California Association of Tactical Officers
Tactical Rope Access Course
Date: 02/16/2026 - 02/20/2026
Tuition: $1463
POST Control #: 1185-33577-25004
Location: Fire Station #1 Escondido
Escondido, CA 92025
Instructors: Dana Vilander
Course Description:

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Training Description:

COURSE INSTRUCTORS: The course cadre is led by Dana Vilander, a 32 year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he spent over 25 years at the Special Enforcement Bureau working K9, SWAT, Air Rescue/SAR and SWAT Paramedic.  Dana has more than 25 years training both U.S. and international tactics, tactical medicine, rope access and rescue, and helicopter operations.  This course is POST certified.

STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING: 

STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING KNOTS:

Knots, Hitches, Anchors

a) Figure 8, 

b) Figure 8 on a bight

c) Overhand

d) Double Bight Bowline

e) Alpine Butterfly

f) Bowline

g) Bowline with Yosemite Finish

h) Rigging Bowline

i) Munter Hitch

j) Girth Hitch

k) Clove Hitch

l) Offset Bound Overhand- tying 2 ropes together

m) Webbing- Water knot and Frost knot

n) Single Point Anchors

o) Basket Hitch

p) Wrap 3 Pull 2

q) Wrap 2 pull 4

r) High Strength Tie Off

s) Bowline series

t) Contingency Anchor- for lowering a stuck or injured roper

u) 2 or 3-point equalized anchor

v) 2 or 3 point self-equalizing anchor

TRAVEL AND LODGING: This course will begin at 0800 hours on the first day and conclude at approximately 1700 hours on the last day.

Register online at catotraining.org
Questions? Contact CATO's Training Coordinator
Desiree Harrington: dharrington@catotraining.org