Rope Awareness

Question 1

Safety margin

Answer 1

10:1 in a static state

Question 2

Static system safety factor or SSSF

Answer 2

Weakest link in a system not to exceed 1/10 of its maximum rating

Question 3

Building Blocks of Tech Rescue

Answer 3

Rescue level
Training level
Instructor level
Research & development level

Question 4

Number one goal

Answer 4

Don’t get anyone hurt

Question 5

How to prevent death and injury

Answer 5

Keep it simple, applicable, and repetitive. - Army

Question 6

Catastrophic Failures

Answer 6

Can always be traced back to the build up of several “lesser” mess-ups, over-sights, or lack of knowledge and training.

Question 7

NFPA 1670

Answer 7

The standard on operations and training for Tech Rescue incidents

Question 8

NFPS 1006

Answer 8

Standard for rescue technician professional qualifications.

Question 9

An Element of a Vertical Emergency

Answer 9

is a factor, condition, or influence that can be redirected, and treated by the rescue team.

Question 10

Phases or elements of a technical rescue emergency

Answer 10

Primary Assessment
Recon
Rescue

Question 11

Primary Assessment Phase

Answer 11

Command, Witnesses, Time of day, Weather conditions, vertical type (wilderness, urban, or cell towers), terrain, resources, and skill level.

Question 12

Recon Phase

Answer 12

recon, victim profile (rescue or recovery), terrain, angel and length of ascent/descent (determines rescue profile low, steep, or high angle), horizontal and vertical distance from the fall line(knowledge of responders going over), helicopters.

Question 13

Rescue Phase

Answer 13

Team base location ( TOP or bottom), Anchor profile, edge profile / high directional needs, Rescue vertical

Question 14

Bomb Proof Anchor

Answer 14

Anchors everyone is happy with, and there is no chance that the anchor will fail, Any basic rope tech can rig this anchor.

Question 15

Marginal or multi point anchor.

Answer 15

are anchor points, that by them self, are questionable, but when used in combination with each other make for a very strong anchor system. Requires skilled rope techs.

Question 16

Advanced Anchor

Answer 16

This is developing an anchor where no apparent anchor exists. Requires advanced rigging skills.

Question 17

Recon

Answer 17

Command must establish recon sector as soon as possible. Recon are usually the first rescuers over the edge, or up the mountain. Eyes and ears of command.

Question 18

Victim Profile

Answer 18

Rescue or recovery. Other considerations are the victims location, vertical stability, and effects of weather exposure.

Question 19

Terrain

Answer 19

Gets an accurate report of what kind of terrain they are dealing with from the recon sector.

Question 20

Angle and Length of ascent/descent.

Answer 20

Determines the type of rescue, low, steep, or high angle. Also determines the skill level of the rescuers needed.

Question 21

Horizontal and vertical distance from the fall line.

Answer 21

Does the fall line change? Does the fall line include obstacles? Does the main line and belay line package need to be altered to affect the rescue? Need to be versed in performing “offset” evolutions.

Question 22

Helicopters

Answer 22

Is the terrain conducive to helicopter use? Use of helicopters are versatile and useful but some of the most dangerous to use. Highly trained and a risk assessment must be preformed before a helicopter is used.

Question 23

Team base location

Top or bottom

Answer 23

Starting at the top and working down is the preferred way. In some scenarios, such as a structural tower, there is not enough room to work above the victim.

During a bottom operation a limited number of rescuers will work above the victim, setting high directional, and victim packaging, while the bulk of the team is doing support/rigging operation on the ground or below on a larger working area.

Question 24

Anchor Profile

Answer 24

Anchor selection, and who’s building the anchor are the two biggest decisions to be made during the rescue phase.

Bomb proof, marginal / multi point , or advanced anchor.

Question 25

Edge Profile / High directional needs

Answer 25

The number 1 enemy of rope is sharp edges. What resources are needed to protect the rope. A good rescue system will keep the majority of the rope off the ground. The best way to accomplish this is by using some form of a high directional. A high directional, in addition to edge protection will also lessen edge trauma to rescuers going over the edge.

Question 26

Rescue Vertical Direction

Answer 26

Down or up, or any combination of, this element requires skills in setting up and operation a system break rack, a system belay, a mechanical advantage system, and the technical skill in converting between a lowering and a haul system.

Question 27

Rescue Vertical Distance

Answer 27

How much rope is needed? This may involve skill is combining lengths of rope in a safe and reliable manner, and the ability to pass knots through the system.

Question 28

Rescue Horizontal Changes

Answer 28

Is there a need for horizontal systems, add on systems that allow the team to manipulate the main line, and sometimes the belay line in a horizontal manner.

Question 29

Long Horizontal Distance

Answer 29

On very rare occasions a rescue team may be called upon to build and operate a highland system that facilitates a rescue over a long expanse. This would be that one time that terrain would not allow the use of a helicopter, and the distance was to long to use offsets.