This Field Operations Guide contains specific information

on technical rescue procedures.

THIS GUIDE IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE!

It is intended to be used as a tool for training and for

quick field reference. Refer to current training manuals

and your department policies for detailed explanations.

There  is  no  substitute  for  regular,  quality,  hands-on

training by a qualified instructor.

The techniques and procedures illustrated in this guide follow

NFPA standards and OSHA regulations as much as possible.

This guide can be used by rescuers at all skill levels but was

specifically  developed  for  fully  qualified  technical  rescue

technicians. Special operations are inherently dangerous and

serious injury or fatality may result from improper performance

of these techniques. The author accepts no responsibility for

damage,  loss,  injury  or  death  resulting  from  information

contained in or omitted from this guide.

Thanks to the Phoenix Fire Department and everyone who helped

make this guide possible. Special thanks to my friend Ron Jamison for

helping to write this guide, Kathy Darrow for editing and to George

Drees, Ken Phillips and Jim Frank for great ideas and input.

This guide is dedicated to all those people who go the extra inch

every day to make themselves better rescuers.

This handbook is based on the Phoenix Fire Department and Arizona

State Fire MarshallΑs Office technical rescue programs.

ISBN 0-9675238-4-2 Third Edition October 2003

Illustrations  and  text  copyright  c1999-2003  Tom  Pendley.  All  rights  reserved.

No reproduction, storage or transmission without written permission of the author.

Published by Desert Rescue Research. Photos by Tom Pendley and Glenn Speight.

Cover art, text layout and design by Glenn Speight.

 

Contents

Key procedures in redNFPA Standards 2

Risk Management 3

Incident Management 4

Time Management 6

Rope Rescue

Rope Command Checklist 7

Personal Protective Equipment 8

Terrain Types 9

Mountain Rescue Decision Tree 10

Basic Life Safety Knots 11

Load Releasing Hitch (LRH) 15

Personal Purcell Prusik System 16

Self Rescue 18

Patient Packaging 19

Low Angle Evacuation 20

Anchor Systems 21

Back-Tie Anchors 23

Directional Anchors 24

Structural Anchors 25

Fixed Belay for Edgemen 26

Edge Protection 27

Tandem Prusik Belay Setup 28

Technical Evacuation 30

Technical Evacuation Commands 33

Technical Evacuation Lower 34

Technical Evacuation Raise 35

Steep Angle Evacuation 36

High Angle Litter Rigging 37

High Angle Evacuation 38

Mechanical Advantages 39

Ganged Mechanical Advantage 41

Conversion from Lower to Raise 42

Knot Passing 43

Mid-Face Litter Scoop 46

Rescue Pick-off 48

Rescuer Based Pick-off 50

Team Based Pick-off 55

Confined Space Rescue

Con Space Command Checklist 58

Con Space Definitions 60

Con Space Entry Safety Checklist 61

Personal Protective Equipment 62

Supplied Air Station Operation 63

Remote Air Cart 64

Communication Position 65

Intercom 66

Atmospheric Monitoring 67

Ventilation 68

Extrication Device 72

Rescue Tripod and Winch 73

Winch Cable Setup 75

Rescue Tripod and Pulley System 76

Aerial Apparatus 77

Swiftwater Rescue

Swiftwater Command Checklist 79

Equipment 80

Swiftwater Rescue Comm 82

Swiftwater Hazards 83

Safe Swimming Position 84

Shore-Based Rescue: Reach 85

Shore-Based Rescue: Throw 87

Shallow Water Crossing: Wade 89

Boat Operations: Row 91

Boat on Highline 94

Strong Swimmer Rescue: Go 97

Helicopters and Swiftwater 100

Trench Rescue

Trench Command Checklist 101

Trench Incident Site Setup 103

Trench Definitions 104

Trench Hazards 105

Hydraulic Speed Shore System 106

Pneumatic Shore Placement 109

Timber Shore Step-by-Step 111

 

Contents

Key procedures in redStructural Collapse

Structural Collapse Checklist 116

Task Level Checklist 117

SAR Marking System 119

Cut Station 121

Material Capacities and Weights 123

Airbag Operation 124

T Spot Shore 125

Ellis Clamps 126

Two Post Vertical Shore 127

Laced Post Shore 128

Alternate Door/Window Shore 129

Standard Door / Window Shore 130

60‹and 45‹Solid Sole Rakers 131

Flying Raker 134

Sloped Floor Shoring 135

Helicopter Operations

Helo Ops Command Checklist 139

Helicopter Flight Risk Score 140

Landing Zone Safety 141

Rescuer Safety 142

Power On Insertions 143

Longline Use Decision Tree 145

Longline/Short Haul Procedures 146

Capewell Release Mechanism 148

Litter Rigging for Longline 149

Emergency Procedures 150

Sling Loading Equipment 150

Rescue Medical Situations

Crush Syndrome 151

Suspension Trauma 152

Hypothermia 153

Appendices 154

 

 

Rescue Medical Situations

There are certain medical situations which are common and

in some cases unique to technical rescue. The following

section contains brief outlines of several of these situations.

As always, use common sense and follow local protocol.

Crush Syndrome

Crush syndrome should be suspected in patients who have

large parts of their body (lower legs and pelvis) subjected to

pressure and immobilization. In cases of severe pressure it

can occur in as little as one hour but usually takes 4-6 hours

to develop.

If you suspect crush syndrome, it is important to begin

treatment prior to removing pressure from the patient.

Treatment (should follow local protocol when available)

_ ABCΑs, high flow oxygen and c-spine precautions

_ Cardiac monitor _ watch for peaked T waves and print

baseline strip

_ Establish two large bore IVΑs and begin fluid resuscitation at

20 cc/kg NS prior to release of compression

_ Consider sodium bicarb 1 mEq/kg IVP

_ Consider IV dextrose and IM insulin

_ Consider calcium in the event of hyperkalemia

_ Contact local medical control and ask for orders for

suspected crush syndrome

_ Document and report suspected crush syndrome at patient

transfer

Rescue Medical Crush Syndrome

151

 

Rescue Medical Suspension Trauma

152Suspension Trauma

Also known as harness-induced pathology, suspension

trauma occurs when an individual hangs motionless in a

harness. Typically this happens when a subjectΑs fall is

arrested by their fall protection system or when a subject is

overcome by exhaustion and or hypothermia.

Lack of muscle activity and the harness itself compromise

venous return from the lower extremities and progressive

hypotension develops leading to syncope. Syncope begins a

vicious cycle of no movement and increased blood pooling,

resulting in death.

Signs and Symptoms

_ Light headedness

_ Nausea

_ Difficulty breathing

_ Syncope

Prevention for Rescuers

Keep your legs moving and reposition frequently if you are

required to hang in a harness for any length of time (as little

as 20 minutes)

Treatment

_ Advise patient to move their legs and flex leg muscles

while waiting for rescue

_ If unconscious, address ABCΑs and quickly remove them

from suspension

_ Keep the subject sitting up to prevent the rapid return of

acidotic blood from the legs to central circulation

_ Transition the subject to a horizontal position slowly over a

period of 20 to 40 minutes

_ Avoid rapid IV bolus and treat for potential crush syndrome

at the hospital

 

 

 

Hypothermia

Whenever a subject is immobile in a cold environment,

hypothermia can occur. Hypothermia is especially common

in confined space rescue and structural collapse when

access and extrication takes an extended period of time.

Moderate Hypothermia 82-89‹F (27-32‹C) Core Temperature

Signs and Symptoms

_ No shivering _ Decreased respiration

_ Dilated pupils _ A-fib

_ Bradycardia _ Marked decrease in mental function

Treatment (less active/more passive)

_ Careful handling (watch out for V-fib)

_ Remove to warm, dry environment

_ Hot packs/hot water bottles

_ Warm IV fluid

_ Warm humidified oxygen

_ Re-warm over several hours

Severe Hypothermia <82‹F  (<27‹C) Core Temperature

Signs and Symptoms

_ Progressive decrease in metabolism can result in death

_ Coma (remember, not dead till warm and dead)

_ Significant hypotension

_ Respiratory arrest

_ V-fib to asystole

Treatment

_ Careful handling (watch out for V-fib)

_ Remove to warm dry environment

_ Slow re-warming (very passive in the field)

_ Do not give ACLS drugs until the patient is re-warmed

above 86‹(30‹C) core temperature

_ Re-warm in hospital

Rescue Medical Hypothermia

153

154Appendix A

NFPA 1983, 2001 edition, pertinent definitions

Auxiliary equipment  System components that are load bearing

accessories designed to be used with life safety rope and

harnesses including but nor limited to, ascending devices,

carabiners, descent control devices, rope grab devices and

snap links.

General use A designation of auxiliary equipment system

components intended for use where the system could be

subjected to a two person load.

Light use rope (one person) Life safety rope designed to support a

one person load when in use; also can be used to support a two

person load when used in systems where two ropes are used

as separate and equal members. Minimum breaking strength

not less than 20kn (4496 lbf.).

Light use A designation of auxiliary equipment system

components intended for the sole use of the rescuer for

personal escape or self rescue, or for the sole use of the rescuer

in gaining access to victims.

General use rope (two person) Life safety rope designed to

support a two person load when in use. Minimum breaking

strength not less than 40kn (8992 lbf.).

NFPA 1670 1999 edition, operational levels

Awareness The minimum capability of a responder who, in the

course of his or her regular job duties, could be called upon to

respond to, or could be the first on the scene of, a technical

rescue incident. This level can involve search, rescue and

recovery operations. Members of a team at this level generally

are not considered rescuers.

Operational The capability of hazard recognition, equipment use

and techniques necessary to safely and effectively support and

participate in a technical rescue incident. This level can involve

search, rescue and recovery operations, but usually operations

are carried out under the supervision of technician level

personnel.

Technician The capability of hazard recognition, equipment use

and techniques necessary to safely and effectively coordinate,

perform and supervise a technical rescue incident. This level can

involve search, rescue and recovery operations.

 

 

 

Appendix B

Standard color codes for 1 in. tubular webbing

Yellow 6 ft. (2m) Green 20 ft. (6m)

Blue 12 ft. (3.5m) Black 30 ft. (9m)

Red15 ft. (4.5m)

Standard lengths for 8mm nylon system prusiks

for use in a tandem prusik belay and in pulley systems

with 1/2 in. (13mm) NFPA life safety rope (total linear

measurement untied)

_ Short = 54 in. (137cm)

_ Long = 66 in. (168cm)

Rope Rescue equipment kit inventories

Working line kit

1 - large rope bag with

pockets, inventory and

rope log

1 - 200 ft. (60m) 1/2 in.

(13mm) rope

8 - steel carabiners

1 - prusik minding pulley

4 - single pulleys

2 - double pulleys

1 - 6 bar brake rack

1 - anchor plate

3 - sets system prusiks

3 - yellow webbing

3 - red webbing

2 - green webbing

2 - black webbing

Belay line kit

1 - large rope bag with

inventory and rope log

1 - 200 ft. (60m) 1/2 in.

(13mm) rope

8 - steel carabiners

1 - prusik minding pulley

2 - load releasing hitches

2 - set system prusiks

3 - yellow webbing

3 - red webbing

2 - green webbing

2 - black webbing

Edge management kit

1 - nylon utility pack

2 - 33 ft. (10m) 9mm rope

2 - edge rollers

8 - steel carabiners

1 - knot passing pulley

2 - canvas pads

1 - pocket saw

3 - yellow webbing

3 - red webbing

2 - green webbing

2 - black webbing

Patient packaging kit

1 - nylon utility pack

4 - blankets

1 - set cervical collars

1 - red webbing

1 - green webbing

2 - black webbing

1 - weather barrier

1 - roll 2 in. tape

1 - litter w/face shield

Medical kit (BLS)

1 -  nylon medical pack

1 -  blood pressure cuff

1 -  stethoscope

1 -  pen light

4 -  encounter forms

2 -  black ink pen

10 - pair latex gloves

8 -  rolls cling

1 -  roll 2 in. tape

10 - 4x4 dressings

2 -  6x9 dressing

2 -  formable splint

1 -  hand powered suction

1 -  bag valve mask

assorted OPAΑs155

156Appendix C

Recommended rope minimum strengths

diameter in. (mm) lbs. (kN) use NFPA rating

3/8 (9.5) 4496 (20) lifeline light use

7/16 (11.1) 6000 (277) lifeline light use

3/8 (9.5) 2923 (13) floating lifeline

1/2 (12.7) 8992 (40) lifeline general use

5/8 (16) 12,500 (56) lifeline general use

Recommended accessory cord minimum strengths

diameter in. (mm) lbs. (kN) diameter in. (mm) lbs. (kN)

6mm 1620 (7) 8mm 2870 (13)

7mm 2200 (10) 9mm 3670 (16)

Recommended hardware minimum strengths

item light  lbf. (kN) general lbf. (kN)

carabiner (major axis) 6069 (27) 8992 (40)

carabiner (minor axis) 1574 (7) 2473 (11)

descent control device 3000 (13.5) 4946 (22)

auxiliary equipment 5000 (22) 8093 (36)

Recommended miscellaneous hardware minimum strengths

item lbs. (kN) item lbs. (kN)

rigging ring 25000 (111) rigging plate 8900 (39)

prusik minding pulley 8093 (36) standard pulley 8000 (36)

tri link (10mm) 9900 (44) tri link (12mm) 12000 (54)

screw link (7mm) 6000 (26) screw link (12mm) 13784 (61)

multi-loop strap 5000 (22) anchor strap 8093 (36)

1 in. tubular webbing 4000 (17)

Actual breaking strengths may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

 

 

 

Appendix D

Minimum Personnel Requirements

Rope Rescue Confined Space Rescue

High angle: 2 TRT companies 3 TRT companies

Steep angle: 3 TRT companies 1 Support truck

Command Post LZ: 1 Technician 1 Hazmat company

1 Utility truck

Trench Rescue Swiftwater Rescue

3 TRT Companies 3 TRT Companies

1 Trench support truck 2 Support trucks

1 Utility truck

Minimum Team Equipment Requirements

Confined Space

2 Multi gas monitors (calibrated) 1 Lock-out, tag-out kit

1 Personal monitor 1 Intrinsically safe

per each entrant ventilation fan with cord

1 Rescue tripod with  4 Supplied air breathing

winch or pulley system apparatus

4 Intrinsically safe lights 1 Working line kit

1 Set grounded duct for fan 1 Belay line kit

2 Remote air supply carts 4 Life safety ropes

1 Intrinsically safe intercom kit 1200 ft. Air supply hose

1 Load rated extrication device 1 Sked stretcher

Swiftwater

1 Inflatable rescue boat 1 Belay line kit

7 Paddles 2 600 ft. (180m) ropes

1 Fill kit 2 300 ft. (90m) ropes

1 Line gun 2 Subject PFDΑs with helmets

1 Working line kit 6 Throw bags

Trench

10 sheets form sheeting 2 Folding shovels

20 Ellis screw jacks 2 Square shovels

4 carpenter kits 2 Round shovels

4 ground ladders 4 Five gallon buckets

16 2x10x10Αs 10 16 ft. Utility ropes

Joist hangers 2 Garden hoes

Various hydraulic speed shore 1 Roll hazard tape

Pump can Power saw

8 4x4 Αs 10 concrete stakes

Fluorescent ground marking paint Ventilation equipment

Patient immobilization device Air monitor

157

 

 

Suggested Resources

Phoenix Fire Department 1999. Standard Operating

Procedures, Volume II. Phoenix, AZ.

Vines Thomas, and Hudson, Steve 1999. High Angle Rescue

Techniques, 2nd ed. Mosby Yearbook, St Louis MO.

International Association of Fire Fighters 1995. Training for

Hazardous Material Response, Confined Space Operations.

International Association of Fire Fighters, Washington D.C.

Roop, Michael, and Vines, Thomas, and Wright, Richard 1998.

Confined Space and Structural Rescue, 1st ed. Mosby

Yearbook, St Louis MO.

Ray, Slim 1997. Swiftwater Rescue. CFS Press, Ashville NC.

Bechdel, Les, and Ray, Slim 1989. River Rescue, 2nd ed.

Appalachian Mountain Club, Boston, MA.

Gargan, James 1996. First Due Trench Rescue, 2nd ed. Mosby

Yearbook, St Louis MO.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 2002.

National US&R Response System Structural Collapse

Technician Training Manual.

Stoffel, Skip, and LaValla, Patrick 1998. Personal Safety in

Helicopter Operations. Emergency Response Institute,

Olympia, WA.

Frank, James A. 1998. CMC Rope Rescue Manual 3rd ed.

CMC Rescue, Santa Barbara, CA.

Brown, Michael 2000. Engineering Practical Rope Rescue

Systems.1st ed. Delmar Learning, Independence, KY.

158

 

About the author

Tom  Pendley  is  a  Captain  Paramedic

with the Peoria Fire Department and a

member of the technical rescue team.

He received the firefighter of the year

award in 1993. He has taught technical

rescue for the Phoenix Fire Department

since 1993 and is currently a technical

rescue instructor trainer for the Arizona

State Fire Marshals Office. He is a contributing author to Fire

Rescue Magazine and a faculty member with the Maricopa

Community College District. In over 14 years as a volunteer

with the Maricopa County SheriffΑs Mountain Rescue Team,

he  has  participated  in  hundreds  of  backcountry  rescue

missions.

Tom  holds  a  helicopter  private  pilot  rating  and  is  an  avid

mountaineer and river runner.

For  more  copies  of  this  guide  contact  Desert  Rescue

Research  at  877-434-4781  or  go  to  our  website  at

www.Desertrescue.com.

 

 

First Responders

Industrial Emergency Response Teams

Rescue Technicians

E Bring consistency to your technical rescue program

E Make incident size-up and organization a snap

E Increase safety and effectiveness of first responders

E Understand NFPA standard 1670 and related OSHA standards

This new updated, third edition guide contains over 120 high

quality  graphic  illustrations,  command  checklists  and  easy  to

follow step-by-step procedures for rope rescue, confined space

rescue,  swiftwater  rescue,  trench  rescue,  structural  collapse

rescue and helicopter rescue. Designed to be used during and

after a full training program, this guide is an essential tool for

rescuers  of  all  levels  to  assist  in  safe  and  efficient  technical

rescue. Made to be taken in the field, it assists rescuers in recall

of the most important aspects of techniques and safety.

$19.95 USA

$28.95 CAN