The UKCA Canyon Guide Level 2 is the second level of professional training within the UKCA award scheme. This training is designed for the competent Canyoning Guide level 1 who wishes to prepare for the Level 2 Guide assessment in order to lead canyoning/gorge walking excursions in a commercial/professional environment rated up to V3A4ii.

Aim

The aim of this training course is to prepare the candidate for working as a canyoning guide in canyons rated V3A4ii or below. The Canyon Guide Level 2 training course is designed to prepare the candidate for the Canyon Guide Level 2 assessment. The course will cover skills in trip preparation, group management, leadership skills, advanced rigging and rescue. This is a professional level of training so the candidate should be prepared with relevant canyoning skills and techniques. 

Trainer

UKCA Senior Trainer

Duration 

4 days

Cost

£480pp 

Prerequisites

• Must be 21 years or older.
• High level of fitness and swimming ability.
• Have completed the Level 1 Guide Assessment (or similar) 

UKCA recommends the student has consolidated skills working as a Level 1 guide and has a good level of canyoning experience.  

Membership

Professional Membership

Syllabus 

Day 1 - Theory, Rope Progression and Swift water

Part 1A - Theory

The student will learn about the roles and responsibilities of working as a Level 2 Guide

• UKCA professional standards and behavior
• UKCA working controls
• UKCA Guide L1 role and responsibility
• Working with a second guide
• Psychology - Feedback from L1 Guide Training

Part 1B - Horizontal Rope Progression

The student will learn how to move safely on:

• Full void traverse lines with intermediate points

Part 1C - Vertical Rope Progression 

• Passing knots on descent
• Passing knots on ascent
• Descend using improvised descenders
• Ascend using improvised device
• Ascend on double rope
• Pass a knot on a double rope
• Pass a rebelay 
• Ascend a guided abseil

Day 2 - Anchors and Rigging 

Part 2A - Rigging Theory

• Fall factor and impact force
• Single, twin and double rope systems
• Compound and Isolated rigging systems
• Rope optimisation and packing

Part 2B - Anchors 

• Identification and use of natural anchors
• Human Anchors
• Retrievable anchor systems

Part 2C - Rigging Traverse Lines

• Set up - Fixed traverse line without intermediate points
• Set up - Fixed traverse line with intermediate points
• Set up - Retrievable traverse line with intermediate points

Part 2D - Rigging Systems

• Releasable System - Twin Rope (MMO)
• Releasable System - Twin Rope (Releasable fig 8 block)
• Releasable System - Twin Rope (Joker system)
• Releasable System - Double Rope 
• Static System - Twin Rope (Stone Knot)
• Static System - Twin Rope (Fig 8 Block)
• Multi-Pitch Rigging
• Guided Rappel - In loop method

Day 3 - Rescue and Swift Water

Part 3A - Rescue on Rope

• Indirect - Counterbalance haul rescue using PCP
• Indirect - 3:1 Simple Haul
• Direct - Assistance rescue
• Direct - Rope cut rescue

Part 3B - Swift Water Progression - Canyon rated A3 or River grade 2 max 

• Defensive swimming.
• Active (Aggressive) swimming.
• River Crossing advanced techniques.
• Set up and use a tension diagonal.

Part 3C - Swift Water Rescue

• Rescue principles - Shout Reach Throw FEEDBACK from L1 Guide Training and ‘Go’
• Contact Rescue
• Swift-water tie off

Day 4 - Clinic Day

The clinic section is designed to give the student the opportunity to practice and start consolidating skills from the course under the guidance of a trainer. The clinic can be carried out on a canyoning descent on a training wall or cliff. 

The UKCA Canyon Guide Level 2 (CG2) is the second level of professional certification within the UKCA award scheme. This award is designed for an experienced Guide Level 1 (or equivalent) who wishes to lead canyoning excursions in the UK and internationally in a commercial environment rated up to V3A4ii.

Profile

• A successful graduate of the Level 2 Canyon Guide Award will be able to lead novice canyoneers in a commercial environment through a canyon rated up to V3.A4.ii. 
• The graduate will be very comfortable in canyon environments, demonstrating excellent anticipatory skills for reducing risk to their customers and themselves. 
• The graduate will understand and implement safe and efficient rigging solutions in the canyon environment. 
• The graduate will be able to plan and prepare introductory and intermediate canyoning experiences.
• The graduate will be able to manage canyoning groups as a head guide.
• The graduate will be able to teach canyoning skills to a group.
• The graduate will be a role model for canyoning and the UKCA. 

Working Controls

A successful candidate will be able to work alone in a canyon rated up to V3A4.ii with up to 8 group members. This can be extended to 16 group members where another Canyon Guide L2 or L1 is present. A Canyon Guide Level 2 can assist a Canyon Instructor in canyons above V3A4ii. A Guide Level 2 can assist on introduction to canyoning and canyon leader courses.  

Assessor

UKCA Senior Trainer  

Assessment Venue

Day 1 Technical - A moderate risk canyon rated around V3A4ii>. The canyons should ideally have a selection of features and technical elements for example rappels, jumps, slides and traverse lines.

Day 2 - Leadership, Incident and Group Management - A canyon rated up to V3A4ii. 

Duration 

2 days 

Price

£260

Prerequisites

• Must be 21 years or older.
• Hold a valid first-aid certificate (2-day minimum)
• Good level of fitness, mental health and swimming ability.
• Hold the Canyon Guide L1 award (or similar)
• Hold the Advanced Canyoning Pro award (or similar)

Log Book

Prior to assessment, the candidate must present a logbook with a minimum of:

• Minimum of 40 canyoning days in at least 5 different canyons rated V3.A4.ii and above.
• Minimum of 40 canyoning days, leading canyoning trips in a minimum of 3 technical (V2.A3.ii) canyons.

*These prerequisites are minimum requirements, extra days are recommended.

Competency Gateway

This assessment can be accessed directly. The UKCA is aware that previous experience and training may have been obtained through other organizations. If the candidate believes they have the skill and experience they can go directly into this assessment. 

Syllabus 

Assessment Notes

The syllabus outlines what the content of the assessment will include and gives an idea of what

assessment tasks the candidate will be asked to complete. All judgements on how the candidate meets the syllabus must be based on current good practice and industry standards.

Assessors use five types of direct evidence to determine a candidate’s competency:

- Written entry test: multiple choice questions.

- Questioning and discussion.

- Observation of practical tasks.

- Presentation of Information.

- Timed Tests.

Section 1 (Day 1) Technical Competence

1A - Canyoning, Environment and Planning 

The candidate will:

• Demonstrate their knowledge of geology and hydrology e.g. rock types, geographical areas and their effect on canyon systems.
• Demonstrate their knowledge of access legislation within the UK.
• Demonstrate their knowledge of planning a canyoning trip. This will include weather checks, resources, reading topo maps, guide selection, water levels, basic navigation and emergency planning. 

1B - Equipment

The candidate will:

• Complete a pre-activity check of equipment and describe how to identify worn equipment e.g. surface wear of ropes, tapes and harnesses, internal damage to ropes, wear and stress to the metal of carabiners and descenders, wear and stress to helmets, recommended maximum life for use of equipment 
• Explain and describe how they store, maintain and check equipment before and after their canyoning trip.
• Demonstrate the group and emergency equipment the candidate will pack for remote canyoning trips and how to use it. 
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of current equipment and clothing used for canyoning and reasons for choice e.g. wetsuits, shoes, helmets, harnesses, buoyancy aids, ropes, descenders, karabiners and other technical gear.

1D - Movement 

The candidate will negotiate features found in A3 - A4 or Class C canyons and will:

• Demonstrate effective down climbing technique, and demonstrate safe and effective techniques for aiding a participant from above and below.
• Demonstrate efficient and timely movement through the canyon.
• Show how to assess a jump or slide to make it safe for participants.

1E - Movement on Rope

The candidate will have good knowledge of fall factor and dynamic loading, they will be able to identify the risks and understand how to reduce them. The candidate will:

• Demonstrate how to descend with an improvised device.
• Demonstrate how to pass a deviation or rebelay.
• Demonstrate how to pass a knot during an abseil.
• Demonstrate how to ascend double rope
• Demonstrate how to ascend a guideline (guided abseil)

1F- Movement in Water

In an A3 or Class C canyon environment or Grade/Class 2 river environment the candidate will:

• Show strong swimming ability.
• Demonstrate good ferry swimming technique.
• Explain the use of tension diagonals to move a group across a substantial flow. 
• Demonstrate group river crossing techniques.
• Explain the risks involved with trap pools, hydraulics, undercuts.
• Effective bag management. 

1G - Rigging

During a canyoning descent rated V3/V4 the candidate will:

• Demonstrate safe, effective, efficient and CLEAN rigging in a canyon that is unfamiliar to the candidate.
• Demonstrate rigging to avoid or mitigate water hazards, specifically using guided abseils and ziplines.
• Demonstrate rigging releasable twin rope systems in order to add efficiency to a descent.
• Demonstrate the use of double rope systems and when it's appropriate to use them.
• Describe the use of static rope systems and when it is appropriate to use them.
• Demonstrate the use of fixed traverse lines and when it is appropriate to use them. 

1H - Rope Rescue 

The candidate will have knowledge of the risks involved with rescue and the difference between direct and indirect rescue the candidate will:

• Demonstrate how to perform a counterbalance haul rescue using a PCP
• Demonstrate how to perform a direct assistance rescue, using a foot loop or lift to manage a stuck descender.
• Explain the use of an indirect 2:1 lift rescue.
• Demonstrate how to perform a 3:1 simple haul.
• Perform a direct rope cutting rescue.

1I - Teamwork and Incident Management

The candidate will:

• Demonstrate their knowledge of visual and sound signals.
• Identify the process of launching an alert.
• Have a first aid kit and know how to use it.
• Explain the use of sequencing and how they will implicate it on a canyoning trip
• Demonstrate a team method of transporting a casualty.

1J - Working with a Second Guide

The candidate will:

• Describe the working controls for a UKCA CG1 and CG2.
• Describe the process of leapfrogging and leader progression.
• Demonstrate their knowledge of effective positioning as the lead guide. 
• Demonstrate their knowledge of working with a second guide.

1K - Timed Tests

Test 1 - Rope Conversion Pass a Knot 

The candidate will ascend past a knot to reach 5 meters, convert and descend past the knot to reach the ground in under 6 min.

If the trainee makes a safety error (open carabiner, disconnect etc.) they will fail that attempt.

If the trainee does not meet the time criteria on the first attempt they can retake the test directly afterwards. On the second attempt, they must pass within 5.5 min on a second fail of this test; the trainee will not pass the L2 guide assessment. 

Test 2 - Direct Rope Cutting Rescue

The candidate will perform a direct rope cutting rescue,  within 1.7 of the trainer's set time.

If the trainee makes a safety error (open carabiner, dropped knife etc.) they will fail that attempt.

If the trainee does not meet the time criteria on the first attempt they can retake the test directly afterwards. On the second attempt, they must pass within 1.6 of the trainer's set time. On a second fail of this test the trainee will not pass the L2 guide assessment. 

Section 2 (Day 2) -  Instruction, Leadership and Planning

On day 2 the candidate will be expected to lead a group in a canyon up to V3.A4.ii. 

2B - Leadership

The candidate will lead a canyoning excursion with a real group, during the excursion they will demonstrate and will be assessed on:

• Never compromising their safety or the safety of the group.
• Effective group briefing including; setting boundaries, ground rules, appropriate and effective risk disclosure.
• A leadership style that is appropriate for the clients; their skill and experience level and their needs.
• Demonstrate safe practices and good judgment and decision making within the scope of this qualification
• Professionalism - language, appearance, gestures and engagement. 
• Preparing and briefing.
• Time management.
• Use of a second guide.
• Role Modeling, motivating and having fun with the group.
• Establishing a rapport with individuals and having emotional awareness of individual needs.
• Safe, appropriate and efficient rigging.

3B - Instruction

The candidate will provide instruction on some of the following:

• Fitting equipment
• Rappelling and movement on traverse lines
• Communication 
• Movement techniques
• Jumping
• Sliding
• Swimming 
• Teamwork

3C - Feedback and Review

• Personal Feedback
• Introduction to the Canyon Instructor programme.