About the Book

Your Definitive High Angle Rope Rescue Guide! The fourth edition of High-Angle Rope Rescue Techniques: Levels I & II provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of high-angle rescue, including planning, PPE and equipment, medical considerations, evacuations, and special rescue operations. Based on the 2013 edition of NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, High-Angle Rope Rescue Techniques: Levels I & II provides a broad overview of all rescue techniques to meets the needs of fire service, search and rescue, and many other rope rescue professionals. The fourth edition has been updated to include: Coverage of new protective equipment, terminology, rescue products, and techniques. All new Skill Drills that provide step-by-step instruction on how to execute important skills and procedures. Separation of High-Angle Rope Rescue I and II Level content throughout the textbook and instructor resources.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1: The High-Angle Environment • The High-Angle Environment • Mountaineering • Climbing • Vertical Caving • High-Angle Rescue • Rope Rescue • Fire Service Rescue • Tactical Operations • Industrial Rescue • Rope Access • Tower Rescue • Water Rescue • The High-Angle Rope Technician • Training • Continued Skills Maintenance • Comfort in the High-Angle Environment • Safety • Think Systems • Characteristics of an Effective Rescuer • Use of Low-Risk Methods First • Preparation for Self-Rescue • Backup of Other Rescuers • Care of Equipment • Attention to Detail • Team Concepts • Warning Call • Rope Rescue Technician Skills CHAPTER 2: Personal Equipment and Protection • Chapter 5 JPRs Rope Rescue Level I, and Rope Rescue Level II • Choosing and Implementing Personal Equipment and Protection • Clothing • Inner and Outer Clothing • Headgear • Gloves • Footwear • Personal Equipment • Harnesses • Securing Hardware in the High-Angle Environment • Foot Supports • Shoulder Slings • Light Sources • Knives • Fitness and Health • Hydration • Self-Sufficiency • Protection from Heat and Cold • Suspension Trauma CHAPTER 3: Rope and Related Equipment • Chapter 5 JPRs • Determining the Right Rope for the Task • Ropes for Technical Climbing and Mountaineering • Ropes for Rappelling and Ascending • Ropes for Rescue Use • Life Safety Rope Versus Moderate Elongation Laid Life-Saving Rope • Fibers Used to Make Rope • Natural Fibers • Synthetic Fiber Ropes • Rope Construction • Laid • Plaited • Braided • Double Braid • Kernmantle • Choosing a Rope • Dynamic Versus Static or Low-Stretch Ropes • Moderate Elongation Laid Life-Saving Rope • Size and Strength • Rope Colors • Process for Coloring Ropes • Manufacturer-Supplied Eye Termination • Accessory Cord • Webbing • Webbing Materials • Webbing Construction • Webbing Size • Webbing Strength • Rope Rescue Level I • Determining the System Safety Ratio • Breaking Strength of Rope • Rope Tensile Test Standards • Minimum Breaking Strength Determination-3 Sigrna Method • Rope Rescue Level I and Rope Rescue Level II • The Role of the Fall Factor • The Role of Fall Factors with Short Ropes CHAPTER 4: Care and Use of Rescue Rope and Related Equipment • Chapter 5 JPRs • Care of Ropes • Keeping a Rope History Log • Tagging Ropes • Storing Ropes • Bagging Ropes • How Ropes Are Damaged • Harmful Substances • Overloading a Rope • Damage from Falling Objects • Abrasion • Heat Fusion. • Rope Damage Through “Flash” Rappels • Rotation of Ropes Used in Rappel Training • Strength Loss Through Knots • Inspecting a Rope • Establishing Responsibility for Life Safety Ropes • Retiring a Rope • Washing Rope • Rope-Washing Devices • Cleaning Ropes with a Washing Machine • Fabric Softeners • Special Cleaning Problems • Dressing Rope Ends • Care of Webbing • Hints for Rope Handlers • Preventing Tangles • Throwing and Dropping Rope CHAPTER 5: Basic High-Angle Hardware • Chapter 5 JPRs • Hardware for the High-Angle System • Carabiners • Basic Carabiner Shapes • Carabiner Sizes and Strengths • Carabiner Gate Opening • Locking Carabiners • Aluminum Versus Steel Carabiners • Carabiner Standard Labeling • General Points on Buying Carabiners • Using Carabiners in Their Manner of Function • Hard Linking • Carabiner Brake Bars • Three-Way Loading • Screw Links • Care and Inspection of Carabiners • Descenders • Types of Descenders • Brake Bar Racks • Other Descenders • Rope Grabs • Technical-Use Ascenders • General-Use Ascenders • Hardware for Anchoring • Rock Anchors (Artificial Anchors) • Bolts • Clean Hardware • Belaying • One-Person Versus Rescue Belaying. • Belay Devices • Other Belay Alternatives • Pulleys • Other Characteristics of Pulleys for High-Angle Activities • Bearings • Specialized Pulleys • Other Hardware • Rigging Plates • Swivels • Edge Rollers CHAPTER 6: Knots • Chapter 5 JPRs • Knots in the High-Angle Environment • The Qualities of a Good Knot • How Knots Affect Ropes • Backing Up Knots • Dressing Knots • Knot Efficiency in Rigging • Specific Knots for the High-Angle Environment • Knot-Tying Terminology • Overhand Knot (for Rope and Webbing) • Girth Hitch (Lark’s Foot) (for Rope and Webbing) • The Figure 8 Family • Ring Bend (Water Knot) (for Webbing) • Double Overhand Knot (for Rope) • Clove Hitch (for Rope or Webbing) • Optional Approach: Bowline Knot • Munter Hitch • Prusik Hitch CHAPTER 7: Anchoring • Chapter 5 JPRs • Anchors and the High-Angle System • Anchor Points • Natural Anchors • Anchors on Structures • Less Obvious Anchors • Artificial Anchors • Placement of Anchors • Strength of Anchors • Direction of Pull on an Anchor Point • Positioning of Anchors • Directionals • Location of Directionals • Directionals Versus Deviations • Backing Up Anchors • Materials for Anchors • Using Rope for Anchors • Use of Webbing for Anchors • Keeping Anchors in Place • Anchor Plates • Adapting to a Lack of Anchors • Extending Anchors • Using Vehicles for Anchors • Portable Anchors • Rope Rescue Level l • Multipoint Anchors • Multiple Slings on a Single Anchor Point • Backing Up Anchors CHAPTER 8: Belaying of One-Person Loads • Chapter 5 JPRs • Belaying • One-Person Versus Rescue Belay • The Belay System • Belay Practice System • Belaying Signals • Belaying Techniques • The Münter Hitch • Using a Free-Running Belay Device • Belaying with the ATC • Belay Plates in Figure 8 Descenders • Assisted Catch Belay Devices • Additional Cautions for Belayers • Arranging the Belay Direction • Maintaining Proper Slack in the Belay Rope • Securing the Belayer • Bottom Belay (for Rappelling Only) • Body Belays CHAPTER 9: Rappelling • Rope Rescue Level l • Rappelling • Importance of Control • How Rappelling Works • Rappels Using Body Friction • Arm Rappel • Body Rappel (Dulfersitz Rappel) • Mechanical Rappel Devices • Figure 8 Descenders • Gaining Extra Friction When on Rappel • Rappel Stance • Getting Over the Edge • Clearing the Descender • Effect of the Rope Angle on Rappelling • Undercut Edges • The Brake Bar Rack • Emergency Descent Systems • Self-Belay Techniques • Using a Prusik Safety in Rappelling • Protecting the Rappel Rope Below You • Extricating Jammed Rappel Devices • Extrication Techniques • Preventing a Rappel off the End of a Rope CHAPTER 10: Basic Ascending Techniques • Chapter 5 JPRs • The Purpose of Ascending • How Ascending Is Accomplished • Types of Ascenders • The Basics: A Prusik Hitch • Selecting Rope for a Prusik Hitch • Creating a Prusik Loop • Other Uses for the Prusik Loop • Greater Holding Power: The Three- Wrap Prusik • Rope Rescue Level l • Mechanical Ascenders for Personal Use • Parts of the Technical-Use Ascender • Right-Handed and Left-Handed Ascenders • Ascender Slings • Creating an Ascending System • Tying Off Short • Chicken Loops • Examples of Ascending Systems • Ascending Over an Edge • Changing Over • The Frog Ascending System • Extricating an Obstruction from a Jammed Rappel Device CHAPTER 11: Rescue Organization • Chapter 5 JPRs • Preresponse • Preplanning • Response • Initial Report • Incident Coordination • Incident Command System • Investigation • Operations • Strategy and Allocation of Resources and Time • Communications • Communicating for Safety • Risk Management • Operational Risk Management • GAR Risk Assessment Model • Operational Safety Steps for Achieving Precision in Rescue • 5M Model of Systematic Risk Management • Situational Awareness • Postincident • Hot Debrief • After-Action Review • Formal Incident Review CHAPTER 12: Medical Considerations in Technical Rescue • Chapter 5 JPRs • Overview: Medical Care During Technical Rescue • Medical Preplanning • Medical Personnel • Medical Skill Level and Training • Preparation and Training • Physician Medical Direction and Oversight • Financial Resources • Medical Technologies • Benefit to Patients • Technical Rescue Medical Kit • Patients • Nonmedical Patients • Medical (Trauma) Patients • Assessment and Interventions • Triage • Airway and Breathing • Circulation • Head and Spine Considerations • Suspension Trauma in Technical Rescue • Prevention • Treatment • Rescue and Medicine: Putting It Together CHAPTER 13: Rescue Belaying • Chapter 5 JPRs • Rescue Belays • System Analysis • Brake Belay Considerations • Tandem Prusik Belay System • Load-Releasing Hitches • Constructing the Tandem Prusik • Belay System • 540O Rescue Belay Device • Rigging the 540O Rescue Belay • Other Rescue Belay Devices CHAPTER 14: Pickoff Rescue Techniques • Chapter 5 JPRs Rope Rescue Level l, and Rope Rescue Level II • Using the Pickoff Rescue • Pickoff Rescue Situations • Basic Types of Pickoff Rescue • Teamwork and Communication • Skills and Equipment Required for a Pickoff Rescue • The Belay Question in Rappel Pickoffs • Personal Protective Equipment for Pickoff Rescue • Medical Considerations • Rappel Pickoff Techniques • Rescue of a Person Wearing a Seat Harness • Removing the Subject’s Weight on Rope • Lowering Pickoff Rescue • Down, Down Versus Down Up Lowering Rescue • Rescue of a Subject Not Wearing a Seat Harness • Placing a Manufactured Seat Harness on the Subject • Placing a Tied Seat Harness on the Subject • Rope Rescue Level II • Victim Hanging by Dorsal Connection CHAPTER 15: Use of Litters in High-Angle Rescue • Chapter 5 JPRs and Rope Rescue Level II • Litters in Rescue Operations • Litter Functions • Types of Litters • Metal Basket Litters • Composite Litters • Plastic Basket Litters • Break-Apart Litters • Flexible Litters • Litters for Helicopter Hoist and Short-Haul Operations • Choosing a Litter for Rescue Operations • Packaging the Subject in the Litter • Protecting the Subject in the Litter • Packaging the Subject with Possible Spinal Injuries • Packaging the Subject with Long Bone Fractures • Packaging the Subject for Rope Rescue • Physically Stabilizing the Subject in the Litter • Materials for Litter Packaging • Litter Subject Tie-Ins • Immobilization of the Head. • Carrying the Litter • Litter Slings • Litter Wheels CHAPTER 16: Low-Angle Evacuation • Chapters 5 JPRs • The Need for Low-Angle Evacuation • Examples of Low-Angle (Slope) Evacuation • Elements of Low-Angle Evacuation • Standard Requirements for Slope Evacuation • Litter Tenders • Litter Tie-Ins • Litter Rigging for Low-Angle Evacuation • Litter Team for Low-Angle Evacuation • Packaging the Subject for Low-Angle Evacuation • Optional Personnel in Low-Angle Evacuation • Litter Tender Body Positions • Litter Tender Strategy • Litter Tender Tie-Ins • Brake and Anchor Systems for Low-Angle Lowering • Braking Systems for Low-Angle Evacuation • Brake Bar Rack • Figure 8 Descender • Tree Wrap • Rope Management in Low-Angle Evacuation • The Belay Question • Safe Movement of Personnel in Low-Angle Evacuation • Chapter 5 JPRs and Rope Rescue Level l • Communications • A Typical Low-Angle Lowering • Hauling • Mechanical Versus Human Power • 1:1 Mechanical Advantage Hauling System • The Haul Team • Communications for Hauling • Progress-Capture Device • Counterbalance Hauling System • 2:1 Hauling System for Low-Angle Evacuation • Other Hauling Systems • Drawbacks to Force-Multiplying • Hauling Systems CHAPTER 17: High-Angle Lowering • Chapter 5 JPRs, Rope Rescue Level l, and Rope Rescue Level II • The High-Angle Lowering System • Lowering System • Braking Systems for Lowering • Belays for Lowering. • Communication in Rescue Lowering • Radios • Voice Communication • Principles of Rescue Lowering • Lowering a Person Using a Figure 8 with Ears • Lowering a Person Down a Vertical Face Using a Figure 8 with Ears • Lowering a Practice Rescuer on a Slope Using a Brake Bar Rack • Lowering a Practice Rescuer Down a Vertical Drop Using a Brake Bar Rack • Litter Lowering Systems • Safety Factors • Position of the Litter for Lowering • Single-Line versus Double-Line Lowering • Litter Rigging for Single-Line • Lowering • Lowering a Litter (Single Line with Belay) • Rigging the Litter for Single-Line Lowering • Double-Line Lowering Systems • Two Brake Lowering System • Vectoring • Getting Over the Edge with a Litter in a Vertical Position • Passing Knots • Rope Rescue Level II • Medical Considerations for Rescue Subjects in High-Angle Lowering • Loading the Subject into the Litter • Use of an Auxiliary Tender CHAPTER 18: Hauling Systems • Chapter 5 JPRs, Rescue Hauling Systems • Purposes of Hauling Systems • How Hauling Systems Work • Calculating Mechanical Advantage • Multiplying the Mechanical Advantage • Simple Mechanical Advantage Systems • Compound Mechanical Advantage • Adding to Mechanical Advantage • Mechanical Advantage and System Efficiencies in Compound Complex Systems • Chapter 5 JPRs and Rope Rescue Level II • Elements of Hauling Systems • Rope Grabs • Positioning the Progress Capture Device • Reducing Edge Friction in Hauling Systems • Edge Rollers and Rope Padding • Directionals • Resultant Forces • Changing the Position of the Haul Rope • Reducing the Weight of the Load • Tag Lines • Getting Over the Edge • Pike and Pivot Technique in Hauling • Chapter 5 JPRs, Rope Rescue Level l and Rope Rescue Level II • Rigging and Using Hauling Systems in Rescue Operations • 1:1 TMA Hauling System • Hauling from a Confined Space • 2:1 Hauling System without the Diminishing V • Rigging a 2:1 System • 3:1 (Z-Rig) Hauling System • 4:1 (Piggyback) Hauling System • General Considerations for Rescue Hauling Systems • Personal Haul/Jigger/Set of Fours CHAPTER 19: Tower and Turbine Rescue • Rope Rescue Level l • Understanding the Risks of Tower and Turbine Rescue • Tower Rescue Preplan Guidelines • Preclimb Checklist • Tower and Turbine Climbing Equipment • Fall Factors • Suspension Trauma • Types of Towers • Telecommunications and Broadcast Towers • Electric Transmission Towers • Performing Tower Rescue • Subject Packaging and Other Medical Considerations • Ground-Based Tower Rescue. • Top-Down Tower Rescues • Wind Turbines • Performing Wind Turbine Rescue • Interior Wind Turbine Rescue • Exterior Wind Turbine Rescue. • Rope Rescue Level II • Isolating and Managing Energy Sources • Types of Energy Sources • Personal Protective Equipment for Energy Sources CHAPTER 20: Highlines • Rope Rescue Level II • Highlines in Rescue • Use of Highlines • Problems with Highlines • Elements of a Highline • Main Line • Near-Side Anchor • Far-Side Anchor • Load • Pulleys • Tag Line • Haul Line • Lowering/Belay Line • Highline Loads • One-Person Loads • Two-Person Loads • Litter Loads • Determining the Amount of Sag in the Highline • 10 Percent Rule • Steps in Rigging a Highline • Anchor Materials • High Directionals • Rigging a Highline • More Complex Systems. • Guiding Line • English Reeve System • Double Main-Line System CHAPTER 21: Helicopter Rescue Operations • Chapter 5 JPRs • Helicopters in Rescue Operations • Decision Making and Situational Awareness • When to Use a Helicopter • Weather and Nighttime Limitations • Mission Planning and Preplanning • Outside Helicopter Rescue Assets • Mission Management • Landing Zones • Load Calculation • Helicopter Rescue Crews • Helicopter Flight Characteristics and Limitations • Helicopter Aerodynamics. • Autorotation • Translational Lift • Types of Helicopter Landings • Helicopter Performance • Density Altitude • Hover Ceiling • Center of Gravity • Maximum Gross Weight • Basic Helicopter Safety • Preboarding • Safety During Helicopter Operations • Personal Protective Equipment • Fire- Resistant Clothing • Flight Helmet • Footwear and Hand Eye and Ear Protection • Harnesses • Personal Flotation Device • Applicable U.S. Federal Regulations • Survival and Rescue Considerations • In-Flight Emergency: Survival Plan Checklist • Water Ditching Survival Training • Rescue Subject Care and Transport • Additional Rescue Subject Care Considerations • Helicopter Rescue Techniques • Historical Background. • Helicopter Hoist Rescue • Helicopter Rappel • Helicopter Short-Haul Operations CHAPTER 22: Testing of Systems and Equipment • Reasons for Testing Rescue Equipment • Component Testing • Systems Testing • Carabiners: Component Versus Systems Testing • Performing Your Own Tests • Planning the Test Project • Crunching the Test Results • Sharing your Results Appendix: Pro Board Assessment Methodology Matrices for NFPA 1006 Glossary Index SKILL DRILL CONTENTS Chapter 6: Tying a Simple Overhand Knot • Tying a Simple Figure 8 Knot • Tying a Figure 8 on a Bight • Tying a Figure 8 Follow-Through Knot • Tying an Inline Figure 8 • Tying a Double Figure 8 Loop • Tying a Butterfly Knot • Tying a Figure 8 Bend Knot • Tying a Grapevine Knot • Tying a Ring Bend • Tying a Clove Hitch • Tying a High-Strength Bowline • Tying a Bowline on a Coil • Tying an Interlocking Long-Tail Bowline • Tying a Prusik Hitch Chapter 7: Tying a Tensionless Hitch • Simple Load-Distributing Anchor • Complex Load-Distributing Anchor Chapter 8: Setting the Belay on Level Ground • Practicing the Münter Hitch on Ground Level • Rigging a One-Person Belay Device (ATC) • Belaying with the ATC on Level Ground Chapter 9: Wrapping the Rope for a Body Rappel • Using a Figure 8 Descender on Level Ground • Locking Off a Figure 8 Descender • Using a Figure 8 Descender on a Slope • Using a Figure 8 Descender on a Vertical Surface • Securing Lock Off for a Figure Descender • Double Wrapping the Figure 8 Descender • Getting Over the Edge: Butt Thrust Method • Getting Over the Edge: Knees Over Edge Method • Attaching the Brake Bar Rack to the Rope • Tying off the Brake Bar Rack • Using a Brake Bar Rack on a Slope • Using a Brake Bar Rack on a Vertical Face Chapter 10: Attaching a Prusik Loop to a Rope • Using a Technical-Use Ascender • Tying Off Short • Using the Three-Ascender System • Changing Over (Ascend to Rappel) • Changing Over (Rappel to Ascend) • Extricating an Obstruction from a Jammed Rappel Device Chapter 13: Constructing the Radium Hitch • Releasing the Radium Hitch • Giving Slack or Feeding out the Belay in a Lowering Operation • Taking in Slack or Belaying a Raising Operation • Rigging the Prusik Minding Pulley • Operating the Prusik Minding Pulley • Using the 540O Rescue Belay • Belaying with the 540O Rescue Belay while Lowering or Raising Chapter 14: Performing a Pickoff Rescue of a Person Wearing a Seat Harness • Perform a Lowering Rescue of a Subject • Tying a Hasty Seat Harness • Tying a Rescue Chest Harness Chapter 15: Creating an Upper Torso Tie-in • Creating a Lower Torso Tie-in Chapter 17: Lowering One Person Using a Figure 8 with Ears (Steep Slope) • Using a Figure 8 with Ears to Lower a Person Down a Vertical Face • Using a Brake Bar Rack to Lower a Practice Rescuer on a Slope • Using a Brake Bar Rack to Lower a Practice Rescuer Down a Vertical Drop • Changing the Litter Angle During a Double-Line Litter Lowering • Using the Pike and Pivot Technique to Get Over an Edge • Passing a Knot in Litter Lowering