An Cosantóir

14 to be tested on, and the various different scenar- ios that could happen, such as an assisted hoist or lowering personnel on an abseil. Students were also shown how to instruct personnel on how to climb proficiently. Evenings ahead of the assessment days were spent by students, on their own time, rehearsing and rehearsing, until students could not get it wrong. Students were also pushed by instructors to take on more dif- ficult climbing grades and were shown various other climbing safe practices. Week three of the course was a laborious week for students. Students were instructed on the use of heavy ropes, for the safe construction of commando bridges, rat slides, and Burma bridges, in order to create challenging obsta- cle courses. This was a new exposure for me, learning the correct way to tension and secure systems. In the course, we all became cohesive in building a challenging obstacle course. The CTI course was an intense, robust, but highly enjoyable challenge for all personnel, summa- rised by one student commenting "I have never been more happily creased in all my career". All students enjoyed the instruction received from DFAM and have intent on progressing onto CTI 2. I would strongly recommend any personnel interested to consider the basic rock-climbing course or confidence training instructor course. CTI Course A student's summary The Confidence Training Instructor (CTI) Course was split into three distinct blocks over three weeks that pushed the student's ability to lead climb, place protection, set up climbing systems THE 21ST CONFIDENCE TRAINING INSTRUCTORS (CTI) COURSE Basic Rock-Climbing Course, which enables successful students to safely climb and abseil and develops confidence in their own climbing ability. Other students on the course either had a rock climbing or mountaineering background. A screening day was held for nominated students on the 19th MAY 22. We were shown what rope tests we would be tested on, the first two days of the course. Week one of the course commenced on the 19th JUN 22, which was run from Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway. Students here had to give an initial rope test before a DFAM board, with a belaying competence test on the 20th JUN 22, and abseil confidence test which was held in the Burren, Co. Clare. Students on the course were then instructed on the best climbing practices, climbing on routes in the Burren, and progress- ing onto more difficult grades of climbing . Students were also instructed on how to estab- lish safe and enjoyable abseil systems and top rope climbing systems. Week one of the CTI course was tough, with long days spent practic- ing climbing systems, with additional lectures on safe practices and equipment being given at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa in the evenings. Week two of the course was based in McKee Barracks, Dublin. Students on the course were in a different climbing environment, rehearsing and practicing at Dalkey Quarry. The rock in Dalkey Quarry differed greatly from the limestone of the Burren, being a granite rock, giving students a different climbing environment with new chal- lenges in establishing safe climbing routes. Stu- dents rehearsed all systems they were required Safety First, students receiving safety brief prior to activity Fitness is key, students on a block battle run

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