Self
Rescue Weekend
Following a
successful SRT rescue and training weekend I have attempted to put into writing
the rescue methods shown to us by Gerard (
The main
advantages for using this new method are that it is less complex to carry out,
very much quicker and still allows lighter people to rescue heavier. However,
there is one possible flaw in this method, at one point in this manoeuvre the
weight of both the casualty and the rescuer are held by only one jamming device
and no back-up i.e.:- should that jammer fail both parties would drop. Whilst
back-up could easily be achieved by adding a second jammer this adds to the
clutter, so complicating the technique and relies on the jammer to take the
weight in circumstances for which it was not designed to do i.e.. a fall
factor.
During the
weekend I used both the standard textbook rescue techniques and the new
European one and although
I found the new method much better it is as well to bear in mind which ever
method one cares to adopt it is essential to have practiced beforehand. The
reasons for this would become clear to anyone trying to rescue someone for the
first time. Even with the “instructions”
someone to discuss the problems with, a copious supply of hot farm
tea, even a helpful casualty, being outside suspended by a tree on a warm sunny
day it’s still not easy. What should take less than five minutes can take over
twenty! So be warned, have a dry run where the casualty/volunteer can help if
you get stuck or if they get cramps or suffer from lack of circulation.
If you missed
the last SRT rescue weekend, please try to attend the next or borrow the notes
and manuals from the club library and set up your own self help group. If you
are using Bullpot Farm up to three ropes can be hung comfortably from the tree
just outside (by the pond).
Whilst I make
every attempt to describe this technique accurately, it may not seem easy to
follow. Do try it especially after using other methods.
MID ROPE
RESCUE - To safely lower a person who has sustained sufficient injury, whilst
prussiking, to render them unable to continue. e.g.:- Rock fall.
1. Prusik up to the casualty, take with you the
lower end of your pitch rope clipped into your harness.
2. Remove the casualty feet from their foot
loops and push their foot loop jammer (FLJ) as high as it will go.
3. Using an oval krab, clip a pulley into the
FLJ.
4. Feed
the end of the pitch rope through the pulley and krab it onto the casualties
main maillon-rapide (MMR).
5. Stand up on your foot loops and transfer your
chest jammer from the pitch rope to the rope from the pulley. (THIS IS NOW A
COUNTER BALANCE SITUATION).
6. Remove your FU.
7. Counter balance the casualty using one hand
to push the casualty up and the other to remove their chest jammer. IT IS
IMPORTANT TO DO THIS IN ONE OPERATION as once the casualty has been pushed up
it becomes impossible to remove their chest jammer.
8. Put a descender into the casualties MMR, pass
the rope through the braking krab and add a soft and hard lock.
9. Lift yourself up, this lowers the casualty
onto the descender.
10.
Stand up in the casualties foot loops, remove your chest jammer, clip the
casualties MMR via, two krabs to your MMR. It is worth getting the two krabs
ready for this (YOU COULD PROTECT YOURSELF BY HAVING A LONG COWS TAIL INTO THE
CASUALTIES M.M.R OR USING YOUR FLJ BUT SEE PREVIOUS NOTE)
11.
Check all krabs etc. and that the descender is locked off.
12.
Lower yourself - - - The casualty and yourself should now be suspended from the
descender, locked off and ready to descend.
13. Remove
the casualties FL). Take the locks off and descend slowly.
14. Count
legs!
Bob
Johnston.
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