Slide 2 Definitions Knot an intersection of interlaced cord to
entwine the rope to cause friction upon itself Hitch Knot that
wraps around an object in such a way that if the object is removed,
knot falls apart Bend class of knots that join ropes together Loop
a turn of rope that crosses itself Bight A turn of rope that does
not cross itself Standing line rope not fastened at rigging point
Working line end of rope used to rig or tie Slide 3 Knots, Bends,
Hitches These Elements should possess the following: Relatively
easy to tie Identifiable Maintain configuration Minimal effect on
rope strength Knots diminish strength of rope through bends % of
strength lost 2:1 Rule Relatively easy to untie after loading Slide
4 Knots Steps for Tying Knots Select proper knot Dress the knot
Properly align and straighten all of the knot parts removing extra
twists and crosses Set the knot Tighten all parts of the tie so
that rope parts touch and grab to cause friction Back up knot
(safety) Slide 5 Knots Overhand Square Knot Bowline Clove Hitch
Simple Figure 8 Knot Figure 8 On A Bight Figure 8 Follow Through
Figure 8 Bend Double Figure 8 On A Bight Butterfly Knot Double
Fishermans (Grapevine) Bend Prusik Hitch Munter Hitch Slide 6
Anchoring Techniques for securing the rope and other elements of
the high angle system to something solid Two basic categories for
anchors Single Point Anchors - Single secure connection for an
anchor Multi Point Anchor System - One or more anchor points rigged
to provide a structurally significant connection for elements of a
rope rescue system Selection based on strength and location Slide 7
Anchoring Anchor Assessment Strength Bombproof or Not Design
Stability Location Avoid Tunnel Vision Slide 8 Anchor Points
Natural Anchors Trees Size Root Systems Soil Types Live or Dead
Rocks Marginal Structural Anchors Structural columns Projections
from beams Supports for large machinery Stairwell support beams
Brickwork with bulk Engineered anchors for window washers Slide 9
Anchoring Single Point Applications Rope: High Strength Tie Off /
Tensionless Hitch Characteristics: Strongest anchor point Tension
is assumed through friction between the coils and the anchor Number
of coils / wraps is dependant on the diameter of the anchor Not
always the most advantageous use of rope Edge protection should be
utilized Clove Hitch, Bowline, and Figure 8 Follow Through Slide 10
Anchoring Single Point Applications Anchor Straps Characteristics:
Strong and rapid to deploy Variables exist through different
configurations and adjustability Labeling requirements per NFPA
1983 make their strength capabilities easily identifiable Create
fixed anchor points where multiple components can be fixed Edge
protection should be utilized Slide 11 Anchoring Single Point
Applications Webbing / Pre sewn Slings Should be duplicated for
strength and redundancy Wrap 3 pull 2 is strongest configuration
Time intensive Requires edge protection Slide 12 Anchoring Multi
Point Anchor Systems Utilized when single bombproof anchors are not
accessible or present Tension Back Tie LDA (Load Distributing
Anchor) An anchor system that maintains and redistributes (if one
anchor point fails) near equal loading on multiple anchor points
despite direction of pull LSA (Load Sharing Anchor) An anchor
system that distributes the load between multiple anchor points but
does not adjust to direction changes in pull. Slide 13 Anchoring
Picket Systems Slide 14 Critical Angles Understanding of Forces
Physics of Force Amplification from Critical Angles - Anchor
Tension Rigging Precautions Dont compromise directional anchors Use
multi point anchor systems only as a last resort keep inside angles
90 or less, never more than 120 Slide 15 Critical Angles Less than
45 Degrees = load distribution that is equal to or less than the
load itself at each anchor point Greater than 45 Degrees (NEVER
more than 120) = Amplification of the load and its distribution to
each anchor Slide 16 Critical Angles 100 lbs 71 lbs 100+ lbs 100
lbs Any angle greater than 120 degrees applies more than the load
to each anchor 120 90 Slide 17 Anchor Points Slide 18 Slide 19
Slide 20 Slide 21 Anchoring Anchors should be created for two
primary components Mainline: Primary line of movement for rescuers
and victims Directionals: Used to bring the mainline into a more
favorable position or angle Belay: Safety line designed to provide
protection against a fall or system failure. Belay lines should
avoid the use of directionals and should take the shortest direct
path to the load Slide 22 Belay Operations Components Belay Device
or Hitch Belayer Anchor Point Belay Line (Rope) Attached to Rescuer
/ Victim Attachment Points on Harness Speed and Functionality
Attach to the midline rigging component on the harness Slide 23
Belay Operations Two Load Design Applications 300# Design Load
Auxiliary Equipment with L design loads. 600# Design Load Tandem
Prusik Belay (TPB) LRH, PMP, Paired Prusiks Auxiliary Equipment
with G design loads. Slide 24 Belay Operations Belay systems will
be utilized at all times during this course and should be utilized
during rescue events. Rare situations that might exclude the use of
a separate belay system would be: An experienced rescuer that feels
a belay will be a hindrance to rescue efforts Multiple lines
risking entanglement Free drops where spinning may cause
entanglements Limited access requiring a bottom belay Slide 25
Belay Operations Maintain proper amount of slack When lowering or
descending, pull Z,s and maintain slack at top side so that rescuer
has a relatively taught line from their perspective When hauling or
ascending, keep taught. Ensure Fall / Failure protection capacity
is present Utilize standard communications and safety checks
Rescuer On Belay (Prompt) Belayer Belay On (Response) Slide 26
Belay Operations Edge Tender Individual who maintains communication
and oversight of operation between the rescuer and the top side
Belay Commands: Too much slack = Tension the Belay Not enough slack
= Slack the Belay Edge Tender ideally has visual and verbal contact
with both parties Should have a safety line attached due to
proximity of edge Slide 27 Main Line Operations Two Categories of
Application Rescuer Based Descending (Rappelling) and Ascending
(Climbing) Team Based Lowering and Hauling Systems Rescuer Based
Predominantly used to gain initial access to victim for assessment
/ packaging Team Based Predominantly used for victim movement Slide
28 Rescuer Based Operations Rappelling requires proper manipulation
of the Descent Control Device (BBR) Signs of effective manipulation
are: Controlled descent with minimum physical effort Controlled
descent with appropriate and consistent speed so that the rope is
not damaged by heat and anchors are not damaged by shock loads
Ability to stop descent at anytime Ability to tie off securely and
operate hands free of the rope Ability to operate in any body
position including inversion Slide 29 Rappelling Slide 30 Rescuer
Based Operations Ascending / Climbing Ascending - a further
development of competency in the vertical environment Change Over -
a transition from a rappel to ascent and back to a rappel Types of
Ascenders Friction hitches (the most common is the Prusik Hitch)
Mechanical ascenders Typically performed in self rescue
applications Slide 31 Rescuer Based Operations Pick Off Rescue
Techniques (Level II KSA) Single rescuer has direct contact with
rescue subject Generally performed when rescue subject is uninjured
or slightly injured Completed by rescuer being lowered or on rappel
Involves attaching rescue subject directly to rescuers rappel
system Slide 32 Rescuer Based Operations Pick Off Rescue Techniques
Will require line transfer if victim is on rope If victim is not on
rope, a hasty harness will be required Victims injuries may require
c spine precautions to be taken Line transfer rescues may be
situation in which Belay system might not be used due to propensity
for entanglement Slide 33 Pick Off Rescues Slide 34
