Rope Rescue Level I Mod 3 Technical References

Rope Rescue Level I Mod 3: Technical References

HIGH ANGLE RESCUES �Rope 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 RESCUES �Fire 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 RESCUES �Industrial 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 RESCUES �Tactical 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

STANDARDS NFPA 1983 • Fire Service Life Safety Rope and System Components NFPA 1006 • Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications NFPA 1670 • Operations and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents

NFPA 1006 Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications �Standards that describe specific skill sets �Level I – Awareness and Operations �Level 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 1983 Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services �Labeling requirements �Design and construction requirements �Performance requirements �Testing requirements

Safety Factors �Industry and Construction � 5: 1 �Mountaineering / Self Rescue � 10: 1 �NFPA / 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 9 8 7 6 5 OSHA 5: 1 4 Mountain 10: 1 3 NFPA 15: 1 2 1 0 300# Load 600# Load

Fall Factors �The 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 1983 �This 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 OSHA �ASTM � 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 References �Relevant to SF and FF calculations. �k. N = Kilo. Newton �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 failure �TS = Tensile Strength �Represents a measurement of the greatest lengthwise stress under slow pull conditions that a rope can resist without failing