NWSA Tower Technician Training Level 2 (Tt2)
Certification Examination |Complete Questions
And Detailed Solutions | Latest Update .
SECTION 1: ADVANCED CLIMBING & RESCUE TECHNIQUES (Questions 1–12)
Q1: A tower technician performing a self-rescue descent from 200 feet using a
primary descender must have what minimum backup system attached
independently to a separate anchor point?
A. A secondary descender on the same rope
B. A Prusik hitch or mechanical backup device (ASAP, RopeTek) on a separate
rope or lifeline [CORRECT]
C. A hand-tied Munter hitch on the primary rope below the descender
D. A friction wrap around the tower leg using webbing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per NWSA TT2 standards and ANSI/ASSP Z359.2, self-
rescue descent requires an independent backup attachment system on a
separate rope or lifeline to prevent single-point-of-failure; a Prusik hitch, ASAP, or
RopeTek device meets this requirement when rigged to a separate anchor.
Q2: During a pick-off rescue of an incapacitated climber suspended at 150 feet on
a vertical lifeline, the rescuer must first perform which critical action before
initiating contact?
A. Cut the victim's lifeline to prepare for lowering
B. Establish a separate independent anchor and 100% tie-off before approaching
the victim [CORRECT]
C. Call for ground crew to raise the victim immediately
D. Attach the victim's harness to the rescuer's descender
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Correct because OSHA 1926.954 requires rescuers to maintain 100%
fall protection at all times during rescue operations; establishing an independent
anchor and maintaining two points of attachment ensures rescuer safety before
approaching the incapacitated climber.
Q3: A 3:1 mechanical advantage Z-rig system is being used to raise an
incapacitated climber. If the climber and equipment weigh 300 pounds, what is
the approximate pulling force required on the haul line, assuming 10% system
friction loss?
A. 90 pounds
B. 100 pounds
C. 111 pounds [CORRECT]
D. 150 pounds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because a 3:1 mechanical advantage theoretically reduces the
load to 100 lb (300 lb ÷ 3); with 10% friction loss, the actual pulling force is 300 lb
÷ (3 × 0.90) = 111 lb, per NWSA TT2 rigging calculations.
Q4: When constructing a 4:1 mechanical advantage system for raising a patient
on rope, which pulley configuration achieves true 4:1 advantage with the least
rope travel?
A. Four single pulleys in series on separate anchors
B. A compound system with two 2:1 systems combined [CORRECT]
C. Four pulleys on a single anchor in parallel
D. A single pulley with four rope wraps
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ANSI/ASSP compliant practice dictates that a
compound system combining two 2:1 mechanical advantages achieves true 4:1
mechanical advantage with manageable rope travel, which is the standard
configuration for patient-raising operations in tower rescue.
, Q5: During a lowering operation using a rescue descender, the brake hand should
be positioned:
A. On the loaded strand above the descender
B. On the brake strand below the descender, never letting go [CORRECT]
C. On the victim's harness D-ring for direct control
D. On the anchor carabiner to monitor load
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per NWSA TT2 standards, the brake hand must
remain on the brake strand below the descender at all times during lowering
operations; releasing the brake strand can result in uncontrolled descent and
catastrophic failure.
Q6: A technician is performing a self-rescue using an ASAP backup device on a
separate static rope. The ASAP should be installed:
A. Above the descender on the same rope as the primary system
B. On a separate rope with the ASAP positioned below the chest ascender
[CORRECT]
C. On the tower structure using a shock-absorbing lanyard
D. On the primary descender as a secondary braking mechanism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per NWSA TT2 standards, the ASAP backup device
must be installed on a separate rope positioned below the chest ascender to
arrest a fall independently of the primary descender system.
Q7: In a pick-off rescue scenario, the rescuer approaches an unconscious
climber from:
A. Directly below the victim to avoid swing fall
B. From above or the side, maintaining independent attachment [CORRECT]
C. From directly behind the victim on the same lifeline
D. From the ground using a ground-based rescue system only
Certification Examination |Complete Questions
And Detailed Solutions | Latest Update .
SECTION 1: ADVANCED CLIMBING & RESCUE TECHNIQUES (Questions 1–12)
Q1: A tower technician performing a self-rescue descent from 200 feet using a
primary descender must have what minimum backup system attached
independently to a separate anchor point?
A. A secondary descender on the same rope
B. A Prusik hitch or mechanical backup device (ASAP, RopeTek) on a separate
rope or lifeline [CORRECT]
C. A hand-tied Munter hitch on the primary rope below the descender
D. A friction wrap around the tower leg using webbing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per NWSA TT2 standards and ANSI/ASSP Z359.2, self-
rescue descent requires an independent backup attachment system on a
separate rope or lifeline to prevent single-point-of-failure; a Prusik hitch, ASAP, or
RopeTek device meets this requirement when rigged to a separate anchor.
Q2: During a pick-off rescue of an incapacitated climber suspended at 150 feet on
a vertical lifeline, the rescuer must first perform which critical action before
initiating contact?
A. Cut the victim's lifeline to prepare for lowering
B. Establish a separate independent anchor and 100% tie-off before approaching
the victim [CORRECT]
C. Call for ground crew to raise the victim immediately
D. Attach the victim's harness to the rescuer's descender
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Correct because OSHA 1926.954 requires rescuers to maintain 100%
fall protection at all times during rescue operations; establishing an independent
anchor and maintaining two points of attachment ensures rescuer safety before
approaching the incapacitated climber.
Q3: A 3:1 mechanical advantage Z-rig system is being used to raise an
incapacitated climber. If the climber and equipment weigh 300 pounds, what is
the approximate pulling force required on the haul line, assuming 10% system
friction loss?
A. 90 pounds
B. 100 pounds
C. 111 pounds [CORRECT]
D. 150 pounds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because a 3:1 mechanical advantage theoretically reduces the
load to 100 lb (300 lb ÷ 3); with 10% friction loss, the actual pulling force is 300 lb
÷ (3 × 0.90) = 111 lb, per NWSA TT2 rigging calculations.
Q4: When constructing a 4:1 mechanical advantage system for raising a patient
on rope, which pulley configuration achieves true 4:1 advantage with the least
rope travel?
A. Four single pulleys in series on separate anchors
B. A compound system with two 2:1 systems combined [CORRECT]
C. Four pulleys on a single anchor in parallel
D. A single pulley with four rope wraps
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ANSI/ASSP compliant practice dictates that a
compound system combining two 2:1 mechanical advantages achieves true 4:1
mechanical advantage with manageable rope travel, which is the standard
configuration for patient-raising operations in tower rescue.
, Q5: During a lowering operation using a rescue descender, the brake hand should
be positioned:
A. On the loaded strand above the descender
B. On the brake strand below the descender, never letting go [CORRECT]
C. On the victim's harness D-ring for direct control
D. On the anchor carabiner to monitor load
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per NWSA TT2 standards, the brake hand must
remain on the brake strand below the descender at all times during lowering
operations; releasing the brake strand can result in uncontrolled descent and
catastrophic failure.
Q6: A technician is performing a self-rescue using an ASAP backup device on a
separate static rope. The ASAP should be installed:
A. Above the descender on the same rope as the primary system
B. On a separate rope with the ASAP positioned below the chest ascender
[CORRECT]
C. On the tower structure using a shock-absorbing lanyard
D. On the primary descender as a secondary braking mechanism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per NWSA TT2 standards, the ASAP backup device
must be installed on a separate rope positioned below the chest ascender to
arrest a fall independently of the primary descender system.
Q7: In a pick-off rescue scenario, the rescuer approaches an unconscious
climber from:
A. Directly below the victim to avoid swing fall
B. From above or the side, maintaining independent attachment [CORRECT]
C. From directly behind the victim on the same lifeline
D. From the ground using a ground-based rescue system only
