PROJECT C.O.P.E
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Project COPE Standards

The following standards are taken from the 1997 Project COPE National Standards Boy Scouts of America (20-172A). The standards on this page may not be the exact standards to be used by inspection team.

National Standards for Project COPE Courses

These standards are designed to ensure a high degree of health and safety for participants and staff engaged in Project COPE events. Equipment, facilities, staff qualifications, and training, as well as operations of the program, should be reviewed during the annual summer camp visitation. This inspection must be conducted by a certified regional COPE inspector. COPE courses not part of a summer camp operation must also be inspected annually. A COPE course is defined as any activity listed in the high-course or low-course events portions of the Project COPE guidebook, NO. 34371. Courses with only low-course elements ust be inspected annually beginning in 1997. Qualified personnel should supervise all low-course events listed in the guidebook.

COPE courses may be inspected at a different time other than during the national resident camp visitation. The regions will have trained COPE course inspectors who will inspect the courses.

All mandatory ("M") standards must be met to operate a Project COPE course. Any event or activity that does not meet all mandatory standards must be closed until compliance is achieved. If one Project COPE element does not meet the standards, it may be possible-without closing the entire course-to close that element until it can meet the standards.

The following items should be available to the inspection team.

  1. Results of last inspection of the course and corrective action taken.
  2. Document certifying that trees used for COPE elements have been inspected by a dendrologist or forester.
  3. Log of the history of each rope used in the program.
  4. Equipment record and inventory.
  5. Reports of injuries and close calls involving participants in COPE.
  6. Maintenance checklist of facilities and equipment
  7. Proof of certification of Project COPE director and instructors.
  8. COPE staff training plan.
  9. Chicklist of events each instructor is qualified to lead.
  10. Proof of first-aid and CPR certification of a COPE staff member.
  11. Rules and safety procedures for each event.
  12. Procedures for opening and concluding a COPE program session.
  13. Emergency plan and procedures.
  14. Approval of any new element not in the Project COPE guidebook-A letter from the Boy Scout Division approving the event must be available.

1997 Project COPE Accreditation

PROGRAM SITE

1. The project COPE course is located where access is limited and can be monitored or events should be disabled when not in use. (This standard will be mandatory beginning in 1999.)

M2. Activity sites are free of distrations from other program areas and from potential hazards such as power lines, insects, vehicle traffic, and exposed ridges.

M3. A document is on file that certifies that trees used on the Project COPE course have been inspected within the past three years by a qualified forester or dendrologist for shallow roots, rotting, insect damage, and other conditions that might weaken them.

Trees that were determined to be unsuitable are not being used.

Inspections was signed by: ______________

Date of inspection of trees: ____________

CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENT

M4. Trees used to anchor cables are at least 8 inches in diameter at point of attachment.

M5. All dead snags and limbs that could threaten any of the activity sites or trails are removed.

M6. Holes drilled for utility poles are dug 1 foot deep for every 10 feet of pole height, plus 2 feet; or, if required, local utility-pole standards are used. For example, a 40-foot pole would be set 6 feet in the ground.

M7. Rust-resistant, 3/8-inch, 7 x 19 aircraft wire rope or cable (galvanized or stainless steel) is required for all cable usage on all Project COPE elements. Cable with less flexibility, such as 1 x 7- or 1 x 19-strand cable is acceptable for guy cables when properly installed using connections suitable for the type of cable used. Use of U-bolts on 1 x 7 and 1 x 19 cable is prohibited.

M8. All belay cables in high-course elements must be constructed with a reliable backup system at each point that anchors the cable to a tree, pole, or other supporting structure as described in the Challenge Course Installation Standards developed by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT, phone, 540-668-6634). All new or reconfigured Project COPE installations must conform to ACCT standards; existing facilities must be evaluated against ACCT standards to be sure there are no unsafe elements. (This also applies to standard M9.)

M9. All cable termination and intermediate attachments conform to the ACCT installation standards.

10. A well-planned, well-constructed trail system enables groups to walk safely from each activity to the next without defoliating the natural screening between areas and creating erosion problems.

M11. Any event not described and explained in the Project COPE guidebook, No. 34371, must be designed to provide spotting or belay access. Any new element proposed should serve an objective not being met in the Project COPE guidebook. A description of the event has been filed with the Boy Scout Camping Service, S209 at the national office, and a written record of approval has been received and is available for review by Project COPE inspectors.

12. When possible, the program is made available to youth people with disabilities. Adult leaders sensative to the needs of youth with disabilities and familiar with the conditions of the particular individuals accompany the group.

PROGRAM EQUIPMENT

M13. Each individual in the area of a high-course event wears an approved rock-climbing helmet, and each belayer and rappeller also uses a leather-palmed glove on the break hand.

M14. All items of specialized equipment (carabiners, helmets, webbing, ropes, etc.) needed for conducting a safe Project COPE program must be furnished to participants and staff.

M15. All ropes used for belay purposes have a manufacturer's rated breaking strength of at least 5,000 pounds when new, and have a minimum diameter of 11 millimeters or 7/16 inch. Both static and dynamic climbing ropes are acceptable for dynamically belayed elements. Dynamic rope or another shock-absobing system is required for reducing the force generated in a diving activity such as the confidence pole. All ropes and nylon webbing are new when procured.

M16. A written log is kept of the history of each rope used in the program, indicating (1) the date the rope was purchased, (2) the number of participants using it, and (3) any severe stresses tht were placed on the rope. Each rope is marked and permanently identified. All climbing rope is retired after the fourth year, or sooner if it shows signs of excessive wear or abuse.

M17. Use of a tied seat harness, such as the Swiss seat or Studebaker wrap, made from one-inch nylon tubular webbing, or a properly sized commercial climbing seat harness is required on all belayed events. In addition, a chest harness may be used on selected events to keep the participant upright.

M18. A figure-eight ring, slotted Sticht plate, or tuber belay device is used for all rope belays or rappels to control the rate of descent. Brake bars on carabiners are prohibited.

M19. When the carabiner is in contact with steel cable, only locking steel carabiners are used.

M20. Written equipment records are kept that include a complete and current inventory, a record of issue and check-in, and a record of maintenance.

M21. Instructors are taught how to inspect equipment for defects, and what to look for that renders equipment unsafe for usage. Retired equipment is disposed of in such a way that is cannot be retrieved.

M22. Equipment is in locked, protective storage when not being used.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

M23. The Project COPE program operates only under the supervision of a National Camping School-certified Project COPE Director.

M24. A certified Project COPE director must be on the Project COPE program site during the operation of a course. At least one Project COPE instructor must also be present.

M25. Each staff member may supervise no more than twelve participants in a low-course activity nor more than six participants in a high-course activity.

M26. Staff members never leave participants who are on or near the course.

M27. A certified Project COPE director chairs the council COPE committee and administers teh council COPE program. The COPE course is inspected twice a year-once by a certified Project COPE director and members of the council COPE committee and once by a BSA regional COPE inspection team that submits written recommendations to the council. Teh council schedules and completes facility additions, repairs, and maintenance based on these recommendations.

M28. Close calls, accidents, or injuries that occur on the course are documented by Project COPE staff and are periodically reviewed to identify procedures, instruction techniques, or facilities that need to be revamped.

M29. A written maintenance checklist is used for all maintenance inspections of facilities and equipment. A record of these inspections should be kept with the COPE records, the ranger's records, and the council's records.

M30. Other organizations or groups are permitted to use the course only while under the supervision of a Project COPE director. The course or equipment is not turned over to instructors from another organization.

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

M31. The Project COPE director is at least 21 years of age and holds current (within five years) certification as a BSA Project COPE director. Evidence of continuing active participation on a Project COPE course at least once in the past six months or within the last camp session is available to the inspector.

Director: _____________________________________

Date of certification: ____________ Age: ______

M32. Project COPE instructors are at least 18 years of age and are safety-conscious, capable teachers who exercise good judgment and are dependable and mature enough to relate well to both youth and adults.

A written staff training plan has been developed. A Project COPE instructor is certified for two years after successfully achieving all the following under the supervision of a certified Project COPE director.

  1. Must be a currently registered member of the BSA.

  2. At least twice, completes as a participant all activities that he or she is to instruct.

  3. At least once, observes as the Project COPE director leads a group of participants through the events.

  4. At least once, under supervision of a currently certified Project COPE director, leads a group of participants through the events.

  5. Participates in a simulated rescue exercise on all high-course events that he or she is to lead.

M33. All other Project COPE instructors in training (IITs) are at least 16 years of age, are graduates of a Project COPE course, and have received Project COPE program training. Instructors in training must be supervised on site by a Project COPE director or instructor when the staff member assists participants.

M34. At least one Project COPE staff member is currently certified in American Red Cross Standard First Aid or the equivalent, is currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Heart Association or by the American Red Cross, and is physically present whenever the Project COPE course is in use.

CPR-trained staff member: ______________________________

Date of certification: ______________________________

First aid-trained staff member: ______________________________

Date of certification: ______________________________

M35. A certified Project COPE director supervises the staff responsible for the rappelling/climbing program and instructs them in proper techniques. The book Outdoor Skillls Instruction: Rappelling/Climbing, No. 33027, provides program information.

PARTICIPANT PREREQUISITES

M36. Participants in high-course and low-course events must be 13 years of age by january 1 of the year of participation or have completed the seventh grade. This level of maturity is needed in COPE events that require spotting or belaying so that participants are able to understand the implications of the experience.

PROJECT COPE PROGRAM ORIENTATION

M37. No participant is ever coerced or pressured into attempting any activity. A participant may be encouraged to take the next small step, but the final choice of participation and performance is left entirely up to the individual.

38. Several warm-up activities are condiucted at the beginning of each program session to enable the participants to loosen up their muscles and to increase group unity.

M39. The technique of safe spotting es explined, demonstrated, and practiced before participants are permitted to engage in any activity that requires that skill.

M40. The technique of safe belaying and use of climbing signals is explained, demonstrated, adn practiced under safe conditions before participants are permitted to engage in high course evnets.

M41. Participants are thoroughly trained in the proper use of specialized equipment, such as Swiss seats, carabiners, figure-eight rings, and climbing ropes before using the skills on high-course events.

M42. Staff members are trained to monitor environmental conditions and their effect on participants during challenging activities.

PROGRAM SAFETY PROCEDURES

M43. The Project COPE director is the sole and final judge as to whether he safety of a participant is compromised by course conditions, staffing, weather, or any other factor.

M44. Written rules and safety procedures used for each event ae known and used by the Project COPE staff. This includes detailed information for disabling or dismantling elements when not in use.

M45. A Project COPE director reviews the current health history and physical examination of each participant, or interviews each personally and shares pertinent medical information about each participant with the instructor(s) before the participant becomes involved on the course. Each participant is required to have a class III BSA medical examination.

M46. Procedures for opening and concluding a program session and for conducting each event are written and followed.

M47. The Project COPE director, using a written checklist, makes a visual check of the facilities and equipment, including hardware and anchor points, before each session. Hazards identified during this inspection are corrected before the activity is opened.

M48. Participants are belayed when more than 6 feet above the ground except in the wall and high-beam activites, which are spotted with extreme care. Anytime a belay is changed, procedures are in effect to ensure that the new belay is secured before the previous one is removed.

M49. Each belay anchor is placed to provide the most effective protection for the climber, as well as for the belayer. Where a fixed belay is used, the belayer's position allows for no slack between the belayer and the anchor point and is kept in direct line with a potential fall.

FIRST-AID AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

M50. Written plans identifying possible course emergencies and procedures for resolving them are reviewed with staff members.

M51. An electronic means of emergency communication is on site when the Project COPE course is being operated.

M52. The Project COPE course must be accessible to emergency transportation in a reasonable length of time.

M53. A first-aid kit containing medical supplies appropriate for possible course emergencies is available on the Project COPE site and accessible to staff members when the course is in operation.

M54. Rescue equipment appropriate for possible course emergencies is on the Project COPE site when the coures is in operation. It is used only for rescue and is color coded otherwise designated so that it can be easily distinguished from standard equipment used in the program. The rescue equipment is accessible at the site of the high-course activity.

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Updated Thursday, 02-Sep-1999 12:35:22 CDT.