Rock Rescue

As low as:

$425.00 / person

(at 6:1 ratio) Next Trip: Jun 21 - 22, 2025
  • STRENUOUSNESS
    •  
    •  
    •  
  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
    •  
    •  
    •  

    Upcoming Trips

    Don't see a date that works?
    Start a new trip
  • Jun 21 - 22, 2025
    Book Trip
    6 spots available. $425.00

    Course Location: Comox Lake Crags

Add-ons

Rental Rock Rescue Kit $15.00

Includes: a harness, helmet, belay device & locking carabiner, 3 locking carabiners (one “pear” shaped), 3 non-locking carabiners (two matching flat stock “D” shaped), 7mm accessory cord (2 x five-meter lengths), 7mm accessory cord (1 x 1.5 meter length), and a double shoulder length sewn sling (120cm length, rated to 22kn)

Fleming Beach - Individual Rock Climbing Permit $12.00

The Township of Esquimalt requires all climbers at Fleming Beach to sign their waiver and be assigned an individual rock climbing permit ($12 - valid for one year). If paying for your permit as an IAG add-on, instructions for digitally completing your individual permit will be sent to you approximately one week before your course date. Alternatively, permits can be purchased in-person at the Esquimalt Rec Centre.

About


Learning to enact a rock rescue is essential for anyone climbing more than half a rope length off the ground, whether a leader or follower. Without this knowledge, climbers can find themselves in high risk situations. Over two days, we’ll focus entirely on technical systems, covering the basics of improvised self-rescue and moving on to techniques used for more complicated scenarios as time allows. These skills are essential for climbers and can be called upon to deal with a variety of emergency scenarios. 

Our guides are training providers for Island-based Search and Rescue Teams and Air Force SAR Techs. Our Rock Rescue courses have been featured by Chek News.

Curriculum

  • Basics of improvised self-rescue
  • Rescue anchors
  • Station-management
  • Blocking and escaping belays
  • Raising and lowering systems
  • Tools for complicated rescue scenarios (as time and participant experience allows), including multiple lowers, rappels with victims, passing knots, rope ascending, and other techniques used in multi-pitch rescue

Included in the price

  • 2 days of instruction with an ACMG guide
  • Group technical gear

Not included in the price

  • Personal technical gear (harness, helmet, carabiners, belay devices, climbing shoes – available for rent)
  • Transportation to and from meeting point
  • Food
  • Accommodation

Questions? Check out our FAQ page or send us an email!

Locations


  • Comox Lake Crags (Cumberland)
  • Fleming Beach (Esquimalt)

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one week before your course.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

Itinerary


A typical day starts at 09:00 and ends around 17:00. 

Curriculum delivery will depend on the students, the instructor and other factors such as weather and conditions, but below is a general idea of what to expect:

Day 1 

09:00 – Meet at the location specified in your pre-trip email. Upon arrival you will sign waivers (please note that anyone under 19 needs to have their waiver signed by a parent or guardian and sent in prior to the course).

The crags are a short hike from the parking lot. You will set up here for the day, progressing through the curriculum at a pace that works for your group. Expect to finish around 17:00.

Day 2 

09:00 – Meet at the location specified by your instructor the day before.  

17:00 – Debrief to complete the course.

Exact meeting details will be provided in a pre-trip email sent one-week prior to your course. Questions? Check out our FAQ page for details, or send us an email. 

Requirements


This is an intermediate-level course. Prior to registering, participants should:

  • Have completed an Intro to Rock course (or have equivalent experience)
  • Have basic anchor construction skills
  • Be prepared to spend a full day (approximately 9am - 5pm) outside in variable conditions

Pre-course homework

To maximize efficiency on your course, please ensure you are comfortable with the following knots and hitches:


Each of the knots and hitches listed above are hyperlinked to an online learning resource/video for practice.

Questions about the suitability of this course? Send us an email. We're happy to help you find or customized courses to suit your needs. 


Gear List 


Your instructor will provide all group gear (or “the rack” -- ropes, slings, carabiners, etc.). Please bring the following, and reach out if you have any questions:

Technical Gear

  • Harness 
  • Helmet 
  • ATC Guide device & locking carabiner 
  • 4 locking carabiners (one “pear” shaped)
  • 3 non-locking carabiners 
  • 7mm accessory cord (2 x five-meter lengths)
  • 7mm accessory cord (1 x 1.5 meter length)
  • Double shoulder length sewn sling (120cm length, rated to 22kn)

If you require any of the items on the technical gear list, please email us to request it. Most people taking this course are climbers already but we could rent a “climbing kit” which includes all the above.

Clothing: 

  • T-shirt or long-sleeve (ideally loose-fitting)
  • Pants (ideally loose-fitting, tapered at the ankle) 
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants) 
  • Mid-weight insulating jacket 
  • Approach shoes (something that will provide some support on trails to the climb)
  • Toque and/or sun hat 
  • A sturdy walking shoe or boot (climbing shoes are not required for this course)

Note: If you are taking this course in the early spring or fall, please bring additional warm layers.

Other: 

  • Sunglasses that block 100% UV 
  • Sunscreen 
  • SPF lip balm 
  • Lunch (pre-prepared) and snacks 
  • Water bottle (2L)
  • Notebook and pencil (Rite in the Rain recommended) 
  • 30L backpack 

If you own any additional equipment, you are encouraged to bring it along so that you can learn more about the gear you already own.

Rentals


Technical gear: available as a Rock Rescue Kit for $15 when you book.

Questions? Send us an email or read our blog for advice on choosing appropriate gear. 



Testimonials

Thank you IAG for setting up this Rock Rescue course! Lorne was very knowledgeable and adaptable. I certainly got everything I could have wanted from this course! Chantal, Victoria, BC.
The most well taught and invaluable course with regards to rock climbing I've ever done! Franjo Gasparovic, Courtenay, BC.
If someone had been injured while climbing I had no idea what to do until taking a course like this! Clive Powsey, Cumberland, BC.
Before I forget I thought I’d write a quick note about the Rock Rescue course we had with Lyle last weekend. It was an incredibly informative few days and well all really enjoyed it (and learned a lot). Lyle was absolutely great. Thanks for your help in putting this together for us! Alois Schonenberger, Victoria, BC.
The course was very helpful. We love the location. Graeme's teaching was effective. We had plenty time to practice. At the end of the course, we had much more confidence with the sport. Neil Han, Victoria, BC
The pacing of the course and the order in which the information was excellent, as was the amount of time we had to practice each skill on the ground and off the ground. Other courses I have taken (with other companies), have at times felt rushed in the time needed for practice so I really appreciated that. I also felt that the instructor was very responsive to our individual comfort levels with the systems and allowed us extra practice and instruction when needed. Overall it was a great experience! Megan, Rock Rescue Course
Dane was excellent. Super professional and incredibly knowledgeable. I went into the course not very stoked with a kind of "eat your vegetables" mindset since this was material that was necessary to know to be safe while climbing - but had a great time and really enjoyed it. Ed, Rock Rescue Course