Instructor s Manual Module 1 Fundamentals of Rock Climbing
Table of Contents Section Title Page # Introduction 3 Course Objectives 3 Instructors Checklist 4 Pre-Test 5 Fitting the Harness 5 Tying a Single-Eight Knot 8 Tying a Double-Eight Knot 10 2
Introduction Enter the room and seemingly trip over your untied shoelace. Explain the importance of simple knots and reassure the students that the learning will be almost as simple as tying their shoe. Course Objectives Explain that the objectives are to: Properly choose the correct harness size. Put on the harness correctly. Tie a single-eight knot correctly. Tie a double-eight knot correctly. Final objective is to put the harness correctly and tie a double 8 knot 3
Instructors Checklist Before Instruction: Review Manual Practice knots Gather enough ropes and harnesses for the learners Bring enough job aids for the learners Arrange room (space, etc.) Make sure to give the harness chart to the learners 4
Pre-Test Ask students if they have ever been rock climbing or worn a rock climbing harness. Ask students if they have prior experience tying knots (i.e., Boy Scouts, sailing experience, knitting etc). Ask students if anyone has ever tied a double-eight knot. Ask students who claim to know how to tie a double-eight knot to demonstrate. Fitting the Harness 1. Show harness. Explain that the harness is part of your lifeline. 2. Point to, and explain parts on harness. (Webbing, gear racking loops, chalk bag clip, leg loops, buckle, and belay loop) Explain proper harness care and maintenance. -Make sure your harness is not frayed or ripped. -Don t leave in the sun. -Keep it oil free. -Use non-abrasive detergent if necessary to wash. Front of harness Back of harness 5
Fitting the Harness Continued 3. Show how to orient harness by putting buckle in front with leg loops dangling below. 3. Put on harness. 5. Feed webbing through the buckle like putting on a belt. Explain that harness must fit tightly. Take webbing 7. Demonstrate how to double back through the buckle. Doubling back helps ensure buckle will not come open. You should have at least 3 inches of webbing left over after doubling back. 7. Ask learners to pick out a harness. Choose a harness size by putting the webbing around your waist to view if you have enough material to buckle and double back. Pull through buckle 6
Fitting the Harness Continued 1. After removing your harness, stand beside learners and put it on again. Ask learners to put on their harnesses with you. 3. Ask the learners to remove their harnesses and put them on again on their own. Give praise and feedback as appropriate. 5. Ask learners if they have any questions. Cinch tight Double back the webbing 7
Tying a Single-Eight Knot 1. Show rope. Demonstrate that climbing ropes are stretchy unlike a regular rope. Explain proper rope care and maintenance. -Rope should not be frayed or cut. -It should not be left in the sun. -It should not be stepped on. -It should be kept oil free. 10. Make a small loop about 3 feet from the end of the rope. Show how you would normally tie a simple overhand knot. Remove the knot and make the loop again. Take rope three feet from the end 3. Stand beside the learner. While tying the knot, explain that instead of putting the end of the rope straight through like the overhand knot you go around and put it through the other side. A correctly completed knot looks like an 8. There should be at least two feet of rope after your eight knot. Make a loop 8
Tying a Single-Eight Knot Continued 4. Remove the knot and tie it again. Correct knot tying will help you to be safe. Incorrect knot tying could lead to disaster. 5. Repeat previous step while explaining that the end of the rope is a rabbit and the loop is the rabbit s hole. The rabbit comes in toward the hole but instead of going in it decides to go around and enter in the back way. 6. Ask learners to try the knot with you. Pull the end through the loop 7. Observe every learner tie the knot without demonstrating. Ask them to show you how to do it. 8. Have each learner repeat the knot three to five times. Give praise and feedback as appropriate. 9. Ask the learners if they have questions. A correct single 8 knot 9
Tying a Double-Eight Knot 1. Demonstrate tying a double-eight knot while standing beside the learners. The purpose of the double-eight knot is to tie into your harness. With a completed single eight knot in your rope, feed the tail end up through both loops of your harness. The single-eight knot should be close to your body, but is not fed through the harness loops. 3. After feeding the tail end of the rope up through your harness loops it is brought back through the single-eight knot. By feeding the rope back through the path of the single-eight knot you will create a double-eight knot. 3. A correctly completed double-eight knot looks like two 8 s next to each other. (see the figure on the next page) Feed from the bottom 4. Tighten by pulling both ends of the rope simultaneously. It is very important to double check everything! Pull the single-8 knot close 5. Undo the double-eight knot and tie it again. 10
Tying a Double-Eight Knot Continued 6. Undo the double-eight knot and tie it again. This time ask the learners to tie it with you. 7. Ask the learners to tie the double-eight knot on their own. Observe each of them. Have them repeat it three to five times. Give praise and feedback as appropriate. Remind learners to double check everything! Follow the single-8 knot back 8. Ask the learners if they have questions. A correct double 8 knot 11
Wrap-up Perform each objective once more. This time do each step incorrectly. Ask the learners to point out each of your errors and describe the correct procedure. Make the corrections after the learners have told you what you did wrong and how to do it correctly. Distribute prepared handouts to the students. These handouts will be job aids of each objective that the learners can refer to when they practice the objectives on their own. Once we achieve the final objective double check the harness and rope 12