Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
- organisational policies and procedures for emergency response
- roles and responsibilities that can be allocated to team members and participants to effectively complete a single rope rescue
- features, functions, advantages and disadvantages of different types of anchors:
- fixed artificial
- naturally occurring
- artificial removable:
- the effects of rope stretch during single rope operations and implications if not minimised:
- abrasions
- rope bounce
- undue stress on the anchor system
- stretch increases haulage effort
- potential for rescuer and rescuee to impact with hazards, or become entangled or further entangled
- features and functions of equipment used for single rope descents and ascents, and their specific application to rescue operations:
- belay systems:
- top rope top belay
- bottom brake
- self-belay
- descending devices:
- assisted locking
- inline
- plate
- figure 8
- tubular
- improvised
- belay devices:
- assisted locking
- inline
- plate
- figure 8
- tubular
- improvised
- harnesses of different types
- carabiners
- maillon rapides
- static and dynamic rope and when each might be used
- rope protectors
- tape
- sewn sling
- personal attachment systems, including cow’s tails
- Prusik cords
- foot loops
- mechanical ascenders
- mechanical advantage systems; simple pulley systems with one moving pulley
- how the following factors affect the selection and rigging of above equipment for single rope rescues:
- site characteristics including position of rub points
- weather and environmental conditions
- rescuee’s size, weight, and ability
- manufacturers' specifications for equipment use
- techniques used to:
- establish belay systems for single rope rescues
- close the system; advantages and disadvantages of doing so
- when different knots are used in rigging, advantages and disadvantages, and how to tie them:
- fixed eye
- mid line tied in the bight
- end to end joining
- termination
- load control hitches
- slide and grip hitches
- safety requirements at the pitch head including use of personal attachment systems
- techniques used to adjust the rope rig to include those for changing:
- cord length
- types of ascenders and descenders
- type of ascending action used
- single rope rescue techniques used to:
- raise and lower conscious persons from single pitches
- descend and ascend a fixed rope
- lock off during descent
- changeover from descending to ascending
- changeover from ascending to descending
- changeover to another system while suspended on a rope
- bypass knots
- secure rescuee and escape from a loaded belay system
- typical hazards associated with single rope descents and ascents, and techniques used to safely negotiate.