Rescue Skills
2-day practical rescue instruction course with Lake District Mountain Guides
This hands-on Rescue Skills Course is designed to give climbers the confidence and knowledge to manage emergencies in the mountains, developing skills for a variety of rescue scenarios.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
This Rescue Skills Course is aimed at climbers with some experience who want to take their knowledge to the next level and be able to get themselves out of sticky situations.
STAY SAFE IN THE HILLS
Learn essential skills designed to keep you and your partners safe in the mountains. Through clear instruction, you’ll gain the confidence in your skills.
INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE
Each day is packed with learning and practical experience. Our expert instructors will guide you through realistic rescues, sharing knowledge drawn from years of climbing and guiding in the mountains.
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The focus of this Rescue Skills Course is on developing key skills in realistic emergency scenarios. We’ll build up your abilities so you can deal confidently with a wide range of tricky situations in the mountains.
You’ll build your rescue knowledge step by step, with lots of repetition to re-enforce learning.
Over two days, we’ll cover everything from escaping the system and tying off a belay device, to hoisting partners and abseiling past knots.
By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation rescue techniques, giving you confidence to deal with unexpected problems whilst climbing.The course follows a general structure but is always tailored to your experience, ensuring the instruction is relevant and immediately useful for your own adventures.
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This course wil be based in the Borrowdale Valley near Keswick.
Day One - We’ll start the day with key rescue techniques, beginning with tying off a belay device, an essential skill when managing any incident. You’ll then learn how to escape the system safely, allowing you to assist or get help if your partner is in trouble.
As the day progresses, we’ll move on to various hauling methods, from assisted systems using your partner’s help to unassisted techniques. You’ll also cover how to abseil and lower past a knot, an important skill for problem-solving on multi-pitch routes. We’ll start the day by practising skills on the ground or easy-angled terrain, gradually moving onto steeper and more realistic ground as your confidence and ability grow. Throughout all the practice, you’ll be securely backed up on an additional rope for safety.
Day Two - On the second day, we’ll build on those core rescue skills and work through more advanced and realistic scenarios. These may include crag evacuations, multi-pitch rescues, and counterbalance abseils, techniques particularly valuable in remote climbing locations.
By the end of this climbing course, you’ll have the confidence and ability to manage a wide range of emergency situations. You’ll leave with a solid foundation in self-rescue and partner-rescue techniques—making you a safer, more self-reliant climber wherever you choose to climb.
This is a Rough Outline of the course, we might change things around based on your experience or the weather conditions.
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Tying off a belay device and using an Italian Hitch
Lowering safely in guide mode
Lowering or abseiling past a knot
Prussiking up a rope efficiently
Hauling your partner, both directly and indirectly
Reaching your partner safely in different scenarios
Abseiling together with control and communication
How to look after an injured climber
Who to contact and the appropriate order for rescues
Adapting anchors for rescues
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This course is aimed at climbers with a background in trad climbing who are already confident building belays and placing gear. If you’re unsure whether this is the right course for you, or if you’d like to focus on more specific or advanced rescue skills, get in touch and we can point you in the right direction or put together something bespoke to suit your needs.
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£300 for 2 days of instruction per person. The course will be based in the Borrowdale Valley near Keswick, feel free to get in touch if you need any accommodation advice.
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Exceptional instruction and coaching
Local transport to and from your local accommodation if needed
Ropes and technical equipment
Helmet and harness
Advice and support before and after the course
What’s not included?
Climbing shoes
Personal clothing
Food and drink
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Item description
DATES AND AVAILABILITY
Learn Rescue Skills in the Yorkshire Dales
START
PRICE
SPACES
5th April
£300
1 PLACE LEFT
19th September
£300
2 PLACES LEFT
Are you looking for alternative course dates?
Get in touch and to express an interest if the course dates shown don't work for you.
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We provide all the essential climbing equipment, including harnesses, helmets, ropes, and technical gear. The only thing you’ll need to bring are your own climbing shoes or boots, along with suitable clothing, food, and drink.
We’re usually out in the mountains for around eight hours each day, so make sure to pack a good lunch, some snacks, and at least a litre of water.
If you’d like advice on what clothing to bring, feel free to get in touch or check out our kit lists.
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We can usually run our courses even in wet or windy conditions, as there are plenty of sheltered venues throughout the Lake District. If the forecast looks cold and wet, make sure to bring extra layers and good waterproofs.
Wet weather means we get colder faster and use more energy, so it’s worth packing a bit more food than you would for a normal day out. If the weather becomes unsuitable, we’ll reschedule your course for another date or offer a full refund.
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If you need to cancel more than 4 weeks before the course, you’ll receive a full refund. Cancellations between 2 and 4 weeks incur a 50% refund, minus a £10 admin fee. Unfortunately, cancellations less than 2 weeks before the course are non-refundable.
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We usually meet at a local car park or cafe in the morning. This gives us a chance to introduce ourselves, discuss the plan for the day, and get to know you so we can tailor the course to your goals and experience.
If an early start is needed, we’ll arrange a quick call a day or two beforehand to confirm the details.
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Lake District Mountain Guides is led by James Boothroyd, who delivers the majority of our courses. You can learn more about James and the rest of the team here.
We also work with a trusted group of professional freelance instructors — all fully qualified, experienced, and insured. Your guide will get in touch before the course to introduce themselves, outline the plan, and answer any questions you may have.
