Rope Rescue

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PCSAR and Pincher Creek Emergency Services are forming a joint rope rescue team. It is hoped that by having a single team between the two organizations, that we will be able to maintain a level of training and involvement that will allow the joint team to respond to incidents in the mandate for either organization.

The PCSAR board has given approval in principle to the formation of joint team. They will consider a more detailed mandate and budget for the team as they are developed.

Contents

Joining

If you are interested in becoming involved in the joint team, contact Brett Wuth as a member of PCSAR, or your officers as a member of Emergency Services.

PCSAR members interested:

  • Brett Wuth
  • Lyle Korver
  • Bree Korobanik
  • Brian Balak
  • Ron Hann

Planning

A joint planning meeting between PCSAR, PCES, Piikani Fire Dept and Shell was held 2009-08-19.

A planning session was held after the wind turbine tour on 2009-09-12 between Dave Cox, Brett Wuth, Bree Korobanik, and Brian Balak.

2009-09-16 Pat and Brett discussed training requirements.

2009-10-13 Pat and Brett worked on a training schedule.

2009-11-05 Dave, Pat and Brett planned the 2009-11-10 meeting.

More planning sessions are anticipated. Contact Brett Wuth if you'd like to participate.

To do

  • liabilities (Dave)
  • explore financing options through Councils, AEMA, etc. (Dave)
  • once financing is known inquire with professional instructors for spring course (Brett, Pat)
  • construct anchor points at fire hall for practices (Dave, Pat, Brett)
  • recruitment (Bree, Brian)
  • work training schedule forward for rest of 2010 (Pat, Brett by January 2010)
  • standards
  • equipment
  • regional mutual aid
  • response capability
    • response time
    • radios
    • schedule
    • on-call/coverage
  • paid vs unpaid

Needs Analysis

Forecast of Incidents

PCSAR

  • Self Rescue (1 / 10 yr)
    • Searches often include steep areas where a searcher could potential have a mishap and require rescuing. Although searchers are trained and directed to avoid these hazards, PCSAR is better for having self-rescue capability should such an mishap occur.
  • Wilderness low angle (1 / 5 yr)
    • A rescue occurs in a remote area where a person needs to be stretchered over low-angle terrain.
  • Wilderness high angle (1 / 10 yr)
    • A rescue occurs where a person needs to be extracted from a steep slope or high-angle terrain. Stretcher may not be necessary, but the person cannot move safely without rope.
  • Caves (1 / 5 yr)
    • The Crowsnest Pass is a prime area for novice and skilled cave trips. Many rope rescue responders are required inside the cave and possibly outside it. Typical responders are CNP SAR and ACRO. PCSAR could assist. Out-of-region illustration: Fang Cave Rescue
  • Avalanche (0)
    • Avalanche response are unlikely to require rope rescue skills

PCES

  • accessible embankment (2 / yr)
    • person or vehicle down embankment. Low angle techniques needed to safely extract.
  • high angle (1 / 5 yr)
  • bridges (1 / 3 yr)
    • A vehicle goes off a bridge deck and patient requires vertical raise.

Shell

  • Above 40 feet (1 / 10 yr)
  • Confined (1 / 5 yr)

Transalta

  • Wind Turbine (1 / 10 yr)
  • Communication towers ?

Canadian Hydro

  •  ?

Enmax

  •  ?

Estimated average total of incidents per year: 3.4

Other responders

If a rope rescue team did not exist in our area, responses might be available from:

  • CNP
  • Waterton
  • Fernie
  • Kananaskis
  • Banff

Responders required

  • 1 person at "Team Leader" level
    • Able to direct and oversee the whole rope rescue.
  • 3 people at "Team Member" level
    • Able to build and operate any station
  • 2 people at "Basic Skills" level
    • Able to assist under direction

Roster requirements

Estimating that 1/3 of members are able to respond at any given time. Estimate is the same for both PCES and PCSAR members.

  • Team Leader level: 3
  • Team Member level: 9
  • Basic Skills: 6 (but probably have lots)

Attrition:

Estimate that there is a 1 in 6 chance each year that any person on the roster (at any level) will leave or no longer be available and have to be replaced.

Training

Training time and dollar budget

  • Basic Skills
    • estimated 4 hours of in-house training
    • most PCES have already been taught (S-300 course)
    • maintain skills
      • 2 hours per year
      • in-house refresher
    • roster: ~20
  • Team Member
    • estimated total: 100 hours of in-house training, formal course, and practice
    • take a decent course
    • maintain skills
      • 20 hours practice per year
      • e.g. scenarios
    • roster: 9
      • attrition: 1.5 every year
  • Team Leader
    • estimated total: 200 hours of in-house training, formal course, and practice
    • experience
    • maintain skills
      • 30 hours practice per year
      • e.g. scenarios
    • roster: 3
      • attrition: 1 every 2 years


totals:

  • initial: ~1580 person*hr (less training people already have)
  • maintain: ~310 person*hr/yr
  • replacement: ~250 person*hr/yr (less training recruits already have)

Subject matter

Potential training subjects:

  • formal course
  • in-house refresher of basic skills
    • handling rope
    • knowing parts, gear recognition
    • anchors
    • stretcher tie-in
  • practice scenarios
  • equipment checking (i.e. checking ropes)
  • site safety assessment
  • a helicopter safety talk


In-house training

Draft in-house training syllabus (from BC PEP Rope Rescue Manual):


Chapter 1 - Rope Rescue in Pincher Creek

  • How rope rescue relates to SAR
  • How rope rescue relates to PCES
  • Describe the training process of a rope rescue Team Member
  • Describe the training process of a rope rescue Team Leader
  • Describe the Incident Commander's role in rope rescue


Chapter 2 - Rescue Site Overview

  • Describe zones of the rescue site
  • Describe rescue organization
  • Describe the roles of rescue personnel
  • Describe hazard assessment
  • Assess rescue terrain
  • Describe the standards of Rope Rescue
  • Outline the principles of rope rescue
  • Determine forces on the rescue system


Chapter 3 - Equipment

  • Describe the safe working load limits of rescue equipment and systems
  • Describe the properties, use and proper care of:
    • High stretch and low stretch rope
    • Webbing and sling material
    • Accessory cord
    • Pulleys
    • Rigging plates
    • Personal descenders
    • Rescue brake bar racks
    • Edge protection
    • Personal ascending devices
    • Helmets
    • Harnesses
    • Gloves


Chapter 4 - Knots, Bends and Hitches

  • Utilize proper knot terminology
  • Demonstrate the following knots and ties:
    • Water or tape bend
    • Figure-eight-on-a-bight
    • Figure-eight-follow-through
    • Figure-eight-follow-through bend
    • Fishermans bend
    • Prusik hitch
    • Prusik-on-itself
    • Italian hitch
    • Blocking knot
    • Clove hitch
    • Radium release hitch
    • Inline figure eight
    • Butterfly knot
    • Block and tackle
  • Properly stack and coil rope
  • Integrate seat and chest harnesses


Chapter 5 - Anchor Systems

  • Select appropriate natural anchors
  • Define the principles and considerations of anchor construction
  • Build different anchor point attachments
  • Build multipoint anchor systems
  • Extend anchor systems
  • Describe the effect of angles on anchor legs


Chapter 6 - Belay Systems

  • Build belay systems for single and multi-person loads
  • Demonstrate the properties of types of belay devices used in rescue
  • Operate various belay devices
  • Tie-off any of the belay devices


Chapter 7 - Lowers

  • Describe the principles behind lowering systems
  • Describe the different lowering devices and their limitations
  • Thread and tie-off a brake rack
  • Efficiently pass a knot in the load line during a lower


Chapter 8 - Raising Systems

  • Describe safety considerations in raising systems
  • Describe the principles and applications of mechanical advantage systems
  • Build simple pully systems, 2:1, 3:1, 5:1
  • Build compound pully systems
  • Convert a loer to a raise under tension
  • Efficiently pass knots in a the load line while raising


Chapter 9 - Stretcher Rigging

  • Describe litter models available for rope rescue
  • Rig stretcher bridle attachments
  • Attach load and belay ropes to the stretcher
  • Construct attendant and subject stretcher tie-ins
  • Demonstrate stretcher handling techniques
  • Demonstrate subject securement techniques


Chapter 10 - Rappelling and Ascending

  • Understanding rappelling methods
  • Outline the various belay methods
  • Set up and operate various rappel devices
  • Tie-off rappel devices
  • Set up and operate Prusiks and mechanical devices for ascending
  • Perform safety checks for rapperlling / ascending systems


Chapter 11 - Communications

  • Describe the need for clear, standard terminology and protocols
  • Use verbal rescue signals proficiently
  • Use whistle rescue signals proficiently


Chapter 12 - Slope Rescue

  • Describe techniques to operate safely and proficiently on slopes ranging from very low angle to steep angle
  • Adapt techniques used in vertical rescue
  • Describe forces encountered during a slope rescue
  • Describe hazards particular to slope rescue


Chapter 13 - Pick-off Techniques

  • Outline when pick-off techniques should be used
  • Perform lowering pick-offs
  • Perform rappel pick-offs
  • Demonstrate subject positioning options
  • Perform stretcher tilt-lift pick-offs


Chapter 14 - Rescue Operations

  • Describe the need and process of preplanning
  • Outline the role of the Initial Response Team
  • Describe the elements of a successful rope rescue

Schedule

In addition to what's below, PCES will use 20 minutes of every second regular training night to review basic rope skills.

Tentatively plan to train the evenings of the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

Past:

Upcoming:

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