1. 2014

2. Technical
Rope Rescue
Pick-Off
Rescues

3. Standards
NFPA Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents Edition 
Discuss how standards will dictate objectives and training programs as well as SOPs.

4. NFPA 1670 Chapter 5 Rope Rescue
5.3 Operations Level
Organizations operating at the operations level for rope rescue incidents shall, commensurate with the identified needs of the organization, develop and implement procedures for rescues involving movement of persons from one stable location to another, including, but not limited to, the following;            
(2)* Assuring safety in rope rescue operations 
(4)  Selecting, using, and maintaining rope rescue equipment and rope rescue systems 
(9)  Selecting, constructing, and using a belay system  
(11) Ascending and descending a fixed rope 
(13)* Selecting, constructing, and using a lowering system both the low- and high-angle environment 
In NFPA 1670

5. NFPA 1670 Chapter 5 Rope Rescue
5.4 Technician Level
5.4.2 Organizations operating at the technician level for rope rescue incidents shall develop and implement procedures, commensurate with the identified needs of the organization; for the following: 
(1)*  Accessing a patient using techniques that require rescuers to climb up or down natural or man-made structures, which can expose the climber to a significant fall hazard (4)  Understanding and applying the principles of the physics involved in constructing rope rescue systems, including system safety factors, critical angles, and the causes and
effects of force multipliers   
In NFPA 1670

6. Standards
NFPA Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications   Edition 
Discuss how standards will dictate objectives and training programs as well as SOPs.

7. NFPA 1006 Chapter 6 Rope Rescue
6.2.1*Complete an assignment while suspended from a rope rescue system in a high-angle environment, given a rope rescue system, an assignment, life safety harnesses, litters, bridles, and specialized equipment necessary for the environment, so that risks to victims and rescuers are minimized; the means of attachment to the rope rescue system is secure; selected specialized equipment facilitates efficient rescuer movement; and specialized equipment does not unduly increase risks to rescuers or victims.

8. NFPA 1006 Chapter 6 Rope Rescue
6.2.2* Manage the movement of the victim as the rescuer in a high-angle environment, given a rope rescue system, a specified minimum travel distance for the victim, victim transfer devices, and specialized equipment necessary for the environment, so that risks to victims and rescuers are minimized; undesirable
victim movement within the transfer device is minimized;
the means of attachment to the rope rescue system is
maintained; the victim is removed from the hazard; selected specialized equipment facilitates efficient victim movement; and the victim can be transported to the local EMS provider.

9. Technical
Rope Rescue
Pick-Off
Rescues

10. Objectives Understand when Pick-Off rescues are to be used.
List two types of Pick-Off rescues
Explain and demonstrate the set-up and operation of both a lowering and rappel pick-off rescue.

11. When to Do Pick-Off Rescues
Designed for victims that are hung-up and not injured
Minor injuries that don’t require immobilization
Victim must be able to help himself and rescuer

12. Two Types
Lower Method
Rappel Method

13. Lowering
Pick-Off
Rescues

14. Lowering ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Rescuer hands remain free
Easily converted to a raise
No rope below rescuer for
victim to grab
DISADVANTAGES
Requires extra manpower and equipment

15. Set - Up
Be prepared to attach the victim to your system before going over the edge
Can mean the difference between a successful rescue and watching a victim slip through your fingers

16. System Set - Up Set anchors to lower rescuer next to not over victim
Consider rock fall
Attach rescuer to both Main and Belay
Attach Prusiks just above the knots on both lines

17. System Set - Up
Attach a Pick-Off Strap to Prusiks with adjustable end towards Prusiks
5. Attach victim harness to Pick-Off Strap

20. System Operation
Lower rescuer to a point just above the victim to where the victim can’t grab or pull on him.
Rescuer explains in detail what is about to happen and the consequences if the victim does not do as he is told.

21. System Operation (cont.)
Rescuer is then lowered to a point where the rescuers head is about even with victims shoulders.
Rescuer attaches waist strap of victim harness and tightens.
Do one leg strap at a time
Now tighten up Pick-Off strap and adjust length appropriately

26. Rescue on Black Mountain

27. Rescue on Black Mountain

28. Rappel
Pick-Off
Rescues

29. Rappel Pick-Off ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Rappel pick-off is generally faster
Less man power needed
DISADVANTAGES
Hands are not free until locked off
Managed by a single rescuer

30. Rappel Pick-Off Set-Up
Set an anchor for a fixed line
Location of fall line should not be directly over victim
Remember if victim is able to grab the rope it turns into a Bottom Belay.
The Pick-Off Strap is attached to the bottom of the descender
If a Figure “8” is used consider the weight, perhaps a double wrap is needed

31. Operation
Rescuer rappels to a point above and out of reach of the victim
Explains to the victim what is to happen next and what is expected from him
The rescuer then descends to a point where he can reach the victims waist and apply the victim harness

32. Operation Locks off descender Attach victim harness
Adjust strap, untie and rappels down with victim below him.

34. Summary When to do a Pick-Off Rescue Two Types
Lowering
Rappel
Advantages and Disadvantages (Lowering vs. Rappel)

35. All Classes must be documented in SUNPRO
Questions?
All Classes must be documented in SUNPRO
CLASS CODE = RRCLASS10