RESCUE SYSTEMS 1
CHAPTER 18
LOW ANGLE RESCUE SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 18 - LOW ANGLE RESCUE SYSTEMS
Low angle rescues are among the most common types of rescues performed across the country. Almost
every jurisdiction has steep embankments along roads and rivers. Low angle rescues can cause
problems because the forces and angles involved require rigging techniques different from those used
in vertical rescue systems. The division between high and low angle rescue, where one begins and the
other ends, is difficult to define. Low angle rescue usually involves these characteristics:

Rescue personnel have most of their weight on the ground

There are 3-4 litter tenders instead of 1

The weight of the litter is supported by the litter tenders and not the rope

The litter is attached to the rope at the end of the litter
Low-angle rescue systems should be used whenever rescuers must carry a litter on slopes where the
footing is difficult and would be dangerous without the aid of a rope. This could be because the ground
below the rescue site slopes away at a steeper angle, or there is a river or other hazardous obstacle
below. The terrain could be slippery from mud and wet grass, or underbrush, loose rocks, snow, or ice.
A good rule of thumb to follow is a slope 45° or less is low angle and greater than 45° is high angle.
Again, this is just a rule of thumb, and each rescue must be judged by its own unique problems.
LOW ANGLE RESCUE SYSTEM FOR AN AMBULATORY VICTIM
1. Locate suitable anchor(s) near the point of departure.
2. Attach an anchor sling for the mainline and one for the belay line.
3. Attach the RPM system to the mainline anchor and rig it for lowering.
4. Attach and rig belay system to the belay line anchor.
5. Package rescuer:

Don pelvic harness

Attach mainline and belay line to rescuer's pelvic harness

Attach a prusik to the mainline and one on the belay line with three-wrap hitch, one arm's
length in front of the rescuer.

Attach the adjustable end of the pick-off strap to both prusik hitches

Secure the "D" ring end of the pick-off strap to the accessory cord on the pelvic harness

Secure the victim's harness to the accessory cord on the pelvic harness
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LOW ANGLE RESCUE SYSTEMS
6. Perform safety checks.
7. Lower rescuer down the slope to the
point at which the rescuer is even
with the victim.
8. Lock off lowering system.
9. Package the victim:

Don the victim's pelvic harness

Remove the "D" ring end of the
pick-off strap from rescuer's
harness and attach it to the
victim's harness "D" ring.
10. Pull the free end of the pick-off
strap to adjust the victim's position
just in front of the rescuer.
11. Change the lowering system over to
a raising system.
Figure 18.1
12. Perform safety checks.
13. Raise the rescuer and victim up the slope with the rescuer assisting the victim.
Figure 18.2
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CHAPTER 18
LOW ANGLE RESCUE SYSTEMS
Figure 18.3
LOW ANGLE RESCUE SYSTEM FOR A NONAMBULATORY VICTIM
1. Locate suitable anchor(s) near the point of departure.
2. Attach an anchor sling for the mainline and one for the belay line.
3. Attach the RPM system to the mainline anchor and rig it for lowering.
4. Attach and rig belay system to the belay line anchor.
5. Rig rescue litter for either 3 or 4 litter tenders.
6. Secure necessary webbing for victim lashing to rescue litter.
7. Package litter tenders:

Don pelvic harnesses

Attach pre-rig to litter tenders' harnesses
8. Perform safety checks.
9. Lower rescue litter and tenders to victim.
10. Lock off lowering system.
11. Lash victim in rescue litter.
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Figure 18.4
12. Change lowering system over to raising system; add change-of-direction pulley and or pig rig if
necessary.
13. Perform safety checks.
14. Raise rescue litter and tenders back up.
Figure 18.5
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