Low Angle Rescue Module - Certified
Module Overview
The low-angle rope rescue module evaluates the Candidate’s ability to establish and operate a rope rescue system suitable for moving a rescue load uphill or downhill in low-angled terrain. It is a technical rescue used to remove a person from a hazardous or inaccessible outdoor area.
Critical skills for this module include but are not limited to terrain assessment, decision-making, equipment selection, knowledge of rigging and rope standards and applicable regulations, anchor building, the mechanics and safe operation of raising and lowering systems, and patient packaging.
This module consists of three components: an interview, a knot-tying demonstration, and an outdoor practical application of a low-angle rope rescue that includes anchor building, lowering rescuers and equipment utilizing appropriate descent control devices, and raising a rescue load using a Z-rig (3:1 mechanical advantage (MA) haul system with a progress capture system).
The low-angle rope rescue module evaluates the Candidate’s ability to establish and operate a rope rescue system suitable for moving a rescue load uphill or downhill in low-angled terrain. It is a technical rescue used to remove a person from a hazardous or inaccessible outdoor area.
Critical skills for this module include but are not limited to terrain assessment, decision-making, equipment selection, knowledge of rigging and rope standards and applicable regulations, anchor building, the mechanics and safe operation of raising and lowering systems, and patient packaging.
This module consists of three components: an interview, a knot-tying demonstration, and an outdoor practical application of a low-angle rope rescue that includes anchor building, lowering rescuers and equipment utilizing appropriate descent control devices, and raising a rescue load using a Z-rig (3:1 mechanical advantage (MA) haul system with a progress capture system).
Component Details
Interview
The interview will consist of a discussion with the Candidate to assess their understanding of ropes, knots, and rescue equipment and how to use them appropriately and safely in low-angle rescues.
Interview
The interview will consist of a discussion with the Candidate to assess their understanding of ropes, knots, and rescue equipment and how to use them appropriately and safely in low-angle rescues.
Knot Tying Component
The Candidate must demonstrate proficiency at tying, dressing, and setting the following knots. Knots must have a palm’s width of tail (≈ 4”). Loop knots need only be large enough to accept a carabiner or its intended use. The knots should be identified by their common names. The Candidate should be able to identify the components of any knot: bight, loop, round turn, etc.
The Candidate must demonstrate proficiency at tying, dressing, and setting the following knots. Knots must have a palm’s width of tail (≈ 4”). Loop knots need only be large enough to accept a carabiner or its intended use. The knots should be identified by their common names. The Candidate should be able to identify the components of any knot: bight, loop, round turn, etc.
- Figure 8 Knot (on-a-bight and follow-through)
- Münter Hitch, Super Münter Hitch and Münter Mule Overhand Knot
- Alpine Butterfly Knot
- Water Knot
- Hasty harness or Swiss seat
- Double Fisherman’s Knot
- Prusik Hitch
- Clove Hitch
- Girth Hitch
Practical Application of a Low-Angle Rope Rescue Component
The practical application of a low-angle rope rescue (outdoor station) consists of rigging and operating a belayed lowering system for a single-person load and performing a weighted changeover to a Z-rig with progress capture for raising with a 3:1 MA within twenty (20) minutes.
The practical application of a low-angle rope rescue (outdoor station) consists of rigging and operating a belayed lowering system for a single-person load and performing a weighted changeover to a Z-rig with progress capture for raising with a 3:1 MA within twenty (20) minutes.
- A detailed scenario description will be provided representing the simulated terrain. This addresses the evaluation challenges if the chosen test site is basically flat. The “edge” will be identified by the Lead Evaluator.
- The Candidate will be required to provide explanation as they set up for a belayed lowering system and then perform a weighted changeover to a Z-rig with progress capture, having a 3:1 MA.
- The Candidate will then operate the lowering system with a simulated single-person load, tie it off, and then convert it to a Z-rig system with progress capture functions by pulling the litter up and performing a reset of the system using the following commands: HAUL, STOP, SET, SLACK, RESET, HAUL.
Scoring Criteria and Critical Indicators
Scoring Criteria
Critical Indicators
Interview Component
Scoring Criteria
- Pass/Fail- Interview, Knot Tying, and Practical Application must be passed together in the same year to be successful in this module.
Critical Indicators
Interview Component
- Did the Candidate demonstrate sufficient competence, judgment, and knowledge of rope systems to lead a low-angle rope rescue and be able to teach others?
- Factors to consider:
- Terrain Assessment
- How likely are the rescuers to fall into the area being worked?
- What would such a fall's consequences be for the rescuer and patient?
- How can the potential for a rescuer fall or injury be best mitigated or eliminated?
- Where the extraction should be done, what equipment and manpower are needed, and what safeguards must be instituted?
- How likely are the rescuers to fall into the area being worked?
- Anchor Systems:
- Does the Candidate understand the principles of single-point and multi-point anchor systems, including the selection of appropriate anchors, the construction of secure anchors, and the proper use of slings and cordage to achieve their goals?
- Do they have adequate knowledge of how to use snow anchors (both placement and setting) when considering the direction of pull?
- Can they verbalize an appropriate anchor system for a given rescue scenario?
- Does the Candidate understand the principles of single-point and multi-point anchor systems, including the selection of appropriate anchors, the construction of secure anchors, and the proper use of slings and cordage to achieve their goals?
- Load Distribution
- Do they understand how to effectively distribute a rescue load across anchor points to ensure stability, efficiency, and no excessive loadings on any anchor point? This includes understanding the concepts of static and dynamic loadings of anchor systems and the challenges they impose in a LAR setting.
- Do they understand how to effectively distribute a rescue load across anchor points to ensure stability, efficiency, and no excessive loadings on any anchor point? This includes understanding the concepts of static and dynamic loadings of anchor systems and the challenges they impose in a LAR setting.
- Critical Angles
- When rigging anchors for a rescue, are they aware of how the angle of the connecting ropes/slings between two or more anchor points and the load they are supporting affects the loads on those anchors?
- Are they aware of “critical angles” and the risks associated with exceeding them?
- Do they understand why these increases in loadings occur, how to estimate them, and how to create and maintain safe angles to prevent anchor failure?
- When rigging anchors for a rescue, are they aware of how the angle of the connecting ropes/slings between two or more anchor points and the load they are supporting affects the loads on those anchors?
- Rope Types and Specifications
- Are they familiar with different types of ropes (e.g., static vs. dynamic ropes), their construction, materials, standards, specifications, inspection, documentation, care and storage, and appropriate uses in rescue scenarios?
- Are they familiar with different types of ropes (e.g., static vs. dynamic ropes), their construction, materials, standards, specifications, inspection, documentation, care and storage, and appropriate uses in rescue scenarios?
- Knots, Bends, and Hitches
- Do they have a basic understanding of how various knots, bends, hitches, and their components (bight, loop, round turn) function?
- Can they identify which knot, hitch, or bend is appropriate for creating the different secure connections rope systems utilize on (see Knot Tying section)?
- Do they have a basic understanding of how various knots, bends, hitches, and their components (bight, loop, round turn) function?
- System Safety Checks
- Can they describe how to do thorough safety checks on all components of a rope rescue system, including visual and physical inspections to ensure integrity and reliability?
- Do they understand how to apply Safety Factors (SF) to an analysis of their rope rescue system elements?
- Can they identify the weakest links in their systems?
- Can they describe how to do thorough safety checks on all components of a rope rescue system, including visual and physical inspections to ensure integrity and reliability?
- Mechanical Advantage Systems
- Do they understand how to construct and use mechanical advantage systems to assist in lifting loads?
- Do they know the difference between theoretical and practical MA, and can they demonstrate/calculate the MA of any system they build?
- If they had only one pulley, a PMP (prusik-minding pulley) for example, where would they place it to achieve the maximum actual MA in any system they build?
- Can they demonstrate how to convert a 3:1 system to a 5:1 system?
- Do they understand how to construct and use mechanical advantage systems to assist in lifting loads?
- Raising Systems:
- Do they understand the purpose of a progress capture hitch (PCH) and the differences and constraints between an automatically and manually tended PCH?
- Do they know where to place the PCH correctly and optimize its performance within a rope system?
- What are the efficient ways to pull on the haul rope?
- Do they understand the purpose of a progress capture hitch (PCH) and the differences and constraints between an automatically and manually tended PCH?
- Lowering Systems
- Do they understand the pros and cons of the descent control devices (DCDs) used in their Patrols (e.g., Münter hitch, brake-bar rack, Conterra Scarab, Rescue Figure-8)?
- Do they know how to manage friction on the brake strand of a DCD effectively and safely?
- Do they understand the pros and cons of the descent control devices (DCDs) used in their Patrols (e.g., Münter hitch, brake-bar rack, Conterra Scarab, Rescue Figure-8)?
- Where and when would you place a friction hitch in a lowering system?
- How do they build a Münter hitch for lowering, and can they readily convert it to a Super-Münter if more control is needed?
- How do they build a Münter hitch for lowering, and can they readily convert it to a Super-Münter if more control is needed?
- How would they lock off the DCD they are using?
- Terrain Assessment
- Does the Candidate demonstrate a safe and efficient operational Z-rig with a 3:1 MA within 20 minutes?
- Factors to consider include:
- Did the Candidate “test” the system prior to putting it into operation?
- Was a progress capture system included, and did it work?
- Did the Candidate properly manage the raising and lowering of the system?
- Were all the carabiners secure and locked?
- Was the system properly “closed”?
- Did the Candidate establish a Safety Zone, thereby defining a safe work area that maintains at least a body’s length from the “edge”?
- Were suitable anchor point(s) identified and utilized?
- Did the Candidate create a master point knot using slings, webbing, or rope?
- Were the connecting rope/slings from the anchor to the master point creating an angle of < 90º relative to each other when loaded in the direction of the load or pull?
- Was rope/edge protection used where necessary?
- Was a temporary lock-off of the rope used when switching the loaded litter from a lowering configuration to a raising one?
- Was the rope appropriately secured to the litter (direct tie-in or attached to a bridle)? Was there a sling (girth hitch) or a longer prusik attached to the litter for attendant tie in?
- Was the rope system “closed” by attaching the end of the rope not attached to the litter to an anchor or other fixed object?
- Were all knots properly tied, dressed and set?
- Did the Candidate “test” the system prior to putting it into operation?