VSS212 Authorized Climber Rescuer
Authorized Climber Rescuer is an entry level certification program designed for individuals with little to no experience working at heights. This role serves as a practical apprenticeship, allowing new climbers field proficiency through supervised on-the-job training.
Authorized Climber Rescuer is not scheduled on a regular basis. If you would like to register for this course, contact us and we will add it to the class schedule.
Prerequisite: None required
Recommended: Fall Protection Authorized User and Tower Climbing Safety
Class Cost: $775
Class Limit: 8 Attendees
Class Duration: 2 day – 16 Hours
This course is not eligible for recertification. To maintain or renew an Authorized status, the full two-day training must be retaken.
Our 16-hour Authorized Climber Rescuer course offers a blend of classroom and practical instruction for those new to the industry. Running concurrently with VSS313. this training satisfies OSHA 1926.503(a)(1) standards for fall hazard awareness. Certified students are authorized to work at heights exclusively under the direct supervision of a Competent Climber Rescuer. This entry-level role serves as vital on-the-job training, allowing new climbers to safely gain the knowledge and experience needed to advance their careers.
Our classroom sessions equip participants with the critical knowledge to identify, evaluate, and mitigate hazards associated with work at heights. This is reinforced by hands-on training with harnesses, connectors, and anchorage systems, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of every component within a personal fall arrest system.
Our intensive on-site practical training allows students to safely execute tower climbs, identify site-specific hazards, and master diverse rescue scenarios. Certified students are authorized to work at heights exclusively under the direct supervision of a Competent Climber Rescuer, perform daily tasks, inspect and ensure their own PPE is in good working condition and assist in workplace rescues.
Students receive comprehensive reference materials, including relevant regulations and safety guides, to support their training and serve as a resource for future use.
Students are expected to be fully attentive and actively participate in all learning activities. This is a fast-paced course with minimal downtime, designed for maximum information retention. Certification is based on a written exam covering all classroom material and a practical field evaluation where students must demonstrate the effective application of techniques in full regulatory compliance
Upon successful completion, students will be awarded Authorized Climber Rescuer Certification and photo ID credential. Evaluation results and all relevant course documentation will be forwarded to the employer to satisfy internal policy and meet certification of training compliance requirements.
While training providers issue certificates of completion, it is the employer’s sole responsibility to officially Authorize the employee for field operations. The training provider verifies proficiency within a controlled environment, but the employer must validate the worker’s competence for specific job sites and tasks.
When an employer determines that an Authorized Climber Rescuer has gained sufficient experience, they can enroll in VSS3132 Authorized Upgrade. This 8-hour practical course refreshes essential fall protection knowledge to qualify the student for Competent Climber Rescuer status.”
Expiration Dates
At Vertical Safety Solutions, we align with the regulatory rule for retraining (CFR 1926.503(c)(1-3)). While other training providers or 3rd party entities may require annual or biennial recertification, federal regulations allow employers to decide when retraining is necessary. We respect your authority to manage your team’s safety compliance. Because retraining needs vary by company, we do not add expiration dates to training documents unless specifically requested. If your company policy or a third-party entity requires a specific expiration date for retraining, please let us know during registration. We are happy to include a custom expiration date on your training documents upon request.
To ensure your training documents are accurate, please confirm any expiration date requirements before completing registration. A $125 administrative fee per each registrant will apply to any document revisions or reissuances requested after the training date.
Class Agenda
Day 1 – Class Room
- Introductions
- Class overview/objectives
- Gravity does not take a break
- OSHA/MIOSHA/ANSI – Organized Confusion
Policy, Standards, Regulations,
Know your rights
- Definitions & Terms
- Anchorage/Connectors
Snap hooks, D-Rings, Carabiners
Hardware Compatibility
- Personal Fall Arrest Systems
- Fall Arrest/Fall Restraint – Lanyards
Energy Absorbing/Work Positioning
- Lifelines-Vertical, Horizontal, Self Retracting
- Fall Factors – Clearance/Swing
- Hazard Assessment – PPE
Selection, Limitations, Use, Care, Inspection
- Rope – Knots
- Personal Safety/Climbing Techniques
Pre-Climb Checklist
- Medical Preparedness/First Aid Kit
Suspension Trama
- Hazards-Site, Environmental, Structure
- Safety, What’s the plan? Rescue/Response
Day 2 – Practical Hands On
- Written Examination
- Safety Meeting
- Recognize and Identify Fall Hazards
- Recognize and Identify Site, Structure, Environmental Hazards
- Complete JHA and establish emergency medical & rescue plan.
- Select/Inspect Proper PPE
- Select/Inspect PFAS
- Assist with setting up and rigging tower
- Ascend/Descend- Safe Climb Cable/Lad Safe
Vertical Lifeline/Rope Grab,
- Face Climb using twin leg fall arrest Maintaining 100% Tie Off
- Practice Descent Control
- Rig and Perform Rescue with pulley system
- Rig and Perform Rope Rescue
- Rig and perform self-rescue
- Evaluate Victim for suspension trauma
- Performance Evaluation
- Post Class Review, Questions, Discussion
- Graduation
Class Schedule & Registration
“With decades of hands-on field experience in tower construction and infrastructure maintenance, our instructors bring real-world insights directly to the classroom. Our goal is simple; making sure every worker gets home safely.”