1. Introduction to Technical Rope Rescue

2. Objectives (1 of 4)
Identify the need for rope rescue equipment and the application of rope rescue skills at a rescue operation.
Recognize and identify fall hazards and other hazards commonly found at rope rescue incidents.

3. Objectives (2 of 4)
Identify various types of rescue incidents that require rope rescue equipment and rope rescue skills.
Describe the rope rescue resources needed to conduct various search and rescue operations.

4. Objectives (3 of 4)
Describe response planning and incident management requirements related to a search and rescue incident that requires rope rescue teams.

5. Objectives (4 of 4)
Describe site control operations at a high-angle rescue incident.
Describe non-entry rescue considerations at a high-angle rescue incident.

6. Rope Rescue Incidents
Involve victims trapped or injured in normally inaccessible locations
Mountainside
Outside high-rise building

7. Awareness Level Responsibilities
Knowing different elements involved in technical rope rescue
Isolating the incident
Protecting victim from further harm
Recognizing need for and summoning specialized rescue resources

8. Low-Angle Rope Rescue (1 of 2)
Slope of ground over which rescuers are working less than 45 degrees
Ground provides rescuers primary support.
Rope system provides secondary means of support.
Type of ground surface may complicate

9. Low-Angle Rope Rescue (2 of 2)
© Keith D. Cullom

10. High-Angle Rope Rescue (1 of 3)
Slope of surface over which rescuers working exceeds 45 degrees
Rope system is primary load-carrying support system.
Rope supports rescuers’ load.
Rope may be entire load-carrying support system.

11. High-Angle Rope Rescue (2 of 3)
May require different types of equipment depending on situation
Victims may be suffering life-threatening illness or traumatic injury.

12. High-Angle Rope Rescue (3 of 3)
Courtesy of Robert Rhea

13. Fall Protection Has Two Meanings
1. System of rope hardware and software used to protect workers from falling from elevated position
2. Equipment to which workers are attached while working at elevations or near fall hazard; equipment meant to capture them should they fall

14. Rope Rescue System
Constructed system consisting of rope rescue equipment and appropriate anchor system intended for use in rescue of subject
Use requires rescue teams or individuals trained to use equipment

15. Rope Rescue at Construction Site
Victims may be in variety of locations.
Responders must use personal protective equipment.
Numerous and varied hazards.
Examples: fall hazards, falling materials or debris, unstable footing, excessive noise

16. Rope Rescue in Industrial Settings
May require rope rescue mechanical advantage systems
Require responders to use personal protective equipment
Contain numerous and varied hazards:
Examples: exposure hazardous materials, confined spaces, machinery entrapment, noise

17. Mechanical Advantage Systems (1 of 2)
Require descent and control techniques to move victims
Create leverage force through use of levers, pulleys, gearing:
Mechanical advantage expressed as ratio of output force to input force

18. Mechanical Advantage Systems (2 of 2)
Courtesy of Robert Womer/Rock-N-Rescue

19. Rope Rescue in Rural Setting (1 of 2)
May include recreational climbers who have fallen down cliffs, hills, rock faces
May require entry into caves or mines
Necessitates trained, specialized rescue teams to build and operate rope rescue systems

20. Rope Rescue in Rural Setting (2 of 2)
© Greg Epperson/ShutterStock, Inc.

21. Examples of Other Settings
Stranded window washer
Transportation accidents where vehicle goes over embankment
Building collapse events
Swiftwater rescue

22. Applicable Standards
NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications
NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents

23. Hardware (1 of 2) Rigid, mechanical auxiliary equipment
Examples include:
Anchor plates
Carabiners
Mechanical ascent control devices
Descent control devices
Pulleys
Specialty devices

24. Hardware (2 of 2) Courtesy of Donald Carek/Karl Kuemmerling, Inc.
Courtesy of Skedco, Inc.

25. Software (1 of 2) Flexible fabric components of rope rescue equipment
Examples include:
Rope
Accessory cordage
Webbing
Anchor straps
Harnesses

26. Software (2 of 2)
Courtesy of Skedco, Inc.

27. Equipment Safety Standards
NFPA 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services
Protect all rope rescue equipment from damage during storage, training, and rescue operations.
Inspect regularly
Remove damaged equipment from service.

28. Examples of Specialized Equipment (1 of 2)
Portable anchor devices:
Tripods, bipods, Larkin Frames
A-frame devices
Arizona Vortex
Edge protection

29. Examples of Specialized Equipment (2 of 2)
Courtesy of Spelean Pty Ltd, Artarmon, Australia

30. Rescue Team Resources
Requires specially trained personnel or teams and unique training and skills to use rope rescue tools and equipment correctly and to build and operate rope rescue systems safely

31. Rope Rescue Techniques
Establishing anchor systems and fall protection
Building and operating lowering systems
Building and operating mechanical advantage systems
Building and using high-line systems
Ascending rope

32. Awareness Level Responsibilities
Recognize hazards at incident.
Secure the scene.
Call for appropriate assistance and resources, including crossed-trained rescue teams.
Not properly trained to operate rope rescue equipment or to use techniques

33. EMS Resources
Required for patient hand off by rescue team for treatment and transport to medical facilities
High-angle rope rescue victims may be suffering from traumatic injuries, other medical emergencies..
ALS required to treat fall victims effectively.

34. Strategic Objectives (1 of 2)
Evaluate scene, identify potential victims and locations.
Initiate operations to minimize hazards to operating personnel and trapped victims.
Search the area.

35. Strategic Objectives (2 of 2)
Rescue and remove trapped victims.
Minimize further injury to victims during process.

36. Required ICS Positions
Incident commander (IC)
Technical rescue group supervisor
Safety officer

37. Technical Rescue Group Supervisor (1 of 2)
Hazard mitigation
Entry team readiness
Rapid intervention capabilities
Emergency medical patient care

38. Technical Rescue Group Supervisor (2 of 2)
Courtesy of Mike Moore/FEMA

39. Incident Action Plan (IAP)
Identifies overall control objectives for emergency
Includes necessary specialized resources
Includes necessary specialized personnel

40. Response Planning
Responders must know how to initiate emergency response system to ensure appropriate resources are deployed and operational guidelines initiated correctly.

41. Needs Assessment Possible emergencies requiring rope rescue
Possible hazards
Types of emergency response resources or special assets required
Capability assessment of agency personnel
Other available resources

42. Hazards and Hazard Assessment
Personnel must be well trained to recognize and understand the hazards they may encounter to protect them from being injured or killed.

43. Scene Assessment
Assess rescue environment hazards before a rope rescue.
Hazards vary, depending on the primary cause of emergency.
Responders must recognize need for specialized resources, know personal limitations.

44. On-Scene Hazards to Rescue Personnel (1 of 2)
Fall hazard
Falling debris
Bystanders, onlookers, friends, co-workers
Industrial setting hazards

45. On-Scene Hazards to Rescue Personnel (2 of 2)
Courtesy of Robert Rhea

46. Rescue Situation in Industrial Setting (1 of 2)
May expose rescuers to energy hazards:
Electrical wires
Hydraulic fluids
Steam lines
Operating machinery
Requires identification and control

47. Rescue Situation in Industrial Setting (2 of 2)
Courtesy of Robert Rhea

48. Basic Hazard Mitigation (1 of 2)
Controlling site prior to arrival of trained rope rescue teams
Using barrier tape to establish edge control
Using proper fall protection when going near edge

49. Basic Hazard Mitigation (2 of 2)
© Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

50. Site Control Includes (1 of 2)
Creating general area within 300 feet (91.4 m) of event
Removing unnecessary bystanders from operational area
Establishing physical barrier at least 100 feet (30.5 m) from operational area

51. Site Control Includes (2 of 2)
Controlling traffic
Eliminating vibration sources
Identifying and monitoring existing hazards within physical barrier

52. Basic Rescue Procedures (1 of 2)
Assess scene.
Gather information and locate victim.
Communicate with victim, if possible.
Gain access to patient.
Secure patient with rope system.

53. Basic Rescue Procedures (2 of 2)
Package the patient.
Attach the patient to rope rescue system for removal.

54. Role of Awareness Level Rescuers
Moving tools and equipment
Securing perimeter
Helping operate haul systems
Transferring patients

55. BLS Patient Care Includes (1 of 2)
Establishing and maintaining adequate airway
Providing respiratory ventilation
Controlling severe bleeding
Maintaining circulatory system

56. BLS Patient Care Includes (2 of 2)
Ensuring spinal immobilization, if necessary
Treating for shock, if necessary
Following local medical protocols

57. Patient Movement
Should be performed safely and efficiently while limiting further injury to patient
Requires adequate numbers of rescuers to avoid injury to patient or rescuers

58. Summary (1 of 2)
Rescuers must recognize different types of rescue environments and associated hazards.
High-angle rope rescue requires specialized resources and rope rescue teams.
Responders must know where to acquire resources to perform successful rope rescues.

59. Summary (2 of 2)
Rope rescue hazards include fall hazards, falling debris, energy hazards, environmental hazards, and crowd control issues.
Hazard mitigation efforts are required prior to rescue.
Awareness level responders should not attempt to access or remove a patient in situations where fall protection is required.