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Considerations for Rope Rescue in 2002

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Considerations for Rope Rescue in 2002 Considerations For Rope Rescue in 2002 Kenneth N. Laidlaw CONSIDERATIONS FOR ROPE RESCUE in 2002 June 5, 2002 by Kenneth N. Laidlaw Red Cross Emergency Responder Mountain Rescue Association Operations Leader Qualified National Cave Rescue Commission Instructor National Association of Search and Rescue SAR Technician Evaluator California Rescue Dog Association Mission Ready Support Mine Safety and Health Administration Trained Type II Wildland Firefighter East Bay Regional Park Police Officer Universal Tracking Services Tracker II Amateur Radio Operator - General N6GFE Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Rescue Member PO Box 891 Orinda, CA 94563 (510) 843-5253 E-mail: [email protected] Photographs and Illustrations by John Carnes Table of Contents Abstract.................................................................................................................. 1 Ropes ...................................................................................................................... 2 Anchoring Your System....................................................................................... 3 Using A Secured Round Turn.................................................................... 3 Anchor Focal Point ...................................................................................... 4 Alternative Anchor Idea .............................................................................. 4 Lowering A Load With A Brake Bar Rack......................................................... 5 Belaying A Load .................................................................................................... 7 Other Rescue Belay Devices..................................................................... 10 Load Release Hitch .................................................................................... 11 Raising A Load .................................................................................................... 13 Ideal Mechanical Advantage Concepts................................................... 13 Attaching To The Main Line..................................................................... 14 Capture The Distance The Load Is Hauled............................................ 15 The Commands .......................................................................................... 15 Connections Using A Soft Interface................................................................. 16 Use Of A Jigger ................................................................................................... 16 Packaging In A Litter.......................................................................................... 17 Appoint A Safety Officer .................................................................................... 21 Personal Skills And Equipment ....................................................................... 22 Harness Considerations .................................................................................... 25 Some Thoughts In Review................................................................................. 26 Acknowledgements............................................................................................. 26 Publications......................................................................................................... 27 Training................................................................................................................ 27 Vendors ................................................................................................................ 27 The Basics – Hardware And Software Needed ............................................... 28 Abstract Rope rescue presents special challenges, especially in remote areas. With new equipment constantly appearing on the market and techniques continuously being refined, the craft is a very dynamic experience. This presentation will expose new students to safe, basic fundamentals. Advanced students will increase their knowledge of proper techniques. All experiences are based on current testing and review the techniques of application used by different groups, from cave explorers to mountain rescue personnel. Both hard and soft techniques for attaching to the rope are discussed. At the end of the presentation, a reader should be able to make safe decisions based on their own needs and budget restraints. They will also know the best references for additional information. WARNING: Rope rescue is a very dynamic experience and what may be considered safe today, may be determined inappropriate tomorrow. Check the date in the lower corner of your edition, if you have an earlier version of this paper, destroy it. The most recent version of this paper is available on the Internet, at: http://www.basarc.org/papers/roperescue The Internet site also includes supporting color photographs. NOTES: An effort has been made to use the historically correct terms and systems international measurements for components to accommodate both North American and European interests. The equipment specifications in this paper describe cordage sizes and hardware that is commonly used in mountain and cave rescue situations. Where larger cordage or stronger hardware is required to meet the Fire Service’s NFPA standards, the specifications for the NFPA compliant equipment is shown in italics. 6/8/02 1 Kenneth N. Laidlaw Ropes Only low stretch kernmantle rope should be used. Kernmantle design consists of a central core or kern of parallel fibers that support the load. This core is covered with a woven sheath or mantle. Low stretch is a type of rope that typically stretches only 2% to 3% when a one KILONEWTON force is experienced. A NEWTON is a unit of force---mass or amount of matter times acceleration or change in speed over time---equal to about .225 of a pound of force. A KILONEWTON would be equal to about the weight of a 100 kilogram (225 pound) person. Remote area rescue usually uses an 11 mm. (7/16”) size because of its weight. Fire Service, on fire ground, must use 12.5 mm. (1/2”) size because of the NFPA. Several versions of low stretch kernmantle rope are often available and a stiffer type, with a more abrasion resistant sheath, is applicable for main lines. A more flexible sheath version might be easier to use for separate working components. All versions are usually manufactured with a breaking strength greater than 26.7 kN (6,000 lb.) or 40 kN (9,000 lb.). If ropes pass over rough edges, provide padding to prevent abrasion. Avoid getting grease and pitch on the ropes. Do not allow people to walk on the ropes. Regularly wash dirt and grit off the rope. Store in rope bags, in a dry area, out of sunlight. Ropes are the life line to success for the patient and the rescuer. All of the 8 mm. cord used should have a minimum breaking strength of 13.3 kN (3,000 lb.) or 9 mm. 20 kN (4,500 lb.) and should have an appropriate sheath for the Prusik hitch to stay snug. The larger rope manufacturers make excellent products. Unless you must have designer colors, buy the rope that has more white strands and it will usually be cheaper. Serious testing of equipment and techniques began in 1982 with an independent group of rescue teams in British Columbia, Canada, known as BCCTR. Further testing included Arnor Larson, John Dill, Reed Thorne, Hal Murray, and the Clems. Many of the test scenarios they conducted using Prusik hitches were been done on 11 mm. PMI E-Z BEND™ with 8 mm. MAMMUT® and EDELRID® accessory cord. The ratio of the size of the Prusik cord to the main rope is crucial. Generally, two cross sections of the Prusik cord should equal the cross section of the main line. With many products 8 mm. is the accepted size to use on 11 mm. rope. 9 mm. might be a better choice for 12.5 mm. rope. Practice with the accessory cord and rope you plan to use to make sure they are compatible together. Engage Prusik hitches under a load to see how they grip. Based on the author’s personal observation, an optimal choice of cordage for Prusik hitches is 8 mm. MAMMUT® accessory cord most commonly available from Canadian sources. Webbing should be 2.54 cm. (1”) wide and rated at about 20 kN. (4,500 lb.). Generally it is made with a spiral weave on a shuttle loom, similar to a tube sock. But as the manufacturing machines, which date to World War II, cannot be repaired; they are being replaced to produce a product made on a needle loom. A version made by Blue Water is woven flat, then folded and sewn with a lock stitch on the one edge. The modern process will not unravel, tests at 20 kN (4,500 lb.), and is cheaper to make. Always check the package label for the webbing’s rated strength. Some brands of stitched, folded webbing with a chain stitch, are made just for general use and should not be used in rope rescue. 6/8/02 2 Kenneth N. Laidlaw Anchoring Your Rope Using A Secured Round Turn Using a piece of rope, take two wraps around an upright. This is defined as a round turn. The objective is to have the rope around the upright absorb the energy of the load with friction so that the running end of the rope will have no tension on it. It is interesting to note that on a smaller diameter upright the rope will exert greater pressure on the upright’s surface. If the surface is very smooth three wraps may be needed. There should be no rope crosses in the turns that might result in the rope rubbing on itself. Secure the running end by placing a clove hitch around the standing part of the rope and finish off using an overhand back-up knot. Keep the
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