1. Mod 5: Technical Skills I
Rope Rescue Level I
Mod 5: Technical Skills I

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

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
Elements selected for use should not be so complex that they cannot be tied, identified, or untied with speed and proficiency
Elements selected should maintain configuration when loaded
4:1 rule / 2:1 rule
Rope does not significantly lose strength until it has a bend less than 4 X its diameter (this rule applies to natural fiber rope more than synthetic which realistically uses a margin of 2:1). The 4:1 rule also applies to safety and efficiency margin for pulleys. The diameter of a pulley should be at least 4 X the diameter of the rope to insure safety and efficiency.

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)
Not all knots require overhand safeties or back up knots but it is NEVER wrong to do so.
Openings or bites and tails of knots should be appropriately sized
Tying knots just large enough to accommodate the application is a good fundamental to keep elements as condensed as possible

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 Fisherman’s (Grapevine) Bend
Prusik Hitch
Munter Hitch
Practical Session:
Provide each student with a section of rope and systematically demonstrate each knot, bend, hitch
Instruct students to watch methodology first and then have them duplicate the process
Explain the application of each knot, bend, hitch while demonstrating

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
Two basic categories
Single anchor points
Multiple anchor points used to create anchor systems
Deciding factors for selection of single point vs. system
Strength “Bombproof”
Location

7. Anchoring Anchor Assessment Strength – “Bombproof” or “Not” Design
Stability
Location
Avoid Tunnel Vision
Strength
Sufficient or not to support load and forces that will be applied
Design
Cylindrical, Open or Close ended, I beam, Angle – These designs affect the surface contact between the anchor and the mechanism of attachment will be determining factors in application selection
Sharp edges, burrs, smooth or rough also affect edge protection and positional control of the anchor point (discuss use of duck tape to keep anchors in place)
Stability
Is the anchor kinetic or moveable – Large rocks, vehicles, etc..
Connections – root systems, welds, bolts, etc… - must be assessed as part of the strength or overall capability of the anchor
Location
Does the location of the anchor provide optimal design and function of the rope system or will directionals be required
Inferior anchors may be selected if the superior anchor would result in inefficient rescue operations
Anchor selection requires broad thinking at times

8. Anchor Points Natural Anchors Trees Rocks Structural Anchors
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
Trees with solid foundations and viability and appropriate diameter
Rocks are marginal due to their instability and the difficulty to maintain the position of the attachment point
Structural elements must also be considered for composition
Cast Iron, Mortar, Rust / Decay, etc…
Engineered anchors will typically be labeled with load design

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
Strongest application:
Strength of the rope itself is not lost through knots because the attachment figure 8 and carabiner are not loaded when the hitch is done correctly
The smaller the anchor = the more wraps and conversely for the larger the anchor
Tensionless hitch requires the end of the rope to be utilized and the rest of the rope to be deployed over the edge unless the rope bag is being passed around the anchor during construction (difficult to manage). The midpoint of the rope cannot be utilized to maximize usage if the rope length accommodates such an application.
Exposing the rope to potential abrading or cutting elements on the surface of the anchor require edge protection
Clove, Figure 8, and bowline can be utilized as anchor attachments in certain applications – predominantly victim packaging.

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
Can be configured as choker, basket or straight depending on space and load
Can be wrapped around an anchor multiple times if needed to condense rigging space
Some anchor straps have adjustable lengths – typically not as strong
Rigging plates can be attached to anchor straps for multiple attachment points and the ability to change those attachment points without altering the anchor
Rope sleeves or fire hose can be pre rigged to anchor straps for edge protection

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
Use of webbing for anchors has been replaced by anchor straps
Too slow to configure
Difficulty in equally loading both segments.

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.
Describe Tension Back Tie, LDA, LSA
Tension Back Tie requires a support or back up anchor that is in line with direction of pull or multiple anchors that can be collected with a centering point at the primary anchor
LDA results in pendulum and elongation if failure occurs of one of the anchors
LSA results in pendulum if failure occurs of one of the anchors

13. Anchoring Picket Systems
Comprised of pickets that are 4’ – 5’ in length of at least 1” diameter. (steel)
Drive pickets at least half depth at 15 degree angles
Lash pickets together utilizing clove hitches and at least 3 wraps
Tension lashings by twisting ½” steel 4 – 6 times and drive it into the ground
Standard picket systems are 3 pickets by 3 pickets spaced approximately the length of the picket
Can only be established in solid soil bases.

14. Critical Angles Understanding of Forces
Physics of Force Amplification from Critical Angles - Anchor Tension
Rigging Precautions
Don’t compromise directional anchors
Use multi point anchor systems only as a last resort
keep inside angles 90° or less, never more than 120°
Systems should always be constructed with appropriate critical angles in mind
Explain Anchor Tension and lateral forces
Directionals and Multi point anchors can be compromised when angles exceed 120 degrees.
High Lines are examples of systems that exceed critical angle requirements and they require very specialized rigging and redundancies.

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

16. Critical Angles 100+ lbs 100+ lbs 71 lbs 71 lbs 100 lbs
120
71 lbs
71 lbs
100 lbs
Any angle greater than 120 degrees applies more than the load to each anchor 90
100 lbs

17. Anchor Points
Discuss Back Tie Technique, Anchor Usage, Vehicle Safety Steps

18. Anchor Points
Tensionless Hitches / High strength Tie Offs with Back Ties

19. Anchor Points
Establishing a high directional

20. Anchor Points
Use of Natural Anchors

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
The primary anchor that should be established is the belay anchor because it requires a direct route to the load
The same anchor can be utilized for both the belay anchor point and the mainline anchor point if it is engineered to sustain all load possibilities without compromise.

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
Attachment Points on Harness
The Belay should be attached midline and contained so that if loaded it will not result in the rescuer hanging from their side or back
Redundancy – Tying the belay around multiple midline fabric components of the harness afford a high degree of safety but are slow and cumbersome to rig and un rig and are not recommended by most manufacturers.
Speed and Functionality – Attaching the belay to the rigging component of the harness is within the manufacturer’s design configurations and is much faster and easier to rig and unrig.

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.
Briefly describe belay components and their load designs.

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
Separate belay systems afford safety and redundancy
Bottom belays do not work with all descent control devices
Belayer can only exert as much pressure as body weight or rope can slip out of grip of belayer
Belayer is in danger of being hit by objects
Does not provide back up for failure of main line anchor, or rappel devices
The elimination of a belay line requires significant risk benefit analysis and should require consensus from operational command and the safety officer.

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)
Proper Slack
Pulling “Z”,s affords enough slack to stay ahead of the load movement safely without hindering load movement or loading the belay device.
Fall / Failure protection
Different devices utilize different mechanisms to seize the load if fall or failure occurs
Ensure that the mechanism is properly set or in operating order by applying a pull test prior to deploying the rescuer
Communications / Safety
Safety checks should be conducted of the system and the rescuer
Communication sequence should be systematic

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
Discuss Edge Tender Responsibilities:
Safety
Line Management
Communications

27. Main Line Operations Two Categories of Application Rescuer Based
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

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
BBR’s are engineered to control the rope through friction – A skilled rescuer manipulates the rack to “do the work for him”.
Rope should not be fed through the rack and speed of travel should be consistent – this is all managed through correct manipulation of the rack
Rescuers must possess the skill sets to stop, tie of, and perform rescue actions whether self rescue or pick offs which may require inversion.
Specific skills will be taught in hands on session.

29. Rappelling
Rappelling – Note Body Position and hand placements

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
In rescue applications, ascending is typically only performed for self rescue in which a personal component (gear, clothing, physical element) have become caught in the BBR and the load must be taken off of the rack to correct the problem.
May also be utilized perform rigging and anchoring at elevated objectives.
Specific skills will be taught in hands on session.

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 rescuer’s rappel system
Pick Off Rescues are a Level II Skill Set per NFPA 1006 but are an imperative component in a rescuers skill sets to be effective as part of a rescue team.
The Victim is typically trapped at an elevated level and unable to climb up or down due to injury or environment.

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
Victim’s 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
Specifics of pick off Rescue Techniques will be taught in hands on session

33. Pick Off Rescues
Line Transfer Pick Off Rescues - Inversion

34. Pick Off Rescues
Pick Off Rescues