Alpine Rescue Team Blue Book Copyright – Alpine Rescue Team 2005 Alpine Rescue Team, Inc. Acknowledgement This book could not have been produced without the efforts of many contributors. However, there is one individual whose tireless efforts and outstanding commitment truly made this book possible. He is the author of many sections and the editor and advisor on the rest. His work has brought together a collection of knowledge and procedures that will help ensure the continued effectiveness and strength of Mountain Rescue and Alpine Rescue Team. For his extraordinary efforts on this book, the Board of Directors of Alpine Rescue Team gratefully acknowledges: Paul “Woody” Woodward P.O Box 934 - Evergreen Colorado - 303-526-2417 - www.alpinerescueteam.org 03/14/12 Alpine Rescue Team Blue Book Table of Contents Part 1 History and Team Structure Sec. 1 Forward Sec. 2 Introduction Sec. 3 Orientation Sec. 4 The Shack Sec. 5 Other Rescue Organizations Sec. 6 Organizational Chart Part 2 By-Laws and Appendices Sec. 1 Team By-Laws Sec. 2 Appendices Guidelines of Proficiency Code of Ethics Alpine Insignia Mountain Rescue Association Ratification of MRA By-Laws Part 3 Administrative Policies Sec. 1 General - 01/01/94 (Revised 02/13/08) Sec. 2 Check Signing - 02/09/00 (Revised 02/09/05) Sec. 3 Membership - 02/13/08 (Revised 03/14/12) Sec. 4 Associate Program - 02/13/08 Sec. 5 Public Information - 08/10/11 Sec. 7 Pro-Purchase - 04/11/01 (Revised 11/11/09) Sec. 8 Team E-Mail and Website - 07/09/03 Sec. 9 Team Representative Expense - 05/09/01 (Revised 12/13/06) Sec. 10 Team Jackets - 3/10/00 (Revised 02/13/08) Sec. 11 Team Blue Book - 02/09/05 (Revised 12/14/11) Sec. 13 Outreach Program - 09/10/08 Sec. 14 Donations - 08/12/09 Part 4 Field Procedures Sec. 1 General - 12/01/94 (Revised 05/18/09) Sec. 2 Attendance Requirements - 09/12/01 (Revised 12/14/11) Sec. 3 Emergency Vehicle - 06/01/95 (Revised 05/18/09) Sec. 4 PM Evaluation Period - 04/08/02 (Revised 02/08/12) Sec. 5 Membership - 02/01/97 (Revised 05/18/09) Sec. 6 Probation Period - 12/01/94 (Revised 12/14/11) Sec. 7 Mission Leader Requirements - 12/31/10 (Revised 12/14/11) Copyright – Alpine Rescue Team 2005 03/14/12 Table of Contents Sec. 8 Mission Recording - 12/14/11 Sec. 9 C-Spine Immobilization - 06/01/05 Sec. 10 Snowmobile Skill Classification - 03/10/06 Sec. 11 Team Training Events - 01/14/09 (Revised 12/31/10) Part 5 Training Guidelines Sec. 1 Safety Philosophy Sec. 2 Mission Response and Protocols Sec. 3 ICS Sec. 4 Medical Sec. 5 Communications Sec. 6 Search Techniques Sec. 7 Search Dogs Sec. 8 Map and Compass Sec. 9 G.P.S. Sec. 10 Helicopters Sec. 11 Avalanche Rescue Sec. 12 Avalanche Beacons Sec. 13 Personal Equipment Sec.13.1 General Sec 13.2 Technical Gear Sec. 14 Team Equipment Overview Sec. 15 Team Equipment Sec 15.1 Ropes Sec 15.2 Webbing / Cordage Sec 15.3 Carabiners / Other Hardware Sec 15.4 Pulley’s Sec 15.5 Brake Devices Sec 15.6 Litters Sec 15.7 Edge Protection Sec 15.8 Climbing Gear Sec 15.9 Avalanche Gear Sec 15.10 Snow/Ice Anchors Sec 15.11 Swift water Equipment Sec 15.12 Packs Sec 15.13 Medical Sec 15.14 Navigation / Tracking Sec 15.15 Radios Sec 15.16 Helmets Sec 15.17 Testing / Safety Sec. 16 Technical Systems Sec 16.1 Anchors Natural Anchors Artificial Anchors Human Anchors Tensionless Anchors - 2 - Copyright – Alpine Rescue Team 2005 03/14/12 Table of Contents Load Distributing Anchors Sec 16.2 Lowering Systems Brake Tube Rescue Eight Tandem Rescue Eights Tree Wrap Sec 16.3 Hauling Systems 1:1 Inline 2:1 Inline 3:1 Inline 3:1 w/ Separate Main Line 4:1 w/ Separate Main Line 6:1 w/ Separate Main Line Sec 16.4 Tensioning Systems Highline W System Deflection Prusik Minding pulley / Inline 3:1 Sec 16.5 Knots Team Knots / Additional Knots Knot Pass Terminology Sec. 17 Standard Guidelines for Technical Procedures Sec 17.1 Communications Sec 17.2 Personal Ascending / Descending Sec 17.3 Third Man / Pick-Offs Sec 17.4 Lowering – Scree Sec 17.5 Lowering – High Angle Sec 17.6 Uphaul Sec 17.7 Highline Sec. 18 Team Vehicles - Vehicle Equipment Locations Sec 18.1 Rescue 1 Sec 18.2 Rescue 2 Sec 18.3 Comm 4 Sec 18.4 ATV’s Sec 18.5 Snowmobiles Sec. 19 Team Vehicles - Vehicle Operator Guides Sec 19.1 Team Vehicles Operator Guide Sec 19.2 ATV’s Operator Guide Sec 19.3 Snowmobiles Operator Guide Sec. 20 Reference Material - 3 - Copyright – Alpine Rescue Team 2005 03/14/12 Table of Contents Part 6 Appendix Blue Book Revision Summary Sheet (Revised 12/14/11) Alpine – MM Education Fund Alpine – SAR Education Fund Avalanche Rescue Checklist (Revised 12/31/10) Avi Map – Berthoud Pass Avi Map – Loveland Pass Board of Directors / Job Roster (Revised 12/14/11) Check Request Forms (Revised 01/19/09) Communications – 800 MHZ Overview (Revised 12/31/10) Communications – 800 MHZ Procedures (Revised 12/31/10) Communications – Cell 911 Procedures Communications – Comm 4 APRS Procedures Communications – Ham radio Frequencies Communications – PLB Communications – Radio Relay Points Insurance Information Map to the Shack Radio Numbers (Revised 10/07/11) Rescue 1 Long Form Rocky Mtn. Regional By-Laws (Revised 05/21/11) Rocky Mtn. Regional Guidelines (Revised 12/31/10) Rocky Mtn. Regional Policies (Revised 12/31/10) Rocky Mtn. Regional A/R Worksheet (Revised 12/31/10) Team Assignment Checklist (04/14/10) Team Awards (Revised 12/14/11) - 4 - Copyright – Alpine Rescue Team 2005 Alpine Rescue Team Blue Book Part 1 – History and Team Structure Sec. 1 Forward Sec. 2 Introduction Sec. 3 Orientation Sec. 4 The Shack Sec. 5 Other Rescue Organizations Sec. 6 Organizational Chart Copyright – Alpine Rescue Team 2005 01/01/05 Forward he Alpine Rescue Team has an extensive continual training program for both prospective and active members. The Blue Book helps to fill the need Tfor a source of written material on topics specifically applicable to Alpine. Part I contains the Team's History and Structure. Part II includes the Team By- Laws and Appendices. Part III lists the current Administrative Policies adopted by the Board of Directors. Part IV includes the Field Procedures as established by the Field Director. Part V is intended as a reference for techniques and skills that are specific for Alpine and may not be covered in other technical reference books. A list of these other technical reference books can be found in Part V, Section 20 of the Blue Book. Part VI is the Appendix that contains other current team information as well as Regional Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) information. This manual is not a complete instructional manual for mountain search and rescue or emergency medicine. Reading this manual will in no way replace actual practice, but will familiarize and reacquaint the member with the material to be covered. The authors, and the Alpine Rescue Team take no responsibility for use of this manual, its diagrams or any information contained herein. The first edition of the Blue Book was written in 1975 by team members Mike Paul, Sue Paul, Harry Ledyard and Chuck Burdick and revised in 1994 under the direction of John Peleaux. The original training manual was bound in a blue cover and over the years inherited the name “Blue Book”. Listed below are those members that contributed in the writing of this second edition of the team Blue Book. The quality of this manual is in direct proportion to the experience and dedication of this group of elite mountain rescuers. Managing Editor Paul “Woody” Woodward Contributing Authors Scott Amdur Dale Atkins Bill Barwick Mike Everist Bob Feroldi Steve Gosselin Scott Grotheer Steve Kelleher Loui McCurley Ric Ondrusek Howard Paul John Peleaux Loren Pfau Steve Raber Mike Selka Charley Shimanski Mike Snovak Angela Eaton Snovak Rich Solosky Todd Sullivan John Thomas Bob Wagner John Wells Tom Wood Editorial Advisors Melissa Archey Herb Dorn Tom Loebach Copyright – Alpine Rescue Team 2005 01/01/10 Sec 2 Introduction he Alpine Rescue Team of Evergreen, Colorado is a mountain search and rescue unit dedicated to saving lives through search, rescue, and mountain Tsafety education. The Team is composed totally of volunteers and is available upon request to help in mountain search and rescue problems anywhere, under the authority of local jurisdiction agencies. Membership usually ranges from 40 to 60 persons. The Team is also available to provide information and lectures on mountain safety to interested individuals and groups. The Alpine Rescue Team prides itself on its many years of humanitarian effort, and its reputation of capability and safety. In addition to training extensively in mountaineering skills, search, and rescue techniques, members work diligently to improve their emergency medical capabilities. Most members have emergency care training, and many of the members are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). The Team usually participates in 70 to 100 field missions per year; these are generally divided about equally between rescues and searches. The Team averages 6,000 volunteer-hours per year in field missions, and at least three times that figure in volunteer-hours spent in training and outreach education programs. The headquarters of the Team is located near the Evergreen Parkway exit on I-70 just West of Denver. It houses equipment and serves as a command center for missions as well as training and meeting site.