From Adjacent Ropes

Overview

In any area of working at height, if a user could end up suspended by equipment there must be rescue plan in place to get the casualty out of suspension and to a safe position. Given that the majority of rope access work is carried out in suspension, planning for and training for a variety of rescue situations is of paramount importance.

Rigging ropes for rescue is often one of the most efficient ways to rescue casualties from rope manoeuvres, it can be implemented for a variety of rigging methods and can be used to haul as well as lower casualties, however complications such as complex rigging or lack of equipment can sometimes mean rigging for rescue is not feasible. In such cases, intervention or “snatch” style rescues will be necessary.

This section will focus on intervention rescue techniques used to rescue casualties that are carrying out rope manoeuvres.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PLANNING RESCUE

• Can it be rigged for rescue?

• Safety, and speed are priorities in casualty rescue

• How long is the rescue likely to take?

• Suspension intolerance should be considered

• Safe working loads on equipment and manufacturers guidance for two person loads should be taken into account

• Have precautions been made for treatment of the casualty?

• Are procedures in place for quick communication with response teams/ emergency services?

• Is there suitable access and egress for response teams?

Rescue from descent mode – from adjacent ropes (all levels) Additional equipment required

• 1 x quick draw or 2 x karabiner if quick- draws are not available

• 1 x spare karabiner

Method

1. First you must access the casualty’s position and change into descending equipment, aim to be positioned with your descending device slightly higher than the casualties on the adjacent ropes

2. Clean up, ensure there are no ropes between you and the casualty

3. Make your first point of attachment to the casualty’s harness – make a cow’s tail connection from your central waist d-ring to the casualty’s central waist d-ring (if preferred this can be made vice versa)

4. Make your second connection to the casualty – take the quick-draw, connect one end to your descender karabiner, the side facing the casualty

5. Connect the other end of the quick-draw to the casualty’s chest d-ring – this will help keep the casualty in an upright position

6. Check all connection karabiners have been secured

7. If the casualty is using a back-up device that you will have to manage during the descent – remove it now. If the casualty has a back-up device that will “follow” you down the rope (such as an ASAP) then ensure it is not locked but leave it attached

8. Operate the casualty’s descending device and lower their weight until they are hanging from the quick-draw – take care to control the tail rope of the casualty’s descneder

9. Remove the descending device once it has been de-weighted

10. Add a friction karabiner to the side of the descender karabiner facing you and put your tail rope into it – when held up in the proper position this will provide more control while descending with a two person load.

11. Manage your back-up device position or check it is not locked

12. With one hand holding the tail rope up against the “friction” karabiner, you can lower yourself and the casualty to safety – take care to check below you for obstructions or tangles, and take your time when descending.