Event Details

CMC will strictly enforce safety protocols in accordance with CDC guidelines at the time the event is held. Event activities or dates are subject to change if necessary to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Please see the GRIMP Homepage for updates.

GRIMP™ North America is an international rescue skills challenge hosted by CMC on the magnificent Battleship Iowa in Los Angeles, California. We designed this event to provide an opportunity for education and spirited competition surrounded by peers.

Our goal is to foster learning and collaboration within the global rescue community, knowing that as teams work to sharpen their skills and response capabilities, rescues become safer and increasingly successful for everyone involved.

What can I expect at CMC GRIMP™ North America?

Rescue teams will be assessed on their ability to safely and quickly complete a variety of diverse technical rescue scenarios. Similar to the Grimpday events of Belgium, Taiwan and China, teams must accomplish each rescue within a given set of rules, circumstances and time. Teams will be evaluated on their ability to safely and quickly perform these rescues and garner points during each challenge. Complete rules and regulations will be communicated to the teams after they have been announced.

How long is the event?

The event spans three days with check-in on Thursday morning, March 24, 2022, two days of rescue challenges on the battleship (March 25 and 26), and an award ceremony on Saturday evening March 26, 2022. 

How many teams will be participating?

Twelve rescue teams, consisting of seven people each, will be selected to participate in the challenge. Due to space constraints and safety considerations, only 12 qualified teams will be selected to participate.

Individuals and non-participating teams are invited and encouraged to join us for spectating and camaraderie.

How many rescuers per team?

Each team must be comprised of 7 participants including 5 rescuers, 1 victim and 1 evaluator*.

* May be known as a “controller” in some countries

Is the challenge open to anyone?

For reasons of safety, selection of teams will be based on professional rope rescue, rope access and confined space rescue experience.

What will the rescue scenarios be like?

The scenarios will be diverse and appropriately challenging for the participants. They will include elements of top down rescue, confined space rescue and rope access techniques.

Some of the challenges will contain rescues in enclosed areas. Demonstrations in certain confined space techniques will be provided prior to the start of the competition for teams with less familiarity in this area, but otherwise experienced in a variety of technical rope rescue practices.

How will the scenarios be judged?

Teams will be judged using a set of objective evaluation sheets. Each scenario is graded separately. In the event of a mathematical tie in scoring, the team that completed the scenario in the shortest time shall be placed ahead of the slower team in ranking for that particular scenario. In the unlikely event of an overall mathematical tie in scoring at the completion of the competition, there will be a “run off” event. The winner of that event will take the lead in the tie breaker category. The run off event will only be disclosed should the need arise. The skills measured will be skills already used elsewhere during the competition.

Will equipment be provided?

Each team participant must bring their own personal gear. To ease the burden of traveling with too much gear, certain larger and heavier items will be provided for the teams on site.

Do I need to bring specialized gear for the Confined Space scenarios?

Teams DO NOT need to bring SCBA or Supplied Air Respirator (SAR) systems. CMC will be providing fans and ducting. The spaces for the scenario will be Permit Required Confined Spaces that have a minor atmospheric hazard controlled with ventilation. CMC will provide atmospheric monitors. The scenarios were created to minimize the amount of gear teams need to travel with. 

Could the team use a SKED through the whole competition instead of using a rescue litter?

You may bring a SKED. Please keep in mind a SKED will work in some scenarios but WILL NOT work in others. Litters will be provided at stations that may require their use.

Are teams required to use certified gear?

Yes. All equipment that is independently tested and certified to a recognized standard (including EN/CE) is acceptable. Technical rated hardware and devices are permitted.

Equipment should meet the appropriate regulations of the participating team’s home country.

Are Munter hitches an acceptable means of safety belay?

Safety/belay requirement:

Each team is free to use whatever techniques they wish. All rescues shall be performed with a minimum of 2 ropes of at least 11 mm or greater. All systems must be capable of passing the “whistle test” (meaning if the person in control of the lowering or descent operation lets go, the system(s) default to stopping).

The Munter hitch does NOT meet this criteria as a safety/belay and is therefore not acceptable.

What does the event cost?

The registration fee is $1300 per team of 7. This fee includes lunches, refreshments, any social hours, and the Saturday night banquet. Dinners will be on your own for Thursday and Friday nights, March 24 and 25.

Where do you recommend participants stay?

CMC has arranged a special group rate for participants at the Crowne Plaza LA Harbor, directly across the street from the harbor and the Battleship Iowa. Please contact our GRIMP North America event committee for details and instructions on how to book rooms.

Are spectators welcome?  

Spectators are welcome. There are many fun activities in the Los Angeles area for families and friends to enjoy. 

Special rates to access the Battleship Iowa will be available. Upon arrival, please check in with a GRIMP North America staff member to receive a wristband. We aim to create a unique and beneficial experience for both participating teams and spectators.

Team Requirements

• Each team must be comprised of 7 participants including 5 rescuers, 1 victim and 1 evaluator*. * May be known as a “controller” in some countries

• With the exception of the victim, all participants must be experienced, professional rope technicians competent in their field and be affiliated with an industry-related company or organization.

• The team captain must be fluent in speaking, reading and understanding English.  

• The evaluator must be fluent in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English. This requirement is not negotiable. The use of an interpreter to assist the evaluator is not permitted.

• The team evaluator must be functionally fluent in English, technically competent, and able to recognize and oversee safety. They will be helping to evaluate the scenarios and will work directly with independent lead evaluators for each scenario.

• The victim must weigh a minimum of 60kg (132 lbs) and be at least 18 years of age by the day of event check in. 

• Each team member must provide their own certified personal equipment and have the same equipment with them for every challenge.

Event Rules

• CMC shall oversee GRIMP™ North America, including qualifying and evaluating teams. All participants are expected to know and abide by the event rules, and CMC has complete authority over the rules.

• Teams are evaluated on their ability to safely complete a variety of technical rescue scenarios within a given set of rules, circumstances and time.

• All briefings, verbal and written communication will be in English.

• Each team is free to use the techniques they deem appropriate.  All rescues must be performed with a minimum of two ropes of 11 mm or greater.  All systems must be capable of passing the “whistle test”, meaning if the person in control of the lowering or descent operation lets go, the system(s) default to stopping.

• CMC will provide air monitors, Arizona Vortex (with basic optional instruction on Day 1), litters, and confined space rescue packaging equipment (with basic optional instruction on Day 1).  

• It is the responsibility of the individual team to provide all other equipment necessary to complete a rescue, including lighting, in good condition and designed for its intended use.

• There is no limit to the amount of equipment a team can bring, but all equipment must be carried by the five rescuers on the team. Returning to a vehicle to obtain “specialized” equipment is prohibited.  

• Equipment should meet the appropriate regulations of the participating team’s home country.

• The GRIMP™ North America staff at each scenario has the authority to withdraw equipment that does not meet the above criteria.

• Teams will be judged using a set of objective evaluation sheets. Each scenario is graded separately. In the event of a mathematical tie in scoring, the team that completed the scenario in the shortest time shall be placed ahead of the slower team in ranking for that particular scenario. In the unlikely event of an overall mathematical tie in scoring at the completion of the competition, there will be a “run off” event. The winner of that event will take the lead in the tie breaker category. The run off event will only be disclosed should the need arise. The skills measured will be skills already used elsewhere during the competition.

• Water and lunch will be provided for the participants during the event. Consumption of alcohol prior to or during the event is strictly forbidden.  Any teams caught violating this rule will be withdrawn from further competition.   

• CMC GRIMP™ North America will be held at the Battleship Iowa (BB-61), a decommissioned World War II Battleship located in the San Pedro area of Los Angeles, CA.

• The event spans three days with check-in on Thursday morning, two days of rescue challenges (Friday and Saturday), two evening receptions (Thursday and Friday) and an award ceremony on Saturday evening.   

• Event check in will occur at the GRIMP North America hospitality tent at Battleship Iowa (250 S. Harbor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90731) on Thursday March 24, 2022. A mandatory Team Captain meeting will be held that Thursday afternoon to provide scenario reporting location and time, event rules, full agenda and scoring criteria.

• A mandatory Evaluator meeting will also be held Thursday afternoon at Battleship Iowa; this includes the Evaluator provided by each of the participating teams.

• CMC will host a welcome reception on the dock of the Battleship Iowa on Thursday and Friday evenings.

• Complete rules and regulations will be communicated to the teams after they have been announced.