Mod 6: Technical Skills II

Rope Rescue Level I

Victim PackagingThink like a minimalist

Don’t over rescueProvide care that is commensurate with the

victim’s presentation, needs, and ability to “cope” with the action plan both mentally and physically

Time is often of the essenceTake a holistic approach

Victim care and packaging is a part of the overall rescue sequence and decisions are altered sometimes based on other elements of the event.

Victim PackagingDecisions

EMS

ABC’s

C Spine

Injury Manageme

nt

Orientation

Horizontal

Vertical

Packaging Device

Tending

Lines

Rescue Personnel

Load Manageme

nt

Retrieval

High Directional

Manpower

Safety

Victim Packaging(Stokes) Litter

ComponentsMAP Bridle SystemBB with StrapsInternal LashingExternal LashingHarnessPick Off Strap Tilt System

Victim PackagingSKED

Self enveloping packaging system

Lashing is only required when vertically oriented

Manufactured slings that slide through designed openings to create bridle

BB with Straps should be used in conjunction to create rigidity

Victim PackagingVertical orientation

eliminates the need for a bridle.

A single MAP to the head of the litter ManufacturedMade

Rescue Team OperationsTeam rescue concepts include two basic

operations:Lowering OperationsHauling Operations

A good rescue system is designed with the ability to perform both functions with efficient transitions.

These systems also should be designed with appropriate design load capacities in mind.

Lower / Haul SystemComponents

“R” – Rack (Break Bar Rack)“P” – Pulley (Progress Capture Device or

Safeties included)“H” – Hitch (Load Release Hitch)

Establishing systems with single purpose applications can be utilized in specific applications but may result in a lack of preparedness.

This system can be prebuilt and ready to deploy.

Break Bar Rack

PMP with PrussiksLoad Relase Hitch

Lowering OperationsThe mainline is attached to the loadThe load is lowered by manipulating the BBR

as the mainline passes through it.Light Use DCD’s can be utilized when

lowering a “L” design load but present limitations and potential lacks of preparedness in rescue scenarios where the load may change to “G”.

Coordination and control are key for effective movement.

“Lower Slow” / “Lower Fast” / “STOP”

Belay OperationsGeneral Use Systems

Tandem Prusik Belay540MPD and other auxiliary equipment

Ideally, the belay is established at a separate anchor point than the mainline.

The belay line will also require direction about management in relation to the load.“Tension”“Slack”

Hauling OperationsPurpose

Increase the efficiency with which the load is moved

Decrease the amount of force required to move the load

Decrease the amount of personnel required to move the load

Increase the safety with which the load is moved

Hauling OperationsPhysics

Pulleys represent simple machinesA load collected with rope from one side of the

pulley requires an equal amount of force applied to the rope from the other side of the pulley to move the load.

Generally speaking, if the pulley “moves” it creates a mechanical advantage and reduces that amount of force

If the pulley is fixed it is merely a change of direction

Hauling OperationsMechanical Advantage is expressed with the

following equation

Output (Load)100 lbs

Input (Force) 50 lbs

MA 2:1

Hauling OperationsTwo types of Mechanical Advantage:

Theoretical: Basic assumption of mechanical advantage derived from the preceeding equation and known fundamentals of physics.

Actual: True mechanical advantage that includes calculation of variables based on pulley size, angles, rope diameter, general friction, etc…

300 lbs.

Anchor Forces

300 lb

Anchor Forces

150 lbs 150 lbs

300 lbs.

Anchor Forces

100 lbs

100 lbs

100 lbs

300 lbs.

Mechanical Advantage

1 UNIT OF TENSION = 1T

Pulley

1T

2T

1T

Mechanical Advantage

300 lbs

600 lbs

Pulley

300 lbs.

Mechanical Advantage

SIMPLE SYSTEMSA single rope weaved through pulleys

Simple Systems

300 lbs.

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lbs.

Pulley

2:1 Mechanical Advantage

2T

1T

1T

Simple Systems

300 lbs.

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lbs.

Pulley

Pulley

2:1 COD Mechanical Advantage

2T

1T

1T1T

Simple Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

Pulley

Pulley

300 lb

3:1 Mechanical Advantage

3T

2T

1T

1T

1T

1T

Simple Systems

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

300 lb

PU

LL

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

300 lb

3:1 COD Mechanical Advantage

1T3T

2T

1T1T1T

1T

Simple Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

4:1 Mechanical Advantage

4T2T 2T

1T

1T1T

1T

Mechanical Advantage

COMPOUND SYSTEMSSimple system pulling on another simple

system

Compound Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

3:1 Mechanical Advantage

3T

2T

1T

1T 1T

Compound Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

4:1 Mechanical Advantage

4T

2T

2T

1T1T

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

Compound Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

6:1 Mechanical Advantage

6T

4T

2T

2T

2T

1T1T

Compound Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

6:1 Mechanical Advantage

6T

3T

3T

1T

2T

1T1T

Compound Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

1T 1T

2T

2T4T

4T

8T

8:1 Mechanical Advantage

Compound Systems

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

PU

LL

300 lb

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

Pulley

6T

3T

3T

3T

1T

2T

1T1T

9T

9:1 Mechanical Advantage

Compound Systems

Pulley

LOAD

ANCHOR

PULL

Progressive Build UpWhen establishing a mechanical advantage it

is important to have a systematic approach that will enable the rescue team to select the appropriate system and adapt the advantage as needed with speed and efficiency.

The following build up is a progression of mechanical advantage that can be altered in less than one minute by a well trained team.

3:1First system option for 1 person loads

5:13:1 is converted to a 5:1 if needed for 1 person loads

May be a starting system for two person loads

6:1Most common system for two person loads

Unique features

9:16:1 is converted to 9:1 if needed

9:1 affords eases of operation but progresses slowly

Progressive Build UpThere are a myriad of systems and

progressions. This systematic approach is an example of a standard progression that correlates to relatively known loads and allows common applications to exist within the rescue team.

Each advantage upgrade can be performed in less than one minute while maintaining the load.

The victim is the deciding mechanism in the rescue scenario.

Lower / Haul Team OperationsPositions and Responsibilities

Team LeaderInitiate commands and insure effective

operations are being performedSAFETY

4 haul team membersOperate haul system – “Conveyer Belt”Set Safeties or PCD’sTransition mode of operations (Lower / Haul)

Lower / Haul Team OperationsCommands

“Safety Check”Prep: “Haul Team Ready?”Response: “Haul Team Ready.”Action: “Haul Slow / Fast.”Response: “Haul Slow / Fast.”“On Rope”“Off Rope”

All commands should be repeated by all personnel involved in that area of operations to insure that communications are acknowledged and understood.