Candidates shall be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course. 

Candidates are required to declare that they do not have any medical conditions or contra- indications that may prevent them from working safely. The minimum requirement is a self-certification statement, see the IRATA Candidate Disclaimer and Liability Release form [FM-014] 

It is recommended that prospective employees are in possession of an appropriate medical certificate before starting this kind of work, and that they are re-assessed at regular intervals thereafter. 

If a candidate has a contra-indicated condition which is controlled with medication, he/she shall obtain a signed doctor’s note to show Heads Up or an employer that the condition should not prevent that person doing rope access work providing they have access to the required medication.

• Awareness of level 1 theory knowledge 

• Awareness of hazard identification & risk assessment 

• Awareness of selection, care & maintenance of equipment 

• Pre-use checking of equipment 

• Assembly of equipment & buddy check 

• Awareness of inspection of equipment 

• Awareness of anchor selection 

• Knots and rope handling 

• Basic anchor system 

• Rigging small Y-hangs 

• Hazard avoidance and rope protection 

• Operating a lowering system 

• Awareness of hauling systems 

• Back-up devices Descent, ascent & changeovers 

• Descent using an ascending device 

• Ascent using a descending device 

• Passing a single & double deviation 

• Rope-to-rope transfer 

• Passing small re-anchors 

• Passing mid-rope knots 

• Passing edge obstructions 

• Use of work seats 

• Passing mid-rope protection

• Horizontal aid climbing – fixed anchors 

• Horizontal aid climbing – moveable anchors 

• Climbing with fall arrest equipment 

• Rescue from descent mode 

On successful completion of the IRATA level 1 course, candidates will receive a certificate, logbook and ID card that is valid anywhere in the world.