Due to time restraints in refresher training, oftentimes individual team members may only get to build a portion of a rescue system – for example, setting up a mainline or performing patient packaging. In order to have maximum team efficiency, it is important to keep all team members proficient in all aspects of the rescue operation.

1. Lay out enough equipment to build a mainline and a safety line system and for a particular type of packaging. Describe which system is to be used and how the patient will be packaged (i.e. vertical stokes raise, or horizontal SKED lower with attendant).

2. Identify what will be used as anchors. If working in a classroom or apparatus floor, a chair leg could be designated as bombproof or substantial anchor depending on the rigging the team member is being asked to do. If you are in the field, use whatever anchors are available.

3. Assign a team member to construct or rig the entire system on their own, including packaging the patient.

This drill allows a Team Leader to identify potential weaknesses in individual performance skills, while improving the team member's understanding of how the systems work. The knowledge gained will also help in planning future training sessions to correct any deficiencies. For the individual team member, this drill will reinforce all aspects of putting systems together and identifying weak points or areas of confusion that need to be corrected.    

 

Next in this series: QUICK DRILL #6 - Splitting One Rope Between Two Systems

 

This post has been updated and republished as of 30 Sep 2018.

Being able to tie a knot in the classroom with a rope short vs. selecting the proper knot and tying it correctly in the field during an emergency requires experience. With a little imagination, you can provide your team members numerous scenarios to practice in just a short period of time while they are still within a controlled environment. This practice will help them to gain more experience that should pay off in the long run if needed during a real life emergency.

1.  Identify the knots your team uses, and where they are used in various systems.

2.  Lay out a series of applications where team members would need to tie a knot. Decide in advance what knots are acceptable in these applications since many times more than one knot may get the job done.

3.  Once you have established the acceptable knots, lay out a gauntlet of knot tying stations.

4.  Each team member will go through each station... first, deciding which knot to use, and then tying it as it would be used in the application (examples: end knot in a lower line, vertical bridle knot, lashing a backboard, adjustable anchor, self-equalizing anchor, etc.)

The goal is to have team members choose an appropriate knot, tie it correctly, and apply it properly based on the rescue system presented. Two examples for knot stations are: (1) Backboard lashing - have the lashing complete except for the knot at the end; and (2) Mainline rigged except for the knot attaching it to the anchor.

CHECK OUT OUR RESCUE KNOT VIDEO SERIES!

Download the Rescue Knots PDF

 

 

Next in this series: QUICK DRILL #5 - Building Complete Rescue Systems

 

A question that we often hear is, “How proficient should rescuers be with knot tying?” We recommend that rescuers be able to tie any of the knots used by their team without hesitation, or without even having to look at the knot as they are tying it.

As part of the skills requirement in our Roco certification courses, we require students to tie each knot (with safeties, as required) within 30 seconds. This gives us a good idea of the student’s proficiency in the basics of knot tying.

Here's a knot drill that we recommend: 

1.  Give each team member a length of rope and a piece of webbing. Note: Some knots will require an object to tie around.

2.  In a room capable of being darkened, call out the name of the knot to be tied and then turn off the lights. As each person finishes, have them shout “Completed.”

3.  Once all members have completed the knot, turn on the lights and check for accuracy.

Having the lights off during this drill forces rescuers to use their other senses in remembering how to tie the knots. It helps to reinforce their skills and is an excellent way to identify the individual knot(s) that may require more practice for increased proficiency. When the pressure is on – as in a real rescue – you need to be able to count on all your team members to tie the needed knot in a timely and accurate manner.

CHECK OUT OUR RESCUE KNOT VIDEO SERIES!

Download the Rescue Knots PDF

  

 

Next in this series: QUICK DRILL #4 - Selecting the Proper Knot and Tying Correctly

 

READER QUESTION:
Regarding the Roco video/technique for shortening webbing... what is the strength impact on the webbing with this technique? When going from the looping double/basket method to a choker configuration changes the strength quite a bit because of all sorts of twists and bends... would the strength impact be 50%?

ROCO TECH PANEL RESPONSE:
After reviewing your question, we decided to do some “in-house” testing. Of course, it’s unofficial, but here’s what we did and the results are shown below.

Using new 1-inch tubular webbing anchored to a fixed anchor 2 inches in diameter, a “webbing shortening technique” knot was placed in the webbing. The webbing was marked with a felt tip marker on both sides of the knot to measure slippage. A carabiner was placed in the test webbing and attached to the dynamometer by a short piece of 1-inch tubular webbing that was looped, doubled and ran through the attachment opening on the dynamometer. The dynamometer was then anchored to the load.

Unofficial In-House Test Results:

1. Unloaded 20-ft of 1-ft piece of tubular webbing:
   Force applied 3,340 lbf with 2½ inches of slippage in the webbing.
2. Loaded 30-ft webbing of 1-ft piece of tubular webbing:
   Force applied 3,560 lbf with ¾ inch slippage.
3. Loaded 30-ft webbing of 1-ft piece of tubular webbing:
   Force applied 5,080 lbf with 1 inch slippage.
4. Loaded 30-ft webbing of 1-ft piece of tubular webbing:
   Force applied 5,460 lbf with 1 inch slippage.
5. Loaded 40-ft webbing of 1-ft piece of tubular webbing:
   Force applied 5,620 lbf with ¾ inch slippage.
6. Loaded 40-ft webbing of 1-ft piece of tubular webbing:
   Force applied 6,230 lbf with 1 inch slippage.

Tests #1 & #2 were slow tension pulls on the knot. Tests #3 & #6 were dynamic shock loading. Tests #5 & #6 both had failures of the 1-inch tubular webbing anchor at the attachment to the dynamometer. The failed anchor webbing was in a basket looped and doubled configuration and failed at the sharp angle connection on the device.
The test webbing did not fail in any of the tests, but on tests #5 & #6 it showed slight glazing on the inside of the knot when inspected.

Due to the failure of the anchor webbings, we were not able to generate more than the 6,230 lbf force on the system. Based on these unofficial tests, I would feel comfortable using the technique for NFPA General Use loads and would not expect it to weaken the webbing any more than the efficiency loss of any other knot that would be tied into the webbing, including a water knot.

NOTICE: The information provided on our website and by our Tech Panel is a complimentary service for our readers. Responses are based on our understanding of the reader’s inquiry, the equipment and/or the technique in question. All rescue systems should be evaluated by a competent person before use in the support of any human loads. Proper training is required prior to use of rescue techniques or systems discussed. Because standards and regulations are typically performance based and often dependent on specific circumstances, it is important to review all regulations in their entirety and to follow the proper protocols for your company or organization.