"Self-Rescue Canyoning Course Pyrenees"

For participants who have completed level 1 or have some canyoning experience and want to improve their knowledge of safety systems. You must be able to swim and have the fitness needed for 6–7-hour days in the mountains and canyons.

Included

• Two days with a qualified professional canyoning guide.
• Initial assistance insurance.
• Shared equipment: ropes, first-aid kit, radio and watertight barrel, among other items.
• Personal equipment: wetsuit, neoprene socks, harness, helmet, safety lanyard and descender, plus one backpack for every two participants.
• Photos of the activity.

Not included

• Accommodation and meals. Contact us for details.
• Transport.

What you need to bring

• Comfortable sports clothing for the mountain walk to the canyon entrance.
• A bag to leave in the car with spare clothes in case yours get wet, a water bottle and food.
• Footwear is important: lace-up shoes with rubber soles and good ankle support, such as canyoning shoes, sports shoes or hiking shoes. Bring a spare pair to change into when you return to the car.
• Swimwear, towel and warm, dry clothes for after the canyon.
• If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring a suitable way to prevent losing them during the activity.
• Wetsuit.
• Helmet.
• Harness.
• Safety lanyards.
• Descender.
• Carabiners.
• Assorted accessory cords.
• Cord for a Machard friction hitch.
• Haul bag.
• Rope for progression.

Equipment we can lend you

• Shared equipment: ropes, first-aid kit, radio and watertight barrel, among other items.
• Personal equipment: wetsuit, neoprene socks, harness, helmet, safety lanyard and descender, plus one backpack for every two participants.
• A watertight barrel if you need to keep belongings dry.

The course is based in Jaca, in the Aragonese Pyrenees, with classroom facilities and equipment. Practical sessions take place in the Aragón and Tena valleys according to canyon conditions.

Friday / day 1: Meet at 19:00 at the PirineoSur office, Calle Antonio Beltrán 1, for theory and equipment preparation.

Saturday / day 2: Meet at 09:00 at the Jaca office or agreed meeting point and travel to the practical training area.

Sunday / day 3: Meet at 09:00 at the office or agreed meeting point. The course ends at 15:30.

Day 1: theory

Casualty assessment; activity-related medical problems; hypothermia and suspension trauma; casualty transport and helicopter evacuation; self-rescue equipment and planning.

Day 2: practical skills

Specialist knots; ascending ropes; escape and changeover manoeuvres in particular situations; abseiling on tensioned ropes; knowledge of rigging equipment.

Day 3: practical skills

Moving an injured person downhill using abseils, lowering and zip lines; ascending zip lines; self-rescue with hauling systems, short lifts, counterbalance methods and rope cutting; rescue on a tensioned rope; specialist manoeuvres.