Pocono Search and Rescue

Standard Operating Procedure

Rope Rescue Operations
Procedure No. 404.01
Adopted: 1/1/2005
Revised:

I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines for conducting high angle/rope
Rescues. Because of the infinite number of potential sites and situations that could be
Encountered, this procedure will not define a specific evolution to use, but will give
Guidelines to follow for conducting safe and effective operations.

II. DEFIITIO

Rope rescue is defined as any rescue attempt that requires rope and related equipment to
Safely gain access to, and remove patients from, hazardous geographic areas with limited
Access such as steep embankments, high rise buildings, above or below grade structures,
By means of rope system. Rope rescues are divided into two general categories; non-
technical and technical.
Non-technical evacuations are those of less than 40 degree inclination. Technical
Evacuations are considered those from 40 degrees to 90 degrees. Technical evacuations
Require the dispatch of the Pocono Search and Rescue and mutual aid rescue teams.
III. STADARD OF RESPOSE
Upon receipt of a high angle rescue call, Pocono SAR shall request Monroe County
Communications to dispatch Station 76 and Station 77 for mutual aid. If more resources
are needed, the Incident Commander or PSAR Officer will request additional rescue
teams and/or fire department units.
IV. TACTICAL COSIDERATIOS
A high angle rescue incident is best organized into four phases. The first phase involves
Fire personnel arriving on scene, initiating command, and performing a size up. The
Second phase includes pre-rescue operations to prepare fire personnel for victim removal.
The third phase includes rescue operations and victim removal. The fourth phase
Involves termination of the incident.
V. SIZE UP
The first phase involves fire personnel arriving on scene, initiating command, and
performing a size up. The following procedures should be followed when performing
phase one of a high angle rescue.
Arrival on Scene
1. First arriving company officer should take Command and begin an immediate
size-up of the situation.
2. Secure responsible party or witness. Command should secure a witness as soon
as possible after arriving on scene. This will help in identifying the problem and
locating the victim.
3. Locate the victim. In most cases, Command will have to send a recon team to the
area of the victim to determine the exact location of victim and nature of injuries.
Command may wish to designate this as Recon Group. Recon Group should
have EMS equipment to begin to administer the first aid to the victim. If the
terrain is greater than 60o inclination, Command may decide to wait until the
SART arrives with the proper equipment to reach the victim.
4. Assess the need for additional resources. Recon Group should provide
Command with enough information, or recommend the need for additional
resources. Information that will be helpful in determining the need for additional
resources would be: number of victims, location and condition of victims,
estimated angle of terrain, distance to victim, and estimated time of extraction.
Command should put in an early call for additional resources. If additional
resources are not needed after a call has been put in, Command can return those
units to service.
5. Assess the hazards. Command may wish to designate a Safety Officer to identify
all potential hazards to rescuers. Safety Officer will be responsible for securing
those hazards or making all members aware of those hazards. Safety Officer
shall also be responsible for assuring that all safety procedures are adhered to.
6. Decide on rescue or recovery. Recon Group should advise Command whether
the operation will be conducted in the rescue or recovery mode. In the rescue
mode personnel assigned to Recon Group will be reassigned to Rescue Group and
Recon Group will be terminated. If the operation is to be conducted in the
recovery mode, Command may wish to leave the victim and any related
equipment in place for investigative purposes.
7. Decide on an action plan. With the recommendation from Rescue Group,
Command will have to decide on an action plan. Rescue Group and Safety
Group shall be made aware of the specific action plan.
Deployment of the SART personnel in the Action Plan needs to be monitored by
Command to ensure trained SART members are available to staff critical functions.
Dependent on the incident, these would be in the following areas:
1. Rescue Team involving Rope rescue, and any climb requiring technical
skills and/or training. SART should include a Paramedic when possible.
2. Support requires one trained SART member at Rescue Apparatus to obtain
any additional equipment or support items for the rescue team.
3. Liaison will provide technical capability to Command, especially when
operation involves other agencies. This function can usually be filled by
the Special Operations Officer responding to the call.

VI. PRE-RESCUE OPERATIOS

The second phase involves fire personnel preparing to conduct the rescue. Phase two
includes making the general area safe, making the rescue area safe, and establishing a
Rescue Group. The following procedures should be followed when performing phase
two of a high angle rescue.
1. Make the general area safe. Command or his/her designee should begin to make
the general area safe. This may include securing the area and not allowing
civilian personnel into the area.
2. Make the rescue area safe. Command or his/her designee should make the
immediate rescue area safe. This may include removing all civilian personnel and
all non-essential rescue personnel from the area. If it is not possible to secure all
the hazards in the immediate rescue area, all personnel operating in that area shall
be made aware of those hazards.
3. Decide if it is a pre-rescue or recovery situation. Depending on the action plan
established, Command may want to establish a Rescue Group. Rescue Group
will be responsible for gathering all equipment and personnel necessary to operate
according to the action plan. Rescue Group will assign rescue personnel to
conduct the rescue, and support personnel to support the rescuers, during the
actual rescue phase. Rescue Group should have an alternative action plan should
the first choice plan fail. This alternate plan should be communicated to all
personnel operating in the rescue area.
4. Consider ambient conditions. Extreme heat or cold will require more rescuers.
Consider the affects of rain or snow on the hazard profile. Plan for sufficient
lighting for operations extending into the night.
5. Consider the affect on family and friends. Keep the family informed of
operations.
6. Assign a Public Information Officer to handle the news media.
VII. RESCUE OPERATIOS
After pre-rescue operations are complete, Rescue Group shall put forth the action plan
removal of the victim(s). Rescue operations should be conducted with from low risk to
high risk. Rescues should be conducted with the least amount of risk to rescuers
necessary to rescue the victim. Low risk operations are not always possible but should be
considered first. If the rescue of the victim(s) is only possible by means of a high risk
operation, Rescue Group shall communicate with Command the risk/benefit of the
operation.
The order of rescue from low risk to high risk would be:
Talk the Victim Into Self Rescue
If the victim is not exposed to a life threatening situation, it may be possible to
talk the victim into self-extrication. If the victim is exposed to a life threatening
situation, it may be best to advise the victim to stay in place until a rope rescue
system can be set up.
Low Angle: Assist the Victim
For terrain less than 40 degree inclination, (non-technical) most first responders
have the equipment and training to assist the victim down. If the victim is
ambulatory, he/she can walk down with the assistance of rescuers.
Low Angle: Victim in Stokes Basket
If the victim is injured or unable to assist in their own rescue, he/she should be
packaged properly in a stokes basket and carried to safety. The stokes extrication
should be conducted with a minimum of 4 litter bearers. Bearers should face the
direction of travel during the extrication. If appropriate, a tag line should be
attached to the litter for assistance through unstable areas.
Steep Angle: Assist the Victim
For terrain of greater than 40 degree inclination, the SART shall be called in to
assist with the extrication. If the victim is ambulatory, he/she may be assisted
down by rescuers with the use of a belay/tag line. If appropriate, rescuers should
set up an anchor system for the belay. A body belay may also be used by
rescuers, if appropriate.
Steep Angle: Victim Evacuation
If the victim is not ambulatory, rescuers shall build an anchor system and prepare
for a steep angle evacuation. The patient shall be packaged properly in a litter and
prepared for the extrication. There shall be at least 3 litter attendants assisting
with the litter evacuation. Attendants should face the anchor during the
evacuation and be clipped into the litter. A separate raising/lowering line and
belay line shall be set up for raising or lowering during steep angle evacuations.
High Angle: Victim Evacuation
For evacuations greater than 60 degrees, the SART shall conduct the evacuation.
Evacuations greater than 60 degrees are considered high angle operations. The
Rescue Group officer, in conjunction with the Safety Officer, should decide the
most appropriate method to extricate the victim. This may include putting the
victim(s) in a harness and raising or lowering them, or packaging them in a litter
for the raising and/or lowering.
In any case, a 15:1 safety factor shall be maintained and a double rope technique
shall be used if at all possible. If possible, a separate anchor should be used for
the working line and the belay line. Proper care shall be taken to assure that the
victim will not come out of the harness or litter used to extricate him/her. Which
ever method of extrication is used, the Rescue Group officer shall ensure the
overall safety of the raising/lowering system. Rescue Group shall designate the
tasks of individual rescuers during the operation.

VIII. TERMIATIO

Command shall begin termination as soon as feasible after the removal of the victim.
This shall include securing all of the equipment used for the rescue/recovery, and any
evidence that will be necessary for an investigation. This may include witnesses, photos,
victim's personal affects or equipment involved in the accident. At this time, Command
can turn the scene over to the responsible party of the police department. Command
should consider activating the C.I.S.D. Team for any extraordinary type of incidents.
1. Maintain personnel accountability
2. Maintain equipment accountability. If there has been a fatality,
Extrication Group may consider leaving tools and equipment in place for
investigative purposes.
3. Re-stock vehicles
4. Consider debriefing
5. Secure the scene
6. Return apparatus and personnel to service

IX. ROPE RESCUE EQUIPMET

This procedure establishes guidelines for the use, care, maintenance, and storage of rope
and related rope rescue equipment.
General Cautions When Using Rope Rescue Equipment
1. Make sure all knots are tied and dressed correctly.
2. Maintain at least 15:1 safety margin when not belayed.
3. Belay loads when safety margin is less than 15:1.
4. Rescuers shall not operate with less than a 10:1 safety margin.
5. Rescuers shall not approach an edge without being tied in and communicating
with rescuers below.
6. Rescuers shall place victims in harness during rope borne rescues.
7. Rescuers shall wear appropriate clothing:
A. for steep or high angle rescue
1. Seat and chest harness
2. Helmet
3. Approved hiking shoes or boots
4. Self-rescue gear
5. Safe cutting device
6. Eye protection
7. Gloves
Rope
Uses
Rope can be used as a rappel line, lowering line, safety belay, litter tag line, or in
mechanical advantage pulley systems. It is not intended to be used as a tow rope, utility
line, etc. This is to be considered a life safety line only. The rescuer's life as well as the
victim's may depend on it.
Construction
Rope is made of nylon, low-stretch kernmantle. It has an inner core and an outer sheath.
The outer sheath protects core. 75%-85% of the ropes strength comes from the core,
depending on manufacturer.
Specifications
Rope diameter is 1/2" (12.7mm). Rope strength is 9,000 pounds and loses approximately
15% when wet. Standard rope lengths are 100 feet. However, rescue companies may
have up to 600 feet lengths of rope.
Maintenance
Inspect the rope visually after each use for damage to sheath, dirt or mildew, and soft
spots in the rope core. Find soft spots by "running" or pulling the rope between thumb
and index finger. Wash rope when dirty.
Core
Wash with mild nonchlorine-based detergent and water. Hang loosely and allow to air
dry out of direct sunlight. Once rope is dry, it is stuffed, not coiled, in rope bag and
stored in a dry, dust-free place, where not exposed to chemical (petroleums, alkali’s) and
direct sunlight.
Cautions
NEVER walk or stand on the rope. Don't drop rope from great heights when it can be
carried down. Don't drag rope across ground or apparatus bays. Pad all edges. Avoid
nylon passing on nylon; i.e., rope passing over itself, another rope or webbing. Keep all
rope and webbing material out of petroleum and alkaline products, and if forced to use in
applications where contamination will occur (around wheels, axles, etc.), retire after use.
Webbing
Uses
Webbing can be used for anchor slings, gear slings, harness, and lashing.
Construction
Webbing is made of Nylon, and is woven three different ways: spiral weave, tubular, or
flat.
Specifications
Most webbing is one inch wide. It has a strength of 4,000 pounds.
Maintenance
Maintain webbing the same as rope.
Care
Same as rope.
Cautions
Same as rope.
Accessory Cord
Uses
8 mm loops of accessory cord (AC) can be attached to a host rope by a prusik hitch to
form attachment points for pulleys. Long loops of 6 mm AC can be tied to allow their
use as "soft" ascenders to climb a host rope.
Construction
Accessory cord is made of Nylon, low stretch, kernmantle.
Specifications
Accessory cord diameter may vary from 6 mm to 9 mm, depending on application.
Maintenance.
Same as rope.
Care
Same as rope.
Cautions
Same as rope.
Carabiners
Uses
Carabiners are used to link various pieces of gear together, or to add friction to a system.
Construction
There are two types of construction for carabiners: locking, steel, pin type, not lock
sleeve dependent, or locking, aluminum, pin type, not lock sleeve dependent.
Specifications
Steel carabiners have a 9,000 pounds breaking strength. Aluminum carabiners have a
5,500 pounds breaking strength.
Cautions
Keep carabiners clean. Don't drop or throw carabiners. Load only in the long axis, no
side loading. Don't forget to lock the gate. Inspect carabiners for cracks, worn spots, and
smooth operation.
Pulleys
Uses
Pulleys are used to reduce friction, to change direction, or to gain mechanical advantage.
Construction
Pulleys are constructed of sealed ball bearing, anodized aluminum or steel sides.