UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER BRIDGEPORT, CA. ASSAULT CLIMBERS HANDBOOK SUMMER 2002 ASSAULT CLIMBERS HANDBOOK 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER CLASS TITLE 1 MOUNTAIN SAFETY 2 MAC KIT 3 NOMENCLATURE AND CARE OF MOUNTAINEERING EQUIPMENT 4 ROPE MANAGEMENT 5 MOUNTAIN CASULTLY EVACUATIONS 6 NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL ANCHORS 7 MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE 8 ONE ROPE BRIDGE 9 A-FRAMES 10 VERTICAL HAULING LINES 11 SUSPENSION TRAVERSE 12 ESTABLISHMENT OF RAPPEL POINTS AND RAPPELLING 13 BALANCE CLIMBING 14 TOP ROPING 15 SIT HARNESS 16 PLACING PROTECTION 17 BELAYING FOR PARTY CLIMBING 18 PARTY CLIMBING 19 MILITARY AID CLIMBING 20 ALTERNATIVE BELAYS AND ANCHORS 21 RESCUE TECHNIQUES FOR PARTY CLIMBING 22 STEEP EARTH CLIMBING 23 TREE CLIMBING TECHNIQUES 24 FIXED ROPE INSTALLATION 25 CLIFF RECONNAISSANCE 26 CLIFF ASSAULT 27 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF REFERENCES APPENX 1 SL-3 MAC KIT UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, California 93517-5001 SML SMO 02/11/02 LESSON PLAN MOUNTAIN SAFETY INTRODUCTION (5 Min) 1. G AIN ATTENTION. The key to mountain safety in a mountainous environment is proper prior planning. Adhering to certain basic principles and predetermined actions will allow an individual or unit to efficiently perform their duties with minimum discomfort and maximum safety. 2. P URPOSE. The purpose of this period of instruction is to familiarize the student with the twelve mountain safety considerations and the acronym used to remember them. This lesson relates to all training conducted in a mountainous environment. 3. I NTRODUCE LEARNING OBJECTIVES a. TERM INAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE. In a mountainous environment, execute preventive measures for mountain injuries, in accordance with the references. b. ENA BLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE. Without the aid of references and given the acronym "BE SAFE MARINE", list in writing the principles of mountain safety, in accordance with the references. 4. METHOD/MED IA. The material in this lesson will be presented by lecture and demonstration. You will practice what you learn during upcoming field training exercises. Those of you who have IRF's please fill them out at the conclusion of this period of instruction. 5. E VALUATION. You will be tested later in the course by written and performance evaluations on this period of instruction. TRANSITION: Having discussed our purposes, let's now look at the planning and preparation of a military operation. 1 1-2 BODY (50 Min) 1. (40 Min) PLANNING AND PREPARATION. As in any military operation, planning and preparation constitute the keys to success. The following principles will help the leader conduct a safe and efficient operation in any type of mountainous environment. We find this principle in the acronym "BE SAFE MARINE". Remember the key, think about what each letter means and apply this key in any type of environment. B - Be aware of the group's ability. E - Evaluate terrain and weather constantly. S - Stay as a group. A - Appreciate time requirements F - Find shelter during storms, if required. E - Eat plenty and drink lots of liquids. M - Maintain proper clothing and equipment. A - Ask locals about conditions. R - Remember to keep calm and think. I - Insist on emergency rations and kits. N - Never forget accident procedures. E - Energy is saved when warm and dry. a. Be Aware of the Group's Ability. It is essential that the leader evaluates the individual abilities of his men and uses this as the basis for his planning. His evaluation should include the following: 1 ) Ph ysical Conditioning. Physical Fitness is the foundation for all strenuous activities of mountaineering. Leaders must be aware of their unit’s state of fitness and take in account for the changes in altitude, climate, and amount of time for acclimatization. 2 ) M ental Attitude. Units need to be positive, realistic, and honest with themselves. There needs to be a equal balance here. A “can do” attitude may turn into dangerous overconfidence if it isn’t tempered with a realistic appraisal of the situation and ourselves. 3 ) T echnical Skills. The ability to conduct a vertical assault, construct rope installations, maneuver over snow covered terrain, conduct avalanche search and rescue operations, etc. The more a unit applies these skills increases their ability to operate in a mountainous environment effectively. 4 ) I ndividual skills. At this point, you must choose who is most proficient at the individual skills that will be required for your mission, navigation techniques, security, call for fire, track plans, bivouac site selection, skijoring, etc. b. Ev aluate Terrain and Weather Constantly (1) Terrain. During the planning stages of a mission, the leader must absorb as much information as possible on the surrounding terrain and key terrain features involved in his area of operation. Considerations to any obstacles must be clearly planned for. Will you need such things as ropes, crampons, climbing gear, skins, etc. a)Stress careful movement in particularly dangerous areas, such as loose rock and avalanche prone slopes. b )Always know your position. Knowing where you are on your planned route is important. (2) Weather. Mountain weather can be severe and variable. Drastic weather changes can occur in the space of a few hours with the onset of violent storms, reduced visibility, and extreme changes. In addition to obtaining current weather data, the leader must plan for the unexpected "worst case". During an operation he must diagnose weather signs continually to be able to foresee possible weather changes. a)Constantly evaluate the conditions. Under certain conditions it may be advisable to reevaluate your capabilities. Pushing ahead with a closed mind could spell disaster for the mission and the unit. b )When in a lightning storm, turn off all radios, stage radios and weapons away from personnel. Have personnel separate in a preferably low-lying area, or around tall natural objects, however personnel should not come into direct contact with trees. c)To calculate the approximate distance in miles from a flash of lightning, count in seconds the time from when you see the flash to when you hear the thunder, and divide by five. c. Sta y as a Group. Individuals acting on their own are at a great disadvantage in this environment. (1) Give adequate rest halts based upon the terrain and elevation, physical condition of the unit, amount of combat load and mission requirements. (2) Remember to use the buddy system in your group. (3) Maintain a steady pace that will allow accomplishment of the mission as all members of the unit reach the objective area. d. Appr eciate Time Requirements. Efficient use of available time is vital. The leader must make an accurate estimate of the time required for his operation based on terrain, weather, unit size, abilities, and the enemy situation. This estimate should also take into account the possibility of unexpected emergencies such as injuries or unplanned bivouacs due to severe conditions. (1) Time-Distance Formula (TDF). This formula is designed to be a guideline and should not be considered as the exact amount of time required for your movement. Furthermore, this formula is for use in ideal conditions: 3 kph + 1 hour for every 300 meters ascent; and/or + 1 hour for every 800 meters descent. NOTE: The TDF is made for troops on foot in the summertime or troops on snowshoes in the wintertime. (2) Route Planning. Route cards are not to be used in place of an overlay, but as a tool to be used in route planning. Overlays/Route cards should contain the following information at the minimum: Unit designation Unit commander Number of personnel Inclusive dates and times of movement Grid of each checkpoint and bivouac ETA and ETD Map references Azimuth and distances for each leg Elevation gain/loss per leg Description of the ground ROUTE CARD UNIT UNIT NUMBER OF DATE AND MAP I.D. COMMANDER PERSONNE TIME REFERENCE L LEG AZM DIST GRID ETA ETD ELEVATION DESCRIPTION GAIN/LOSS OF GROUND Total Elevation Gain _____ = _______ (time) + Total Elevation Loss _____ = _______ (time) + Total Distance _____ = _______ (time) = Estimated Total Time: _____________ (3) As in any military operation, route planning and execution are of vital importance. Prior to departure, the unit commander must submit a route card and/or patrol overlay to his higher headquarters and keep a duplicate copy for himself. This preplanned route should be followed as closely as possible, taking into account changes based on the tactical situation. e. F ind shelter during storms, if required. Under certain conditions, inclement weather can provide tactical advantages to the thinking unit commander, but by the same token it can reduce the efficiency of a unit to nil if an incorrect evaluation of the situation is made. Being lost will not directly kill an individual. Starvation takes time, but hypothermia can manifest itself in a matter of hours resulting in death. 1 )If there is a drastic change in the weather, tents should be erected immediately. 2 )If tents are not available, the unit leader should begin locating natural shelter or began building a man-made shelter. Adhering to the following principles will give an individual the best chance to spend a relatively safe bivouac with the prospect of continued effort toward mission accomplishment. a)Make shelter. The requirements for expedient shelters and the building procedures will be covered in another chapter. The basic requirement for protection from the elements is essential. b )Keep warm. The retention of body heat is of vital importance; any action in which body heat is lost should be avoided. The following points should be considered: 1. Adequate shelter 2. Insulation from the ground using branches, a rucksack, etc. 3. Wear extra clothing. 4. Use extra equipment for insulation. 5.