Mod 3: Technical References

Rope Rescue Level I

HIGH ANGLE RESCUESRope Rescues

Often called Vertical Rescue, Technical Rescue or High Angle Rescue

Use of rope to stabilize and move a victim to safety These rescues require many elements such as rope,

hardware, and anchors. When these elements are combined to construct a functioning unit they are referred to as “systems”

“SRT” – Single Rope Technique is a term that refers to ascending and descending directly on rope without direct aid by contact with the rock, walls, or structures.

HIGH ANGLE RESCUESFire Service Rescue

Many changes since tragic incident in New York City in June of 1980

IAFF, NFPA and ISFSI are active in advances in safety

NFPA 1983 was established to create safety standards for rope rescue equipment

Most significant change was in use of natural fiber ropes for rescue

HIGH ANGLE RESCUESIndustrial Rescue

High potential for high angle incidents in the industrial environment

Confined Space Rescue – specialized industrial rescue operation Due to high death rates, OSHA created specific laws

HIGH ANGLE RESCUESTactical Operations

Law enforcement and military are employing more high angle operations

Contributions from tactical groups in equipment development Special Air Service (SAS) in England credited for

the Figure 8 with ears descenders

STANDARDSNFPA 1006• Rescue

Technician Professional Qualifications

NFPA 1670• Operations and

Training for Technical Rescue Incidents

NFPA 1983• Fire Service

Life Safety Rope and System Components

NFPA 1006Standard for

Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications

Standards that describe specific skill setsLevel I – Awareness and OperationsLevel II - Technician

NFPA 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for

Technical Rescue Incidents

Standards that describe procedures, guidelines and tactics for training and response.

NFPA 1983Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency

Services

Labeling requirementsDesign and construction requirementsPerformance requirementsTesting requirements

Safety FactorsIndustry and Construction

5:1Mountaineering / Self Rescue

10:1NFPA / Rescue

NFPA 1983 utilizes the term “Design Load” to describe the load for which a given piece of equipment or manufactured system was engineered for under normal static conditions.

15:1 (This is an approximate factor based on the following coefficients that varies slightly per NFPA.) “L” Design Load – 300# Coefficient “G” Design Load – 600# Coefficient

The weight of the load may be less or greater than the given coefficient and should be calculated accordingly to insure safe equipment application.

Safety Factors

300# Load

600# Load

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

OSHA 5:1Mountain 10:1NFPA 15:1

Fall FactorsThe fall factor calculation is used to estimate the

impact force on a rope when it is subjected to stopping a falling mass (“impact load”) Calculated by dividing distance fallen by length of rope

used to arrest the fall .25 and above consider high stretch ropes per NFPA

1983This can be applied by considering ¼ the overall length of

rope as the maximum allowable fall distance.This factor applies to dynamic rope and the given

calculation does not accurately correlate to static rope. Fall factor calculations should be utilized as a general principle for safe practices.

FALL FACTORS

Standards Agencies that set standards other than NFPA and

OSHAASTM

International organization that sets high angle standards related to search and rescue, recreational climbing, and arboriculture

CE European organization that sets high angle standards for

recreational climbing, industrial fall protection, and rope access

UIAA International organization that sets standards for ropes,

harnesses, ice axes, helmets, and carabiners to be used by climbers and mountaineers.

Terms and ReferencesRelevant to SF and FF calculations.kN = KiloNewton

Conversion factor to lbs. = 225 (estimate)Common benchmarks are 20 kn and 40 kn which

correlate to 4500 lbs. and 9000 lbs.MBS = Minimum break strength

Represents the TS of a material at failureTS = Tensile Strength

Represents a measurement of the greatest lengthwise stress under slow pull conditions that a rope can resist without failing