ascend a rope (not a screen-out, but highly recommended). An entry packet with a required knot list and a description of the entry skills test will be sent upon registration. Packet will include links to training videos that demonstrate all entry tests. Operators will be expected to report with all duty gear, entry gear anticipated for vertical access, their duty handgun and/or SBR, 100 rounds of ammunition, and range safety PPE. Night vision devices are recommended for the night operation exercise.
Qualifications/Certifications/Records: Course will culminate in a physical skills assessment on Day 6 that will include assessments of learning objectives from the International Technical Rescue Association tactical division. This is a 3 year qualification (certification) that is recorded in the ITRA / ITM database and is referable by any agency seeking verification. Registration into ITRA database is included with course fee. Each student will have a profile established on ITM (if permitted by agency policy). To maintain the qualification, the assessment performance test will have to be repeated every 3 years. https://itra.international/
Course Description: This is an intensive special operations course designed specifically for law enforcement operators to develop true vertical mobility on rope as a single responder and to manage team-based operations. Use of force considerations, actions on contact, tactical medical, and agency policy considerations are integrated throughout. Course is roughly 48 contact hours in 6 days, as it will include slightly extended days, a half day of helicopter operations, and a night operations session after dinner Wednesday. Let DAV know if that is an issue with time rules / OT / union agreements, etc. We’ll adapt accordingly and can revise as needed.
TRM is based on single rope techniques (SRT) and Small Party Assisted Rescue (SPAR) tactics used by the most proficient SRT practitioners in the world…cavers and arborists. These are light-weight / go-fast rope professionals that go anywhere, and can do the most with the least amount of gear. The TRM course synthesizes tactical rope operations with these concepts. Our instructors are accomplished practitioners of all three industries. Course is designed for a small unit of 2 to 4 operators working as a team.
There are several role player supported Reality Based Training (RBT) drills embedded in the course to give mission context to the training, and build true confidence in operators so that they KNOW they can succeed and win when the time comes, not just hope that they can. To that end we integrate full mission gear into training, live fire familiarization drills, night operations, and confined space to build unconscious competence. There is typically a live fire or NLTA familiarization course-of-fire for practicing cover techniques while suspended on rope.
NOTE: These are high intensity, special operations courses with multiple testing components. The days are long and the volume of delivery is high. Courses are psychologically and physically strenuous. Physical fitness is a must. If you can't climb 6 flights of stairs with a full kit without being winded and unable to engage accurately with a firearm, reconsider.
Course Includes: 48 contact hours, ITRA assessment, student manual, course patch, Rappel Master patch, ITRA member registration fee, dinner of night operations, and basic cordage (tubular webbing, prusik cord, knot tying rope, HMS carabiner). Gear can be signed out to operators for the course. (Please advise in advance)
Pre-Course Documents: Upon completing registration, we will provide you with pre-course equipment check list, knot list, pre-course reading, and video of entry test / scoring criteria.
Equipment: All ropes and vertical gear CAN be provided by Direct Action Vertical, but we encourage participants to try using the gear issued to them by their department. There ARE some restrictions on gear (certain rappel devices like ATC, Gri-Gri etc. not allowed), which will be covered in the pre-course checklist. While heavy SPRAT / NFPA gear and harnesses are allowed, we strongly recommend lightweight caver style tactical harnesses that mesh well with assault gear. Speed in donning and vertical movement is safety in the tactical realm, which is why your rope course assessments are timed. You are already carrying a lot of extra mission gear for entry. Operators will be expected to report with all duty gear, entry gear anticipated for vertical access, their duty handgun and/or SBR, 100 rounds of ammunition, and range safety PPE.
Attire: Field duty / tactical uniform / camouflage. Sturdy boots. Inclement weather gear.
Firearms Safety: Weapons will be cleared by firearms instructors each morning, after lunch, and each time you return to the training area. If you have a chamber flag for your weapon, please bring it.
Contact: Eddy Cartaya, 541-213-6257, [email protected]
