Climbing and Aerial Rescue (NPTC)

Program Overview

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Climbing and Aerial Rescue (NPTC)

Overview

Get the knowledge, understanding and skills required to climb trees and perform aerial rescue safely, to industry standards, in line with current legislation. This Level 2 Certificate of Competence is NPTC City & Guilds approved.

Full Description

Topics you will cover include:

• risk assessment
• emergency planning
• legislation
• industry best practice
• environmental considerations
• tree condition and working at height assessments
• equipment and systems
• tree climbing
• aerial rescue by climbing suitability
• rescue plan and implementation

The module requires reading and interpreting of information such as safety instructions and technical knowledge. To attain this qualification you must successfully achieve a one to one practical assessment with oral questioning by an independent NPTC City & Guilds approved assessor.

Equipment

Equipment is provided for this course but you may prefer, for your comfort and safety, to bring your own climbing equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

All tree climbing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and rigging equipment must comply with LOLER Regulations. This means that trainees must be able to produce evidence that their equipment has been thoroughly examined by a “competent person” in the last 6 months for climbing equipment and 12 months for rigging equipment, and also inspected weekly with an accompanying record which can verify this.

Equipment List for Aerial Rescue

• Approved tree climbing harness in good condition. CE marked with leg loops
• 2 x Climbing ropes - min 12mm, 35-50m long required with manufacturers eye and without any defects
• 6 x self-locking 3 movement Karabiners
• 5 x Prussik loops or split tails or similar
• 1 x adjustable strop for climbing and rescue recommended 5m in length must have a manufacturers eye
• 1 x Set of climbing spikes
• 1 x Steel core flip line 5m with adjuster

Personal Protective Equipment

• A safety helmet (the HSE Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG) recommends a mountaineering-style helmet complying with BS EN 12492)
• Eye protection (complying with either BS EN 1731 or BS EN 166)
• Hearing protection (complying with BS EN 352)
• Suitable gloves appropriate to the task and subject to the operator's risk assessment
• Protective boots with good grip and ankle support (complying with BS EN ISO 20345)
• Non-snag outer clothing. The use of high-visibility clothing may also be appropriate
• All round leg and groin protection
• As a minimum, climbers should carry a personal first-aid kit, incorporating a large wound dressing, barrier gloves, plasters and a whistle
• Climbers should carry a knife with either a lockable folding blade or a fixed blade held in a protective sheath
• Hand-cleaning materials such as waterless skin cleanser or soap, water and paper towels should be readily available

If you are using your own equipment, our instructor will check that it is safe to use and complies with industry best practice and comes with relevant LOLER inspection paperwork.

Instructor / Student Ratio 1:4

Your Tutor

Steve Woodley is a forester, arborist and green woodworker from Essex with 28 years industry experience specialising in urban and woodland tree management. Steve has been teaching ground and aerial units for us since 2004. His professional qualifications include BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Development, Arb Association Tech Cert, NPTC assessor since 2004. Steve is also passionate about hand crafted timber and keeping the skill of axing alive.

Along with Steve we use many excellent trainers and assessors and are confident our training more than meets NPTC City & Guilds standards.

Who Should Attend?

The Level 2 Certificate of Competence is for individuals who climb trees as part of their work in arboriculture, forestry or other industries.

Dates

• Monday 2 to Friday 6 June 2025 (plus one day assessment date to be confirmed)

Where You'll Study

Your Faculty

At Writtle College, our courses blending classroom learning with hands-on experience in specialised fields such as sport, agriculture, horticulture, animal studies, equine studies, conservation and floristry.

Our Level 2 and Level 3 programmes are designed to prepare you for your future career or higher education pathways.

Study on our beautiful countryside campus, with dedicated resource centres and state-of-the-art facilities – and be a part of our supportive community.

Where Can I Study?

Writtle Campus

Our picturesque 150-hectare campus is situated in the heart of the Essex countryside.

Fees & Funding

Course Fees

Standard Booking

£910

The cost includes equipment use, personal first aid kit, Technical Guide 1 and NPTC registration/assessment.

An additional charge maybe incurred if you do not accept the assessment date offered to you.

Entry Requirements

There are no specific requirements for this course however participants must be comfortable working at heights in excess of 10 meters.

This intensive practical course requires a good level of physical fitness and an ability to study written technical information.

By making a booking you are declaring yourself medically fit to participate in this course.

Suggested Courses That May Interest You

• Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue Refresher CPD (NPTC)
• Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness Refresher CPD (NPTC)
• Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness Refresher CPD

Program Outline

Outline:

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Module 1: Risk Assessment and Emergency Planning

• Risk assessment techniques
• Emergency planning and response procedures
• Legislation and industry best practices

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Module 2: Tree Condition and Working at Height Assessments

• Tree condition assessment methods
• Working at height safety regulations and techniques
• Equipment and systems for working at height

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Module 3: Tree Climbing

• Tree climbing techniques and equipment
• Rope systems and rigging
• Climbing safety and rescue procedures

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Module 4: Aerial Rescue by Climbing

• Aerial rescue techniques and equipment
• Rescue plan development and implementation
• Emergency descent procedures

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Assessment:

• Practical assessment with oral questioning by an independent NPTC City & Guilds approved assessor

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Teaching:

• Instructor-led training sessions
• Practical demonstrations and exercises
• Use of industry-standard equipment and facilities
• Experienced and qualified instructors

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Careers:

• Arboriculture
• Forestry
• Other industries involving tree climbing and aerial rescue