1. Shady Valley Fire Prot. Dist.
Basic Haul Systems
First Reponders
Rope Rescue For
Presented By:
Joseph R. LaPlant
Shady Valley Fire Prot. Dist.

2. Course Objectives
Understand and use rope rescue terminology and equipment
Be able to list many uses of rope and rope hardware
Be able to recognize and list all safety considerations associated with rope rescue operations

3. Course Objectives Recognize and list all components of a haul system
Be able to describe and calculate mechanical advantage
Be able to describe proper basic maintenance and care of rope and rope equipment 

4. Course Objectives Be able to describe and tie basic life safety knots
Perform a rescue operation utilizing a rope rescue haul system
- Minimum score of 70% is required on written exam
- 100% of all critical on performance checklist must be achieved for successful course completion.

5. Haul Systems
Simple or compound rope systems, labeled by mechanical advantage, used to forcibly pull or haul an object over certain distance

6. Haul Systems Consist of Static Kern Mantle rope an anchor point
pulleys
carabiners
rope grabs (prusiks or cams)
Must utilize at least ½ inch static kern mantle rope meeting NFPA 1983 specifications.

7. NFPA 1983 The standard for life safety rope and safe working loads.
Single person working load: 300 lbs.
Two person working load: 600 lbs.
Rope rescue should always utilize a 15:1 safety ratio (load x 15)
Two person working load:
(600 x 15 = 9000 lbs)

8. Rope Construction Laid Rope
Made of multiple strands of naturally occurring fibers
Fibers are five to 14 ft in length
Fibers are twisted together to form a single length
Examples: hemp and manila

9. Rope Construction Braided Rope Cotton fiber ropes
Constructed by braiding fibers together
Strands are braided into a single length of rope
Examples: sailing rope

10. Rope Construction Braided-on-braid Cotton fiber ropes
Constructed using a hollow core, cotton construction
Braid-on-braid ropes are usually used in marine applications

11. Rope Construction Kernmantle
The Kern, is a high strength inner core constructed of a continuous synthetic material which runs the entire length of the rope.
The Mantle, is a braided outer cover or sheath that protects the kern from cuts and abrasions.
The core of kernmantle rope makes up to 75% of the rope overall length.

12. Static vs. Dynamic
Kernmantle is made of parallel filaments or filaments spiraled into cords
Dynamic – stretches 20% to 40% of its length when under a load.
Static – stretches only 2% to 3% its length when under a load.

13. Types of Rope
Utility Rope – Any rope used for applications other than life safety.
Water Rescue Rope – made of polypropylene, water rescue ropes cannot be used for rappelling.
Life Safety Rope – any rope meeting the NFPA standard 1983 for life safety applications. 

14. Factors Which Affect Rope
bends
hardware
knots
water
extreme temp.
tree bark
concrete
chemical exposure
rocks
ANY ROPE THAT HAS RECEIVED A SHOCK SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE IMMEDIATELY!

15. Care and Maintenance Clean using mild soap and water
Inspect after each use
Never wash on the ground or in top loading wash machines
Machine wash only in approved extractors
(Daisy prior to washing in extractors)
Air dry only; DO NOT DRY IN THE SUN!

16. Storage Store in bags away from abrasives and chemicals
Always store away from sunlight
Periodically inspect for abrasion and tears
Pre-packed systems should be periodically broken down and rebuilt

17. Webbing
Two Types
Tubular – rated at 4,000 lbs end to end; nylon forms a continuous tube
Edge Stitched – single nylon layer stitched together; NOT FOR RESCUE!

18. Carabiners
Five Basic Parts
Spine
Latch
Gate
Lock sleeve
Hinge Pin

19. Carabiners Aluminum Used in sport applications Lighter, less expensive
Do not rust or wear out like steel
Breaking strength up to 6,000 lbs

20. Carabiners Steel ALWAYS used for rescue
Stronger, less susceptible to abrasion
More expensive
Requires regular maintenance
Breaking strength up to 13,000 lbs

21. Descent Control Devices
Provide rope control utilizing varying levels of friction.
NFPA 1983 requires general use DCDs to with stand a 2,400 lbs load with out damaging the rope
DCDs must with stand 5,000 lbs loads without failure

22. Descent Control Devices
Rescue Figure-8
Ears prevent rope from slipping up forming a girth hitch
Rescue 8s can be tied off, preventing the rope from slipping

23. Descent Control Devices
Rappel Racks
Consist of several steel or aluminum bars mounted on a U-shaped rack
Bars create variable degrees of friction
Rope threaded straight through a rack eliminates “turning” encountered with Figure 8s

24. Descent Control Devices
Figure 8
Designed only as a descent or rappelling device
Only for rappels of 100 ft. or less

25. Ascending Devices
Used for one way movement of a rope and for climbing ropes.
Examples: Cam ascenders
Handled ascenders
Prusiks

26. Ascending Devices Mechanical Ascenders
Can be applied to any working rope
Apply perpendicular pressure to the rope
Mechanical ascenders can “de- sheath” a rope with as little as
1,000 lbs of pressure

27. Ascending Devices Prusik Cords Can be used as “soft rope grabs”
Handle up to 3,000 lbs
Create mechanical advantage for haul systems
Can be used under shocked loads with out fear of “de-sheathing” ropes

28. Pulleys Pulleys are used for: Change in directions To reduce friction
Create mechanical advantage for haul systems

29. Pulleys Pulley Construction Sheaves Side Plates Axles Bearings
NFPA 1983 states that pulleys must withstand 5,000 lbs static without distortion and 8,000 lbs with out failure

30. Special Pulleys
Some pulleys are designed to solve technical rope problems
Prusik Minding
Knot-passing
Double or Triple Sheave

31. Edge Protection
Up to 90% of all rope failures are due to improper edge protection!
Edge Protectors
Reduce rope abrasion
Can be made of canvas, hose or turnout coats
Dynamic Protectors – help reduce friction and are used when ropes are moving across surfaces

32. Harnesses Requirements are listed in NFPA 1983
Must have permanent labeling; listing harness class, date of manufacture and sizing information

33. Harnesses Harness Classes Class I Seat style
For emergency escape and one person loads
NOT FOR RESCUE

34. Harnesses Class II Seat style approved for rescue
Can be used for two person loads

35. Harnesses Class III Full body harnesses
Used when inversion is possible
Handles one or two person loads
Requires no prior knowledge on the part of the patient once in the harness

36. Harnesses Ladder Belts Waist belts May be used as positioning devices
For emergency self rescue only

37. Knot Terms Bend Running end Hitch Working end Anchor Standing part
Safety
Whip
Running end
Working end
Standing part
Bight
Round Turn

38. Rescue Knots Clove Hitch Overhand Water Knot Figure 8 Munter Hitch
Tensionless Wrap
Overhand
Figure 8
Figure 8 On-a-bight
Figure 8 Bend
Figure 8 Follow Through

39. Student Activity #1
Knot Tying

40. Anchor Points Type I – Natural Anchors Rocks Trees
Type II – Manmade Anchors
Vehicles
Utility Poles

41. Anchor Considerations
How much is the anticipated load?
Is the anchor suitable given the direction of the load?
Does the anchor have sharp edges?
Is the anchor rusted, broken or rotten?
How will you attach to the anchor?
Does the anchor have sufficient mass?

42. Attaching to an Anchor Use 1” tubular webbing Double webbing
Approach must not exceed 120 degrees
90 degrees is optimal for field use

43. All anchors should be edge protected!
Attaching to an Anchor
Use a 15:1 safety ratio
Anchors must be “bomb proof”
Anchors should weigh the same or more than the anticipated load
Trees should only be used if they have a diameter greater than 4 inches
All anchors should be edge protected!

44. Anchoring to Vehicles Should only be used as a last resort!
Keep anchor straps away from hot surfaces
Chock all wheels
Shut off engine
Remove keys/shut off batteries
Post a “guard”
Never use vehicles to haul people!

45. Secondary Anchors Run mainline for primary to secondary and tie it off
Should be as close to “in-line” with primaries as possible
Parallel anchors may be used as a single primary anchor

46. Terrain Flat Angles of 0 to 15 degrees
Rescuers may carry litter with out falling
No rope system required
No need to “tie in” rescuers
No technical equipment or training needed

47. Terrain Low Angle of 15 to 40 degrees
Incline or environment makes carry difficult
Tag line or anchored system needed to stabilize the litter
Rescuers not required to “tie in” to the litter
Risk of fall injuries are increased

48. Terrain Steep Angle of 40 to 65 degrees
Haul system required to move patient
Failure may have catastrophic result for rescuers and patient
Load is shared by rescuers and patient
Requires rescuers to “tie in” to litters

49. Terrain High or Vertical Angle of 65 to 90 degrees
Attendant required, tied in to the litter
Rope system for raising and lowering required
Attendant suspended on separate line for the litter bridle
Failure of system would cause serious injury or death.

50. Mechanical Advantage
Haul systems are labeled by mechanical advantage, i.e. 3:1, 4:1, etc.
Each turn in a haul systems yields one unit of mechanical advantage using pulleys
In a 3:1 system, for every unit of input force, the system will yield three units of output force

51. Mechanical Advantage
Conversely in a 3:1 system, for every three feet of rope pulled through the system, the load will travel one foot
Simple haul systems should never exceed 5:1 mechanical advantage

52. Haul Systems Uses
Haul systems have many uses on various emergency scenes such as:
Auto rescue
Machinery Rescue
Trench
Confined Space
Water rescue
Structural collapse
Train rescue

53. Components of a Haul System
The following is a list of the most basic haul system components
Carabiners
Pulleys
Prusiks or Cams
Anchor point
Rescue rope
A load

54. Constructing a 3:1 “Z-Rig”
Student Activity #2
Constructing a 3:1 “Z-Rig”

55. Hauling Victims
Once a system is constructed, spinal precautions must be taken to successfully move the victim
There are two methods for tying litters, SKEDS and backboards into a haul system

56. Hauling Victims Direct Tie-in Method Bridle Method
Tying the rope directly to the movement apparatus
Bridle Method
Utilizing 1” tubular webbing and a carabiner to connect the apparatus to the system

57. Securing The Patient
Patients should be secured utilizing C-spine precautions
Patients should be secured using provided safety belts and 1” tubular webbing
Starting at the patients feet; webbing should be weaved in an “X” pattern to the top of the victim’s shoulders

58. Student Activity #3
Securing a patient

59. Haul System Safety
Establish a plan prior to constructing or loading rope systems
Be familiar with all equipment
Know operating commands and principles
Understand mechanical advantage

60. Haul System Safety Know equipment and shock load limitations
Have enough manpower on scene to properly facilitate a rescue
Never use mechanical devices, such as powered vehicles, to pull rope through haul systems

61. Rope Safety
Follow all manufacturer recommendations for cleaning, storage and service life
Keep ropes protected; away from corrosives, abrasives, open flames and cigarettes
Always have an adequate length of rope before attempting the rescue

62. Rope Safety
Rope hardware should be taken out of service immediately if dropped from a height of waist level
Drops can create stress fractures in the which can lead to failure
Dropped equipment should be X-rayed or replaced

63. Rope Safety Remove all knives, keys and dangling jewelry
Edge guards should always be employed
Always wear gloves, helmets and eye protection

64. Rope Safety Designate one rescuer as the “edge man”
Haul teams should only follow commands from the “edge man”
Watch for falling rocks, landslides, fraying ropes or obstructions
Never let go of the mainline until the system is set and the “edge man” gives the “SET” command

65. Verbal Commands
The following are the commands that should be used when hauling a victim
These commands should only be given by the “edge man” or “edge officer”
The only person the haul team should take orders from is the “edge man”

66. Verbal Commands Safety is set On Belay Slack Belay On STOP
Off Belay
Belay Off
On Belay
Belay On
Prepare to Haul
Haul
Set

67. Practical Skills