Modern Techniques for the Limited Staffing Rope Rescue Team

In this presentation students will learn about an individual skills approach to the team-based rescue to increase efficiency for the first 15-30 minutes of a Rope Rescue incident.  This presentation aims to provide insight for faster on-scene to at-patient times while staffing numbers are low and the next closest rescue team is still responding.

Scenarios will be based on a 3-person initial response configuration to a top-down low/high angle incident.  Students will learn about rope rescue risk assessment and modern equipment.  Students will observe and be able to participate in rigging twin tension systems, mechanical advantage, modified basket litter setups, and descent/ascent lines. Techniques using modern equipment will be demonstrated with mention of traditional equipment use.  Pre-rigged system setups and pre-incident planning will also be discussed.

All students interested in participating in rigging will need to bring clean, utility-style gloves.