SKT B
Rope Climbing Technique B – Advanced Course
The courses SKT A, B, and C form the foundation for the training to become a European Tree Worker climbing. The proof of practical experience (at least 200 climbing hours) that you must provide between courses A and B ensures that you consolidate and train the knowledge learned in the first course. Only in this way is success in the further courses possible.
The focus in SKT B is on the use of the chainsaw in the tree, various ascent techniques, and the basic branch and stem rigging techniques that are an essential part of daily arborist life.
A successfully completed SKT B is the basic prerequisite for every arborist to work officially, professionally, and above all more effectively with the chainsaw in the tree.
With SKT A and B you are well equipped for the professional course SKT C (in which you learn things like speedline construction, dismantling at exposed locations, and working with various winch and bollard systems in rigging) and subsequently for the internationally recognized qualifications European Tree Worker and European Tree Technician (whereby SKT C is an optional but not a mandatory prerequisite for ETW and ETT).
Our SKT B course lasts 5 full days (Mon–Fri). The certificate exam is taken separately on the Saturday after the course, so you have one more day to practice and consolidate what you have learned.
Course Content
- Ascent techniques
- Knot and equipment knowledge
- Moving in the fine branch zone
- Tree dismantling
- Branch and stem rigging techniques
- Rigging techniques
- Rigging equipment
- Spikes and chainsaw in the tree
- Rescue methods ("high rescue")
Requirements
- Valid SKT A certificate
- Proof of 200 hours (SKT logbook or confirmation by the employer)
- Proof of chainsaw competence (or attendance of our chainsaw course)
- 16-hour first aid course (no more than 4 years old – refresher courses are ok!)
- Valid G41 examination
What to Bring
- Valid occupational health examination "work at great heights with risk of falling" (if no expiry date is indicated, no more than 3 years old)
- 16-hour first aid certificate (no more than 4 years old; refresher courses possible!)
- Proof of chainsaw competence or attendance of the "Chainsaw Course"
- SKT B: valid SKT A certificate
- SKT B: written proof of 200 practical hours (SKT logbook or confirmation by the employer)
- SKT C: valid SKT B certificate
- SKT C: written proof of at least 1 year of SKT B practical experience & attendance of the Rigging on a Model workshop
The PPE must be brought complete and inspected (with inspection protocol). You are welcome to purchase any missing equipment items at our Kreitl Shop in Raasdorf.
- Inspection protocol for the annual PPE inspection by a competent person
- Complete SKT A tree care equipment (as listed above) – plus:
- Ascent set (e.g. the Treeclimb SRT-3 Set from Freeworker (available at our Kreitl Shop in Raasdorf), which is very similar to our training sets and was used in the SKT A course)
- Cut-protection trousers
- Cut-protection boots (S3 safety shoes are not sufficient!)
- Possibly climbing shoes (above ankle height)
- Arborist helmet with hearing and face protection
- Steel lanyard with positioner + carabiner
- Additionally at least 6 triple self-locking carabiners + auxiliary carabiners
- Certified + approved ascent device for the Austrian market (if applicable including rope)
- Adjustable strangulating cambium saver (e.g. RopeGuide 2010, RopeGuide Twinline, Pulleysafer, Eject)
- Spikes
- Storage box/bag for all equipment
- Chainsaw + felling tools (if available)
- Rigging equipment (if available)
- Prusik lift pulley (if available)
The personal protective equipment (PPE) brought must be inspected and documented by a competent person before use in the course. New PPE is exempt from inspection, provided it is unused and meets applicable standards.
An annual PPE inspection including inspection protocol is legally required (according to ASchG).
- The inspection protocol must be presented to the trainers on the first day of the course (Monday).
- Ascent devices must be approved for the Austrian market, if applicable including the approved rope.
- The associated rescue and emergency procedures (rescue scenarios) for the ascent device used must be known to you.
- PPE inspections can be carried out by staff at the Kreitl Shop in Raasdorf (Freeworker Austria) before the course. To schedule an appointment: +43 664 517 72 44
Information on the certificate and recertification: After passing the exam, you will receive an SKT certificate and a card. These are valid for 3 years. For recertification, a 4-hour rescue training session must be attended, and proof of a current 16-hour first aid course and valid G41 must be provided.
Investment
Course: € 1.000,00 excl. VAT (€ 1.200,00 incl. VAT)
Exam: € 220,00 excl. VAT (€ 264,00 incl. VAT)
Full: € 1.220,00 excl. VAT (€ 1.464,00 incl. VAT)
