Rope RescueConfined Space Rescue

Trench Rescue

Personal Protective Equipment for Specialized Rescue Operations Personal protective equipment – Structural

fire fighting turnout gear worn by most fire fighters is often not appropriate for most rescue situations.

Personal Protective Equipment The type of fire fighting personal

protective equipment that is most appropriate for Special Rescue would be a style that most resembles wildland fire fighters.

Personal Protective Equipment Helmet – regular structural fire fighting

helmets are not recommended due to their size and weight so a hard hat style that resembles a wildland helmet but have chin straps and are specifically designed for rescue work.

Personal Protective Equipment Eye protection – in operations there are

numerous opportunities for flying debris to enter the rescuers eyes.

Personal Protective Equipment Footwear

Turnout boots are not recommended Leather boots which provide a good

combination of function and protection.When selecting boots, ensure that is

lightweight, has non-slip tread, provide ankle support, and be appropriate for the environment they are being used in.

Personal Protective EquipmentGloves –

A medium-weight leather glove with reinforced palms are the best for rope rescue.

They combine movement with good dexterity while giving good protection.

Qualifications of a Rescue TechnicianFor certification, the rescue technician shall

perform all of the job performance requirements in Chapter 5 of NFPA 1006 and all job performance requirements listed in at least one of the specialty areas.

Background Regulations- NFPA 1983, Standard on

fire service life safety rope, harness, and hardware, is the primary standard covering the types of equipment used.

The standard also covers the minimum performance standards for the life safety rope, harness, and hardware the rescuers use to support themselves and victims during actual or exercise rope rescue operations.

BackgroundWAC 296-305-02019 Life Safety ropes,

harnesses, and hardware protection. WAC 296-305-05005 Rope rescue

operations. WAC 296-305-08000 Appendix B- Life safety

ropes.See Handouts

Rope Rescue EquipmentRopeRope falls into two

classifications:

a. Life Safety

b. Utility

Rope Rescue EquipmentLife safety rope is used to support rescuers

and victims during an actual incident or training.

Utility rope is used for hoisting tools and equipment.

Rope Rescue EquipmentThe inspection of the rope shall be performed

before the rope is put in to service, also before and after each use to ensure that the rope has not been compromised.

Rope Rescue Equipment The following items below should be

considered before the life safety rope is put back in use.

1. The rope has not been visibly damaged2. The rope has not been exposed to heat,

direct flame impingement, or abrasion.3. The rope has not been subjected to any

impact load

Rope Rescue Equipment4. The rope has not been exposed to liquids,

solids, gases, mists, or vapors of any chemical or other material that can deteriorate rope

5. The rope passes inspection when inspected by a qualified person using the manufactures specifications

Rope Rescue EquipmentLife safety rope is generally ½ “ in diameter

and of kernmantle construction. The minimum breaking strength for two-person rope is 9,000lbs.

The maximum working load for life safety rope is the maximum amount of weight that may be supported by the rope in use.

Rope Rescue Equipment There has

traditionally been two types of rope used in life safety situations.

Dynamic rope

Static rope

Rope Rescue EquipmentDynamic rope is used when long falls are

possible like in a rock climbing situation due to it’s high elasticity

Dynamic rope is designed to stretch up to 60% of its length without breaking

Rope Rescue EquipmentStatic rope is the rope of choice for most

rescue incidents.

It is only designed to stretch 20% of its length before breaking thus it is better suited for heavy haul applications

Rope Rescue EquipmentLife safety rope logs

The log tracks the use and maintenance of that piece of rope and will help determine when to retire the rope.

Rope Rescue EquipmentWebbing

Flat webbing Mainly used in rescue work for straps and

harnesses.

Tubular webbing Most commonly used webbing in the fire service

Rope Rescue EquipmentHarness

Class I – fastens around the waist, and is intended for emergency escape for one person.

Class II – Fastens around the waist and around the thighs and may be used in two person rescues

Class III – Fastens around the waist and thighs and also over the shoulders. It is designed to support two-person loads

Rope Rescue EquipmentHardware

– Mechanical devices needed to fully and safely utilize rope rescue and to construct mechanical advantage systems

The following are types of hardware

HardwareCarabiners

Consist of a metal loop with a hinged gate to close the opening

HardwareRescue Ring

Steel ring specifically designed for rescue applications

Hardware Rigging plates

Used for attaching systems or multi-directional loads

HardwareFigure 8 plates

consists of a double ring of steel or anodized aluminum, with one ring larger then the other

HardwareBrake Bar Rack

Repelling device using a U-shaped rod with six friction bars between

Hardware Pulleys

Single-sheave, Double-sheave

Hardware

Edge rollers

Knots To use the

equipment just described in the last section, rope and webbing must usually be tied into knots

See Handout

Knots

Becket bend

Knots

Figure 8 family

Knots

Knots

Water Bend

Knots

Clove Hitch

Bowline

Systems Anchor systems – Provides a safe and

dependable means of securing the rescue rope to a “bomb proof” anchor point.

The most common types of anchor systems used are single point, and load sharing.

System

The most common type of single point anchor is the tensionless anchor.

SystemsLoad sharing anchors are used when there is

doubt about the anchor point being able to carry the expected load.

Load sharing anchors also distribute the weight between two different points.

SystemsA third type of anchor is the self adjusting

anchor point. This is used when the load point is expected

to change direction of pull. In a multi anchor system the critical angle

must be watched so that it does not exceed 120 degrees. The optimal angle is 90 degrees.

SystemsMechanical advantages – Various types of

hauling systems using rope, pulleys, carabiners, and webbing.

Mechanical advantage systems are broken into two groups simple and compound.

Systems1. Simple systems

Simple systems are your 4:1, 3:1 systems. 2. Compound systems

Compound systems are when one simple system is attached to another to multiply the mechanical advantage.

One disadvantage to the compound systems are that they take a lot of rope.

Any Questions About Ropes?

Confined Space Rescue Awareness

Confined space Is large enough and so

configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work.

Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit.

Is not designated for continuous occupancy

Confined Space Rescue AwarenessPermit required confined space

In addition to meeting all the criteria for a confined space, have one or more of the following: Contains or has a potential to contain a

hazardous atmosphere. Contains a material that has the potential of

engulfing an entrant. Has an internal configuration such that an

entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward to a smaller cross section.

Contains any other recognized safety hazard.

Confined Space Rescue AwarenessPermit required confined spaceThe written entry permit

must be posted at the entry point andMust list more than a dozen

essential items of information about the space. Work to be done in the space Who will do it

Examples of Confined Spaces:

TanksManholesBoilersFurnacesSewersSilosHoppers

VaultsPipesTrenchesTunnelsDuctsBinsPits

Confined space hazardsAtmospheric hazards

Oxygen deficiency (<19%)Oxygen enrichment (23%)FlammabilityToxicity

Physical HazardsStructural InstabilityDebrisEngulfment

Confined space hazardsEnvironmental Hazards

DarknessTemperature extremesNoiseMoistureDust

IDLHIDLH

IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH

Any condition which poses an immediate threat to the health of life on an entrant, or;

Would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or;Would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape

unaided from a permit space.

CONTAMINANTS: ROUTES OF ENTRY

InhalationInhalationIngestionIngestion

AbsorptionAbsorption

InjectionInjection

Always test theAlways test theair at various levels air at various levels to be sure that theto be sure that theentire space is safe.entire space is safe. Good AirGood Air

Poor AirPoor Air

Deadly AirDeadly AirGood air near Good air near the opening the opening does NOT mean does NOT mean there is good air there is good air at the bottom!at the bottom!

Confined Space Rescue Awareness

PPE requirements

How important is your attendant?How important is your attendant?

Tactical considerationsPhase 1: Assessment on arrivalPrimary assessment (size-up)

Information gathering How many victims- are they injured or

merely trapped? How long have they been down? Are they conscious and if so can they

communicate? Are they all in the same confined space? Is there an entry permit available?

Tactical considerationsDecision Making

Contact victim Interview witnesses Examine permits Monitor atmosphere within the space Identify hazards Evaluate what has been done and is being

done Weigh risks vs. benefits of available options Evaluate adequacy of initial response Contact expert assistance from Operations or

Technician level experts

Tactical considerationsSecondary assessment (size-up)

    Type of space

    Condition of space

    Contents of space

    Mode of operation- rescue vs. body recovery

Tactical ConsiderationsPhase 2: Pre-Rescue Operations

Finalizing the incident action planGathering the necessary resources- both personnel and

equipmentMonitoring and managing the atmosphere inside the space

Oxygen concentration Flammables Toxics

Ventilation through mechanical means

Tactical ConsiderationMaking the space structurally stable enough to enter

Lockout/Tag out proceduresInternal hazardsShoringLighting

Tactical ConsiderationsEnsure that there is adequate

communications capability to allow the action plan to be carried out safelyVoice communicationLifelineHard-wired phonesPortable radios

Tactical ConsiderationsPhase 3: Rescue OperationsPersonnel should be

prohibited from entering except to assist trained rescuers

Accountability of team members

SearchVictim

treatment/stabilizationVictim removal

Tactical ConsiderationsPhase 4: TerminationEquipment retrieval vs. equipment abandonmentInvestigation- review and critique the operationRelease of controlCritical Incident Stress Debriefing

Any questions about confined spaces?

Trench Rescue AwarenessDefinition of a trench

A trench according to OSHA

Not a trench

Types of collapsesSlough-inSidewall-inShear-inSpoil-in

Slough-in

Sidewall-in

Shear-in

AKA: Lip-in

Spoil-in

To prevent a spoil-in the spoil pile is to be at least 2 feet from the lip and laid back less than 45

degrees

What hazards could youWhat hazards could youencounter in this encounter in this environment?environment?

Trench Rescue AwarenesTrench rescue hazardsPhysical hazards

Secondary collapse Bulges in trench wall Horizontal cracks or fissures in trench wall Loose chunks falling from trench wall Water seeping into trench Loose material suddenly falling from the lip of the trench Unstable Debris Unsupported utilities

Tactical ConsiderationsPhase 1- Assessment on arrivalInformation gatheringhave all workers been accounted forhow many victims are thereis their location knownare they fully or partially buriedhow much time has elapsed since cave-inwhat has been done so far

Tactical ConsiderationsDecision makingCan the units on scene or en route handle the situation?Do additional units need to be called?- call them

immediatelyHe first-in officer MUST assume command and begin to

form an IAP

Tactical ConsiderationsScene controlIsolate the area of the collapse- establish hot, warm, and

cold zonesShut off all vehicles and prevent traffic within 300 feet of

the trench

Tactical ConsiderationsSecondary AssessmentType of soil- may have to rely on workers at the

sceneCondition of trench

What type of cave-in occurred?Did one or both walls collapse?What type of shoring will be needed?Are there hazards in and around the trench?

Mode of Operation- rescue or recovery?

Tactical ConsiderationsPhase 2- Pre-rescue OperationsIncident action plan-MANDATORY

Backup plan should be availableGathering resources- the sooner they are called, the

sooner they will get there. Call for everything that might be needed.Personnel- specially trainedEquipment- specialized

Tactical ConsiderationsAtmospheric monitoring

OxygenFlammablesToxic gasses

Tactical ConsiderationsVentilation

Positive- blowing fresh air into the trenchNegative- draw contaminants out

Preparing the sceneMitigating hazards- such as leaking gas or water pipes and

electrical linesFire protection- hose lines or extinguishers on stand-byShoringLadders- should be placed at both ends of the protection

system, no farther than 25 feet apart

Tactical ConsiderationsPhase 3- Rescue OperationsPersonnel accountabilitySearch/rescuePersonnel should not enter the trench unless assisting

properly trained rescue personnel

Tactical ConsiderationsPhase 4- TerminationEquipment retrieval

Identifying/collectingDismantling

Investigation- review and critiqueRelease of ControlCritical Incident Stress Debriefing

The End

Questions?

Quiz?