The 3 Configurations of Rope Rescue Systems

A Tutorial

By Jim Pearson

Rope Rescue Systems• Rope Rescue Systems incorporate a mainline to

lower and raise rescuers and victims and;• A Belay line which provides a redundant safety

component for those who are suspended from the mainline.

• There are 3 configurations of rope rescue systems generally agreed upon by Fire Service Rescue professionals in California that can be adapted to any rope rescue or access situation.

• Let’s look at an illustrated example of the most basic configuration on the next slide…

Rope Rescue System Components

Mainline

Belay Line

Both Mainline & Belay Lines always have separate and dedicated anchors

RPM

Double Prusik Belay with Mariner’s

Anchor Anchor

RPM DefinitionRack

Pulley/Prusik

Mariner’s Knot (a load release strap) with pulley and prusik attached as shown

The 3 Configurations of RPMs:

• There are three distinct configurations of RPMs for Rope rescue & access. They are:

– In-Line RPM– Change-of-Direction RPM– Pig-Rig RPM

• Each offer advantages & disadvantages

Advantages of Each Configuration

• In-Line RPM is the simplest and uses the least amount of gear.

• Change-of-Direction RPM bends the mainline 90 degrees to move the system off of a roadway or to a more advantageous location.

• Pig-Rig RPM employs a second rope for mechanical advantage allowing the mainline to be fully extended over-the-side to it’s maximum length or “reach”.

In-Line RPM (Lower)

In-Line RPM (Raise)

Change-of-Direction RPM (Lower)A change of direction pulley and anchor are added here

The Change-of-Direction RPM bends the Mainline 90 degrees to keep the system off of a roadway or position it to a more advantageous location. RPM configuration is the same as In-Line.

Change-of-Direction RPM (Raise)

Pig-Rig RPM (Lower)Prusik is removed from here & set aside

Pulley & carabiner are removed from here & set aside

The Pig-Rig RPM adds an additional rope for raising operations, enabling the mainline to be fully extended to it’s maximum reach. RPM is configured differently than In-Line or Change-of-Direction RPMs (see above)

Pig-Rig RPM (Raise)

A Pig-Rig RPM raise incorporates an additional rope system “piggy-backed” onto the mainline with a prusik

Ratchet prusik is on the end of the Mariners to extend it’s location away from the pulley. It IS NOT self-tending and must be tended by hand!

Change of direction pulley is clipped directly to anchor plate to reduce pendulum effect when hauling

Disadvantages of Each RPM Configuration

• In-Line RPM requires the most area in-line with the direction of travel (up & down).

• Change-of-Direction RPM places the RPM at a location away from the point of departure (over the edge) and requires one more pulley, carabiner, anchor sling/strap, and anchor.

• Pig-Rig RPM requires one more rope in addition to the gear required for a Change-of-Direction RPM. Requires an additional person to tend ratchet prusik. RPM is configured differently than for In-Line and Change-of-Direction RPMs.

Discussion• All RPM configurations enable a rescue team to

lower and raise rescuers and victims with the ability to change directions while under tension – that’s why they are always employed for any rope rescue or access situation.

• Operation of each configuration is essentially the same regarding changing from a lower to a raise or a raise to a lower (see following slides for In-Line examples)

• It is the rescuers responsibility to become familiar with each of the 3 RPM configurations discussed in this program and utilize the most appropriate for a given rescue. Obviously, this takes a bit of hands-on practice. Competency cannot be attained through simply viewing a PowerPoint program.

RPM Change-Over Sequence

• The next 7 slides illustrate the steps required to perform a change-over from a lower to a raise and a raise to a lower. The In-Line RPM configuration is shown in this example, but the procedure is essentially the same for all 3 RPM configurations.

Lower

Change-Over from Lower to Raise, Steps 1 - 3

Step 1: Lock-off Mainline at the Rack

Step 2: Attach Prusik to Mainline at the Mariner’s

Step 3: Attach Pulley to Mainline at the Mariner’s

Change-Over from Lower to Raise, Steps 4 – 5. System is ready for Raise

Step 4: Disconnect Mainline from Rack

Step 5: Remove Pulley, Prusik, & Carabiner from Anchor Plate and rig as shown, forming a “Z-Rig”

Step 1: Lock-off Ratchet Prusik on Mainline

Change-Over from Raise to Lower, Step 1

Sep 2: Remove both pulleys from Mainline

Step 3: Remove Prusik from Mainline and cache with Pulley & Carabiner on Anchor Plate

Change-Over from Raise to Lower, Step 2 - 3

Change-Over from Raise to Lower, Step 4 - 5

Step 4: Reeve Mainline into Rack & lock-off

Step 5: Release the Mariner’s and slowly transfer load from the Prusik onto the Rack

Change-Over from Raise to Lower, Step 6 – 7. System is ready to Lower

Step 7: Unlock Mainline from Rack & prepare to lower

Step 6: Remove Prusik from Mainline and re-tie Mariner’s

Practice!

• Hit the field with your crew and drill on the 3 configurations of RPMs until you can do them all in your sleep – you may have to soon!