Low/Steep Angle

Question 1

What angle is a Non-Technical Evacuation at?

Answer 1

Less than 40 Degrees

Question 2

Which direction do bearers face during a Non-Technical Evacuation?

Answer 2

The direction of travel

Question 3

What is the difference between a Litter Bearer and a Litter Attendant?

Answer 3

Litter Bearer - Not tied into litter, for non-technical situations, they face direction of travel
Litter Attendant - Tied into litter/system, for technical situations, 4 litter attendants max and 3 min, face the anchor

Question 4

At what angle is Steep Angle defined at?

Answer 4

40-60 degrees

Question 5

What is the responsibilities of a Route Finder?

Answer 5

One who goes ahead of litter to find best way out. Must stay well enough ahead to allow contact movement of litter but not compromise communication, clear debris, point out obstacles, mark path, and spot for anchors if necessary. Always have a route finder even if it means stopping and lowering the litter.

Question 6

What angle is a Technical Evacuation at?

Answer 6

Greater than 40 degrees

Question 7

What type of rescues are performed above 40 degrees?

Answer 7

High and Steep Angle
Pickoffs
Highlines

Question 8

What angle is considered Flat Angle?

Answer 8

0-15 Degrees

Question 9

What angle is considered Low Angle?

Answer 9

15-40 Degrees

Question 10

Are ropes used during a Flat Angle rescue?

Answer 10

Only if exposure risk is present

Question 11

What type of Lowering System is generally used for a Low Angle rescue?

Answer 11

Belay is generally used

Question 12

What is a Brake Mule?

Answer 12

One who assists the rate and stability of Descent. This could include dynamic belay, or physical contact with the litter

Question 13

What points of Etiquette need to be considered?

Answer 13

-No idle or inappropriate conversations

-Never complain or discuss personal hardship

-Maintain positive attitude

-Do not raise your voice unless absolutely necessary

-Talk to the PT and address by name

-Be compassionate

-Be honest

-Put yourself in their place

-Think of them as a loved one

-Even when unconscious, people hear and remember

Question 14

What Victim Psychology considerations should you keep in mind?

Answer 14

-PT can feel guilty, sorry, embarrassed, scared, angry, violent, etc.

-Even if PT is totally at fault, console them

PT can feel claustrophobic, leave limbs free to move (if possible), elevate head of litter

Question 15

What are the Hand-Off considerations you need to be mindful off?

Answer 15

-Try to get back as much personal gear as possible

-Medical: ensure PT records go with PT and new medical is briefed

-Litters don’t go into helicopters so think of how you should package your patient – lay blanket under PT so you can lift them out at transfer

Question 16

True or False: CAMRA considers low and flat angle the same.

Answer 16

True - Both are covered by low angle operation guidelines

Question 17

What additional tools can be used to aid in carrying the litter?

Answer 17

Litter wheel and webbing slings

Question 18

If you need to pass the litter over an obstacle what is one method that can be used?

Answer 18

Caterpillar Pass

Question 19

How do you form the litter attachment point at the front for a steep angle rescue?

Answer 19

One Green 20’ section of 1” tubular webbing is candy-striped through the head of the litter and is looped and finished with a water bed.
The loops are focused with an overhand knot at the center above the litter. Add a marlin spike to the overhand.

Question 20

How do you connect the litter to the system for a steep angle rescue?

Updated

Answer 20

Form a double long tail bowline with 2 rescue locking carabiners and have the tails reach the bottom of the litter after F8 is tied. Attach both carabiners to green webbing at the front of the litter. Attach one green prusiks to each main line the connect each one to its respective carabiner on the long tail. Pull 1 feet of slack through both prusiks to form a fuse.

Updated

Question 21

What is done with the tails of the long tail bowline when rigging the litter for a steep angle rescue?

Answer 21

They are clove hitched to a vertical post on the litter near the head. Keep chunky part of clove on the inside

Question 22

What is one of the responsibilities of a side attendant for a steep angle rescue

Answer 22

One of the side attendants will need to be the treatment leader, normally the highest ranking medical on scene.

Question 23

Does the size of a side attendant matter for a steep angle rescue?

Answer 23

It matters when selecting side attendants as they should be close to the same size.

Question 24

How is a side attendant attached to the litter?

Answer 24

Using a long personal purcell prusik by basket hitching to the litter rung and clipping into your harness. Then take a personal prusik and hitching to the long tail and clipping that into your harness

Question 25

How is a foot attendant attached to the litter?

Answer 25

Using 2 system/personal prusiks basket hitch one on the far left side of a vertical post at the foot of the litter and the other on the far right side of a vertical post at the foot of the litter. Clip both into your harness on the same carabiner. Clip the figure 8 on the long tail into your harness.