Rope Rescue

Question 1

SSSF

Answer 1

• Static System Safety Factor - refers to the system safety factor when all movement of the load has stopped, in other words “Static State”.
• DCFD rigs to a 10:1 SSSF whenever it is reasonably achievable.

Question 2

Rope

Answer 2

1/2” Static Kernmantle Rope rated for 9,000 lbs or 40kN

Question 3

Bowline Knot

Answer 3

• Maintains 67% of rating for 1/2” Kernmantle rope 6,000 lbs
• Used as a connection knot at end of line or knot to tie around an object; Double long-tail used as our main connection point for all mirrored systems.

Question 4

Figure 8 Knot

Answer 4

• Maintains 77% of rating for 1/2” Kernmantle Rope when tied on a bight (6,950 lbs)
• Used as a stopper knot at end of line or tied on a bight as a connection point.

Question 5

Alpine Butterfly Knot

Answer 5

• Maintains 75% of rating for 1/2” Kernmantle Rope (6,750 lbs)
• Used as a mid-line knot to form a connection loop to pull in any direction; or to isolate a damaged section of rope.

Question 6

Munter Hitch

Answer 6

• Used as a friction device for belay or rappel (not in rescue)

Question 7

Handcuff Knot

Answer 7

• Used to construct 2 cinching loops to be placed around wrist/arms for hoisting or pulling.

Question 8

Clove Hitch

Answer 8

• Used to make a connection around an object by using overlapping round turns that create a friction hitch.

Question 9

Tensionless Hitch

Answer 9

• Maintains 100% rope strength when tired correctly
• Used as high-strength tie-off around an anchor with a diameter at least 8X the diameter of the rope being used. (In our case 1/2” rope means 4” object)

Question 10

Webbing

Answer 10

• 1” tubular webbing with a MBS of 4000 lbs or 18kN

- Often doubled or tripled when used in anchor building to allow for maintaining a 10:1 safety factor.

Question 11

Water Bend (Overhand Bend)

Answer 11

• Maintains 64% strength of 1” tubular webbing (2,560 lbs)
• Used to attach 2 pieces of webbing of equal size together; most commonly used to construct a fixed loop of webbing in anchor building.
• Configurations such as “Wrap 3 / Pull 2” show breaking strengths of 9,000 lbs

Question 12

Cord

Answer 12

• Used for rigging, anchoring, and load capturing.
• 8mm cord most often used for Prussik Loops.
• MBS of 8mm cord is 3,500 lbs
• MBS of pre-sewn Prussik is 4,500 lbs

Question 13

Double Fisherman’s Bend

Answer 13

• Maintains 68% of rating
• Used to attach 2 rope of equal diameter together
• Most commonly used with 8mm cord to construct a Prussik

Question 14

CMC Anchor Strap

Answer 14

• Approximately 3’ to 7’ adjustable length
• Basket: 70kN
• Straight: 27kN
• Choker: 30kN

Question 15

CMC Pro-Series Aluminum Carabiner

Answer 15

• MBS along long axis 44kN

- NFPA 1983 says rating of 40kN or greater is considered “General Use”

Question 16

Technical Use Carabiner

Answer 16

• Carabiner rated for at least 27kN

- Used for “Personal Use” only

Question 17

Rock Exotica Single/Double Sheave Pulley

Answer 17

• Minimum Breaking Strength 36kN
• Swivel Head
• Push Button side plates to allow for opening of pulley

Question 18

Petzl ASAP & Sorber

Answer 18

• ASAP Mobile Fall Arrester - Used as a (self) belay device when repelling utilizing Petzl ID
• ASAP Sorber - Energy absorber with zippered pouch for abrasion protection and easy inspection.

Question 19

Petzl ID

Answer 19

• Can be used as a rope access descent device and also as a belay device.
• Multi-function handle: Transport, Work Position, Descent, Panic Brake, and Belaying
• Lowers heavy loads up to 272kg (598.4lbs or 2.66kN)

Question 20

CMC Multi-Purpose Device (MPD)

Answer 20

• Serves as a ratcheting pulley, belay device, and descent control.
• MBS of 44kN with 1/2” Rope
• At No point should the RUNNING END of the rope have less than a 90 degree angle to the load end of rope.

Question 21

Aztek Kit

Answer 21

• Contains a set of Double Sheave Pulleys with 50’ of 8mm accessory cord with integrated 6mm ratchet prusiks which form a 4:1 or 5:1 Mechanical Advantage.
• Pulleys: 36kN
• Rope/Cord: 19kN
• Prusik: 12.9kN

Question 22

CMC Response Harness

Answer 22

• NFPA 1983 Class III Harness & ANSI Z359.11

- Rear waist attachment shall only be used for travel restraint

Question 23

CMC Pro Pocket

Answer 23

Contains

• 4 Carabiners
• 1 Single Pulley
• 1 - 12’ and/or 1 - 20’ webbing
• 2 Short and 2 Medium Prusiks

Question 24

CMC Titanium Rescue Litter

Answer 24

• Patient Tie in System w/ Pelvic Harness & Bridle
• Weight: 13 lbs
• Load rating: 11kN
• Durathene Netting

Question 25

DC Bridle

Answer 25

Consists of:

• 12mm Delta Tri-Link: Serves as connection point, made of galvanized steel with a WLL of 10.8 kN
• Adjustable Head: 9’ of 1/2” rope attached to litter with 2 triple-wrapped prusiks and attached to Delta Tri-Link with Figure 8 on a bight
• Adjustable Foot: Aztek Kit (Set of 4s), Orange block attached to the tri-link & orange Prussik pinned to block.
• Etrier: 3’ of 1” tubular webbing sewn into 4 steps for easy vertical movement
• Always orient gates down and towards the feet
• Rescuers attachment is with 2 short Prusiks above double long-tail bowline to Aztek Kit

Question 26

Arizona Vortex

Answer 26

• Portable artificial high directional (AHD)
• 2 piece head
• 7 Outside Legs, 3 Inside legs, leg pins, Raptor & Flat Feet Sets, Hobbling straps, head set, & Head Set Pins
• Max 3 Outer Leg sections on any leg
• Pin Strength: 3/8” Leg Pins 18,000 lbs (80kN); 1/2” Head Pins 32,000 lbs (142kN)
• All guy lines should be > or = to 30 degrees deflected from axis of the legs

Question 27

Spec Pak

Answer 27

Weight: 15 lbs

• 310 lb Capacity
• Class 3 Lifting Harness, used in conjunction with cervical collar
• “WLCH” Waist, legs, chest, head; All straps 2 finger tight
• Lower chin strap not used for vertical lifts
• Patient in SPEC PAK should not be suspended in a vertical position from head D-ring for >7 minutes, at risk for suspension syndrome.

Question 28

Lifting Spec Pak

Answer 28

• D-ring located at the head on the SPEC PAK is NOT designed for vertical rescues by itself
• Do NOT suspend anyone on a D-ring for more than 7 minutes
• Use 1 of the 2 bridle systems for any vertical operations