Guide Level 2 - Training

A Level 2 Guide is qualified to lead commercial and organised groups in canyons rated up to V3A3ii. This programme compromises a three-day training course  (Advanced Canyoning Pro) followed by consolidation then a two-day assessment.

The UKCA Advanced Canyoning Pro is the second level of professional training within the UKCA award scheme. This training is designed for the competent Canyoning Guide level 1 who wishes to prepare for the Level 2 Guide assessment in order to lead canyoning/gorge walking excursions in a commercial/professional environment rated up to V3A3ii.

Profile

On completion of the course, the student will have the skills and knowledge to progress into more advanced canyons rated V3.A3.ii and above. The graduate will have strong technical skills in canyon environments, demonstrating anticipatory skills for reducing risk to themselves and their teammates. The student will have the skills to progress into and lead multi-pitch canyons with strong knowledge of Swiftwater, rescue and technical rigging. The student will have the technical knowledge to lead in canyons rated up to V3A3ii.

Trainer

UKCA Senior Trainer

Duration 

3 days

Cost

£360pp 

Prerequisites

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Good level of fitness and swimming ability.
• Have completed the Level 1 Guide Assessment (or similar) 

UKCA recommends the student has consolidated skills working as a Level 1 guide and has a good level of canyoning experience.  

Membership

Professional Membership.

Syllabus

Day 1 - Theory, Rope Progression and Swift water

Part 1A - Theory

The student will learn about the roles and responsibilities of working as a Level 2 Guide

• UKCA professional standards and behaviour
• UKCA working controls
• UKCA Guide L1 role and responsibility
• Working with a second guide
• Psychology - Feedback from L1 Guide Training

Part 1B - Horizontal Rope Progression

The student will learn how to move safely on:

• Full void traverse lines with intermediate points

Part 1C - Vertical Rope Progression

• Passing knots on descent
• Passing knots on ascent
• Descend using improvised descenders
• Ascend using improvised device
• Ascend on double rope
• Pass a knot on a double rope
• Pass a rebelay
• Ascend a guided abseil

Day 2 - Anchors and Rigging

Part 2A - Rigging Theory

• Fall factor and impact force
• Single, twin and double rope systems
• Compound and Isolated rigging systems
• Rope optimisation and packing

Part 2B - Anchors

• Identification and use of natural anchors
• Human Anchors
• Retrievable anchor systems

Part 2C - Rigging Traverse Lines

• Set up - Fixed traverse line without intermediate points
• Set up - Fixed traverse line with intermediate points
• Set up - Retrievable traverse line with intermediate points

Part 2D - Rigging Systems

• Releasable System - Twin Rope (MMO)
• Releasable System - Twin Rope (Releasable fig 8 block)
• Releasable System - Twin Rope (Joker system)
• Releasable System - Double Rope
• Static System - Twin Rope (Stone Knot)
• Static System - Twin Rope (Fig 8 Block)
• Multi-Pitch Rigging
• Guided Rappel - In loop method

Day 3 - Rescue and Swift Water

Part 3A - Rescue on Rope

• Indirect - Counterbalance haul rescue using PCP
• Indirect - 3:1 Simple Haul
• Direct - Assistance rescue
• Direct - Rope cut rescue

Part 3B - Swift Water Progression - Canyon rated A3 or River grade 2 max

• Defensive swimming.
• Active (Aggressive) swimming.
• River Crossing advanced techniques.
• Set up and use a tension diagonal.

Part 3C - Swift Water Rescue

• Rescue principles - Shout Reach Throw Go
• Contact Rescue
• Swift-water tie off