International Canyoning Training Course: Canyoneer Lvl 1-2-3 – ICTC / CA1-2-3

Do you wish to be autonomous and practice safely with friends? Do you want to get your certification and be recognized worldwide? Do you think you might one day pursue a professional canyoning career? Then, the Canyoneer Lvl 1-2-3 will meet your expectations.

To find a CA 1-2-3 course near you, check the Training Course Schedule or contact one of our ICOpro centers.

You will be trained by an Instructor level 3, minimum, and will get certified at the end of the tour/course thanks to the Canyoneer Card.

Duration

11 days

• Pre-training course e-learning:   3 days Minimum
• Canyoneer Lvl 1:                    2 days
• Canyoneer Lvl 2:                    1 day
• Canyoneer Lvl 3:                    2 days
• Clinics session:                       1.5 days
• Certifications:                        1.5 days

Prerequisite

• Accessible to anyone who has reached the age of majority in his/her country of origin.
• Have completed CA Lvl 1-2-3 e-learning pre-training course.
• Be in good mental and physical condition.
• Swimming ability 50m and running 500m.
• Medical certificate issued less than three months prior to the training course, testifying that the trainee is physically and mentally fit for canyoning activities.

Objective

The program allows you to organize canyoning excursions and to manoeuver using basic technical skills within moderate risk canyons (see Appendix for “Canyons with moderate risk”). You will become a member of ICOpro with sufficient skills to use ropes and be independent in moderate risk canyons.

Organization

The training consists in 3 technical and theoretical teaching levels, including analyzing exercises and evaluations (P.A.R), aptitude memory exercise (Feedback)that will be carried-out during the training, 1.5 Clinic Days of revision and regulation and 1 module of closing ICTC.

• Level 1: Procedures – General knowledge – Vertical progression    
• Level 2: White water – Assistance                     
• Level 3:Horizontal progression – Set-up – Rescue
• Module 4:End of the ICTC CA1-2-3

Equipment

Your ICOpro center will provide the full technical equipment.

Skills you will learn

Canyoneer Lvl 1 ICOpro Procedures – General knowledge – Vertical progression (2 days)

Day 1: Classroom session

1A. ICTC/CA1-2-3

1. Content
2. Daily Program      
3. Evaluation                                                                    
4. Proficient Analytical Resources® (P.A.R): Introduction

1B. ICOpro

1. E-learning: Canyoning throughout the world
2. E-learning: ICOpro structure and organization
3. E-learning: ICOpro training courses flow chart
4. E-learning: ICOpro Canyoneer Charter
5. E-learning: ICOpro Canyoneer 3 web portal
6. E-learning: ICOpro PPE software

1C. The basics of the activity

1. E-learning: Canyoning definition
2. E-learning: Different types of canyons
3. E-learning: Systems of canyon rating
4. E-learning: Moderate risk canyon 

1D. Canyoning equipment

1. E-learning: Personal equipment
   1. CA1/CA2
   2. CA3
2. E-learning: Collective equipment
3. E-learning: Technical sheet of the manufacturer
4. E-learning: Storage
5. E-learning: ICOpro PPE verification Lvl1

1E. Knots Lvl1

1. E-learning: The different knots
2. E-learning: Adjustment of cowstails, foot loop and chest harness.

1F. Communication Lvl1

1. Feedback CAI: Canyoneer Initiation Visual signals
2. E-learning: Canyoneer visual signals
3. E-learning: Sound signals

1G. Behaviour and environment

1. E-learning: Impact of canyoning on the environment

1H. Hydrology

1. E-learning: Water cycle
2. E-learning: Basic principles of hydrology

1I. Geology Lvl1

1. E-learning: Basic Knowledge

1J. Physiology

1. E-learning: Basics of sport physiology
2. E-learning: Stretching theory and practice

1K.   Preparing a Tour

1. Introduction
2. E-learning: Reading a guidebook and a topography
3. Reading and use of a topographic map
4. Identify and calibrate a catchment area
5. E-learning: Collection of information
6. E-learning: Meteorology Lvl1
7. E-learning: Equipment packing and management
8. Rope packing and Rope coiling
        a. Rope coiling
        b. Single rope packing
        c. Double rope packing  

1L.    Physics

1. Rendundancy
        a. Linked anchors
        b. Unlinked anchors 
2. Fall factor
3. Impact force

1M. Feedback, and monitoring  

1. Evaluation end of day 1
2. Check monitoring program of day 1

Day 2: Cliff or Training wall session

1N. Physiology

1. Running
2. Stretching

1O. Horizontal rope progression: Hand-lines Lvl2

1. Feedback  CAI: Fixed
2. Feedback  CAI: Retrievable

1P. Vertical rope progression: descent Lvl2

1. Feedback  CAI: Clip into the belay
2. Feedback  CAI: Set-up a descender
3. Feedback  CAI: Static position                      
4. Feedback  CAI: Unclip from the belay
5. Feedback  CAI: Rappel
6. Lock off descender
7. Pass a deviation
8. Pass rebelay
9. Pass a knot   
10. Feedback  CAI: Guided rappel
11. Bag management

1Q. Vertical rope progression: ascent Lvl1  

1. Ascent
2. Pass a knot

1R. Vertical rope progression: conversion Lvl1

1. Conversion
2. P.A.R: ICOpro test of conversion  

1S. Rock climbing Lvl1  

1. Leader progression
2. Teammates progression

1T. Feedback and monitoring  

1. Evaluation end of day 2
2. Self-assessment day 1&2
3. Check monitoring program of day 2

Canyoneer Lvl 2 White water – Assistance (1 day)

Day 3 Morning: Classroom 

2A. White water Lvl2

1. Principles and effects
2. Identification and analysis of risks

2B. Assistance Lvl1

1. E-learning: First-aid kit
2. E-learning: Participant assessment
3. E-learning: Recovery position
4. E-learning: Rescue alert

Day 3 Afternoon: canyon or river session 

2C.Physiology

1. Streching

2D. Free-diving Lvl1

1. E-learning: Complete breathing
2. Basic static apnea
3. Duck diving up to 3m
4. Basic black out knowledge

2E. Assistance Lvl2

1. Basic rope throwing
2. Drag participant in calm water
3. Transporting a viction, Tragsitz method
4. Recovery position
5. Warm point
6. Rescue alert

2F. White water Lvl3 

1. Removal of the rope from descender in shallow water
2. Swimming with equipment in calm water
3. Progression in white water (max a3)

2G. Feedback and monitoring  

1. Evaluation end of day 3
2. Self-assessment day 3
3. Check monitoring program of day 3

Canyoneer Lvl3 Horizontal progression – Set-Up – Rescue (2 days)

Day 4-5 : Canyon session  

3A. Physiology

1. Breathing
2. Stretching 

3B. Horizontal progression

1. Feedback  CAI: Choice of the itinerary
2. Feedback  CAI: Easy and dynamic movement
3. Easy spotting and support techniques

3C. Jumps and slides Lvl2

1. Risks
2. Feedback  CAI: Basic techniques

3D. Anchors Lvl1

1. Presentation
2. Feedback  CA1: Fall factor and impact force
3. E-learning: identification
4. Verification  
5. Placing additional anchors
   1. Self-drill expansion bolt
   2. Piton

3E. Equipment rules

1. Feedback  CA1: Redundancy
2. Connection of unlinked anchors
3. Comfort and cleanness  

3F. Set-up: hand-lines Lvl1

1. Fixed without intermediate point  
2. Retrievable without intermediate point
   1. Self-belaying
   2. Belaying by a teammate

3G. Set-up: verticals Lvl1 

1. Fixed system on artificial anchors
   1. With knot without swim at the bottom
   2. With knot with swim at the bottom
   3. With Equipeur

      2. Fixed system on natural anchors
               a. P.A.R: With knot
               b. P.A.R: with Equipeur

      3. Releasable Systems
               a. With Knot: Munter Mule Overhand (MMO)
                b. With Equipeur: Figure of Eight Mule Overhand (EMO)

      4. Descent of the first teammate

      5. Belaying technique
                a. From below
                b. From above with swim at the bottom
                c. From above without swim at the bottom

      6. Cleaning the belay

      7. Rope retrieval

3H. Set-up: guided rappel Lvl1

1. Easy Pulley System (EPS) 
2. From below:
   1. Loop system on anchor with MMO
   2. Loop system on human anchor 

3I. Set-up: deviation

1. Fixed
2. Ejectable
   1. On artificial anchor
   2. On natural anchor

3J. Abrasion

1. Protect the rope rubbing area
   1. With a bag or accessories
   2. With foot
2. P.A.R: Shift the rope rubbing point
3. Minimize the abrasion: double rope
4. Remove rope rubbing point

3K. Rescue scenario Lvl1 

1. Indirect rope cutting

3L. Feedback and monitoring 

1. Evaluation end of day 4&5
2. Self-assessment day 4&5
3. Check monitoring program of day 4&5

Clinic 1 set-up and progression (1day)

Day 6 : Canyon session

Physiology

1. Stretching

Clinics objectives

1. Regulate the skills of the candidate
2. Checking and validating the skills previously taught during the course

Description of the regulation

1. The future canyoneer shall shall demonstrate his/her competences in ensuring the security of the teammate and himself and progress as autonomous during a nonprofessional canyon trip.
2. As a canyoneer, he/she will demonstrate that he/she can progress in a canyon rated 3.3.II with:
   1. Prepare the equipment and the logistics before the trip
   2. Easy and dynamic progression, ensuring his/her individual and collective security;
   3. Good position according to the belay and obstacle configuration;
   4. Set-up the obstacles using the P.A.R
   5. Reinvesting every technical and basic knowledge previously taught during the course.

Feedback and monitoring 

1. Regulation of the clinic 1

Clinic 2 Free clinic (0.5day)

Day 7 : Canyon or cliff or classroom session

Physiology

       2. Stretching

Clinics objectives 

The organization and the content of this session will be defined by the EXA according to the individual needs.

Technical test 1-2-3-4 (0.5 days)

Day 7 : After the 2nd Clinic session

The ropes used for the tests must have a diameter between 9 and 10mm.

Presentation:
Demonstrate the 4 techniques below:

1. Guided rappel in loop figure: set-up and demonstrate its functionally
2. Releasable system: set-up and demonstrate its functionally
3. Indirect rope cutting
4. Covert a descent to an ascent and climbing up a rope
   

Evaluation:
The trainee must pass successfully the CA3 Technical Test 1 in compliance with the test procedure (Manual Canyoneer Lvl 1-2-3) and must not make ANY «SFE » – Safety Fatal Error

Feedback and monitoring 

1. Regulation of the clinic 2
2. Self-assessment day 6&7
3. Check monitoring program of day 6&7

Theory test: CA 1-2-3 General (1hr)

Day 8 Morning:

Presentation:
Written test: 50 multiple choices questions about the Canyoneer 123 curriculum.

Evaluation:
80% positive answers of 50 questions required to validate the Theory test (thus a maximum of 10 mistakes authorized). Test duration: 50 min.

Technical test 5 (0.5 days)

Day 8 Morning after the CA3 Theory Test:

Presentation:
Safe and independent rappel in a canyon or part of canyon rated 3.3.II maximum. Set-up and strip the obstacles.

Evaluation:
The trainee must pass successfully the CA3 Technical Test 2 in compliance with the test procedure (Manual Canyoneer Lvl 1-2-3) and must not make ANY «SFE » – Safety Fatal Error

Module 4: Closing of the ICTC CA 1-2-3

4A. Validation

1. Tests results
2. Personal feedback
3. Validation of participant
4. General feedback

4B. ICOpro Next step

1. Presentation of ICTC AIN and CAPH/VI
2. Advantage to be AIN and CAPH/VI

BECOME INDEPENDENT

JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL CANYONING ORGANIZATION!

 www.icopro.org

Advantages of being a certified Canyoneer Level 1-2-3

• You join the large international ICOpro community
• You receive the international canyoning news
• You can rent equipment at ICOpro centers
• You will organize canyoning tours in canyons of a rating of 3.3.II and accompanied by a certified CA Lvl1, minimum
• You can take the Canyoneer Ice Canyon – Canyoneer Photographer – Canyoneer Videographer training courses in order to to enhance your skills 
• You possess all the prerequisites to start your professional career and take the Assistant Instructor training course.

Get ICOpro certified