Youth Leader Specific Training
Many leaders have the opportunity to take groups of youth out on adventures. These adventures can bring a sense of accomplishment and success.
DarkHorse offers a 3- day fast track course designed to teach a few of the skills needed to ensure a safe and fun experience for all. We encourage everyone involved in Canyoneering to get as much training as possible. This course offers a few parts of each course to help jumpstart your knowledge as a leader.
This course will cover the following:
-Understanding and applying the canyon rating system
-Ethics
-Leave no trace principles
-Proper gear selection and care
-Personal on rope skills (including hooking up, adding friction and locking off)
-Simple static and releasable rigging systems
-Anchors
-Knots
-Simple mechanical advantage
-Canyon sequencing
-Problem solving
-Group dynamics and leadership
Youth Leader Canyoneering Certification Course
TEACHING OUR YOUTH TO THINK CRITICALLY, PROBLEM SOLVE, AND WORK AS A TEAM!!!
SKILLS CHECKLIST:
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Explain the ACA canyon rating system (written)
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Explain proper gear use and techniques (written)
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Complete a BETA BREAKDOWN (written)
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Explain what EARNEST and DEAR are used for (written/practical)
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Demonstrate good rope management
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Demonstrate the following Anchors:
-SPNA (single point natural anchor)
-MPNA (Multi-point natural anchor)
-SPAA (Single point artificial anchor)
-MPNA (Multi-point artificial anchor)
-Construction Project (Dead man)
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Demonstrate the following rigging for single and double strand:
-Static Block (knot block, biner block, stone knot)
-Releasable( totem 8, 8 block, Joker)
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Demonstrate the following personal on rope skills
-Hook up for rappel
-Add friction before weighting system
-Add friction on rappel
-Lock off
-Pass a knot (SAFELY)
-Ascend a rope 40’ (SAFELY.. no "Batman-ing")
-Demonstrate the proper use of safety tethers
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Demonstrate how to sequence a group using transient anchors/thigh belays etc.
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Demonstrate the following Rescue skills
Set up a guided rappel (tie, tension, use and retrieve)
Assisted rappel
Built a hauling system and demonstrate it’s use (2:1/ 3:1)
Demonstrate a lowering system :)
Pick off
REQUIREMENTS FOR FULL CERTIFICATION
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Pass the Exam
If during any portion of the exam you demonstrate a skill unsafely you will receive an automatic fail. You are allowed to tinker around a little but if it comes to your own life or someone else’s life there are no exceptions!!
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Complete at Least CPR (Highly recommend wilderness first aid)
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Each year of your two years you must descend a minimum of 10 canyons
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Certification lasts for two years.
NOTE: this certification is a skill assessment. Good Judgement, problem solving, is assessed by your local leaders.
-COURSE FEE $495.00 (includes exam) -EXAM FEE $95.00
3 day course
1 day exam
