Release and rescue of a co-worker suspended on a long rope
If the victim fell on a long length of rope (more than about 20 m), there is significant rope stretch due to the victim's weight. The rescuer's actions must take into account the effects of elasticity at the moment the victim is released from the rope.
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
Case n° 2.1:
- Victim suspended on a length of rope.
- Victim in good health; no need for accompaniment.
- Evacuation path is clear and direct.
Beware of possible rubbing that can disable the BASIC and cause the victim to fall.
Beware of rubbing that can open or damage the sleeve of the BASIC's connector.
Beware of any obstacle that is likely to jam the end of the rope and the knots hanging off the BASIC.
If all favorable conditions are not met, do not use this technique.
Case n° 2.2:
- Victim suspended on a length of rope.
- Victim needs accompaniment.
If the elasticity issue is not identified before starting the rescue, in case of jamming, a specific technique allows the maneuver to be completed:
When transferring the load between the victim's rope and the rescuer's rope, the ropes' elasticity complicates the maneuver:
As the rescuer hauls the victim with the JAG SYSTEM, they reduce the stretch in the victim's rope, but when the hauling is done, the victim can still be partly suspended on their rope. Release is then possible using the following technique:
1. After hauling the victim to the maximum extent of the JAG SYSTEM, the rescuer installs a handled rope clamp with footloop to the victim's rope. (Warning: leave nothing above this rope clamp, especially not the rescuer's ASAP).
2. The rescuer loads the footloop
3. This unloads the rope at the victim's CROLL, which can then be detached. The victim is then fully suspended on the JAG SYSTEM. (A second attachment between the rescuer and the victim is recommended, for example a lanyard installed at the start of the maneuver).
4. The rescuer carefully unloads the footloop, and the two workers are then suspended on the rescuer's rope. Note: at the moment when the victim's rope is unloaded, the rope clamp can rise out of reach.
5. Once the victim and the rescuer are suspended on the same rope, the descent is carried out on the rescuer's rope.
Note: train yourself in this technique before using it in a real situation.
Advantages of this technique:
- Very similar to the traditional method that is suitable for trained rope access workers.
- Allows the rescue maneuver to be completed even if one has not taken rope stretch into account before acting.
Disadvantages:
- A tricky moment where the rescuer must make several moves simultaneously, while maintaining control.
- Several critical steps that cannot be reversed in case of error.
- A difficult maneuver to do if the victim significantly outweighs the rescuer.
If the elasticity issue is identified before starting the rescue maneuver, it is possible to use another technique:
The principle of this technique is to unload the victim's CROLL by hauling him on a JAG SYSTEM temporarily installed on the same rope This allows an I'D to be installed in place of the CROLL. With this I'D, the victim can be lowered until they are suspended on the rescuer's system, without any elasticity issues.
Advantages of this technique:
- Sequential method where each step is done separately from the others.
- Reversal of any critical step is possible, in case of error.
- Weight ratio between rescuer and victim has little effect.
- The elasticity of the support has no effect.
Disadvantages:
- Numerous steps and actions.
- Method is slower than the preceding one.
Details of the maneuver:
Note: for better understanding of the drawings, the rescuer's ASAP is not shown.
Long attachment between the rescuer and the victim. JAG SYSTEM installed on a rope clamp above the victim, on their rope.
Hauling the victim on the JAG SYSTEM, which enables the rope in the victim's CROLL to be unloaded.
Victim's descender installed on their rope, and their CROLL detached. Slack rope taken up in the descender.
JAG SYSTEM released to transfer the victim's weight to their descender.
JAG SYSTEM removed.
Victim's descender used to lower him and transfer their weight to the rescuer's system.
Disconnection of victim's descender and accompanied descent on the rescuer's descender.
Note: for better understanding of the drawings, the rescuer's ASAP is not shown.
Note: train yourself in this technique before using it in a real situation.
- Very similar to the traditional method that is suitable for trained rope access workers.
- Allows the rescue maneuver to be completed even if one has not taken rope stretch into account before acting.
