6 basic rope rescue techniques

-

 Rope work

        The art of tying knots with ropes to establish lines for different rescue operations.
The following are the techniques regarding rope work

1. Belay Technique:

        The word BELAY comes from the day of sailing vessels. When sailors raised heavy objects, such as sails, they would attach a rope to the object and then take turns of the rope around the belaying pin to prevent the line from slipping away from them
To protect against falling, manage an unloaded rope (the belay rope) to secure one or more individuals in case the main line rope or support fails.
        A belay rope can be run either way (up to down) while used for a belay. A belay rope does not have weight unless a fall occurs or tension is called for in exceptional cases.

Belay signals:

The Standard Belay Signals are exchanged between a climber (or rappeller) and a belayer to ensure both are ready.
  • Climber: ''On belay?'' (I am about to climb are you ready to catch me if I fall)
  • Belayer: "Belay on." (I am ready to catch you if you fall."
  • Climber "Climbing." (I am starting to climb)
  • Belayer "Climb on." (Go ahead.)
  • Climber "Off belay." (I am in a secure place now. I no longer need the belay.)
  • Belayer "Belay off" (I am no longer belaying you)
  • Climber "Off rope." (I am finished with the rope)
  • Belayer "Off rope." (I understand that you are finished with the rope)

Equipment for Belay Techniques:

       The following basic types of equipment are used for Belay in any rescue operations.
  1. Carabineers      
  2. Static rope 11mm
  3. Full Body Harness
  4. Safety belt
  5. Ascende
  6. Descender
  7. Static ropes six meters for personal safety
  8. Sling
  9. Figure of eight
  10. Roller
  11. Single/Double pulley
  12. Brake Bar Rack
Note:

Body Belays:

  • in a body belay, the belayer creates friction by running the rope around his or her body, usually around the waist
  • Except in emergencies, this technique is not recommended. 

2. Rappelling Technique:

        The controlled descent of a rope using the friction of the rope through a descender as the means of control Normally the conflict is created by a rope running through a descender. Learning safe, controlled rappelling skills is a step toward developing vertical competency.

Types of Rappel:

1. Using Body Friction
  • Arm Rapel (Guides Rappel)


Sometimes the arm rappel is used for short distances on low-angle slopes. The friction and rate of descent are controlled by varying handgrips. It should be used on short, low-angle slopes.

Body Rappel:(Dulfersitz Rappel)

        It must be practiced on a low-angle slope before it is attempted on a steep slope. It should only be used in case of emergency. when no hardware is available for use as a rappel device.
Presents two potential dangers:
  • The rope could come unwrapped from the rappeller's leg.
  • Rope abrasion and pressure can injure body parts, particularly the crotch, and shoulders.
Other types include:
  • Seat Rappel
  • Australian Rappel
  • Heli Rappel
  • Lizard Rappel

Equipement for Rappelling Technique:

  1. Carabineers      
  2. Static rope 11mm
  3. Full Body Harness
  4. Safety belt
  5. Ascender
  6. Descender
  7. Static ropes six meters for personal safety
  8. Sling
  9. Figure of eight
  10. Roller
  11. Single/Double pulley
  12. Brake Bar Rac

Rappelling Practice System (Procedure)

  • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (According to the scene)
  • Secure the location/scene (Cordon Off the area and hazard removal etc.)
  • Select and prepare two solid anchors.
  • Wear Full Body Harness
  • Attach the main line with the anchor point using Anchor Knots/clove hitch.
  • Attach Belay line (Safety/Guide) with Full Body Harness and Second anchor.
  • Rappel using Descending devices attached to the mainline.
  • Preferably use two mainlines for rappel.
  • Start rappeling and Go down (Climber) smoothly with proper communication.

3. Ascending / Descending Techniques:

Ascending


        A means of traveling up a fixed line using either mechanical devices or friction hitches attached with slings to the climber's body is called Ascending and the changeover to ascending is called descending. 
        An arrangement of two or more ascenders used for traveling up a rope is an ascending system. Ascending a rope is the opposite of rappelling.
        This technique is used when there is no proper access to the building or the accesses are blocked.

Equipment for Ascending / Descending Technique

        The basic types of equipment used for Ascending /descending techniques are as follows.
  1. Carabineers
  2. Static Rope 11mm
  3. Full Body Harness
  4. Safety belt
  5. Ascender
  6. Descending Devices
  7. Static Rope 6 meters for personal safety.
  8. Slings
  9. Figure of Eight
  10. Rope Roller
  11. Prusik Hitch (Rope 8 or 9 mm)
  12. Brake Bar Rack

Ascending / Descending  PracticeSystem (Procedure)

  • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (According to the scene)
  • Secure the location/scene (Cordon Off the area and hazard removal etc.)
  • Select a solid anchor point and tie the rope.
  • Wear Full Body Harness
  • Attach one ascender with a rope and rescue harness.
  • Attach the second ascender with rope and also with the right and left foot to the rescuer.
  • Attach the safety/guideline on the back side of the rescuer's harness.
  • Attach the descender as per the information mentioned on the descender for ease of use.
  • The second rescuer will tension the rope at the bottom
  • The first rescuer will start ascending with proper communication.
  • Make proper position for lowering/ descending.
  • Slightly push the descender lever, and the rope will move smoothly and slowly.

4. Hook Ladder Technique:

Hook ladder


        An arrangement of ladders used for traveling externally with the help of rope. This technique is used when access to any building is blocked or has no access. It is usually used on parapet walls, windows, any opening, etc.
        It is available in different designs of Hooks.

Equipment for Hook Ladder Technique

  1. Carabineers      
  2. Static rope 11mm
  3. Full Body Harness
  4. Safety belt
  5. Ascender
  6. Descending devices
  7. Static ropes six meters for personal safety
  8. Sling
  9. Figure of eight
  10. Rope Roller
  11. Prusic Hitch (Rope 8 or 9 mm)
  12. Hook Ladder

Hook Ladder Signals

Rescuer One:   Hook the Ladder
Rescuer One:   Going up; Tension the rope
Rescuer Two:   Tension
Rescuer One:   Going up; Release;
Rescuer One:   Check Surface; Arrived
Rescuer Two:    Going up. 

Hook Ladder Practice System (Procedure)

  • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (According to the scene)
  • Secure the location/scene (Cordon Off the area and hazard removal etc.)
  • Attach the ladder with the wall/ window/ opening of the building
  • The first rescuer will climb the ladder; securely attached to the rope whose braking control is in the hand of the second rescuer.
  • Both rescuers will communicate loud enough to each other.
  • When the first rescuer reaches a certain desirable height, the rescuer will tap 2-3 times to check the stability of the surface before entering the floor.
  • The second rescuer will repeat the above steps till reaches the desired height to conduct a rescue operation.

5. BasketStretcher Technique:

        High-angle lowering is also called vertical lowering. It refers to the controlled lowering of a rescue subject using a rope. If the subject injuries are severe enough the lowering is done using a basket stretcher. 

Equipment for Basket Stretcher Technique:

        
  1. Carabineers
  2. Static Rope 11mm
  3. Full Body Harness
  4. Safety belt
  5. Ascender
  6. Descending Devices
  7. Static Rope 6 meters for personal safety.
  8. Slings
  9. Figure of Eight
  10. Rope Roller
  11. Prusik Hitch (Rope 8 or 9 mm)
  12. Basket Stretcher
  13. Spune Board with Head immobilizer
  14. Rope for Securing the Victim on Basket
  15. Pulleys

Basket Stretcher Practice System (Procedure)

  • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (According to the scene)
  • Secure the location/scene (Cordon Off the area and hazard removal etc.)
  • Fasten the straps on both sides of the basket stretcher with the help of a 6-meter static rope or using slings.
  • The loop knots on both straps and connect the straps together with the help of five Carabineers.
  • Select and prepare two anchor points.
  • Attach two figures of eight on anchor points with the help of carabineers and the loop knots.
  • Attach the main and safety lines through the figure of eight / Descenders and tie the loop knots.
  • Secure the patient on a spine board and then secure on a basket stretcher with the help rope of 8 meters.
  • Attach the basket main and safety line.
  • Connect both loops of the main line and safety line with the full body harness of the rescuer.
  • Tension the main line and safety line to lift the basket stretcher.
  • Release the main line and safety line slowly to lower the victim to the basket stretcher and Rescuer.
  • Coordination and communication are the lifelines during operation.

6. Depth Rescue Using Tripod and Ladder Technique:

        This technique is used to evacuate the victim from any depth. This technique will be exhibited either by using a Tripod or a Ladder.
        Using the multiple mechanical advantage system. The subject may be rescued.


Equipment for Tripod and Ladder Method:

        
  1. Carabineers
  2. Static Rope 11mm
  3. Full Body Harness
  4. Ladder
  5. Safety belt
  6. Ascender
  7. Descending Devices
  8. Safety belt or Static Rope 6 meters for personal safety.
  9. Slings
  10. Figure of Eight
  11. Rope Roller
  12. Prusik Hitch (Rope 8 or 9 mm)
  13. Basket Stretcher
  14. Spune Board with Head immobilizer
  15. Rope for Securing the Victim on Basket
  16. Pulleys
  17. Multi-Gas Detector Torch
  18. Sludge Suit
  19. SCBA with face mask

Tripod System:

        Mechanical advantage system helps in extricating victim from any depth using a type of artificial three legs frame.

Main Parts of Tripod:

  • Anchor Point
  • Pulley(Single & Double)
  • Stainless Steel wire
  • Operating Handle
  • Gear System
  • Telescopic Legs
  • Locking pins
  • Hooks
  • Securing chain

Practice System (Procedure)

  • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (According to the scene)
  • Secure the location/scene (Cordon Off the area and hazard removal etc.)
  • Extend the telescopic legs of the tripod.
  • Attach the securing chain/ rope with legs.
  • Three rescuers will support the three legs of the tripod.
  • Two Rescuers will use the gear system.
  • recheck the formation of the tripod access the victim and secure using rope and harness. 
  • Extricate the victim with proper coordination.

Ladder System:

This method is used to evacuate the victim  from any depth, using the multiple mechanical advantage system, the subject may be rescued

Practice System (Procedure)

  • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (According to the scene)
  • Secure the location/scene (Cordon Off the area and hazard or removal etc.)
  • Select proper footing for the ladder and select two solid anchor points.
  • Use a 6-meter static rope (11mm) to construct anchors on 2nd last rung on both sides of the ladder using a clove hitch.
  • Attach a double pulley on each anchor and pass the rope.
  • Secure the ladder with anchoring pickets using two ropes to erect the ladder at an angle between 60-70 degree angle.
  • Check the hazards before entering.
  • Go down smoothly with proper communication.
  • Two rescuers will secure from the right and left side of the ladder during ascending and descending.
  • The victim will be taken out first.

Communication Signals:

  • Release the rope.
  • Tension the rope.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tools, Equipment and Accessories

-
Image
 Definitions: 1.1. Tools:           A tool is a device used to perform or facilitate manual or mechanical work, using only the operator's strength. Examples: Sledge Hammer, Hand Saw, adjustable wrench, Knife e.t.c 1.2. Equipment:          A piece of equipment is a machine or device that performs a physical task, whose operation depends on an external power source in order to increase work capacity. Examples: Chipping hammer, Reciprocating saw, Circ ular Saw e.t.c 1.3. Accessories:          An accessory is a component that supplements or completes a tool or piece of equipment, increasing the operator's ability to perform a task. Examples: Drill Bits, Chain for chain saw, Power Card e.t.c 2. Classifying Tools, Equipment, and Accessories According to their use: 2.1 Search TEA:          Search tools, equipment, and accessories are used to search for potentially trapped victims ...
Read more

10 Most Important Basic Rescue Knots

-
Image
Knot:          An intertwined loop of rope is used to fasten two ropes to each other. Hitch:          A hitch is a knot that attaches a rope to any object. Bight:          Any curved section between the ends of the rope. Loop:          A bight becomes a loop when the ends of the rope are crossed. Bend:          A class of knots that joins two ropes or webbing pieces. 10 Most Important Basic Rescue Knots: 1. Stopper Knot          This knot is applied on the ends of the rope to rescue the fibers of the ropes. It is also used after every knot to secure the knot. Stopper 2. Clove Hitch          The clove hitch is used to fasten the rope on the anchor point. It is the advantage of being easy to tie and adjust. when it is under load it will have a tighter grip on the anchor point Clove Hitch 3. Reef Knot    ...
Read more

10 Most Important Basic Rescue Knots and Their Uses:

-
Image
  Knot:          An intertwined loop of rope is used to fasten two ropes to one another. Hitch:             A hitch is a knot that attaches a rope to any object. Bight:          Any curved section between the ends of the rope. Loop:          A bight becomes a loop when the ends of the rope are crossed. Bend:          A class of knots that joins two ropes or webbing pieces. 10 Most Important Basic Rescue Knots: 1. Stopper Knot          This knot is applied on the ends of the rope to rescue the fibers of the ropes. It is also applied after every knot to secure the knot. Stopper 2. Clove Hitch          The clove hitch is used to fasten the rope on the anchor point. It is the advantage of being easy to tie and adjust. when it is under load it will have a tighter grip on the anchor point Clove Hitch 3. Re...
Read more