Course Objectives
• Understand and use rope rescue
terminology and equipment
• Be able to list many uses of rope and
rope hardware
• Be able to recognize and list all
safety considerations associated with
rope rescue operations
Course Objectives
• Recognize and list all components of a
haul system
• Be able to describe and calculate
mechanical advantage
• Be able to describe proper basic
maintenance and care of rope and rope
equipment
Course Objectives
• Be able to describe and tie basic life
safety knots
• Perform a rescue operation utilizing a
rope rescue haul system
- Minimum score of 70% is required on written exam
- 100% of all critical on performance checklist must
be achieved for successful course completion.
Haul Systems
Simple or compound rope systems,
labeled by mechanical advantage,
used to forcibly pull or haul an object
over certain distance
Haul Systems
Consist of
 Static Kern Mantle rope
 an anchor point
 pulleys
 carabiners
 rope grabs (prusiks or cams)
Must utilize at least ½ inch static kern mantle
rope meeting NFPA 1983 specifications.
NFPA 1983
The standard for life safety rope and
safe working loads.
• Single person working load: 300 lbs.
• Two person working load: 600 lbs.
• Rope rescue should always utilize a 15:1
safety ratio (load x 15)
• Two person working load:
(600 x 15 = 9000 lbs)
Rope Construction
Laid Rope
 Made of multiple strands of naturally
occurring fibers
 Fibers are five to 14 ft in length
 Fibers are twisted together to form a
single length
 Examples: hemp and manila
Rope Construction
Braided Rope
 Cotton fiber ropes
 Constructed by braiding fibers together
 Strands are braided into a single length
of rope
 Examples: sailing rope
Rope Construction
Braided-on-braid
 Cotton fiber ropes
 Constructed using a hollow core,
cotton construction
 Braid-on-braid ropes are usually
used in marine applications
Rope Construction
Kernmantle
 The Kern, is a high strength inner core
constructed of a continuous synthetic
material which runs the entire length of
the rope.
 The Mantle, is a braided outer cover or
sheath that protects the kern from cuts
and abrasions.
 The core of kernmantle rope makes up to
75% of the rope overall length.
Static vs. Dynamic
Kernmantle is made of parallel filaments or
filaments spiraled into cords
 Dynamic – stretches 20% to 40% of its
length when under a load.
 Static – stretches only 2% to 3% its
length when under a load.
Types of Rope



Utility Rope – Any rope used for
applications other than life safety.
Water Rescue Rope – made of
polypropylene, water rescue ropes cannot
be used for rappelling.
Life Safety Rope – any rope meeting the
NFPA standard 1983 for life safety
applications.
Factors Which Affect Rope
•
•
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•
bends
hardware
knots
water
extreme temp.
•
•
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•
tree bark
concrete
chemical exposure
rocks
 ANY ROPE THAT HAS RECEIVED A SHOCK
SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE
IMMEDIATELY!
Care and Maintenance
• Clean using mild soap and water
• Inspect after each use
• Never wash on the ground or in top loading
wash machines
• Machine wash only in approved extractors
(Daisy prior to washing in extractors)
• Air dry only; DO NOT DRY IN THE SUN!
Storage
• Store in bags away from abrasives and
chemicals
• Always store away from sunlight
• Periodically inspect for abrasion and
tears
• Pre-packed systems should be
periodically broken down and rebuilt
Webbing
Two Types
• Tubular – rated at 4,000 lbs end to end;
nylon forms a continuous tube
• Edge Stitched – single nylon layer stitched
together; NOT FOR RESCUE!
Carabiners
• Five Basic Parts
• Spine
• Latch
• Gate
• Lock sleeve
• Hinge Pin
Carabiners
Aluminum
• Used in sport applications
• Lighter, less expensive
• Do not rust or wear out like steel
• Breaking strength up to 6,000 lbs
Carabiners
Steel
• ALWAYS used for rescue
• Stronger, less susceptible to abrasion
• More expensive
• Requires regular maintenance
• Breaking strength up to 13,000 lbs
Descent Control Devices



Provide rope control utilizing
varying levels of friction.
NFPA 1983 requires general use
DCDs to with stand a 2,400 lbs
load with out damaging the rope
DCDs must with stand 5,000 lbs
loads without failure
Descent Control Devices
Rescue Figure-8
• Ears prevent rope from slipping up
forming a girth hitch
• Rescue 8s can be tied off, preventing
the rope from slipping
Descent Control Devices
Rappel Racks
Consist of several steel or aluminum
bars mounted on a U-shaped rack
• Bars create variable degrees of
friction
• Rope threaded straight through a
rack eliminates “turning”
encountered with Figure 8s
Descent Control Devices
Figure 8
•
•
Designed only as a descent or
rappelling device
Only for rappels of 100 ft. or less
Ascending Devices
Used for one way movement of a rope
and for climbing ropes.
Examples: Cam ascenders
Handled ascenders
Prusiks
Ascending Devices
Mechanical Ascenders
• Can be applied to any working rope
• Apply perpendicular pressure to the
rope
Mechanical ascenders can “desheath” a rope with as little as
1,000 lbs of pressure
Ascending Devices
Prusik Cords
• Can be used as “soft rope grabs”
• Handle up to 3,000 lbs
• Create mechanical advantage for
haul systems
• Can be used under shocked loads
with out fear of “de-sheathing” ropes
Pulleys
Pulleys are used for:
• Change in directions
• To reduce friction
• Create mechanical
advantage for haul systems
Pulleys
Pulley Construction
• Sheaves
• Side Plates
• Axles
• Bearings
NFPA 1983 states that pulleys must withstand
5,000 lbs static without distortion and 8,000 lbs with
out failure
Special Pulleys
Some pulleys are designed to solve
technical rope problems
• Prusik Minding
• Knot-passing
• Double or Triple Sheave
Edge Protection
Up to 90% of all rope failures are due to
improper edge protection!
Edge Protectors
 Reduce rope abrasion
 Can be made of canvas, hose or turnout
coats
 Dynamic Protectors – help reduce
friction and are used when ropes are
moving across surfaces
Harnesses
•
•
Requirements are listed in NFPA 1983
Must have permanent labeling; listing
harness class, date of manufacture and
sizing information
Harnesses
Harness Classes
• Class I
1) Seat style
2) For emergency escape and one
person loads
3) NOT FOR RESCUE
Harnesses
• Class II
1) Seat style approved for rescue
2) Can be used for two person loads
Harnesses
• Class III
1) Full body harnesses
2) Used when inversion is possible
3) Handles one or two person loads
4) Requires no prior knowledge on
the part of the patient once in the
harness
Harnesses
• Ladder Belts
1) Waist belts
2) May be used as positioning devices
3) For emergency self rescue only
Knot Terms
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Running end
Working end
Standing part
Bight
Round Turn
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Bend
Hitch
Anchor
Safety
Whip
Rescue Knots
•
•
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Overhand
Figure 8
Figure 8 On-a-bight
Figure 8 Bend
Figure 8 Follow
Through
•
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Clove Hitch
Water Knot
Munter Hitch
Tensionless Wrap
Student Activity #1
Knot Tying
Anchor Points
Type I – Natural Anchors
• Rocks
• Trees
Type II – Manmade Anchors
• Vehicles
• Utility Poles
Anchor Considerations
• How much is the anticipated load?
• Is the anchor suitable given the direction
of the load?
• Does the anchor have sharp edges?
• Is the anchor rusted, broken or rotten?
• How will you attach to the anchor?
• Does the anchor have sufficient mass?
Attaching to an Anchor
•
•
•
•
Use 1” tubular webbing
Double webbing
Approach must not exceed 120 degrees
90 degrees is optimal for field use
Attaching to an Anchor
• Use a 15:1 safety ratio
• Anchors must be “bomb proof”
• Anchors should weigh the same or more
than the anticipated load
• Trees should only be used if they have a
diameter greater than 4 inches
All anchors should be edge protected!
Anchoring to Vehicles
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Should only be used as a last resort!
Keep anchor straps away from hot surfaces
Chock all wheels
Shut off engine
Remove keys/shut off batteries
Post a “guard”
Never use vehicles to haul people!
Secondary Anchors
• Run mainline for primary to secondary and tie
it off
• Should be as close to “in-line” with primaries as
possible
• Parallel anchors may be used as a single
primary anchor
Terrain
• Flat
•
•
•
•
•
Angles of 0 to 15 degrees
Rescuers may carry litter with out falling
No rope system required
No need to “tie in” rescuers
No technical equipment or training needed
Terrain
•
Low
• Angle of 15 to 40 degrees
• Incline or environment makes carry difficult
• Tag line or anchored system needed to
stabilize the litter
• Rescuers not required to “tie in” to the litter
• Risk of fall injuries are increased
Terrain
•
Steep
• Angle of 40 to 65 degrees
• Haul system required to move patient
• Failure may have catastrophic result for
rescuers and patient
• Load is shared by rescuers and patient
• Requires rescuers to “tie in” to litters
Terrain
•
High or Vertical
• Angle of 65 to 90 degrees
• Attendant required, tied in to the litter
• Rope system for raising and lowering
required
• Attendant suspended on separate line for the
litter bridle
• Failure of system would cause serious injury
or death.
Mechanical Advantage
• Haul systems are labeled by mechanical
advantage, i.e. 3:1, 4:1, etc.
• Each turn in a haul systems yields one unit of
mechanical advantage using pulleys
• In a 3:1 system, for every unit of input force,
the system will yield three units of output force
Mechanical Advantage
• Conversely in a 3:1 system, for every
three feet of rope pulled through the
system, the load will travel one foot
• Simple haul systems should never exceed
5:1 mechanical advantage
Haul Systems Uses
Haul systems have many uses on various
emergency scenes such as:
• Auto rescue
• Water rescue
• Machinery Rescue
• Structural collapse
• Trench
• Train rescue
• Confined Space
Components of a Haul System
The following is a list of the most
basic haul system components
• Carabiners
• Pulleys
• Prusiks or Cams
• Anchor point
• Rescue rope
• A load
Student Activity #2
Constructing a 3:1 “Z-Rig”
Hauling Victims

Once a system is constructed, spinal
precautions must be taken to successfully
move the victim

There are two methods for tying litters,
SKEDS and backboards into a haul system
Hauling Victims
• Direct Tie-in Method
• Tying the rope directly to the movement
apparatus
• Bridle Method
• Utilizing 1” tubular webbing and a carabiner
to connect the apparatus to the system
Securing The Patient
• Patients should be secured utilizing Cspine precautions
• Patients should be secured using
provided safety belts and 1” tubular
webbing
• Starting at the patients feet; webbing
should be weaved in an “X” pattern to
the top of the victim’s shoulders
Student Activity #3
Securing a patient
Haul System Safety

Establish a plan prior to constructing
or loading rope systems

Be familiar with all equipment

Know operating commands and
principles

Understand mechanical advantage
Haul System Safety

Know equipment and shock load
limitations

Have enough manpower on scene to
properly facilitate a rescue

Never use mechanical devices, such as
powered vehicles, to pull rope through
haul systems
Rope Safety

Follow all manufacturer recommendations
for cleaning, storage and service life

Keep ropes protected; away from
corrosives, abrasives, open flames and
cigarettes

Always have an adequate length of rope
before attempting the rescue
Rope Safety

Rope hardware should be taken out of
service immediately if dropped from a
height of waist level
• Drops can create stress fractures in the which
can lead to failure
• Dropped equipment should be X-rayed or
replaced
Rope Safety

Remove all knives, keys and dangling
jewelry

Edge guards should always be
employed

Always wear gloves, helmets and eye
protection
Rope Safety

Designate one rescuer as the “edge man”

Haul teams should only follow commands
from the “edge man”

Watch for falling rocks, landslides, fraying
ropes or obstructions

Never let go of the mainline until the system is set
and the “edge man” gives the “SET” command
Verbal Commands
•
The following are the commands that
should be used when hauling a victim
•
These commands should only be given
by the “edge man” or “edge officer”
•
The only person the haul team should
take orders from is the “edge man”
Verbal Commands
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On Belay
Belay On
Prepare to Haul
Haul
Set
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Safety is set
Slack
STOP
Off Belay
Belay Off
Practical Skills