Keltic Falcon training process covers all of the following topics and skills as described for each level within the IRATA and SPRAT curriculums.

IRATA LEVEL 1 Syllabus

Theoretical Knowledge
The content of the level 1 syllabus for theoretical knowledge covers:

• relevant legislation, guidelines and standards;
• awareness of risk assessment and safety method statement;
• awareness of permit to work systems;
• exclusion zones;
• working practices and worksite organisation;
• categories of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• selection, use and maintenance of equipment;
• equipment checks and inspection;
• hazardous substances;
• IRATA syllabus and certification scheme;
• logbooks and their completion;
• anchor types and systems;
• angle loading;
• awareness of fall factors;
• awareness of hauling systems;
• awareness of suspension trauma and casualty management

Equipment and Rigging
The content of the level 1 syllabus for knowledge of equipment and rigging covers:

• assembly and fitting of personal equipment;
• checking of personal equipment;
• use of the back-up device;
• tying, dressing and setting of appropriate knots;
• rigging a basic anchor system;
• rigging a small Y hang;
• awareness of rope and sling protection in rigging

Manoeuvres
Manoeuvres to be carried out under the level 1 syllabus are:

• descent;
• ascent;
• changeovers;
• descent using ascenders;
• ascent using a descender;
• passing knots;
• passing deviations;
• passing a re-belay
• rope-to-rope transfer;
• passing an edge or obstruction at the top;
• the use of a work seat (comfort seat);
• passing mid-rope protection

Climbing
Climbing manoeuvres to be carried out under the level 1 syllabus are:

• horizontal aid climbing with cow’s-tails using both fixed anchors and moveable anchors,
• climbing with a Y-shaped twin fall arrest lanyards

Rescue / Hauling
Rescue and hauling covered by the level 1 syllabus consists of:

• a descent rescue;
• an awareness of a basic haul and lower

Level 2 Syllabus

Theoretical Knowledge

This section shall include all 16 level 1 theory sections and, in addition, shall include the following:

• tensioned lines;
• work restraint;
• horizontal lifelines;
• anchorage selection;
• team work;
• communication

Equipment and Rigging
This section shall include all the sections covering equipment and rigging at level 1 and, in addition, shall include the following:

• wide ‘Y’ hang;
• re-belay;
• deviations;
• rope and sling protection;
• pull-through;
• work restraint and horizontal lifelines;
• tensioned ropes

Manoeuvres
This section shall include all the sections covering manoeuvres at level 1.

Climbing
This section shall include all the sections covering climbing at level 1.

Rescue / Hauling
This section shall include all the sections covering rescues/hauling at level 1 and, in addition, shall include the following:

• rescue from the ascent mode;
• rescue from an aid-climbing situation;
• rescue past a small re-belay;
• rescue past a deviation;
• rescue from rope-to-rope;
• haul and lower from a platform;
• hanging haul;
• cross haul

Level 3 Syllabus

Theoretical Knowledge

This section shall include all level 1 and 2 theory sections but to greater depth of understanding than at these levels and, in addition, shall include the following:

• risk assessment and method statements;
• equipment inspection, management and records;
• rescue management;
• assessment of alternatives to lead climbing and, where lead climbing is a valid safe option, be capable of writing a method statement for lead climbing in a particular situation

Equipment and Rigging
This section shall include all the sections covering equipment and rigging at levels 1 and 2.

Manoeuvres
This section shall include all the sections covering manoeuvres at levels 1 and 2.

Climbing
This section shall include all the sections covering climbing at levels 1 and 2.

Rescues / Hauling
This section shall include all the sections covering rescues/hauling at levels 1 and 2 and, in addition, shall include the following:

• advanced rescue;
• tensioned ropes;
• short link;
• descent passing knot;
• break into tight rope;
• large re-belay

SPRAT sets rigorous standards for technician training and evaluation. While each rope access candidate is trained by our in house instructors, each will be independently tested by a SPRAT evaluator.

SPRAT 1 – Rope Access Worker

This course covers the following topics and skills:

• Equipment Use & Inspection
• Introduction to the Job Safety Analysis
• Level 1Knots – figure eight family; the alpine butterfly; and the barrel knot
• Back-up device use and handling
• Use of Ascending System for ascent and short descents
• Use of a descender for descent and short ascents
• Use of Work Seat/Bosun’s Chair
• Passing Knots in Ascent and Descent
• Rope-to-rope Transfers (long and short)
• Negotiating a Rope Deviation (redirect)
• Short Rebelay (Re-Anchored Ropes)
• Long Rebelay (Re-Anchored Ropes)
• Set up a two-rope system and use it to negotiate an edge
• Installing and Passing Rope Protection
• Configurations and Strengths of Simple Structural Anchors
• Load-sharing Anchors and Force -Magnification Charts
• Climbing with Shock-absorbing Lanyards
• Belaying – Methods and Communication
• Lowering a Live Load with a Two Rope System
• Pick-off Rescue with Victim in descent
• Theoretical rope concepts such as fall factors, safety factors, min. breaking strengths, and safe working loads

SPRAT II – Rope Access Technician

At this level, several significant new skills are introduced and the proficiency of all level I skills are verified with an increased emphasis on speed and efficiency.

The Keltic Falcon level II rope access course reviews all level I skills and introduces the following new skills and topics.

• Group Management and Communication
• Job Safety Analysis
• Principles of Mechanical Advantage Systems
• Material Strengths
• Rope Systems Analysis
• Cross Hauling
• Rescue Hauling
• Aid Climbing Horizontal and Vertical Structures
• Rescue of a Worker From an Ascending System

SPRAT III – Rope Access Supervisor

The Keltic Falcon Level III rope access course refreshes all Level 2 skills plus the following new skills and topics:

• Advanced Job Safety Analysis
• Anchors pre-rigged to lower
• Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Knots
• Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Rebelay
• Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Rope-to-Rope Transfer
• Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Deviation
• Advanced Rescues – Rescue From Aid Traverse
• Highlines/Guidelines
• Team Rescue Work Scenario – Management of a Team