Canyon Rescue

[rcwild]

Spent the past week+ in Ouray, Colorado, as a student in a technical rescue course. I have taken other courses back in the 90s. This one, conducted by Rigging for Rescue, was probably the best.

Highlight for me was serving as the litter attendant on a Reeve highline dangling over the Ouray Ice Park. Or was it the Brew Fest in the park Saturday afternoon? :beer:

Much of the rescue material was refresher for me, but RFR does a great job of presenting the math and physics behind why things need to be done certain ways to maintain appropriate safety margins. After learning the math and physics in the classroom, they go on to present some simple rules of thumb that are easy to apply in the field.

Picked up a few new ideas that I might incorporate into our Canyon Rescue Courses.

Was also cool to see several more uses for Purcell Prusiks. I'm almost convinced to start carrying a set while canyoneering. Almost.

[Spidey]

What other uses for the Purcell did they have. Is it something you could elaborate on here or would that be futile. What about the stuff you're considering putting in canyon rescue.
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[rcwild]

My first exposure to Purcell Prusiks several years ago was from someone who was using one as an adjustable foot loop for ascending. Kinda cool.

Next, I saw Charly Oliver using one as his personal safety lanyard. Adjustable. Kinda cool, but not cool enough for me to switch.

Then we started playing around with them for doing pick-offs. Normally a pick-off will put your subject below you. With a Purcell, you can lower yourself after the subject is secured to position them above you. Worth having a Purcell if you need to do a pick-off.

During this course, we used both Purcells as footloops. It made ascending much more efficient. With one footloop, you step up, move your harness ascender up, step up, move your harness ascender up, etc. One step up = one move with your harness ascender. With two different length Purcells as footloops, you step up twice and move the harness ascender up twice as far each cycle.

Used them to pass a knot during a lower.

We also used the Purcells as patient tie-downs in the litter. One passing through his harness and connected high on the litter (to keep the patient from sliding down) and one through his harness and connected low on the litter (to keep the patient from sliding up). The Purcells were in addition to the built-in restraints on the litter.

[rcwild]

Not sure yet about changes to our Canyon Rescue Course.

Our course has always focused on self-rescue or buddy rescue. Need to know when we're in over our heads and need to call the calvary. The calvary will show up with 11 or 12mm ropes and will work to maintain a 10:1 static system safety margin. Harder for us when we're carrying 8 or 9mm ropes.

Some of my concerns relate to using guiding lines for hauls and lowers. Not a problem for a one person load. Might need to emphasize load concerns if there are two people on the system (patient and attendant). Some easy fixes, but I have some testing to do before I am willing to go into more detail.

[Spidey]

Thanks Rich, sounds pretty cool I look forward to learning more of it from you. As soon as you decide to add it. I've wanted to play around with purcells for a while but kinda like you haven't seen anything amazing enough to make me switch. See you in a few days.
Spidey
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[rcwild]

Litter surfing in Ouray ...

[bbjones]

I wish everyone that had to ride in a litter would have a smile like that on their face.

Brandt

[rcwild]

I wish everyone that had to ride in a litter would have a smile like that on their face.

The key -- like it is for so many other things -- is beer. :beer:

[kuper]

I was out practicing constructing a mechanical advantage with the equipment I always carry doing canyons. The local FD had a 3:1 set up with big pullies and 5/8 static rescue rope. The difference in efficiency when comparing my 8mm, small pully system was amazing, I was suprised how much my canyon pro seemed to stretch when lifting a 100lb litter. The system was very workable but I would go to a 5:1 in a real life rescue. I completely understand the physics behind all of it and just the different applications of the gear but it was really nice to experience some different equipment and setting up-haul systems with a real load.

[rcwild]

Just hangin' out over the Ouray Ice Park ...

[rread]

What a cool picture!! I bet the forces acting on the ropes were unbelievable, at that distance.