NFPA 1670

Standard on Operations and Training for

Technical Search and Rescue Incidents

2014 Edition 

Chapter 5 Rope Rescue 

• 5.2 Awareness Level.– 5.2.2 – (6)*      Identifying and utilizing personal

protective equipment assigned for use at a rope rescue incident 

• A.5.2.2(6) Other than that described in 4.4.2, specific PPE necessary for safe rope rescue operations can include, but is not limited to, the following: 

• (1)      Harnesses • (2)      Gloves appropriate for rope rescue work • (3)      Helmets designed for climbing and rope rescue

work                                                                                                                       

TRT members must be skilled in the use and care of all PPE used for rope rescue.

TRT members must be skilled in the use and care of the various types of ropes and rope rescue hardware utilized by the department.

Each member must understand the limitations of all equipment as set forth by the manufacturer and applicable standards.

OBJECTIVES

• P.P.E.– Helmets & Headlamps– Harnesses– Gloves– Eye Protection– Assigned Gear

Personnel Protective Equipment

HELMETS

• Fire Helmet• Commercial Climbing Helmet

– Petzl Ecrin-roc Helmet

• Industrial Safety Helmet (Advent A2)– ANSI Z89.1-1997 Class IIG & IIE– UIAA Certified

PETZL ECRIN-ROC HELMET

• UIAA / ANSI Z89.1

• 3-Point chin strap

• One size fits all

• Circumference 21-25inches (sorry Mark)

BULLARD ADVENT A2 HELMET

• ANSI Z89.1 / CSA• Designed for

industrial use• FEMA & USAR• One-size fits all• Ratchet system

LIGHTING

• Helmet Light

• Hand lights

• Chem Sticks

PETZL DUO HEADLAMP

• UL Cert for Hazardous locations

• Dual-beam

• Halogen & Standard

• 4 AA

PETZL ZOOM

• Mounted on all Bullard Helmets

• 3 AA or 3 Cs (Mega)

• Twist on and zoom

PETZL SABORLIGHT

• Secondary light source

• UL / FM / MSHA / CSA - Certifications

• Watertight to 2,000’

• 3 Cs

CYALUME LIGHTSTICKS

• Alternative light source

• Spark proof• Nonflammable• Non-toxic• Non-corrosive• Weather proof

Life Safety Harness Standards

• NFPA 1983 Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope and System Components 2012 Edition 

NAVAHO V2 BOD Petzl Class III Harness

• Full body fall-arrest and work positioning harness, NFPA and ANSI certified (US standards)

YATES Technical Rescue Harness• Class III Full Body• Certification &

Standards– UL Classification 93F4– NFPA 1983-1995– ANSI A10.14– OSHA 1910.146

YATES Technical Rescue Harness

• Double Locking snap hook waist closure

• Rear Tie-in (high & low)

• Shoulder D-rings

CMC Victim Harness

• Easily attached to victim in any position

• Quick snap buckles• Color coded

HARNESSES(Inspection and Care)

• Inspect Regularly• Avoid Acids, Alkalis, & Strong Chemicals• Check for Cuts, Fraying, Soft/Hard Spots,

Damaged Stitching• Wash in Cold Water with a mild Detergent• Maintain an Equipment Log - retire if

subjected to a serious Shock Load

CARABINERS

• Parts

• Types

• Steel vs. Aluminum?

• Strength- Loading

Steel Locking D Carabiner

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)

• Screw Link• 16,185 lbs (72kN)

Omega Oval Carabiner

• Aluminum / Non-locking

• Centers Load• Equal amount of

Force is shared by the spine and the gate

• Not for rescue!• 4,945 lbs (22kN)

Omega Pear Shaped Carabiner

• Large Pear shape• Designed for belaying

single person loads with the use of a Munter Hitch

• Quick Lock• Aluminum• 5,000 lbs (23kN)

Omega Quik-Lok Carabiners

• NFPA 1983 (2012)• Aluminum (non-sparking)• D shape• Aluminum 6,744 lb (30kN)• Steel 10,453 lbs (46kN)

Omega Rescue Carabiner

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)

• Large D shape

• Steel 16,185 lbs (72kN)

DESCENDERS

• Figure - 8s

• Brake Bar Rack

• Inspection / Care

• Aluminum vs. Steel

CMC Rescue 8 with Ears

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)• Designed for Fire,

Rescue & Police Tactical• Aluminum 4,946 lbf.

(22kN). • Steel 45,000 lbs (200kN)

High-wear situations (Helicopter operations)

RA / SMC Figure 8

• UL classification• Aluminum alloy• Oval used for belay• With ears 9,000 lbs

(40kN)

Brake Bar Rack

• Welded eye on frame rated at over 10,000 lbs (44kN)

• Up to six bars

Brake Bar Components

• Different styles• Steel Bars will provide

longer wear• Aluminum will provide

greater friction (greater control)

ASCENDERS

• Soft Ascenders

• Mechanical Ascenders

• Handled Ascenders

• Inspection / Care

Petzl Rescucender

• Shell and Cam are machined aluminum

• Use with 7/16 & ½• 6,000 lbs (26kN)• Curved interface

between cam and shell reduces rope damage

Gibbs Ascender

• Forged Cam• Muddy & Icy ropes• New models have

thickened shell by 50%• Spring loaded or free

running• Aluminum different

models – 2,550lbs• 5,000 lbs

CMI Expedition Ascenders

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)

• Large opening for gloved hands

• Personal use only• 3,400lbs (15kN)

ETRIER

• 1-inch tubular webbing• Usually four steps –

stiffened for easy entry and abrasion protection

• Used for personal ascending and for litter attendant

PULLEYS

• Standard Rescue Pulley

• Knot Pass• Prusik Minding• Specialized Pulleys• Inspection / Care

RA / SMC Rescue Pulley

• Stainless Steel Side plates

• Axle nuts are double locked -Witness line – (loosening)

• Heat-treated aluminum alloy wheels

• 2” – 1 1/2” Tread• 6,000lbs (26kN)

CMC Rescue Prusik Minding

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)

• Accepts multiple carabiners

• Manages prusik hitches

• Aluminum side plates• Anodized aluminum

wheels-oilite bushings• 8,096lbs(36kN)

CMC Rescue CSR Pulley

• UL / NFPA 1983(2012)

• 3” wheel• Camming action like

a gibbs ascender• Locks out of the way

for lowering – 15’ cord

• 8,096lbs (36kN)

CSR Pre-rigged System

• For use in Vertical applications (Confined Space Tri-Pod or high change)

• 200’ of ½ “ rope• Use with Petzel

swivel

PETZL SWIVEL

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)

• Solves line twisting problems

• Sealed ball bearing

• Top can accept up to 3 carabiners

• 8,000lbs (35kN)

ANCHOR PLATES

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)• Organizes components

of rescue systems• Safety checks are

easier to visualize• Aluminum• 8,900 lbs (39kN)

ANCHOR STRAPS

CMC Anchor Strap

• UL / NFPA 1983 (2012)

• Quick, Strong Anchor• 2” web• 8,000lbs (35kN)• Watch Tri-axial

loading of carabiners

CMC Variable Anchor Strap

• Adjust from 3’ to 7’• Reduced strength• High loads – will slip

1st

• 5,000lbs (22kN)• Watch Tri-axial

loading of carabiners

CMC Edge Gaurds

• #4 Duck canvas – vinyl shell

• Pre-rigged with anchor straps

Quick Links

• Tri-axial loading• Rig with anchor

straps

RESCUE BASKETS & LITTERS

Ferno Model 71 Basket

• High-Density polyethylene shell

• Supported by aluminum shell

• Unaffected by temperature extremes

• Brass grommets for lifting bridle

• Seat belts ???

Junkin Rescue Litter

• Stainless steel • Military specs• Passed 2,500 lb

load test• HFD – Wire

removed and insert placed

Litter Back-up Straps

• Back-up for break away litters

• Steel buckle and 1” flat web

• 500 lb working load

CMC Vertical Evac Harness

• Fully adjustable spider harness

• NFPA and Military specs

• 25,000 lb “O” ring• Parachute buckles• 5,000lbs (22kN)

Steel O-Ring

• Collection point for spider harness

• Inside diameter of 3”• ½” Steel 25,000lbs• 9/16” Steel 40,000lbs

SKED Stretcher

• Flexibility• Heavy duty plastic• Becomes rigid when

wrapped around the patient

• May be lifted vertically or horizontally

Evacuation Body Splint

• Heavy duty PVC• Horizontal and vertical

lift capabilities• Flexible – no metal

parts• Confined space

mobility

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Pick-off Strap

• Daisy Chain

• Radio Harness

• Cutting Device

• Gloves

• Prusiks

• Webbing

CMC Pick Off Strap

• Quick connection to victim or safety point

• D-ring rated at 8,000lbs• Depending on loading will

slip between 3,500 to 4,500 lbs

• One on each harness

Radio Harness

• Maybe used over harness

• Litter attendant• Command

MISCELLANEOUS

Hot Gun for Rope &Webbing

• Electric handheld unit• Fuses the ends of

polyester and nylon ropes and webbing

• Kept in dorm room closet at Station 82

SMC Rope Washer

• Connects to standard faucet or hose for cleaning rescue ropes.

• Kept in dorm room closet at Station 82

Each member of the Henderson Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team must be able to accurately describe the various types of rescue equipment utilized by the department.

Each member must be skilled in the use and care of all equipment used by the Technical Rescue Team.

Each member must understand the limitations of all equipment as set forth by the manufacturer and applicable standards.

SUMMARY

Questions?

All Classes must be documented in SUNPRO

CLASS CODE = RRCLASS02