Vertical Rescue 1

Question 1

What legislation allows ACTF&R to perform vertical rescue

Answer 1

Emergencies Act 2004.
Memorandum of understanding with AFP.
Interstate assistance agreement with NSWF&R.

Question 2

At a major incident where F&R is the primary rescue agency who has overall control

Answer 2

Incident will be divided into inner and outer perimeter.
The ACTF&R officer will coordinate activities within the inner perimeter.
The ACTF&R officer in charge will liaise with the police officer in charge, who has overall control and coordination of the scene.
ACTAS will be responsible for patient care.

Question 3

ACTF&R are the primary rescue agency for what emergencies

Answer 3

RCR - other than submerged vehicle where diving is required.
Domestic and animal rescue.
Transport rescue, including aviation and rail.
Building/ structure rescue and structural collapse rescue.
INDUSTRIAL RESCUE.
Confined space rescue - other than caves and disused mine shafts.
Drain rescue - other than drains in flood.
Rescues resulting from storm of tempest damage.
Rescue resulting from natural disasters - other than floods.
Extrication of bodies from RCR.
Trench collapse rescues.

Question 4

What is command vs control

Answer 4

Command is vertical within the organisation.
Control is horizontally across different organisations.

Question 5

When can ACTF&R respond to rescue incidents in NSW

Answer 5

Only when NSW police service has requested their help.

Question 6

Minimum response to a vertical rescue

Answer 6

1 Pumper.
Rescue 48 & 49.
Commander.
Police and ambulance will be notified.
Job may be upgraded or downgraded depending on circumstances.

Question 7

What do you do if your unsure if someone is deceased

Answer 7

Get to work helping them until clear.

Question 8

What considerations will you make post incident

Answer 8

Peer support network.
Debrief post incident.
Recording and reporting.
Coroners requirements/ reports.

Question 9

Position in the vertical rescue team

Answer 9

Incident controller - overall command of scene, will develop plan.
Operations officer - manage tactical operation and resources within inner and outer circles. Appoint other positions.
Safety officer - Overall safety. Inspects all systems, rigging and persons before committing to a rope.
Edge controller. - Communicate between crews above and below. Control lowering and hauling operations.
Usually in no go zone so must be secured. Head to toe check before operators go over the edge.
Patient access / litter attendant - Access , initial treatment, assisting of paramedics, packaging and extrication of patient.
Haul team - Build hauling system and respond to command given.

Question 10

LAST acronym

Answer 10

L - locate
A - access
S - stabilise
T - transport

Question 11

Factors to consider on scene reconnaissance and size up

Answer 11

Number and type of casualties.
Location.
Access and egress routes.
Weather conditions and forecast.
Night operations.
Ground stability.
Anchors.
Clearances.
Tides, waves, surf.
Electrical conductors.
Moving machinery.
Greasy or oily surfaces.
Hot surfaces.
Unstable structures.
Exhaust or steam outlets.
Air quality.
High winds.
Rain.
Swift water.
Fuels and chemicals.
Slopes.
Overhangs.
Sheer faces.

Question 12

Safety and the reduction of the risk inherent in any vertical rescue depend upon

Answer 12

Proper training and the maintenance of equipment and standards.
Care and commonsense approach to the task.
Attention and observation.
Team work and team reliance.

Question 13

In vertical rescue when and whos responsibility is safety

Answer 13

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Safety is ongoing as every vertical rescue situation or training drill must be treated as potentially life threatening.

Question 14

What PPE equipment must be worn

Answer 14

Helmet.
Gloves.
Station level uniform.
Sturdy footwear.
Eye protection.
Other PPE may be used depending on the situation and conditions.
If you ask civilians to help get them PPE.

Question 15

Vertical rescue ‘no go zone’

Answer 15

A safety or ‘no go zone’ must be clearly identified at any edge or hole, extending approximately two meters back from the edge, further if other hazards exist.
No on is permitted into this area without a safety line. All operators must be made aware of the area ASAP.
A similar safety area must be established around the base of the mast of tower.

Question 16

Final safety checks

Answer 16

It is each person’s own responsibility to safety check their own equipment and systems prior to receiving checks from a safety officer. This ensure two safety checks are conducted.

Question 17

ARCHER system check acronym

Answer 17

A - Anchor; in line, secure and bomb proof.
R - Reeving; correct and attached.
C - Carabiners; locked and correctly loaded.
H - Harness; fitted and secured correctly.
E - Equipment; suitable and safe.
R - Ropes; secured, protected, in line and manned.

Question 18

Personal touch check

Answer 18

Question 19

Verbal commands

Answer 19

Stop - All movement must stop.
Below - Warning that and object in falling.
Falling - belayer prepare for shock load.
Safe - in safe position, belay not needed but must be kept ready.
Off rope - no longer attached to rope.

Question 20

Whistle signals

Answer 20

One blast - stop.
Two blasts - haul in/up.
Three blasts - pay out/down.
Continuous blasts - danger need assistance.

Question 21

Rescue rope construction

Answer 21

Must be of kernmantle construction. Kern being the core of fibres which support the major portion of the load and a plaited sheath over the core to support a portion of the load and protect the core.
Must be static class but exhibit certain dynamic qualities.
Range of between 11 to 16mm.
Must support a safe working load of 375kg with a safety factor of 8:1.

Question 22

SWL field calculation

Answer 22

The safe working load of a nylon kernmantle rope can be found using the formula:
Diameter2 x 3 = SWL kg
E.g. 13mm kernmantle rope
(13 x 13) x 3
169 x 3
507kg
SWL = 500kg (actual)

Question 23

Ropes can be damaged if stored

Answer 23

With permanent knots in it.
In sunlight.
Exposed to fumes of residue.
On cement floors for long periods.
Wet or damp areas.
Avoid extreme heat temperatures.
Contaminated with dirt of grit. Never step on lines.

Question 24

Substances that can damage rope

Answer 24

Acids, especially battery acids.
Bleaches.
Alkali.
Many other strong chemicals. Avoid contact with chemicals at all times as a general rule.

Question 25

Methods of avoiding rope abrasion

Answer 25

Rope pads - Simplest and easiest.
Edge rollers - Very efficient.
Pulleys - Used to change direction.

Question 26

Visually inspect rope for

Answer 26

Sheath wear - fibres on the sheath are cut, producing a furry look and reduce the SWL of the line.
Exposed core fibres - indicates damage to sheath and or/ core.
Lack of uniformity in diameter size - may indicate core damage.
Discolouration - may indicate dirty or chemically damaged rope.
Glossy marks - heat fusion damage.
Inconsistency in texture and stiffness - Soft spots may indicate core damage.

Question 27

Inspect rope by feel for

Answer 27

Stiffened fibres - aged rope of heat damage.
Changes in diameter - core damage.
Dirt and grit on the rope - wash and clean.

Question 28

When to report or replace a line

Answer 28

Rope has an organisational retirement age of 10 years.
Inspect line and report/ replace when showing signs it unsafe. If unsure, report and tag immediately.
If anything is unsuitable ensure you take it out to prevent anyone unaware from using it.

Question 29

25mm tube tape sizes

Answer 29

Blue - 10m
Red - 5m
Green - 4m

Question 30

Knot safety points

Answer 30

Dress knots fully before use. An undressed knot can reduce the strength of a knot by up to 50%.
Knots must have a tail of minimum 75mm.
Don’t leave permanent knots in rope.
The double fisherman’s is the only safe knot for joining kernmantle lines.
The alpine butterfly is the preferred mid line know as it can take weight in three directions.
The tape knot is the only knot for joining tape to tape.

Question 31

When tying prusik knots obey the following

Answer 31

2 wraps 6mm prusiks for a personal load (120kg)
3 wraps 8mm prusiks for a rescue load (250kg)
Ensure that the knot is dressed correctly to ensure that it will grab the host rope.

Question 32

Carabiner breaking strain and SWL

Answer 32

Breaking strain 4000kg.
SWL 500kg.

Question 33

Carabiner precautions during operations

Answer 33

Make sure the keeper on the carabiner gate is screwed home finger tight only.
Do not permit cross loading of the carabiner, particularly across the gate.
Treat carabiners carefully. Dropping may cause hairline fractures, resulting in failure under load.
Do not cut, file or stamp descenders, carabiners or mallions. Use only paint or engrave for identification.
Keep the gate lock mechanism clean.
No oil or WD40.

Question 34

Vertical rescue equipment specifications

Answer 34

Question 35

Types of anchors

Answer 35

Existing anchors - are anchors already existing before a incident. Could be natural or manmade e.g. trees, rocks, columns, beams, structural supports, rails, posts etc.

Created anchors - are acnhors created at an incident utilising equipment. e.g. pickets, hydraulic rams, vehicles, pitons, bolts.

Question 36

Sling angles

Answer 36

photo pg 75

Question 37

Explain ortostatic intolorance

Answer 37

Workers using safety harness may experience orthostatic intolorance following a fall and remaining suspended in a harness.

Venous pooling typically occurs in the legs due to the force of gravity and lack of movement.

Severe venous pooling causes a reduction in the quantityy and quality (oxygen content) of blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs.

The sustained immobility may lead to a loss of conciousness and, depending on the amount of time suspended and venous pooling; the resulting orthostatic intolorance may lead to death. Reffered to a suspension trauma.

Question 38

Sign and symptoms of orthostatic introlorance

Answer 38

Faintness.

Breathlessness.

Sweating.

Paleness.

Nausea.

Dizziness.

Increased heart rate.

Low blood pressure.

Low heart rate.

Loss of vision.

Question 39

Factors affecting the risk of orthostatic intolorance

Answer 39

Injurys from fall.

Shock.

Hypothermia.

Blood loss.

Dehydration.

Inability to move legs.

Pre-existing cardio/ respiratory problems.