The document discusses rope rescue equipment and procedures. It outlines three levels of rope rescue - awareness, operations, and technician - as defined by NFPA 1670. It describes life safety rope and webbing standards, proper inspection and care techniques, types of harnesses and hardware including carabiners and pulleys, and descending/ascending devices like figure 8s and ascenders. The document provides information on rope construction, types of knots, and general safety considerations for rope rescue.
2. References
IFSTA Rescue, Chapter 4, 6th
Edition, 1996
NFPA 1670, Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents, 1999
edition.
NFPA 1983, Fire Service Life Safety Rope And System Components, 1995
edition
Considerations for Rope Rescue, Kenneth N. Laidlaw, 1999, (internet)
Ropes and Knots, United States Search and Rescue Task Force, undated
(internet)
3. NFPA 1670
Outlines requirements for Technical
Rescue Incidents
Identifies the operating levels of rescue.
Awareness
Operations
Technician
4. Awareness Level
Minimum requirement
Ability to:
Do size up
Identify resources
Implement emergency response and ICS
Use PPE
Recognize Hazards of Rope Rescue
5. Operations Level
Awareness Level
Implement:
Rope based mechanical advantage
systems
Edge Protection
Single and Multiple point Anchoring
Systems
6. Operations Level cont...
Use Belay Systems
Construct lowering and raising systems
Tie Knots
Assure Safety
Package patient
Maintain ropes and equipment
Ascend and Descend a fixed rope
7. Technician Level
Operations Level
Know Procedures for:
Load distributing anchor systems
High-line rope system
Use in High-angle environment
Pass Knots Through System
Use litter Attendants in High -angle rescue
8. Rope
Two types of rope used in the fire service
Utility rope
Life Safety Rope
9. Utility Rope
No fire standard applies
Hoisting and securing objects only
NOT TO BE USED FOR RESCUE OF VICTIMS
10. Life Safety Rope
NFPA 1983
Two classes
One person
300 LBS
4500LBF
1 1/8” - 1 1/2”
21. Rope Care and Inspection
Inspect before and after use
Inspect for-
Visual damage
Loose Mantle
Kinks
Store away from sunlight, heat and
chemicals
Wash and air dry
22. Rope Do’s and Don’ts
Use the rope for it’s intended purpose
Always use edge protection
Proper rappelling techniques
No
Fast rappels
Bounding
Swinging
23. Rope Do’s and Don’ts
Never step on a rope
and, Again,
Never use a rope for anything other then it’s
intended purpose
24. Webbing
Used to construct anchor points
1-2” sizes
1” most common has a breaking strength of
4000 LBS
If use for body contact must have 6000 LBS
breaking strength
25. Flat webbing
Single layer of fabric
Hard to tie knots in
Mainly used for straps and harnesses
26. Tubular Webbing
Easy to tie knots
Edge stitched
Spiral weave
All webbing should be inspected as rope
Wash in cold water and air dry
31. Harnesses
Class III
Fastened around waist, thighs and
shoulders
Shoulder harness either integrated or
assembled
Best in Confined Space but also for High-
angle rescue
34. Belts
Not for rescue
Only locking in ladders, high work, etc..
35. Hardware
Carabiners
“D” shaped best for rescue
Always use locking gate
Load vertically at spine
** IF A CARABINER IS DROPPED FROM WAIST
HIEGHT OR HIGHER, TAKE IT OUT OF SERVICE